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Four Centara resorts unveil distinctive festive experiences across Maldives
As the festive season approaches, trade the winter chill and city bustle for the gentle rhythm of island life at Centara Hotels & Resorts’ four distinctive Maldivian destinations. From sunlit days by the ocean to evenings shaped by seasonal traditions, each resort offers its own expression of the festive season, bringing together considered experiences, culinary moments and the natural beauty of the Maldives.
Discover an elegant island festive season at Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, while Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives brings a considered programme of family-focused experiences shaped around discovery and togetherness. At Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, the festivities unfold both above and beneath the waves, drawing guests into the island’s rich marine world. At Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, an adults-only setting offers a more intimate expression of the season, with each resort bringing its own distinct character, sense of place and rhythm to the celebrations.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Nestled within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a short luxury speedboat journey from Velana International Airport, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers a refined setting for the festive season, where privacy and considered comfort shape every stay.
With an array of elegant beachfront and overwater accommodation, including spacious two- and three-bedroom residences, each setting offers a private perspective on the lagoon and natural beauty of the island. The season unfolds through an array of culinary experiences, water sports and guided island excursions, complemented by the restorative rituals of SPA Cenvaree Retreat.
As the festive days take shape around the lagoon, settle into the gentle rhythm of the ocean and discover a considered celebration shaped by natural beauty, understated luxury and the distinctive character of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives.
Under this year’s theme, The Season: Beautifully Curated, the resort presents a collection of experiences designed to blend the natural beauty of the Maldives with refined luxury. From December 20th through January 7th, become immersed in a thoughtfully crafted calendar of celebrations, anchored by sophisticated culinary journeys, including elegant Gala Dinners on December 24th and New Year’s Eve, alongside exclusive immersive festive experiences and bespoke themed feasts.
For those seeking something more active, the experience perfectly balances relaxation with adventure, featuring restorative Sunrise Yoga, masterclasses in festive beverage creation, and vibrant cultural performances. The little ones also take top priority, with a dedicated lineup of creative workshops and engaging activities leading up to the grand island arrival of Santa himself. The festive crescendo arrives on December 31st with a sparkling countdown to 2027, followed by a tranquil New Year’s Day luncheon to welcome the year ahead.
The curated experience continues into the first week of January when guests can embrace the island’s revitalising energy with beachside challenges and jujutsu sessions. The younger guests are treated to a lively festive party at the season’s grand finale on January 7th, with the festive beachside arrival of Ded Moroz, the traditional Slavic equivalent of Santa Claus, providing an elegant finale to the festive season.
When: From December 20th to January 7th
Offer: Festive experiences for in-house guests, with additional charges applicable to select experiences and subject to terms and conditions
For bookings and more information, please click here.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives
Celebrate the season with unforgettable family moments at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, an immersive destination of family-friendly adventure. Situated within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, this sun-drenched retreat is designed to delight guests of all generations with its action-packed water park attractions and vibrant beachfront dining destinations. Every corner of the resort promises an unforgettable holiday experience that will last long in the memory.
This festive season, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives welcomes families and sun-seekers alike to embrace an exciting holiday escape under the theme of A Family Celebration of Festive Wonder. Running from December 20th through January 8th, the resort transforms into a vibrant, tropical wonderland where family adventures blend with magical holiday celebrations.
The festive calendar is packed with experiences tailored for all ages, beginning with creative festive masterclasses and workshops. Families can also dive into high-energy activities such as OctoSplash treasure hunts or take on the Lazy River Family Challenge, ensuring endless entertainment for younger guests.
The celebrations reach their peak with festive carols and a Gala Dinner. On December 24th, guests can look forward to an appearance by Santa Claus alongside a family day lunch and relaxed beachside celebrations.
The year draws to a spectacular close with pre-dinner cocktail receptions, an elegant Gala Dinner, and vibrant beach celebrations under the stars to welcome 2027. The festive journey then continues into the new year with a series of unique dining experiences, including a Maldivian Family Beach BBQ, Orthodox celebrations featuring fresh seafood and festive flavours, and creative masterclasses that guarantee a holiday to remember.
