Connect with us

News

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives welcomes Golden Week with dining, tea and island experiences

Published

on

This Chinese National Day holiday, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives invites all guests to embrace the natural rhythm of island life in the serene surroundings of Raa Atoll. From 1 to 7 October 2026, the resort will celebrate the season with a thoughtfully curated programme of dining and cultural experiences, complemented by its Half Board Special and the privacy of its signature Overwater Pool Villas.

Set within a naturally lush island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the resort offers the freedom to experience the holiday entirely at one’s own pace. Days might begin with breakfast overlooking the sea, continue with time in the lagoon or a quiet afternoon beside a private pool, and end over dinner beneath tropical skies.

The setting itself has earned international recognition for its distinctive design and visual appeal. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives was named among Trip.com’s Asia 100 – Instagrammable Hotels in both 2025 and 2026, while Trip.com’s 2026 ranking of Instagrammable Hotels in the Maldives places the resort at No. 3.

Overwater Living, the Alila Way

For travellers dreaming of the quintessential Maldives experience, the resort’s Overwater Pool Villas extend above the lagoon with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

The Lagoon Overwater Pool Villa, Ocean Overwater Pool Villa and Sunset Overwater Pool Villa each offer 125 square metres of contemporary indoor-outdoor living, with a private pool and the water always within sight. Whether waking to the changing colours of the lagoon or watching the sun descend from the privacy of the villa, the experience places the landscape at the centre of the stay.

For larger families and multi-generational groups, the resort also offers spacious multi-bedroom accommodation, including the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa and Boduge Residence, allowing extended families and friends to stay together while retaining their own sense of space.

“Golden Week is an occasion to come together, and we wanted the celebration on the island to feel both familiar and distinctly Alila. Guests can gather over steamed local reef fish with ginger and scallion, share the warmth of a hot pot evening, learn the art of dumpling making with Chef Amrit, or slow down over tea masterclasses and pairing rituals with Dilmah Tea. These experiences bring the spirit of the celebration into the rhythm of island life, while giving families and friends the freedom to enjoy their time together in their own way,” says Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.

A Celebration Around the Table

Dining takes a central place in the celebrations, with a programme created especially for the week.

The programme begins on 1 October with a Dumpling Making Class with Chef Amrit, followed on 2 October by Flavors of the Golden Week, featuring steamed local reef fish with ginger and scallion. The weekend brings convivial Flavors of the East Hot Pot Nights, while Chinese-Flavored BBQ Skewer Night at Yakitori Bar adds another celebratory evening on 6 October. The programme culminates on 7 October with the Golden Week “Seasalt Night” Buffet Dinner.

Throughout the week, guests can also discover a series of tea experiences presented in collaboration with Dilmah Tea, including Tea Mini-Classes exploring wellness and health tips, Tea Masterclasses and Tastings, and evening Tea-Pairing Rituals — introducing a quieter ritual to the island celebrations.

Half Board, with the Freedom to Explore

Adding ease and flexibility to the stay, the resort’s Half Board Special brings breakfast and dinner into the rhythm of each day while leaving guests free to explore Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ wider culinary landscape.

The plan includes daily breakfast at Seasalt and dinner at Seasalt, Pibati, Yakitori Bar or Umami, served as a three-course à la carte menu, excluding Teppanyaki. Guests wishing to dine at another venue receive a USD 75 food credit, applicable at participating experiences including Teppanyaki, The Shack and Dining Experiences, subject to availability. Premium and signature items may carry an additional charge.

This flexibility means no two evenings need feel the same: dinner might unfold over Japanese flavours at Umami, around the table at Seasalt, or somewhere entirely more secluded at The Shack, the resort’s private sand cay.

The Half Board Special is complemented by a collection of Alila Hospitalities, including welcome amenities, Spa Alila wellness activities, complimentary use of snorkelling equipment, daily poolside refreshments and access to Play Alila, the 24-hour Fitness Centre and Library. In-room reusable water bottles, Alila Living bath amenities, Villa Host service and resort-wide Wi-Fi are also included.

Island Days, Made Personal

Beyond the celebrations, the island invites guests to find their own rhythm. Snorkelling and diving reveal the marine environment of Raa Atoll, while Play Alila, outdoor games and padel tennis offer easy ways for families to spend time together.

For something slower, Spa Alila and island wellness experiences create space to reset, while Alila Moments connect guests more closely with Maldivian culture, nature and local traditions.

The programme has deliberately been designed with room for spontaneity. Complimentary experiences are woven between the culinary events, including dumpling making and scheduled tea activities, allowing guests to participate as much — or as little — as they wish. Selected activities require advance reservations, while dine-around credit is applicable to certain dining experiences.

An Island Celebration, Shaped Around You

From overwater mornings and private-pool afternoons to dumpling making, tea rituals and dinners overlooking the Indian Ocean, the week celebrates a simple luxury: time together, with the freedom to choose how it is spent.

For more information or to plan a Golden Week escape, visit www.alilakothaifarumaldives.com.

