News
Centara launches its first loyalty programme with theme ‘Loyalty from the heart’
Maldives Promotion House – Centara Hotels & Resorts has launched a new loyalty programme under the theme, “Loyalty from the Heart”.
Centara – The 1 Card is a newly created recognition and rewards programme for those who love travelling and staying in the best hotels.
By accruing points, members will be able to enjoy a free stay in a Centara hotel or resort, anywhere in Thailand or overseas, with no blackout dates.
“St Valentine’s Day is, we feel, the perfect time for us to launch Centara – The 1 Card,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts.
“We feel it will be of great value to our guests and customers, and a very heart-warming and giving way in which we can show how much we value them and how much we appreciate their loyalty.”
There are four tiers to membership, namely Classic, the entry level; Silver; Gold; and Platinum Elite.
Members progress upwards through the tiers simply by earning more points.
At each level the rewards increase, with free room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, pre-registration, guaranteed room availability, and much more.
Mr Thirayuth said that members of the programme would find it very easy to earn points that go towards a free hotel stay.
“They will earn five points for every 30 baht they spend when staying with Centara Hotels & Resorts, dining in a Centara restaurant, or relaxing in a Centara spa.
“Book direct through the Centara website and they will earn double these points.
“Members will also earn points when dining in a Centara restaurant or enjoying a Centara spa, even if they are not actually staying in a Centara property.
“They will also earn points when they shop at any Central Retail Corporation store.
“As members progress through the membership tiers, their points carry a bonus rating, enabling fast progress upwards to the maximum rewards level.”
Membership of Centara – The 1 Card is free.
Centara – The 1 Card is also fully compatible with The 1 Card, the very successful loyalty programme that is operated by Central Retail Corporation Ltd.
“We at Centara Hotels & Resorts are very much aware that there are many loyalty programmes in the market, but we have created what we feel is a perfect blend of benefits for those who wish to call Centara their second home,” said Mr Thirayuth.
“We also feel that the combined benefits of Central Group add up to Centara – The 1 Card being the only card that anyone will need.”
The Centara – The 1 Card will be promoted under the campaign Life Should Be Rewarding.
Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts, said that the company feels the basic premise of membership will itself be a powerful marketing tool.
“A member will accrue points simply by doing something he or she would normally be doing, by staying in a hotel or resort, dining, using a spa, or shopping, and these points can then be redeemed for a free hotel stay.
“So membership, and use of membership, carries tangible rewards without any great shift in lifestyle patterns.”
Centara – The 1 Card will be promoted in a variety of ways, via advertising campaigns, online and social media marketing, database marketing, and point-of-sale.
“We shall also be marketing through Central Retail’s The 1 Card, and we see that as being an exceptionally strong marketing tool, as there are in excess of 4 million members of The 1 Card in Thailand, and the number is continually growing,” said Mr Bailey.
Members of Central Retail’s The 1 Card will be able to redeem their existing points for free hotel stays by taking membership of Centara – The 1 Card.
Centara – The 1 Card can be used at Centara hotels and outlets throughout the world, and points can be redeemed for free rooms.
“We believe that once members see how quickly they can earn points, and how the value of the points increases as they pass upwards through the membership tiers, that Centara – The 1 Card will become an indispensable part of their lifestyles,” said Mr Bailey.
“Building up points to take yourself, your partner or your family away for a holiday in which your hotel room is free of charge will become an exciting part of your everyday life, and a challenge to see how quickly the necessary points can be achieved.”
Centara Hotels operates Centra Grand Island Resort & Spa and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa in Maldives. Their third resort in Maldives is under construction.
For more information about Centara The 1 Card, please visit website www.centara1card.com
News
Dr Hetalkumar Doshi returns to Sirru Fen Fushi for extended wellness residency
Sirru Fen Fushi–Private Lagoon Resort has announced the return of internationally recognised holistic wellness consultant and founder of Energy Masters, Dr Hetalkumar Doshi, for an exclusive wellness residency from 1 August to 31 October 2026 and from 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Renowned for his expertise across more than 60 holistic healing modalities, Dr Doshi brings a unique integrative approach that combines ancient healing traditions with modern wellness practices. As a naturopath, acupuncturist, Reiki Grand Master, energy healer, and wellness educator, he has guided individuals around the world towards greater wellbeing, balance, and personal transformation.

During his residency at Sirru Fen Fushi, guests will have the opportunity to experience Dr Doshi’s signature Four-Dimensional Healing Journey, which explores wellness through the Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual dimensions. Each treatment is tailored to individual needs and designed to identify and restore energetic imbalances affecting the body, mind, emotions, and soul.
