News
Kandooma Maldives hosts recycling initiative for Global Recycling Day
Earlier this month, in celebration of Global Recycling Day, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives brought sustainability to life through a vibrant, team-driven initiative that transformed everyday waste into creative works of art.
Centred around the theme “Don’t Think Waste – Think Opportunity”, the resort invited colleagues from across all departments to participate in a Sculpture Competition designed to reimagine discarded materials and give them new purpose. The result was a showcase of ingenuity, collaboration and environmental awareness, demonstrating that sustainability can be both impactful and inspiring.
The winning entry, Waste to Wonder, was created by the resort’s Front Office team using bottle tops and recycled glass to form a striking framed mosaic, bound together with discarded wire.

Second place was awarded to the Recreation team for Varah Majaa, a playful yet purposeful installation featuring broken fins reimagined as turtle flippers, combined with old fishing nets and aluminium cans. The piece delivers a clear visual message on the impact of marine pollution and the importance of protecting our oceans and marine-life.
The team from Kandooma Spa secured third place with Tanya, a thoughtful creation crafted from old magazines, egg trays and discarded paper waste. Inspired by the work of marine veterinarians dedicated to sea turtle conservation, the piece also celebrates female leadership in science and environmental protection.
The quality of the entries are a powerful reminder that innovation and creativity thrive across every area of the resort, not only within traditional creative roles such as marketing and design.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), which encourages waste reduction through reuse, recycling and responsible resource management. It also supports IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Journey to Tomorrow, the company’s commitment to drive positive change for people, communities and the planet.

Commenting on the initiative, Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing & Sustainability at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, said: “This Global Recycling Day, we turned waste into something worth celebrating. Our teams came together for our creative sculpture challenge with one brief: transform what would have been discarded into something meaningful. Every department brought their ideas to life, and the energy, craft and care on display made judging no easy task.”
“The array of entries and their themes was inspiring, while our Front Office team won with their recycled glass mosaic, I was personally drawn to the Engineering team’s entry made from recycled mechanical bits and pieces to resemble a Heron. It is now in pride of place in our Chef’s Garden called Magey Bageecha for all to see.”
Sharon reinforced that for Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, sustainability is not another marketing gimmick or campaign.
“Sustainable practices are ingrained in our Kandooma culture and special calendar days like Global Recycling Day enable us to inspire and show that we are building that culture together and that it’s an ongoing commitment requiring focus and fun,” she added.
The resort’s General Manager Mark Eletr, Sustainability Officer Krisel Magallon and the Sustainability ‘EcoAction’ Team led the initiative, creating an engaging platform that encouraged participation, collaboration and awareness with prizes. A panel of judges, including resort guests, added a unique and inclusive perspective to the event.
In addition, the resort’s Sustainability Officer, Krisel Magallon, hosted a Recycling Workshop that covered the dos and don’ts of waste segregation, how to identify recyclable materials, and the environmental and economic benefits. The workshop included valuable interactive discussions among participants on the best recycling practices in the Maldives, together with practical recycling solutions that could be implemented at Kandooma.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives continues to embed sustainability into its daily operations, from reef conservation and responsible waste management to community engagement and guest education. Initiatives such as the Sculpture Competition and the Recycling Workshop reinforce the resort’s commitment to fostering a culture where sustainability is lived, shared and celebrated.
Located in the South Malé Atoll, just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a lively island resort known for its excellent diving, surfing and family-friendly experiences. With a range of villas, multiple dining venues, a dedicated kids’ club, and the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, the resort offers a relaxed and accessible private-island Maldivian escape.
Guests and partners are invited to learn more about the resort’s sustainability initiatives in the Kandooma Green Book, available here.
Family
NH Collection Reethi Resort unveils new family club in Maldives
In the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the newly opened NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort enriches its already expansive leisure offering with the debut of The Maxies Family Club.
The new tech-light sanctuary invites young explorers and their families to connect, create and celebrate the wonders of the natural world together across 165 square metres of bright, breezy interiors that open onto generous outdoor play spaces.

Anchored in the resort’s philosophy of indoor–outdoor living, The Maxies Family Club’s design draws from the kaleidoscopic colours of the house reef, creating the setting that feels both spirited and soothing. Inside, children explore a supervised two-storey playground built to international safety standards; outside, a toddler-friendly family pool with a water slide keeps the laughter going, often ending in that cherished holiday rite of passage, a stop at the ice‑cream truck for frozen treats made with seasonal ingredients.
Programming at the club is designed for children aged 5 to 12, blending movement, creativity and imagination through dance classes, musical games, face painting and paper art. A key part of the club’s philosophy is Dodo4Kids, an educational initiative developed in collaboration with SUNx Malta that introduces young guests to the concept of Climate Friendly Travel. Through environmental storytelling, interactive learning and activities that connect them with nature, culture and Maldivian communities, the programme aims to inspire environmental awareness from an early age and help shape a new generation of conscious travellers.

“The Maxies Family Club is where childhood wonder meets the soul of the Maldives,” says Valentin Osolos, the General Manager of the resort. “We wanted to create a space where families don’t just holiday together but grow together. Where memories take root as naturally as the coral beneath our waters.”
The Maxies Family Club forms part of a broader family‑centric vision at NH Collection Reethi Maldives Resort. A selection of family‑designated beach villas sits centrally along the island’s longest beach, offering easy access for guests travelling with children, along with multi-generational amenities and tailored culinary touches upon arrival. In particular, The Reethi Suite, the resort’s largest two-bedroom villa, is ideal for families looking for spacious accommodations with unparalleled privacy along a secluded stretch of beach.

All villa categories are designed to welcome at least one child, while the club’s direct access to the dedicated Family Zone within the Activity Centre means parents can enjoy the gym, tennis, badminton, table tennis or refreshments at the Splash Bar with their children safely supervised nearby.
Dining is equally inclusive, with a Kids’ Corner at the Jumla main buffet serving comforting, nutritious favourites. Parents seeking added flexibility can enjoy complimentary babysitting for two hours daily, allowing them to enjoy simple moments by themselves while knowing their children are cared for in a safe and engaging environment.

Ensuring a smooth journey from the moment families arrive in the Maldives, the resort is accessible via both seaplane and domestic flight transfers, each tailored to be child‑friendly. To explore the property’s diverse stay packages and dining experiences, please visit the offers hub.
For more information, please visit the resort’s website.
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi hosts Flor de Caña mixology event with Dinesh Mondkar
The Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series recently hosted a mixology event at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort, featuring Dinesh Mondkar, Flor de Caña’s brand ambassador for India.
The event gave guests an opportunity to explore a selection of rum cocktails while learning more about the craftsmanship and heritage behind the Flor de Caña brand. Set against a sunset backdrop over the ocean, the session combined cocktail-making techniques, brand storytelling and a relaxed island setting.
Guests were introduced to a range of cocktails that highlighted bold flavours and the versatility of rum in contemporary mixology. The evening also offered insight into the methods and presentation behind premium cocktail service, adding an interactive element to the experience.
The event formed part of the resort’s ongoing Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series, which continues to bring recognised figures from the international spirits industry to the Maldives. Through the series, the resort aims to expand its food and beverage offering with curated events that connect guests with global brands and industry expertise.
Such experiences are designed to complement the wider guest programme by combining destination dining and beverage concepts with the setting of the Maldives, while offering visitors a more immersive way to engage with the resort’s hospitality offerings.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru marks reopening of upgraded futsal ground
Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.
The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.
The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.
Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.
Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.
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