News
Coco Collection adds Sankhara Villas to its portfolio of luxury resorts
Maldives Promotion House – Coco Collection has announced the addition of Sankhara Villas in Mauritius to its portfolio of luxury resorts. Sankhara Villas by Coco Collection will join the prestigious portfolio from 01 April 2013 and is the group’s first venture outside of the Maldives.
Situated in the picturesque village of Poste-la-Fayette on the East coast of Mauritius, Sankhara Villas by Coco Collection offers discerning travellers an authentic haven of tranquility in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.
Nestled on almost an acre of lush private gardens the beachfront property comprises of two luxurious villas, Villa Tiara and Villa Almira. Both feature eclectic Balinese architecture and luxe living, with each offering unique interior design aspects drawn from different regional references.
Villa Tiara features 550m² of well-appointed living space, with interiors paying homage to the rich heritage of Indonesia. Spacious and light, the villa’s five bedrooms can accommodate up to 14 guests and each bedroom comes complete with an en-suite bathroom and dressing room. Villa Tiara also boasts its own private hammam for the enjoyment of its guests. The villa also offers two fully equipped kitchens and three dining areas, one interior and two exterior, and boasts an integrated surround sound entertainment system and a quiet office space.
Villa Almira features 430m² of living space incorporating contemporary Moroccan design. Its teak wooden roof, balustrades, pillars and floors blend harmoniously with the multi-colored basalt stones sourced from ancient sugar factories. The colourful villa comprises of three large en-suite double bedrooms which can be configured to accommodate a total of nine guests, a large dining and sitting room, a second lounge and TV room, a kitchen and two dining areas – one interior and one exterior.
Both villas feature a heated swimming pool with al-fresco rain showers. Each villa also has its own private beachfront garden complete with a spectacular veranda that promises uninterrupted views over the untamed beauty of the lagoon and beyond.
As part of the Sankhara Villas by Coco Collection experience, guests benefit from a dedicated kitchen team lead by Chef Arlando. As an awarding-winning chef, Arlando has developed his own signature cuisine that combines style with delectable gastronomy. His culinary repertoire, which includes à-la-carte and tailor-made dishes, spans French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Arabic, Mauritian and vegetarian cuisine ensuring all guests tastes can be catered for.
A team of efficient lifestyle hosts are on hand to ensure that guests’ needs and desires are met throughout their stay, and also benefit from an array of à-la-carte services and leisure facilities. Activities available include aqua-gym, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, star-gazing, live classical and jazz music, complimentary pedalos & kayaks, boat excursions, deep-sea fishing and dolphin watching. Additionally, the resort is in close proximity to no fewer than five world-class golf courses.
News
Grand Park Kodhipparu redefines family escapes with ‘Life in Residence’ offer
As luxury travel continues to evolve, today’s travellers are placing greater value on quality time together, shared experiences and the freedom to enjoy more spacious, private accommodation. Responding to this growing trend, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has introduced Life in Residence–a new direct booking offer centred around the resort’s most exclusive villa category, the Grand Residence.
Launching as part of the resort’s Summer Lagoon Living campaign, Life in Residence celebrates a more relaxed way to experience the Maldives, inviting multi-generational families, groups of friends and guests seeking additional space to enjoy the island at their own pace.
Positioned at the very end of the jetty, the Grand Residence is a secluded two-bedroom retreat offering uninterrupted Indian Ocean views, generous indoor and outdoor living spaces, a private infinity pool and dedicated 24-hour butler service. Designed for up to six guests, it provides an exceptional setting for family holidays, milestone celebrations or simply spending more meaningful time together.
“Luxury today is increasingly defined by the quality of the time we spend together,” says Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives. “Life in Residence was created for guests who want a more personal Maldives experience—whether travelling with family, celebrating with friends or simply enjoying the comfort, privacy and space of our most exclusive villa.”
Available exclusively through direct bookings, Life in Residence includes 20% savings through Park Rewards for both existing members and new sign-ups, complemented by a collection of experiences designed to help guests make the most of their time on the island.
Days begin with breakfast at The Edge Restaurant, while sunrise and sunset yoga sessions invite moments of relaxation. Guests can discover the vibrant house reef alongside the resort’s resident marine biologist, with complimentary snorkelling equipment provided throughout their stay, and enjoy the attentive support of a dedicated Lifestyle Host to personalise their island experience from arrival to departure.
Located just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives combines effortless accessibility with the intimacy of a luxury boutique island retreat. With its award-winning house reef, expansive lagoon, FireDoor signature dining experience and contemporary villa design, the resort offers an ideal setting for families, couples and friends looking to reconnect in one of the Maldives’ most beautiful natural environments.
Whether gathering generations under one roof, celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying the luxury of additional space, Life in Residence offers a new way to experience the Maldives.
Life in Residence is available now for direct bookings via the resort’s website.
Action
Villa Nautica turns reef into living classroom through coral restoration project
Villa Nautica and diveOceanus, in partnership with The Hub 10 – Finland International School, have launched the first phase of a long-term coral restoration and citizen science programme, transforming the reef surrounding the resort into a living classroom.
Following an introductory marine biology session at the school, students visited Villa Nautica to work alongside the diveOceanus team. They learned how to identify coral species, measure coral fragments, assess coral health and record baseline scientific data before preparing five dedicated coral restoration frames.
The initiative extends beyond a traditional coral planting activity. Each coral fragment has been individually recorded through a Coral Tracker system, allowing students to follow its progress over time. When they return approximately six months later, they will compare new measurements with the data collected during their first visit, documenting coral growth, survival and the marine life beginning to establish around the frames.

