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Charity experiments health benefits of holidaying in Maldives

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Maldives Promotion House – A British holidaymaker has returned to the UK after taking part in a holiday health experiment in Maldives.

The trip was part of a unique trial called The Holiday Health Experiment, which seeks to better understand the health impact of different types of holidays on the body and mind.

Sarah Denning was one of 2,845 people across the UK who entered the competition to win one of three holidays to be taken between April and June 2012. She took her friend Sarah Bastida on the trip with her, she said, to make the experiment a “girls’ holiday”.

The two other winning couples went on very different types of holiday – one to Amazonian Peru the other to cultural Thailand.

The competition was organised by UK healthcare charity Nuffield Health and travel company Kuoni, with participants having to undergo a variety of medical and psychological tests before, during and after their trips.

The two Sarahs enjoyed 12 days of rest and relaxation, away from the stresses of work and everyday life.

Ms Denning, 53, said: “My first impression was ‘oh my god, this is paradise’. Turquoise water blending to deep, deep blue on the horizon, tropical green ringed by white sand. It was perfect.

“After arriving we quickly unpacked and went off to the clear, warm sea, snorkelling masks at the ready. The wonders of seeing such amazing sea life within two feet of the shore never diminished.

“Days were spent swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, sleeping, and eating, in no particular order.

“Evenings were spent in the bar, usually making small talk among ourselves, as everyone else seemed to be on planet honeymoon.

“We tried out lots of the activities on offer as well as the obvious draw of the sea, checking out the gym, a first time go at golf and hired a couple of rusty old bicycles. These were in fact massive fun to bomb around the island on.

“The highlight of the trip was a 24-hour cruise on one of the resort boats; we had a three hour sail to Kagi Island, inhabited by just one couple, a fantastic snorkel on the reef and a barbecue on the beach.

“We had a superb time – the most breathtakingly beautiful place I have ever been to, friendly people, lots to do – what more could you ask for?”

The medical data gathered before, during and after their trip in August is now being analysed by Nuffield Health and will be published in the new year.

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Hulhule Island Hotel marks World Coconut Day with culture and cuisine

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Hulhule Island Hotel celebrated World Coconut Day with a lively programmes highlighting the coconut’s deep cultural significance, versatility and enduring place in Maldivian life.

Guests were welcomed with beautifully woven coconut-leaf creations, including traditional birds and other handcrafted pieces. Throughout the day, an assortment of coconut-based specialities and delicacies was served, offering guests an authentic taste of this treasured island ingredient.

The celebrations also featured a dedicated cultural display showcasing traditional practices associated with the coconut palm. Guests had the opportunity to discover how different parts of the coconut and its tree have long been transformed into food, household items, decorative crafts and other useful products within Maldivian communities.

Adding a spirited and interactive element to the occasion, team members participated in a coconut mocktail-making competition, presenting creative and refreshing beverages inspired by tropical flavors. A traditional coconut-scraping competition brought further excitement, celebrating a familiar skill that remains an important part of Maldivian culinary heritage.

The day concluded with a special dinner buffet featuring an extensive selection of coconut-inspired specialties and delicacies, thoughtfully prepared for guests to enjoy.

Through the celebration, Hulhule Island Hotel offered guests an engaging glimpse into Maldivian culture while recognizing the coconut palm as one of the country’s most cherished and versatile natural treasures.

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Kuda Villingili marks Golden Week with Dragon Buffet, hot pot and family activities

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Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives will celebrate Chinese Golden Week from 1–8 October 2026 with an eight-day programme of festive dining, cultural activities and family experiences. Coinciding with China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, the programme brings touches of Chinese tradition to the island while giving families time and space to reconnect in the Maldives.

At the heart of the celebrations is a series of specially curated dining experiences. On 3 October, The Restaurant will host a Dragon Buffet, bringing together Chinese dishes, live entertainment and a festive evening designed for families to enjoy together. Throughout the week, guests can also experience the resort’s signature Chinese Roast Duck and interactive Hot Pot Experience at East, alongside oceanfront Teppanyaki at Mar-Umi. Special Golden Week cocktails and mocktails will complement the celebrations across selected dining venues.

