Featured
Anantara Maldives resorts renew focus on comprehensive wellness
Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli Maldives Resorts are renewing their focus on wellness with the introduction of nutritional therapy, wellness cuisine workshops, and health and nutrition seminars.
The addition to the team of an on-property Nutritionist, combined with the resorts’ comprehensive spa, wellness, and medi-spa facilities, gives Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli guests a truly immersive wellness experience equal to that of many leading destination spas.
The arrival of resident Naturopath and Nutritional Therapist Kelly Manning gives guests staying at Anantara Veli and Anantara Dhigu, along with those at sister resort Naladhu Private Island, the opportunity to focus on their nutrition to help overcome stress, sleep issues, and unhealthy eating patterns, including those which may have built up over the past year, as well as helping with immunity, digestion, weight management, hormones, skin and blood sugar balance.
Kelly, who is from the UK, trained at the College of Naturopathic Medicine in London.
She offers 90-minute nutrition and lifestyle consultations that include anthropometric testing using a Tanita scale monitor and tape measure to assess the guests’ body composition, particularly looking at body fat, cellular hydration, muscle mass and metabolic age.
She will also check the guest’s eyes, fingernails and tongue for signs of any other health issues. She will then apprise which systems of their body require nourishment and support to achieve overall balance.
Guests receive a tailored diet, lifestyle and supplement plan with a handful of practical achievable recommendations to get them started during their stay and a more detailed plan to continue at home.
The resorts have introduced new wellness breakfast and beverage menus, which have been developed by Kelly and the resorts’ chefs, with healthy dishes for lunch, dinner, and snacks coming soon.
Guests at the three resorts can also join Kelly’s health and nutrition seminars.
“Simple Tips for Eating Healthily” is designed to end mealtime chaos, offer quick-fix options, and develop a planned balanced diet; “Nutrition; Sleep Health and Creating Evening Rituals” looks at the correlation between nutrition, sleep, and overall wellbeing and “Peak Performance Nutrition” identifies nutrition strategies through diet, vitamins, minerals and herbs to increase immunity and energy levels and reduce stress.
The seminars include cooking demonstrations and tastings and can be attended as a group or booked privately for a personalised session.
Family-focused Anantara Dhigu, adults-only Anantara Veli, and the exclusive 20-villa Naladhu Private Island are each on separate islands just minutes apart by boat across a stunning natural lagoon in the South Male Atoll.
Just a 30-minute speedboat journey from Male airport, guests can share the facilities of the resorts, which between them offer one of the broadest spa and wellness offerings in the Maldives.
As relaxation and ‘me time’ have become even more important over the last 12 months, the overwater Anantara Spa at Anantara Dhigu offers a newly refreshed menu with four new signature journeys, including the Sundari Sunset spa ritual, which is a deep relaxation massage on a floating platform, followed by champagne whilst watching the sun go down.
Once darkness has fallen, the Moonlight Reflections healing ritual encompasses meditation and a healing massage on a private beach under the night sky.
The recently opened Cocoon Medical Spa located at the Balance Wellness by Anantara facility at Anantara Veli offers the highest level of aesthetic and wellness treatments performed by medical professionals.
Whether guests require a vitamin IV infusion after a long flight for an energy boost or wish to turn back time with a Cleopatra 24 Carat Gold and Collagen Facial, using diamond microdermabrasion and LED Light therapy, the highly trained staff have the expertise and knowledge to formalise a program specifically tailored to each guest.
Other treatments include diamond microdermabrasion to exfoliate and increase blood flow to the skin, velashape fat blast to reduce body fat, and oxygen therapy to boost energy levels.
The resorts’ overall offering comprises an impressive range of body experiences, facial treatments, Ayurvedic therapies, and wellness programmes. In addition to complimentary daily yoga sessions with the yoga guru, movement therapy and fitness sessions can be booked with the resident personal trainer.
A calendar of Masters of Wellness in residency during the year is in place at Anantara Veli.
Claude Simard is an internationally acclaimed Psycho-Energetic Massage specialist, using his highly developed sensitivity and intuition to combine therapeutic massage with Inner Child work.