Over time, students will be able to observe how initially bare structures develop into functioning reef habitats that support fish and other marine organisms. As each class graduates, responsibility for the monitoring programme will pass to the next group, creating a continuous citizen science project in which each generation builds on the work of those before them.
The initiative forms part of Villa Nautica’s wider coral restoration programme, established in 2024 and managed by diveOceanus. The resort currently maintains approximately 65 coral restoration frames, contributing to more than 130 frames established across Villa Resorts.
Mohamed Seeneen, Director of Operations at diveOceanus, explained that the team has gained valuable knowledge through years of reef restoration during periods of elevated sea temperatures.

“Over the years, we have experienced several marine heatwaves that have affected reefs throughout the Maldives. While our restoration sites have also experienced losses, they have shown encouraging resilience. Rather than continually introducing new donor colonies, we focus on propagating coral fragments that have naturally survived previous bleaching events, allowing these more resilient corals to form the foundation of future restoration.”

The team has already observed coral colonies beginning to develop into more natural reef formations. Species such as the Harlequin Filefish have also been seen returning regularly to the restoration sites, providing an encouraging indication that the developing habitats are supporting marine biodiversity.
Awards
Reethi Faru Resort named among Tripadvisor’s top 10% worldwide
Reethi Faru Resort has announced that it has been recognised as a winner of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2026, placing the resort among the top 10% of hospitality businesses worldwide on Tripadvisor.
As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled authority among travellers. The Travellers’ Choice Awards are based entirely on genuine reviews and ratings submitted by guests over a 12-month period, recognising businesses that consistently deliver exceptional experiences.
Reethi Faru Resort is grateful to its guests for their continued support and for sharing their experiences on Tripadvisor. This recognition would not have been possible without their trust and valuable feedback. The resort also extends its heartfelt appreciation to its dedicated team, whose passion, professionalism, and commitment ensure that every guest enjoys a truly memorable stay.
Receiving this award once again is a proud milestone for Reethi Faru Resort and reflects the authentic Maldivian hospitality and exceptional service that define the resort. As one of the travel industry’s most respected accolades, the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award inspires the team to continue delivering excellence in every aspect of the guest experience.
“Congratulations to Reethi Faru Resort on its recognition in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2026,” said Matt Dacey, Chief Marketing Officer, Tripadvisor. “Ranking among the top percentage of businesses globally means you have made such a memorable impact on your visitors that many of them took time to go online and leave a glowing review about their experience. We hope this recognition continues to drive business to you in 2026 and beyond.”
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