News
Kurumba Maldives hosts ‘Party with a Purpose’ to raise funds for Kudakudhinge Hiyaa
Maldives.net.mv – On Friday 24th April Kurumba Maldives proudly hosted the fundraising event “Party with a Purpose”. This event was held for the fourth year running in aid of 72 orphaned children residing at “Kudakudhinge Hiyaa” located on Villingili island. Support from 10 different Maldivian performers, many suppliers and partners contributed to raise over US$21,000. This upcoming year, the funds will be destined to the development of the “Early Childhood Play and Development Training Programme” for caretakers, in cooperation with the local non-governmental organization ARC – Advocating the Rights for the Children, amongst other projects.
Local artists volunteered their time to perform Maldivian and international tunes with bands, DJ’s and a Bodu Beru groups performing for guests’ enjoyment. Performances took place at the Water Sports Beach Stage between 3.00pm to 7.00 pm and at Kandu Bar from 7pm until 12am. The musicians who offered their time and joie de vivre were: Duo Saxophone, Mishy featuring Thoo, Rishvan Imon, The Woods, Def Note, DETUNE, DJ Paiday, DJ Shammi, DJ Sadaf ft. Veli Spa team, as well as the Kurumba Bodu Beru team.
The set up for the event would have not been possible without the vital support of Event Maldives as well as a taskforce of more than 50 team members from Kurumba itself donating their time.
Local and foreign suppliers; Wrist, Cosmopolitan, SIMDI Beverages, Grape Expectations, MMI Maldives, Navean, Coca Cola, Regal Seafoods, Euromarketing Maldives, VB Brothers, SAFCO and Yeoman Group donated goods that were used as refreshments and nourishment throughout the day, from which all proceeds went to the cause.
The silent auction was graced this year with the tremendous support of 18 resorts and 2 major airline carriers as sponsors. This was conducted throughout the event with guests bidding for the following resorts and prizes:
Velassaru, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Kanuhura, Lily Beach Resort & Spa, Soneva Fushi, Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa, Niyama, Bandos, Jumeirah Vittaveli, Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Kandooma, Huvafen Fushi, Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef, W Retreat & Spa, LUX* Maldives, Crown & Champa Resorts, Constance Halaveli, Constance Moofushi, Rihiveli Island Resort, Thulhagiri, Gili Lankanfushi, Hotel Jen, Universal Resorts, Kurumba Maldives, Veli Spa, Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways.
The afternoon and evening was a great success with many locals, expatriates and senior business invitees plus Kurumba’s in house guests joining in. There was non-stop live entertainment across the two venues and the day was blessed with perfect weather to host such an event.
The Kudakudhinge Hiyaa orphanage, located on Villingili island hosts children between the ages of 6 months and 21 years old. This is a self-supporting service that requires help from the community and industry in order to continue providing a caring, safe and educational environment for these children.
Jason Kruse, General Manager of Kurumba Maldives stated: “For the fourth consecutive year, this event has proven to be successful. We cannot thank enough and are overwhelmed by the support of the local performers providing their time, suppliers donating food and beverage items and resorts and airlines, contributing with vouchers for the Silent Auction. We definitely intend to maintain this popular yearly event and raise greater funds year after year for a good cause.”
JEN Maldives Malé has introduced the Shangri-La Circle (SLC) loyalty programme, offering dining benefits for guests from 1 April to 31 December 2026.
The programme provides free and instant membership, allowing guests to access discounts and earn reward points on dining experiences at the property. Members receive a 15 per cent discount on their first dining purchase upon joining, along with ongoing 15 per cent savings on food and beverage.
Guests can enrol in the programme through the Shangri-La Circle mobile application. Membership benefits include reward points on eligible spending, which can be redeemed for future dining and hotel experiences.
The offer applies to regular dining experiences and excludes tobacco, special theme buffet nights, and other ongoing promotions.
JEN Maldives Malé stated that the programme is designed to provide value to guests while enhancing dining experiences at the hotel. The initiative also reflects Shangri-La’s focus on strengthening guest engagement through loyalty-based offerings.
Members are required to present their digital membership card at the time of billing to access the benefits.
The hotel is promoting the programme through its social media channels, in-house displays, and digital platforms. Guests can download the Shangri-La Circle application or sign up at the hotel to begin using the programme.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
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