At the heart of Dr Doshi’s philosophy lies the wisdom of the Five Elements–Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, whose harmonious balance is believed to support vitality, emotional resilience, mental clarity, and spiritual alignment.

Guests may choose from a variety of personalised healing experiences incorporating modalities such as acupuncture, acupressure, Reiki, chakra balancing, sound healing, breathwork, meditation, cupping therapy, and energy healing. Signature experiences are available in 30, 60, 90, and 120-minute sessions.
To introduce guests to his transformative approach, Sirru Fen Fushi is also offering a complimentary 15-minute wellbeing consultation during the residency period.
Set within one of the Maldives’ most naturally captivating island destinations, Sirru Fen Fushi offers travellers a unique opportunity to reconnect, rebalance and rediscover wellbeing in a serene oceanfront setting.
For further information and reservations, please visit the resort’s website or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Action
Coco Bodu Hithi celebrates Women’s Dive Day with marine conservation experience
In celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day on 18 July 2026, Coco Bodu Hithi invites certified women divers to come together for a meaningful morning beneath the surface, combining marine conservation with the joy of exploring the ocean in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant natural environments.
Inspired by this year’s global theme, “Celebrate Community. Create Change.”, the resort’s Women of the Ocean Reef Clean-Up Dive encourages to connect through shared passion for the underwater world while making a positive impact on the environment. Designed exclusively for certified women divers, the guided reef clean-up dive offers the opportunity to explore Coco Bodu Hithi’s biodiverse house reef while helping remove debris and protect its delicate ecosystem.
At the heart of it all is Coco Dive, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, where guests can discover the beauty and wonders of the Maldives through safe, personalised and memorable underwater adventures. Whether taking their very first breath below the surface or exploring advanced dive sites, guests are guided by an experienced, multilingual team of instructors dedicated to creating unforgettable diving experiences.
Just minutes from the resort, divers can access almost 30 renowned dive sites, home to vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including hawksbill turtles, white-tip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, Napoleon fish, schools of blue-striped snappers, batfish and fusiliers. Guests looking to begin their marine adventures can also start their certification before arrival through PADI eLearning, allowing them to spend more time exploring the ocean once they reach the Maldives.
“At Coco Bodu Hithi, we believe every dive is an opportunity to build a deeper connection with the ocean,” said Jinn Hui, Dive Base Leader for Coco Bodu Hithi. “PADI Women’s Dive Day celebrates the growing community of women in diving while reminding us that small actions, such as removing debris, can make a meaningful difference to the health of our reefs.”
The activity is available at the resort’s standard single-dive rate and includes a personalised certificate of participation and a complimentary dive video, allowing guests to take home lasting memories of a meaningful day beneath the surface.
Rooted in Coco Collection’s truly Maldivian heritage, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to bring guests closer to nature through experiences that inspire a deeper appreciation for the Maldives and its fragile marine habitat.
Located in North Malé Atoll, just 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Coco Bodu Hithi invites guests to unwind in spacious villas with up to 30% savings through the Discover Coco offer or enjoy exclusive benefits with the Local & Expat Exclusives package. Visit cococollection.com or contact reservations@cococollection.com for further enquiries.
Awards
Baros Maldives ranked world’s no. 2 resort in Travel + Leisure Awards
Baros Maldives has been named the No. 2 Resort in the World and No. 1 Resort in Asia in the 2026 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, as voted by readers of one of the world’s most respected travel publications.
Now in its 31st year, the World’s Best Awards is one of the travel industry’s most respected accolades, with hundreds of thousands of well-travelled readers sharing their views on the world’s leading hotels, resorts, destinations and tour operators.
For Baros, the recognition is the latest milestone in a story that began over five decades ago. Since opening in 1973, the island has built its reputation through consistency and staying true to what guests value most: impeccable service that the island has never felt the need to reinvent and a natural setting of mature jungle, powder-soft sand and one of the Maldives’ most celebrated house reefs. Nearly 30% of bookings come from returning guests, most of whom feel like Baros is a second home.
Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager of Baros Maldives, commented: “To be recognised as the No. 2 resort in the world and the No. 1 resort in Asia by Travel + Leisure readers is an extraordinary honour. Baros has never chased trends, and we don’t intend to start now. What we’ve built over five decades is something more durable than that – a relationship with this island and with the guests who keep returning to it. This recognition is a reflection of that relationship, and we share it with our entire team and our guests.”
The award places Baros among an elite group of properties recognised globally and reinforces its position within the Versa Hospitality collection as the Maldives’ original luxury icon.
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