Featured
Baglioni Resort Maldives opens
Baglioni Resort Maldives has opened.
Touted as the first Italian luxury resort in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Baglioni Resort Maldives welcomed its first guests on Thursday.
Basking on the island of Maagau in the pristine Dhaalu atoll, just a 40-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, the resort’s 96 exquisite villas are surrounded by tropical nature, turquoise waters and velvet-smooth white sands. The resort features:
- 1 Presidential Water Villa: 360 sqm indoors + 310 sqm outdoors + private pool
- 6 Pool Suite Beach Villas: 115 sqm indoors + 60 sqm outdoors + 55 sqm private beach + private pool
- 3 Family Beach Villas: 135 sqm indoors + 45 sqm outdoors + 55 sqm private beach
- 5 Pool Grand Beach Villas: 77 sqm indoors + 43 sqm outdoors + 30 sqm private beach + private pool
- 9 Pool Water Villas: 60 sqm + 45 sqm solarium + private pool
- 33 Water Villas: 60 sqm + 45 sqm solarium
- 31 Beach Villas: 65 sqm + 22 sqm terrace + 30 sqm private beach
- 8 Garden Villas: 65 sqm + 22 sqm terrace
Sublime Maldivian views, elegant Italian flavours
From breakfast to after dinner, a panorama of food and drinks are available to delight the most exclusive international clientele, all in the resort’s signature Italian style.
A pool bar and three superb restaurants – Gusto, for Italian verve; Umami, the place to eat Japanese; and Taste, the home of international cuisine – serve gourmet dishes alongside a healthy menu of light, nutritious creations and a kids’ menu crafted especially for younger guests. Sophisticated aperitivi, wine tastings and personalised private dinners complete the offering.
Italian wellbeing, tropical relaxation
The Baglioni Spa is an Italian oasis deep in the heart of nature. Amidst the tropical vegetation’s warm embrace, the Baglioni Spa is the perfect place to ease your way to a profound sense of peace.
This exclusive centre, with concept design by Raison d’Etre, vaunts four open-air wooden pavilions for individual treatments, two double pavilions for treatments for two, and a yoga pavilion for practising yoga, meditation and breathing exercises. There is also a well-equipped gym.
Cosmetics used at the Baglioni Spa are sourced from Insium, a 100 per cent Italian brand that markets vegan products certified cruelty-free by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world’s largest animal-rights organisation.
The spa menu includes Thai and Balinese rituals, personalised massages, and treatments to tone, purify and rejuvenate the face and body or to strengthen hair stressed by sun and sea. The Baglioni Spa also offers beauty and wellness experiences for children, groups and families.
Adventure, Italian style
A gym, beach volleyball and non-motorised watersports, pedalos, windsurfing, kayaking, boat trips and snorkelling with full equipment provided. The choice is yours!
PADI Gold Palm five-star diving centre is a gateway to some of the finest dive sites on the planet, with daytime excursions and some special trips to enjoy by night. From its strategic position away from the crowded atolls, it offers a wealth of opportunities to explore a pristine reef. All the dive points are near the island, so travel time is kept to a minimum.
The Baglioni Resort Maldives has been planned in meticulous detail for guests to experience a tailor-made stay in the heart of the Indian Ocean with a touch of exclusive Italian hospitality by Baglioni Hotels.
At the Baglioni Resort Maldives, nothing is left to chance. The holiday experience includes multilingual staff available 24/7, a freshwater swimming pool, butler service, laundry, and a beach service with loungers. There is a boutique for treating yourself to a spot of shopping, and a kids’ club to keep younger guests aged 3–12 well entertained. All for an unforgettable holiday with a feast of sport, relax and gourmet experiences.
The resort also benefits from exclusive partnerships forged by Baglioni Hotels with some of the most prestigious Italian brands, including Ferrari Trento, makers of the world’s favourite Italian bubbles; Frette, sumptuous handmade bed linen and bath towels; MC2 Saint Barth, swimwear characterised by exclusive designs; and Insium, innovative anti-ageing cosmetics.
Designed with materials carefully chosen to minimise the environmental impact, the Baglioni Resort Maldives is the ideal destination for those dreaming of an exclusive holiday surrounded by nature and numerous sporting activities to take advantage of.
As Baglioni Resort Maldives celebrates its soft opening from August 1, a special opening rate is available for stays between August 1 and September 30. For more information and reservations, please visit the resort’s official website.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins ‘Best Service’ at 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi, a renowned boutique resort in the Maldives celebrated for its Maldivian-inspired elegance, has received recognition at the 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.