When: From December 20th to January 8th
Offer: Festive experiences for in-house guests, with additional charges applicable to select experiences and subject to terms and conditions
For bookings and more information, please click here.
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection
Set against the pristine backdrop of the South Ari Atoll, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection promises a chance to escape the ordinary and embrace an end-of-year celebration deeply rooted in nature. Redefining traditional holiday tropes, this year’s theme is “A Festive Season Guided by the Rhythms of the Island.” From the vibrant house reef to the lush shores, every aspect of the 112-villa property becomes a canvas for authentic Maldivian hospitality and unforgettable seasonal magic.
The holiday spirit awakens naturally across the island, beginning with a joyful Cake Mixing Ceremony in November that sets a warm, inviting tone for the weeks ahead. As mid-December approaches, the resort transforms into a tropical wonderland, with the festivities officially taking flight on December 14th as Santa and his elves arrive at the Water Sports Beach, before an enchanting tree lighting ceremony and live carols under the stars.
Wellness takes centre stage with daily Tropical Sunrise Yoga, Paradise Mat Pilates and bespoke SPA Cenvaree masterclasses, offering a mindful, rejuvenating escape. For those drawn to the ocean, the resort’s exceptional marine adventures offer an immersive window into the underwater world of South Ari Atoll, from exploring its award-winning house reef to whale shark and manta snorkelling, complemented by sunset fishing and other aquatic excursions. Meanwhile, younger guests are swept up in the wonder of Camp Safari, where island-inspired programming ranges from Maldivian Origami and festive ornament crafting to thrilling scavenger hunts and pizza masterclasses.
A highlight of the season is an exclusive Italian Grape Pairing Dinner, guided by a renowned sommelier who brings Cape Winelands expertise to the Atoll for a highly curated journey. As the holiday peak approaches, evenings transition between starlit beach cinema screenings and tropical BBQ feasts.
Finally, New Year’s Eve is a chance to toast the final sunset of 2026 before moving into an elegant Gala Dinner. The night culminates in a New Year’s countdown on the Reef Deck, alive with music and entertainment beneath the stars. The warmth of the season flows gracefully into January, concluding with a relaxed Orthodox gathering featuring coastal BBQ dinners and seasonal spa workshops, ensuring the holidays end exactly as they began, relaxed, connected, and beautifully serene.
When: From November 10th to January 6th
Offer: Festive experiences for in-house guests, with additional charges applicable to select experiences and subject to terms and conditions
For bookings and more information, please click here.
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives
This festive season, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives welcomes guests to celebrate the moments that matter most under the theme, Groovy Festive Moments: Made for You and Yours. Step into this adults-only island playground where breathtaking beauty meets a retro-inspired, high-energy escape. Trading the traditional for sun-drenched shores and island beats, the resort sets the stage for guests to celebrate together, create unforgettable memories, and get lost in the rhythm of the season.
The festivities start off on December 03rd with a Cake Mixing tradition to get everyone in the holiday spirit, before the enchanting Tree Lighting ceremony that will illuminate Waves Beach on December 15th. Enjoy a drink at Festive Cocktail O’clock, listen to live carols, and let the island energy take over.
Guests can further enjoy their days with mornings of Hatha Yoga or Full Body Stretching, then heighten the tempo with Aqua Gym, Beach Volleyball, and Thai Boxing at the Fitness Centre.
The ocean is calling with endless ways to explore the vibrant Maldivian waters. Dive into the deep blue with Turtle, Nurse Shark, and Manta Snorkelling trips, or take it easy above the waves with Parasailing, Sunset Dolphin Cruises, and Semi-Submarine adventures.
When the sun goes down, the island’s soul really shines. Sip on crafted cocktails during lively Shisha Nights, belt out your favourite tunes at Ras Fushi Karaoke, or catch a flick under the stars with beachside screenings of holiday classics.