News

The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives to introduce refreshed villas, dining and wellness facilities

Published

on

The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, by Hyatt bringing The Standard’s signature spirit to Hyatt, is getting ready for its next chapter with a series of enhancements designed to bring even more colour, character and ways to experience island life to the resort. Combining The Standard’s signature playful spirit with Hyatt’s renowned hospitality expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional luxury resort experiences, the resort is introducing refreshed villa interiors, new dining concepts, expanded family programming, upgraded recreational facilities and enhanced wellness offerings. Together, these developments reinforce a guest experience that is both unmistakably The Standard and elevated through Hyatt’s global standards of service and operational excellence.

Set on Huruvalhi Island in the Raa Atoll, the award-winning resort pairs bold design and an easy-going island energy with a thriving house reef, turquoise lagoons and plenty of reasons to get out on the water. Recognised with accolades including Best Beach Resort at the TTM Awards 2026 and Best Family Resort at the Global Destination Awards 2026, the upcoming enhancements build on that spirit, giving guests more ways to make the island their own — whether that means chasing the next adventure, lingering over a long lunch, getting creative with the kids or switching off somewhere above the lagoon.

A Fresh Look for the Villas

The resort’s beach and overwater villas will receive refreshed interiors, bringing a brighter, more contemporary feel while keeping the playful personality that makes The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives distinctly its own. Thoughtful design updates will create a renewed sense of comfort and connection to the island, with interiors that open naturally onto the surrounding blues, palms and tropical landscape. The result is less about traditional island luxury and more about having your own colourful, comfortable hideaway — somewhere to sleep, swim, play and, ideally, stay a little longer than planned.

More Ways for Little VIPs to Play

There will be even more for younger guests to discover, with expanded programming at Lil’ Shark Kids Club, an enhanced Art Hut, a new Outdoor Adventure Zone and a dedicated Teen Lounge game room. Designed with curiosity and creativity in mind, the new additions will give little travellers more opportunities to get hands-on with island life, from making and creating to getting outside and exploring. It is The Standard’s take on a kids’ club: playful rather than prescriptive, with plenty of room for young guests to make new friends, try something different and come home with stories of their own.

And while the kids are busy, parents can make the most of the resort’s restaurants, bars, beach, wellness experiences and everything else that makes spending a week on a private island feel like a very good idea.

A New Kind of Reset at The Standard Spa

Wellness at The Standard Spa is getting a little more interesting. The experience takes guests through a considered circuit of hydrotherapy, steam, infrared sauna, cold plunge and infinity pool, creating a personalised journey to reset, recharge and restore balance. Rather than simply adding new facilities, the enhanced concept brings them together as part of an immersive wellness experience designed to help guests move, pause, recharge and feel good.

Alongside the circuit, three personalised wellness journeys — Healing & Relaxation, Recovery & Reset, and Movement & Balance — give guests the freedom to choose what they need from their time at the spa. Whether it is slowing down, recovering after a day in the sun, getting the body moving or simply finding a better balance, each journey is designed around the experience rather than a one-size-fits-all treatment menu.

And because wellness at The Standard has never been about taking things too seriously, guests can embrace it in their own way. Start the day with sunrise yoga, enjoy an ocean-facing treatment, brave the cold plunge, move through the contrast circuit or simply spend a long afternoon doing absolutely nothing.

Set above the Indian Ocean, The Standard Spa is evolving into an overwater wellness centre where facilities, movement and personalised experiences come together — creating a new way to reconnect, recharge and, most importantly, feel good.

New Drink and Dine Venues

Expanding the resort’s culinary experiences, The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives will introduce an exclusive Chef’s Table dining experience, offering guests a more intimate and immersive way to connect with the destination through food. Set in a refined and interactive setting, the experience will showcase thoughtfully curated menus, seasonal ingredients, and creative culinary techniques, allowing guests to engage directly with the chefs while enjoying a personalised journey designed to celebrate flavour, craftsmanship, and storytelling.

Adding to the resort’s social scene, the all-new Castaway Bar, located on the picturesque standalone Baby Island in the middle of the Maldives ocean, will serve as a relaxed gathering spot ideal for enjoying spectacular sunsets or lingering over an after-dinner nightcap. Surrounded by pristine beaches and panoramic lagoon views, the venue will offer handcrafted cocktails, light bites and a laid-back atmosphere that celebrates the carefree spirit of island living. Meanwhile, the resort’s beloved beachfront dining venue, currently known as BBQ Shak, will be reintroduced as The Beach Grill. The refreshed concept will continue to showcase grilled specialities and fresh seafood while delivering an enhanced beachfront dining experience inspired by the beauty and flavours of the Maldives.

Pickleball, Anyone?

Adding another reason to get moving, The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives will introduce its first pickleball court, bringing one of the world’s fastest-growing sports to the island. Whether guests are seasoned players or picking up a paddle for the first time, the new court offers an easy-going way to stay active, rally with friends and embrace a little friendly competition — all with a tropical island backdrop. The addition complements the resort’s existing tennis court, giving racket sports enthusiasts even more ways to stay active during their island escape. Because at The Standard, working up a sweat can be just as much fun as cooling off afterwards.

