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Shangri-La launches ‘Shangri-La Private Jet Journey’

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Shangri-La's Villingili

Maldives.net.mv – Shangri-La , in cooperation with Ctrip’s top travel brand, HHtravel, and Private Jet Journeys, announced the launch of the “Shangri-La Private Jet Journey” programme providing a personalised, high-quality luxury travel experience to China’s high-end leisure travellers. In so doing, Shangri-La aims to create a new stage for strategic cooperation with high-end travel brands.

The first flight of the “Shangri-La Private Jet Journey” series is set for the Maldives—the most favoured destination of China’s affluent. The “Maldives Double Villa Luxury Journey” will take off on Golden Week in October 2013.  It will be China’s first upscale travel group to enjoy a direct flight to a high-end island by private jet and the only group trip of its kind this year.

In the future, the program will introduce private jet journeys to Europe, the Americas and Australasia with travellers staying at Shangri-La’s global luxury hotels and savouring local cuisines and exploring the culture and heritage of the destinations. Among Chinese luxury travellers, Shangri-La was named the most preferred hotel brand for the second consecutive year in the 2013 Hurun Report – The Chinese Luxury Traveler.

“Shangri-La has had years of strong partnership with the industry’s leader, Ctrip,” said Kent Zhu, chief marketing officer of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.  “This time, we have teamed up with HHtravel, Ctrip’s subsidiary specialising in luxury travel services, to expand our cooperation to the field of high-end travel.  We wish to provide our guests with more exclusive luxury experiences featuring meticulous, distinguished hotel services; high-end, customised itineraries, and a private jet experience.  The Maldives trip is only the start of the ‘Shangri-La Private Jet Journey’ series.  In the future, leveraging on the close cooperation with HHtravel and Private Jet Journeys, we will continue to launch more exciting private jet trips.”

Throughout the “Maldives Double Villa Luxury Journey,” guests will stay at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives. Boasting a six-kilometre coastline and two kilometres of fine white sand beach, it is the only hotel located in the southern part of the Maldives, nearest to the equator, and the only hotel in the entire country that has its own private executive airport terminal with an exclusive VIP lounge handling entry-exit and check-in procedures for guests.  Guests will stay a few nights each in a Water Villa and Tree House Villa while at the resort.

The Water Villas are built on top of the resort’s lagoon. Offering panoramic views and fresh sea air, this private haven is connected to the island by a timber walkway, with azure waters in close proximity.  In contrast, the hidden Tree House Villas are built on top of trees, over waters teeming with marine life, where guest can enjoy both the privacy and beautiful scenery with sweeping sea views unfolding like a canvas.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives is also the country’s first hotel to have a nine-hole golf course, as well as the first to offer bike tours of the surrounding islands.  Located in the southern part of Villingili Island, the golf course occupies an area of 7.5 hectares and offers breathtaking views.

A BBJ Boeing Business Jet is slated to be chartered for the Maldives trip.  The jet aircraft is a high-performing derivative of a Boeing 737 and specifically designed for VIP customers; the 150 seats of a Boeing 737 are transformed into 26 seats allowing each customer a comfortable seating experience.  Moreover, with no overhead luggage rack, BBJ Boeing Business Jet is more spacious both horizontally and vertically.

For the Maldives trip, the private jet will land directly on Shangri-La’s exclusive airport strip, where the hotel’s attentive staff will immediately help guests check in, saving them from the hassles of waiting in the terminal.

“The launch of the Maldives trip, the first private jet travel series product, jointly with Shangri-La, is another major innovation by HHtravel in China’s high-end tourism market,” HHtravel CEO Jack You commented.  “With the experience of the Maldives private jet trip, HHtravel will launch more routes in the future.  On this occasion, cooperation with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts can be termed as a ‘perfect match’—both sides have harmoniously identified proper interconnection to satisfy respective brand needs, while providing optimal services and products to our guests.  This is also an important part of HHtravel’s branding strategy.”

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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.

The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.

During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.

“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.

“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”

The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.

The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.

Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.

The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.

This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.

The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.

“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.

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Rishtha Shuja to share surfing journey at COMO Maalifushi’s ‘The Wave is Hers’

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On September 15th 2026, COMO Maalifushi will welcome Maldivian surfer Rishtha Shuja for COMO Conversation: The Wave is Hers, an intimate conversation about her surfing journey, her connection to the sport, and the growing surf culture in the Maldives. Held in collaboration with Tropicsurf, the conversation will take place at Thila bar beach and is exclusively available to in-house guests.

Introduced to surfing by her late father, a respected Maldivian surfer, Rishtha began bodyboarding in 2019 before moving into competitive surfing in 2021. She has since competed nationally and internationally, including placing third at the 2024 Rannamaari Challenge and representing the Maldives at an Asian Games qualifying event in India. During The Wave is Hers, she will share her experiences, inspirations and aspirations with guests.

“We wanted ‘The Wave is Hers’ to embody our deep connection to this place. Surfing is a vital part of Maldivian culture, and Maalifushi provides our guests with a unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in that experience. Rishtha’s story beautifully highlights this connection, along with the incredible surfing available right at our doorstep,” said Peter Nilsson, Managing Director of COMO Resorts, Maldives.

World-Class Surfing in Thaa Atoll

Located in Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi is positioned centrally between Dhaalu and Laamu Atolls, giving guests access to an exceptional range of surf spots across the region. Maalifushi offers access to 14 recognised waves, providing a variety of breaks and conditions throughout the surf season.

Running from April through October, the season brings consistent southwest swells and favourable winds, creating world-class conditions for surfers of different abilities. Farms, one of the most versatile breaks, offers forgiving conditions for beginners and intermediates before developing into a longer, more powerful right-hander for advanced surfers. Nearby Chambers and Shipwrecks can pick up larger swells, adding to the range of experiences available.

The diversity of surf spots lets guests choose the ideal breaks based on the swell, tide, wind, and their skill level. Accessible waves help beginners build confidence, while more challenging reef breaks suit experienced surfers. With warm, clear conditions and uncrowded lineups, COMO Maalifushi is an exceptional base for enjoying the Maldives’ world- class surfing.

Set in untouched Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi is a private island resort surrounded by turquoise lagoons, coral reefs and uninhabited islands. The resort offers beach and overwater villas, COMO Shambhala wellness, dining, and a range of experiences, including surfing, freediving, flyfishing and marine exploration. Its location provides access to some of the Maldives’ most rewarding surf breaks and an immersive way to experience the destination’s natural beauty and ocean culture.

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