To celebrate December 24th in true Maldivian style, Santa makes a spirited arrival by Jet Ski at Waves Beach, before the sun sets and the evening unfolds into a sophisticated Festive Eve Dinner featuring interactive culinary stations. The celebration continues on the sand with a vibrant showcase of traditional Boduberu, a dynamic Thai boxing demonstration, and curated DJ sets under the stars.
The relaxed island rhythm carries into the next day with a leisurely breakfast and an afternoon of Pétanque by the ocean. As the year draws to a close, guests can welcome 2027 at the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner on Waves Beach, counting down the final moments with delectable dining, live music, and captivating Indonesian dance performances. The festivities elevate further on New Year’s Day with a leisurely Brunch Buffet, and the magic will continue lingering until January 6th when an elegant beachfront Orthodox Celebration Dinner brings the radiant season to a graceful close.
When: From December 3rd to January 6th
Offer: Festive experiences for in-house guests, with additional charges applicable to select experiences and subject to terms and conditions
For bookings and more information, please click here.
Milaidhoo Maldives will mark International Men’s Day with a cocktail-making competition for male guests, as the resort celebrates its tenth anniversary this November.
The occasion will also recognise the contributions of the men involved in the resort’s development and operations over the past decade. Since its establishment, Milaidhoo has maintained a focus on Maldivian hospitality and cultural traditions, with its original vision continuing to influence the guest experience.
As part of the celebrations, the resort will host Gentlemen & Cocktails, an interactive cocktail-making challenge at Compass Pool Bar.
The event will begin with a workshop led by the bar’s bartenders, who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of cocktail preparation. Following the workshop, participants will compete to create their own signature cocktails using a selection of ingredients.
Each participant will receive a black box containing secret ingredients, which must be incorporated into their creation. They will also be required to select an additional herb, vegetable or aromatic ingredient from the resort’s Chef’s Garden.
Participants will have a limited amount of time to prepare their cocktails, with their partners serving as judges. The creations will be assessed based on flavour, presentation and originality.
The winning cocktail will be featured as the Cocktail of the Day at Compass Pool Bar for one week. The winning couple will also be entitled to unlimited servings of their creation for the remainder of their stay.
The International Men’s Day celebrations form part of Milaidhoo Maldives’ tenth anniversary year, recognising the people who have contributed to the resort’s development and its approach to hospitality.
Through the cocktail-making competition, the resort aims to provide guests with an interactive experience while commemorating International Men’s Day.
Angsana Velavaru has announced its festive programme for Christmas and New Year, featuring seasonal celebrations, family activities, dining experiences, cultural performances and marine excursions in the Maldives.
The celebrations will begin with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, bringing guests together to mark the start of the festive season. On Christmas Eve, the resort will host traditional Christmas carols at sunset, while younger guests can look forward to a visit from Santa Claus.
Throughout the festive period, families will be able to participate in activities such as gingerbread cookie decorating and bracelet making. The programme will also include outdoor games and beach activities, including football matches and traditional tug-of-war competitions.
Traditional Bodu Beru performances will form part of the celebrations, introducing guests to Maldivian music and cultural traditions.
Dining will be a central part of the festive programme, with the resort hosting a Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas brunch. New Year’s Eve celebrations will feature a New Year Garden Soirée Dinner, followed by a New Year brunch on 1 January. The resort will also organise dedicated celebrations for guests observing Orthodox Christmas.
In addition to the seasonal activities, guests will have opportunities to explore the surrounding marine environment through excursions such as manta ray and turtle safaris. The resort will also offer wellness experiences for those seeking relaxation during their stay.
The festive programme is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups of friends, combining traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations with recreational activities, cultural experiences and the resort’s existing leisure offerings.
Through its programme of dining, entertainment, outdoor activities and marine excursions, Angsana Velavaru aims to provide guests with a range of experiences throughout the festive season.
