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EarthCheck certifies Centara Grand Maldives

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Centara Grand

Maldives Promotion House – Tourism industry’s leading environmental management, benchmarking and certification company, EarthCheck has recognized the environmental performance of Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives with Bronze Benchmarking.

Centara Hotels & Resorts, has always believed passionately in green and sustainable tourism, a policy that is at the heart of the company and which engages every property in its portfolio.

With the company rapidly expanding deeply embedded philosophy is more important now than ever.

“Each of our hotels and resorts operates to strict environmental standards,” says Thirayuth Chirathivat, Centara’s chief executive officer. “This means involving staff, and also whenever possible guests, with the result that there is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and that everyone feels they have a personal contribution to make.”

Centara also strives to comply with regional and international environmental laws and legislation.

Along with this very positive approach, Centara has begun working in conjunction with EarthCheck, the specialist organisation that sets the benchmarks for environmental awareness and conservation for the international hospitality industry.

“Working with EarthCheck involves the use of their Environmental Management System, a series of practical tools for the benchmarking and certification of operations practices,” says David R Good, Centara’s vice president for operations, whose responsibility covers the environment.

“The environmental performance of each property is monitored against policy, benchmarking the indicators against baseline and best practices. The environmental and social impact is measured through the EarthCheck Online Self Assessment. All results are assessed and verified by third party auditors on an annual basis.”

Centara has started with 10 hotels under this Earthcheck programme. Four hotels have recently achieved Silver Certified status and another six hotels have achieved Bronze Certified status.

Centara has now committed to have all of its self-owned Centara Grand properties to be Silver Certified by 2014.

In order to achieve Bronze Certified, participating hotels are required to have a sustainable policy in place, including key major indicators for energy, water consumption, recycling waste and waste sent to landfill, and paper usage.

To achieve Silver Certification all participating hotels are required to have a sustainable policy in place and to implement an environmental action plan for proper monitoring and measurements on 10 key performance areas, namely greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency/conservation and management, management of freshwater resources, ecosystem conservation and management, social and cultural management, land use planning and management, air quality protection, waste-water management, waste management, and environmentally harmful substances.

Love

Grand Park Kodhipparu curates new ‘Romance in Paradise’ experience for couples

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Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, the contemporary island retreat set in the heart of the North Malé Atoll, has announced the launch of its Romance in Paradise offer — a thoughtfully curated couples’ experience debuting for the Valentine’s period and available for stays throughout the year.

Designed for couples seeking meaningful connection rather than occasion-led indulgence, Romance in Paradise invites guests to slow down, reconnect and celebrate love in one of the world’s most captivating natural settings — framed by luminous lagoons, soft white sands and endless Indian Ocean horizons.

At Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, romance is expressed through personalised moments and shared island experiences. Contemporary design blends effortlessly with the surrounding environment, creating a relaxed yet refined atmosphere where couples can enjoy time together in a way that feels natural, unhurried and deeply personal.

Set on a pristine island encircled by soft white sand and crystal-clear waters, the resort offers a sense of openness and ease, allowing romance to unfold organically. Days can be as tranquil or as adventurous as couples choose — from gliding across the lagoon by paddleboard and exploring vibrant marine life together, to quiet moments of reflection, wellness rituals for two and golden-hour sunsets by the ocean.

A signature highlight of Romance in Paradise is the resort’s Floating Deck experience — an intimate and unforgettable way to dine together on the open ocean. Couples sail gently into seclusion on a private floating deck, complete with plush daybeds, uninterrupted ocean views and a curated menu prepared and served by the resort’s chef. As the sun dips below the horizon and the Indian Ocean shifts through shades of gold and indigo, the experience offers a rare sense of privacy, presence and shared discovery.

Dining becomes a shared celebration with Romance in Paradise. Couples are invited to enjoy an intimate sunset dining experience in an inspired island setting, where carefully curated menus and attentive service are elevated by the rhythm of the ocean and the fading light of day.

Wellness is gently woven into the journey, with daily morning and evening yoga sessions offering couples the opportunity to reconnect in body and mind, guided by the natural pace of island life.

Offer Highlights Include:

  • Daily Breakfast at The Edge – Start each day with a sumptuous spread of international and local delicacies in a relaxed island setting.
  • Romantic Celebration Amenities on Arrival – Celebrate togetherness with a specially prepared cake, a bottle of wine, and a tropical fruit basket awaiting you in-villa.
  • Sunset Rendezvous Private Dining – Share an intimate beachfront dinner as the sun dips below the horizon (advance reservation required).
  • Non-Motorised Watersports Experience – Enjoy one hour of lagoon activities together — from paddleboarding to canoeing (advance reservation required).
  • Yoga Sessions for Two – Rejuvenate with daily morning and evening shared yoga sessions — a perfect wellness ritual for balance and connection.
  • Dedicated Lifestyle Host Service & Complimentary Wi-Fi – Ensuring personalised support and seamless connectivity throughout your stay.

Available exclusively for direct bookings via the resort’s official website, Romance in Paradise offers exceptional value for couples celebrating honeymoons, anniversaries or simply time together. Park Rewards members can enjoy additional savings of up to 15% on villa rates when signing up for free. “Romance in Paradise reflects our belief that the most meaningful luxury is time well spent together,” said Liz Smailes the Resort’s Director of Marketing. “This experience is designed to feel effortless and authentic — where connection, place and shared moments come together naturally, any time of year.”

