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
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa reimagines island experience with resort-wide makeover
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has announced an exciting new chapter with a comprehensive resort-wide refurbishment. The transformation reimagines accommodations, dining venues, public spaces, and guest experiences while preserving the lush island environment that has defined the resort for generations. To celebrate this transformation, travellers are invited to experience the renewed island retreat with an exclusive long-stay offer. For a limited time, guests who book five nights or more will enjoy complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers on any available package, making it easier to discover one of the Maldives’ most naturally abundant private islands, located just 15 minutes from Velana International Airport.
Long before the Maldives became one of the world’s most sought-after luxury destinations, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa had established itself as a place where genuine hospitality and nature coexist in perfect harmony. While many islands have been developed in recent years, Sheraton Maldives has had the rare privilege of allowing its landscape to flourish over time, creating a mature tropical sanctuary that cannot be replicated overnight. Today, the resort is building on that legacy with thoughtful enhancements that elevate the guest experience and preserve the character that has always made the island distinctive.

The island is home to nearly 200 varieties of tropical plants, 18 species of orchids, and more than 600 coconut trees, creating a vibrant ecosystem that welcomes guests from the moment they arrive. At its heart stands a magnificent banyan tree that has flourished for more than a century, a living reminder of the island’s rich heritage and enduring connection to the Maldivian landscape. The island’s tropical landscape has developed over decades and is home to native flora, abundant birdlife, and shaded pathways that distinguish it from many newer developments across the Maldives.
Alongside its ongoing sustainability initiatives, the resort’s current refurbishment has been carefully designed to enhance what guests have always loved about the island. Guestrooms and villas are being refreshed with contemporary design and enhanced comforts. Restaurants, bars, recreational facilities, the kids’ club, and public spaces are also being reimagined to create a more seamless and refined guest experience.

Every enhancement aims to meet the evolving expectations of today’s travellers while maintaining the warmth, authenticity, and natural charm that define Sheraton Maldives. Guests can relax on powder-soft beaches, snorkel vibrant coral reefs, enjoy diverse culinary experiences, and unwind at Shine Spa for Sheraton. Every stay balances timeless island charm with modern luxury.
“At Sheraton Maldives, our story has always been about bringing people together in an extraordinary island setting,” said Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. “Our refurbishment is an investment in the future of the resort, ensuring our guests enjoy modern comforts while preserving the island’s extraordinary natural beauty and the heartfelt hospitality that have defined Sheraton Maldives for decades. We are excited to welcome returning and first-time guests to experience a timeless destination that continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.”

To mark this exciting new chapter, guests who book for five nights or more will receive complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers on any available package. Whether choosing a bed and breakfast escape or a curated dining package, every eligible booking includes this exclusive benefit. The offer provides added value and convenience from the moment they arrive in the Maldives.
Guests can be among the first to experience the next chapter of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa by booking directly through the resort’s official website at www.sheratonmaldives.com or by contacting the reservations team at Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com.
Action
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef introduces guest-led coral restoration initiative
Surrounded by one of the Maldives’ most vibrant house reefs, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, is inviting guests to leave behind more than memories. This World Nature Conservation Day (28th July 2026), the boutique island retreat officially launched its signature ‘Adopt-a-Coral’ initiative, giving travellers the opportunity to play an active role in restoring one of nature’s most precious underwater sanctuaries.

Driven by Sun Siyam Resorts’ overarching sustainability program, Sun Siyam Cares, this initiative provides a hands-on opportunity to safeguard the fragile aquatic landscapes of the South Nilandhe Atoll. Guests become active participants in the restoration process, carefully attaching live coral fragments onto specially designed nursery frames under the guidance of the resort’s marine experts. These structures are then carefully placed in nursery zones across the lagoon to flourish and rebuild vital habitats.

To commemorate the launch, guests enjoyed an interactive morning event featuring bespoke refreshments and a symbolic frame planting ceremony. Long after returning home, guests continue receiving personalised updates, allowing them to witness the growth of the very coral they helped restore, creating a lasting connection with the island and its surrounding waters.

“Our reef is the heart of our island, and protecting it is a responsibility we proudly share with every guest who visits us,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager. “By giving our guests the opportunity to plant coral, we offer them a meaningful way to leave our sanctuary even better than when they arrived. It is a genuine privilege to empower our visitors to play a direct role in building a more resilient ecosystem while forging a lifelong bond with the Maldives.”
The Adopt-a-Coral initiative forms a key part of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef’s long-term sustainability vision, seamlessly combining luxury island hospitality with meaningful conservation efforts, guest participation, and community engagement. The resort’s spectacular house reef is home to an extraordinary diversity of coral formations, tropical fish, turtles, and countless other species, making its protection essential for future generations.
Action
Fushifaru Maldives offers access to Lhaviyani’s manta ray hotspot
One of the Maldives’ most anticipated marine spectacles has arrived – manta ray season is returning to Lhaviyani Atoll. As plankton-rich waters attract these gentle giants, the atoll transforms into a haven for unforgettable underwater encounters. Graceful, curious and inspiring, manta rays can often be spotted gliding effortlessly through the turquoise waters, creating magical moments for both snorkelers and divers.
Whether you’re taking your first plunge beneath the surface or you’re a seasoned ocean explorer, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of swimming alongside these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. Think vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life and crystal-clear lagoons. Manta ray season offers an unforgettable experience that captures the true wonder of the Maldives.
One of Lhaviyani Atoll’s most renowned manta ray sites is Fushifaru Thila, located just three minutes by boat from Fushifaru Maldives. This protected dive site is home to a natural manta cleaning station, where cleaner wrasse and other small reef fish remove parasites and dead skin from the mantas. Watching these gentle giants gracefully circle the cleaning station as they pause for their underwater “spa treatment” is a truly remarkable sight and one of the highlights of diving in the Maldives.
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