ELE|NA, the spa and wellness brand by Atmosphere Wellness, celebrates its 11th anniversary this November under the theme 11 Years. One Essence. Born in the Maldives, the brand has grown through a philosophy rooted in nature, personalisation and connection, carrying its wellness philosophy to new destinations while staying true to the principles that shaped its beginnings.
Eleven years on, the essence is unchanged. What evolves is how that philosophy is experienced: through new wellness practices, scientific innovation, sustainability initiatives and the people who bring each guest journey to life.
Recognition has followed. ELE|NA was named Leading Wellness Brand of the Year at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, and ELE|NA Essentia was named Emerging Skincare Brand of the Year at the Destination Deluxe Awards 2025.
“For eleven years, ELE|NA has believed that wellness should feel personal and give back to the places that inspire it. That belief has not changed. What has grown is our team, our knowledge and our reach, now across South Asia. This anniversary belongs to the therapists and colleagues who bring that essence to every guest,” said Heidi Grimwood, Senior Vice President, ELE|NA.
A Maldives-Born Philosophy, Evolving with Time
The Maldives is at the heart of ELE|NA’s story. Across its sanctuaries, the brand explores how wellness can respond to the individual while drawing inspiration from nature and the surrounding environment.
This year, ELE|NA introduced the Pillars of Vitality, a framework that now anchors its therapies and shapes a more considered, holistic approach to wellbeing. Spanning TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight, the pillars give each guest journey a clear structure while leaving room for personal choice.
At selected sanctuaries, QEST4 bio-energetic assessment adds a technology-led dimension to personalised wellness, complementing traditional practices with a deeper understanding of individual needs.
The ELE|NA Wellness Academy, endorsed by CIBTAC, is advancing the brand’s commitment to learning. It has hosted Reiki and sound healing courses that develop practitioners and deepen their understanding of complementary wellness practices.
A Milestone in Sustainable Wellness
Nature has always been central to ELE|NA’s philosophy, extending beyond treatments to the brand’s responsibility towards the environments in which its sanctuaries operate.
That commitment reached an important milestone this year, when all eight ELE|NA sanctuaries in the Maldives were awarded Platinum, the highest tier of the Sustainable Wellness Group’s Sustainable Spa & Wellness Accreditation, following three consecutive years at Gold Standard. The recognition reflects a sustainability journey built year on year, and a focus on embedding responsible practices into everyday spa operations.
Celebrating the People Behind Eleven Years
Across ELE|NA’s Maldives sanctuaries, the anniversary is being celebrated through experiences that bring guests and teams together. Sunrise yoga, meditation and sound healing sit alongside tree planting, botanical workshops, sustainable craft activities and anniversary gatherings.
At the heart of the day is The 11:11 Moment. At 11:11 AM on 1 November, every sanctuary pauses together, as guests and teams stop to breathe, make a wish and share it, marking eleven years with one shared intention.
Each property brings its own character to the celebrations, with activities and shared rituals that reflect local surroundings and resort communities. Team performances and appreciation initiatives also recognise the therapists and colleagues whose care and expertise shape the guest experience every day.
While each sanctuary celebrates in its own way, the intention is shared: to honour the connections between wellness, nature and community.
From the Maldives to New Horizons
ELE|NA’s next chapter carries its wellness philosophy further into India. Building on its presence at Sadar Manzil Heritage by Atmosphere in Bhopal, the brand opens ELE|NA Ayur at Ananta Spa & Resort, Ajabgarh, on 1 November, with OZEN Villas Jaipur and Arunya in Coorg to follow. Each destination offers an opportunity to interpret the brand’s approach through its own landscape and setting.
The brand is also introducing ELE|NA Essentia, its own skincare line, to India. Made in India and inspired by Indian botanicals, Essentia extends ELE|NA’s nature-led philosophy beyond the spa and into everyday skincare rituals.
Beyond India, ELE|NA’s pipeline extends to Sri Lanka and Nepal, where new destinations will bring the brand’s nature-led approach to fresh landscapes and cultures.
Eleven years on, the destinations have grown and the practices have evolved. The essence remains one.
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