The Romance in Paradise offer is available for stays up to 23 December 2026, with rates starting from USD 500 per night. For full details and reservations, guests are encouraged to book directly via the Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives website.

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Cooking

JOALI BEING partners with Chef Kelvin Cheung for Lunar New Year residency

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JOALI BEING has unveiled an exclusive culinary partnership with acclaimed Chef Kelvin Cheung, the award-winning pioneer of Third Culture cuisine, recognised by the MICHELIN Guide and MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants. Taking place from 18th to 22nd February, the collaboration invites guests to gather and celebrate renewal and togetherness through a thoughtfully curated culinary journey.

Born in Canada, raised in Chicago, and now based in Dubai, Chef Kelvin Cheung’s culinary philosophy is shaped by a life lived between cultures. Drawing from his Chinese heritage, North American upbringing, and classical French training, his cuisine reflects a deeply personal narrative rooted in memory, movement, and meaning. Thoughtful and instinctive, his approach speaks to balance, harmony, and intention — values that align naturally with both the spirit of Lunar New Year and JOALI BEING’s philosophy of well-living through conscious, considered experiences.

The collaboration is expressed through a curated programme of dining and culinary moments across JOALI BEING’s signature spaces. From shared dining experiences that celebrate cultural storytelling and togetherness, to immersive workshops at the Culinary Learning Centre, guests are invited to experience food not only as nourishment, but as a meaningful expression of creativity, presence, and joy. With world-acclaimed recognition and a career shaped by cultural exchange, Chef Kelvin Cheung brings a distinctive culinary voice to JOALI BEING’s well-living journey. Rooted in intention and sustainability, the partnership highlights thoughtfully sourced ingredients — both local and global — crafted with respect for the land, the ocean, and the shared moments created around the table.

Programme highlights include a series of exclusive dinners showcasing Chef Kelvin’s signature Third Culture creations, where flavours move seamlessly across borders and traditions, capturing the energy and optimism of the new year. Complementing these experiences, hands-on cooking classes invite guests to explore Chef Kelvin’s culinary perspective through interactive learning, while a dedicated kids-only cooking class encourages young guests to reimagine familiar dishes through playful experimentation. Inspired by Chef Kelvin’s own experiences cooking with his son, the class nurtures confidence, curiosity, and self-expression, allowing children and teens to discover food as a creative and personal journey.

Chef Kelvin Cheung’s residency forms part of JOALI BEING’s wider Lunar New Year celebrations, thoughtfully curated to honour tradition, renewal, and the joy of coming together. The programme begins with festive dining to welcome the new year, followed by a diverse calendar of culinary and cultural experiences — from hot pot gatherings and hands-on masterclasses to tea rituals and celebratory dining moments — unfolding across a two-week period. Designed for families and guests of all ages, the celebrations extend beyond the table to include wellbeing rituals, marine adventures, recreational sports, interactive workshops, and sunset gatherings, creating a holisti,c island-wide celebration rooted in connection and joy.

To complement the experience, guests travelling as families or groups may also explore JOALI BEING’s Residence Escape Offer, designed for extended stays in the island’s three- and four-bedroom residences. Created for unhurried living, the offer invites guests to mark the season through meaningful rituals, shared moments, and time spent together.

For full programme details, including Chef Kelvin Cheung’s culinary experiences, please visit the resort’s website. For bookings and further information, please contact reservations.being@joali.com. 

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Meditation

Dr Shakkeel AM to offer visiting practitioner sessions at Ifuru Island Maldives

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Ifuru Island Maldives is welcoming Dr Shakkeel AM as a Visiting Wellness Practitioner, marking a step in the resort’s plans to develop a curated Visiting Practitioner programme.

Dr Shakkeel, a CIDESCO-certified naturopath and acupuncturist, will be in residence at the resort from 28 January to 30 March. The residency forms part of Ifuru Island Maldives’ strategy to introduce rotating international wellness specialists and expand its holistic wellbeing offering.

With more than ten years of experience in luxury wellness hospitality across the Maldives, India and Bahrain, Dr Shakkeel brings a personalised and integrative approach to wellbeing. His practice is influenced by classical Ayurveda and modern therapeutic methods, drawing inspiration from his grandfather, an Ayurvedic healer.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences and advanced acupuncture training from the Jing Well Academy. Each guest programme begins with a comprehensive consultation, including Tridosha assessment, tongue diagnosis and pulse analysis, to tailor treatments to individual needs.

During his residency, guests will have access to a range of therapies, including therapeutic and cosmetic acupuncture, Kalari Marma therapy, sleep-enhancing treatments, detoxification programmes, posture alignment therapy, immersive Ayurvedic rituals, restorative bodywork and guided meditation sessions.

Ifuru Island Maldives said the residency supports its long-term plan to establish a rotating Visiting Practitioner programme, aimed at offering guests access to internationally experienced wellness experts and structured, results-driven wellness journeys.

Guests will be able to begin their experience with a complimentary Ayurveda or wellness consultation during the residency period.

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