This prestigious accolade honours outstanding quality across recommended properties worldwide and serves as a trusted benchmark for travellers and industry professionals alike. Coco Bodu Hithi was awarded the title of ‘Best Service’ by Condé Nast Johansens for its exceptional hospitality, which seamlessly blends serene surroundings with meticulous, personalised service.
Additionally, the resort was recently recognised in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the top resorts in the Indian Ocean, cementing its position as a leader in luxury travel. Offering a thoughtfully curated guest experience, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to set itself apart within the industry.
The resort also excels in culinary innovation, boasting four exceptional restaurants. Renowned Michelin-starred chefs frequently collaborate with Group Culinary Director and Michelin-starred chef Martin Cahill to craft exquisite dining experiences, reflecting Coco Bodu Hithi’s unwavering commitment to service excellence and world-class gastronomy.
Drink
Cocktail art meets tropical bliss: Tao Zrafi transforms Oaga Art Resort’s Sobi Bar
Oaga Art Resort has transformed its Sobi Bar into a Mixology Garden, showcasing a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Beverage Artist and Netflix’s ‘Drink Masters’ finalist, Tao Zrafi.
Far from the typical poolside bar, the revamped Sobi Bar offers a unique experience where artistic cocktails take centre stage. Standard drinks are replaced with Tao Zrafi’s creations, which expertly blend local Maldivian flavours with surprising twists, providing a sensory journey for visitors.
Each cocktail at Sobi Bar is a testament to Tao Zrafi’s creativity. His exclusive menu combines stunning visual presentation with complex, delightful flavours, elevating the drink experience into an art form.
The Mixology Garden caters to diverse tastes. In addition to Tao Zrafi’s signature creations, Sobi Bar offers a curated selection of international gins and artisanal beers, ensuring every guest finds the perfect beverage to suit their preferences.
To commemorate the launch of the Mixology Garden, Oaga Art Resort is hosting several special events:
- Cocktail Masterclasses (November 29 and December 6): Guests can learn from Tao Zrafi himself, discovering the secrets behind his innovative cocktails.
- The Grand Unveiling (December 5): This evening celebration features Tao’s signature cocktails, a buffet, live music, interactive mural painting, and spectacular fire shows. Guests can enjoy a sunset soiree combining art, music, and unforgettable flavours.
Sneak peeks of Tao Zrafi’s creations are available on Oaga Art Resort’s social media platforms, offering a teaser of the enchanting cocktails awaiting guests at Sobi Bar.
Whether seeking relaxation, artistic inspiration, or an elevated cocktail experience, the Mixology Garden at Sobi Bar promises something extraordinary. With its blend of stunning flavors, unique atmosphere, and unforgettable events, Oaga Art Resort ensures every visitor leaves with cherished memories of paradise.
Featured
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa announces exclusive collaboration with Maldivian
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, a luxury destination located in the pristine Haa Alifu Atoll of the Maldives, has announced its exclusive partnership with Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, for all seaplane and domestic flight transfers. Starting from November 1st, 2024, this collaboration aims to provide guests with unparalleled convenience and seamless travel to the resort, ensuring daily service, with additional transfers available depending on the season.
The resort is known for its spacious villas, exceptional privacy, a wide array of experiences, world-class amenities, and personalised service, all set in a lush, natural island paradise. With Maldivian as its exclusive seaplane transfer partner, guests can enjoy a direct, swift, and scenic journey from Velana International Airport to the resort’s doorstep.
Ahmed Hafeez, Managing Director of Lily Hotels, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Maldivian to elevate our guests’ arrival and departure experience. This collaboration ensures a smooth and luxurious transition, allowing guests to begin their unforgettable holiday the moment they step off the plane.”
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, guests are welcomed by the resort’s dedicated airport representatives, who escort them to the exclusive Lily Hotels Lounge at the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal. Here, they can relax and enjoy panoramic views, complimentary refreshments, and Wi-Fi while awaiting their transfer.
In addition to seaplane transfers, Maldivian will also manage domestic flight transfers for guests who prefer this alternative. This comprehensive approach highlights Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s commitment to providing flexible and convenient travel solutions.
The partnership with Maldivian also positions the resort for future growth, particularly with the upcoming upgrade of Hanimaadhoo International Airport. This development is expected to enhance accessibility and offer more travel options for the resort’s clientele. The collaboration is anticipated to generate increased interest in the less-explored northern Maldives, an area known for its untouched natural beauty and more tranquil, underwater experiences.
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