“Great hotels should never stand still. The enhancements at The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives are about evolving the experience while keeping the personality that makes the resort unmistakably The Standard. From refreshed villa interiors and new ways to play and unwind, to expanded programming for families and new wellness experiences, we’re creating more reasons for guests to connect with the island and with each other. It’s an exciting next chapter for Huruvalhi — one that brings a fresh sense of energy to the resort while staying true to its playful, social and wonderfully unconventional spirit,” said Amar Lalvani, President & Creative Director, Hyatt Lifestyle Group.

Set to launch in Q4 2026, the enhancements mark an exciting new chapter for the resort, bringing fresh energy, experiences and reasons to return to Huruvalhi while staying true to the playful, social spirit and distinctive island character of The Standard. Explore the resort and plan a stay for your family.

Click here to explore exclusive offers & plan your stay now.

Continue Reading

News

Sheraton Maldives launches festive offer with up to 20% savings on stays

Published

on

This festive season, trade winter’s chill for sunlit shores, turquoise waters, and celebrations surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives. Set on the lush tropical island of Furanafushi, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invites guests to embrace the holidays through its Festive Special Offer, a thoughtfully curated escape where exceptional dining, island adventures, and meaningful moments come together in paradise.

Available for stays from December 20, 2026, to January 10, 2027, the offer brings together the pleasures of a tropical getaway with the warmth of festive celebrations. Guests can enjoy up to 20% savings on room rates, full-board dining, complimentary shared speedboat transfers, and special privileges designed to make every moment of the holiday feel effortless.

Families can also enjoy added value, with children aged 11 and under staying and dining for free when sharing accommodation with their parents.

A Culinary Journey for Every Occasion

At Sheraton Maldives, the festive experience unfolds one memorable meal at a time. Mornings begin at Feast, where a generous buffet breakfast, freshly prepared juices, aromatic coffee, and a selection of teas set the tone for the day ahead. Lunch invites guests to explore a three- course à la carte selection at selected restaurants, with an enticing variety of Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican, and Asian-inspired flavors.

As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, evenings offer a choice between a vibrant buffet dinner at Feast and a three-course à la carte experience at selected dining venues. To make the occasion even more special, adults receive up to USD 45 dining credit to discover the authentic Thai cuisine of Baan Thai or the refined seafood creations and ocean-to-table flavors of Sea Salt.

Island Adventures, Balanced with Moments of Indulgence

From the moment guests arrive, the holiday unfolds at an unhurried island pace. Complimentary shared speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport ensure a seamless journey to the resort, where days can be spent discovering the island’s natural beauty and embracing the spirit of adventure.

Guests can take to the lagoon on a kayak or paddleboard, explore vibrant marine life while snorkeling, or enjoy a friendly match on the tennis court. For moments of pure relaxation, Shine Spa for Sheraton offers 15% savings on selected treatments, inviting guests to slow down, recharge, and find their own sense of tropical tranquility.

Whether it is a family gathering beneath the palms, a romantic sunset shared over exceptional cuisine, or the simple pleasure of waking up to the ocean, every experience offers an opportunity to make the season truly personal.

Make This Festive Season Your Own

At Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, the holidays are more than a change of scenery. They are an invitation to reconnect, discover new experiences, and create traditions in a setting where the natural beauty of the Maldives meets the warmth of genuine hospitality.

Guests are invited to book their festive escape by November 15, 2026, and celebrate the season with sun-drenched days, memorable dining, and moments to treasure long after the holidays have passed.

For reservations and further information, email Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com or discover the offer here.

Continue Reading

Awards

ELE|NA recognised for excellence in wellness hospitality at SATA 2026

Published

on

ELE|NA has been named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the Maldives-based wellness brand’s contributions to the hospitality and wellness industry across the region.

The recognition comes as wellness continues to become an integral part of luxury hospitality, with ELE|NA working alongside resort partners to develop and operate wellness facilities that combine therapeutic experiences, trained professionals and operational expertise.

Guided by its Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, ELE|NA incorporates wellness into different aspects of the guest experience. Its six Pillars of Vitality – TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight – encompass therapeutic treatments, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, restorative sleep and nutrition. The framework allows individual resorts to develop wellness programmes tailored to their locations and guest preferences.

In addition to providing wellness experiences, ELE|NA works with hospitality partners on concept development, spa operations, therapist training and service delivery. Its operational model combines the individual characteristics of each resort with standardised systems and procedures aimed at maintaining service consistency across its properties.

Sustainability also forms part of the brand’s operations. All ELE|NA properties in the Maldives have received Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation, recognising their approach to responsible spa operations, environmental management and community wellbeing.

The brand also invests in professional development through the ELE|NA Wellness Academy, which provides training programmes for therapists and wellness professionals. The academy combines traditional therapeutic practices, practical training and contemporary wellness knowledge to support professional development and strengthen service standards across the industry.

The recognition at SATA 2026 comes as ELE|NA continues to expand its operations beyond the Maldives, extending its wellness concepts and services into India, Nepal and other emerging hospitality destinations.

With wellness increasingly influencing travellers’ accommodation choices and holiday experiences, ELE|NA continues to focus on integrating wellness services into resort operations while supporting the development of trained professionals and sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.