For younger guests, Kuda Fiyo Kids Club will host a dedicated eight-day programme inspired by the season. Through creative workshops, cultural activities, games and culinary experiences, children can discover elements of Chinese tradition while enjoying the outdoor adventures and island experiences that are part of life at Kuda Villingili.

“Golden Week is a special time for families to come together, and we wanted to create a celebration that feels both familiar and distinctly Maldivian. From shared dining experiences and cultural activities to simply having time together by the ocean, our programme is designed to allow families to celebrate traditions while creating new memories at Kuda Villingili,” said Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives.

Beyond the scheduled celebrations, families can make the most of the resort’s wide range of experiences. Days can be spent around the 150-metre pool, exploring the lagoon through watersports, surfing at the nearby Chickens Break, or enjoying tennis, padel, pickleball and other recreational activities. For those seeking a slower pace, the resort’s private-island spa offers a peaceful retreat, while the beach and ocean provide plenty of space to simply spend time together.

Kuda Villingili’s collection of 75 private pool villas and residences offers a choice of spacious accommodation for couples, families and larger multi-generational groups seeking a luxury holiday in the Maldives. The resort’s diverse dining collection gives guests the flexibility to enjoy familiar favourites alongside new culinary experiences throughout their stay.

Guests can discover Chinese and Asian favourites at East, gather around the interactive Wan Suk Hot Pot, experience Japanese-Peruvian cuisine and Teppanyaki at Mar-Umi, or opt for a private destination dining experience on the beach. Together with the resort’s wider international dining selection, the variety allows families and groups to experience something different throughout their Golden Week holiday.

Located in the North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili is a five-star luxury resort in the Maldives offering private villas, family experiences, diverse dining and island activities.

This Golden Week, Kuda Villingili invites families to celebrate familiar traditions in a different setting — sharing meals, discovering new experiences and, above all, making time for one another.

View Kuda Villingili’s Golden Week Programme 2026 here. For more information and reservations, visit www.kudavillingili.com or contact reservations@kudavillingili.com

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Awards

Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa named Best Beach Villa, Culinary Resort at TTM Awards 2026

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Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa has been recognised with two TTM Awards 2026, receiving Best Beach Villa Resort 2026 and Best Culinary Resort 2026. The recognition highlights two important parts of the Kuredhivaru experience, from its beachfront villas and natural surroundings to its diverse culinary offering.

The TTM Awards 2026, organised by Travel Trade Maldives, recognise outstanding resorts and tourism businesses across the Maldives. The awards celebrate excellence across categories including villas, dining, wellness and guest experiences, bringing together recognition from the Maldives travel and hospitality industry.

The Best Culinary Resort 2026 award recognises the variety and care behind Kuredhivaru’s dining experiences. Across the resort, guests can explore different cuisines, flavours and settings, from fresh seafood and Japanese-inspired dishes to international favourites, wine pairings and personalised destination dining.

Each dining experience has its own character, with a focus on quality ingredients and considered menus. Together, they make food an important part of the Kuredhivaru stay and offer guests different ways to experience the flavours of the Maldives and beyond.

The Best Beach Villa Resort 2026 recognition reflects Kuredhivaru’s approach to creating private and comfortable beachfront stays. Set along the white-sand shores of Noonu Atoll, the resort’s beach villas offer private pools, direct access to the beach and views across the IndianOcean. The experience brings together space, privacy and the natural beauty of the island, supported by attentive service. Set along the white-sand shores of Noonu Atoll, the villas offer direct beach access and private pools, bringing the natural beauty of the island into everyday resort living.

The latest recognition builds on Kuredhivaru’s previous TTM achievements, including Best Culinary Resort 2024 and Best Beach Resort 2023, reflecting the continued work of the teams across the resort.

Together, Best Culinary Resort 2026 and Best Beach Villa Resort 2026 capture two defining sides of Kuredhivaru: dining that turns every meal into part of the island experience, and beachfront villas that put the Indian Ocean at the heart of the stay. It is a proud recognition of the team behind both, and of the guests and travel partners who continue to choose Kuredhivaru.

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