Claude will join the team from March 15 to the end of April.
During the same period, Jill Banwell will guide guests in Crystal Healing, Yoga, Massage, Meditation, and Tarot.
In residency from May to the end of October, Dome Srisawat is a certified Physiotherapist, specializing in Myofascial Release, a unique muscular manipulation technique to resolve acute pain and continuous aches by releasing energy blockages in the connective muscle tissues.
To wrap up the year, Muayad Najemeddin will be returning from December until the end of January 2022, practicing Reiki and the healing art of Tibetan Singing Bowls.
Prices for a 90-minute nutrition and lifestyle consultation start from $305.
Seminars and cookery demonstrations start from $50 USD per person for 90 minutes.
Prices for a stay at Anantara Veli start from $475++ for an Overwater Bungalow with breakfast and at Anantara Dhigu from $535++ for a Sunrise Beach Villa on half board basis.
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
The Standard, Maldives, the stylish and unconventional resort in Raa Atoll, announces the launch of its most generous offering yet: the Premium All-Inclusive package, timed to complement its highly anticipated Festive 2025 programme. Titled “Unlimited Play – Eat. Sip. Repeat,” the package is designed to provide guests with a hassle-free, elevated island experience, ensuring every moment is infused with fun and luxury without reaching for the wallet. The move reinforces The Standard’s commitment to offering unscripted fun and memorable stays in the Maldives.
The Premium All-Inclusive
The Premium All-Inclusive package covers all daily meals across four dining venues, including the signature specialty restaurants. At the heart of the offering is the unlimited premium beverage programme: guests can enjoy free-flowing Champagne; choose from over 50 premium wines, prosecco, and sparkling selections from around the world; and access top-shelf spirits with crafted cocktails and mocktails available all day and into the late-night hours at Todis and by the pool.
Beyond dining, the package includes further inclusions. Every villa receives a daily replenished, fully stocked mini bar featuring two bottles of premium wine, two spirits, and four beers. For stays of six nights or more, the Ultimate Indulgence is unlocked, granting each adult a complimentary 45-minute spa treatment—either a restorative massage or a DIY hammam experience. In addition, guests receive one complimentary Adventure Time excursion per stay, selecting from a sunset fishing trip, a lucky dolphin cruise, or a romantic sunset cruise.
Festive Season 2025
As the year draws to a close, The Standard, Maldives invites guests to join the Festive 2025 celebrations, an immersive programme that transforms the island into a lively setting of parties and bespoke gastronomy. From Christmas Eve through the New Year, the resort’s playful spirit will feature uniquely Standard activities, decorations, and a curated line-up of entertainment for guests of all ages.
Highlights of the Festive 2025 calendar include exclusive themed beach parties, culinary journeys crafted by international chefs, and dedicated events for families. The celebrations will culminate in a high-energy New Year’s Eve gala with performances, fireworks over the lagoon, and dancing to ring in 2026 in The Standard’s signature style.
“At The Standard, we believe true luxury means freedom; freedom to play, indulge, and live in the moment without a second thought. Our new Premium All-Inclusive is all about that: seamless, generous, and fun. From Champagne breakfasts to late-night cocktails, it’s the easiest decision guests will ever make on holiday,” said Justin Swart, General Manager, The Standard, Maldives.
The Standard, Maldives aims to offer a celebratory experience this year by coupling the convenience of the Premium All-Inclusive with its Festive 2025 programming, setting the stage for a holiday season where preferences are catered to from the first welcome bubbles to the last dance of the New Year.
Celebrating the spirit of modern Maldivian hospitality, VARU by Atmosphere has expanded its culinary offering with two new dining venues: Teppanyaki Over Water and Cellar at NÜ. Designed for both first-time and returning guests seeking authentic, inventive experiences, the additions broaden the resort’s gastronomic landscape.
At Teppanyaki Over Water, seasoned chefs transform the art of teppan grilling into a live culinary performance above the lagoon. Premium seafood, wagyu and sushi are prepared with precision and flair, complemented by sake cocktails and fine soju. The speciality restaurant delivers dishes straight from the grill to the plate, in an ambience that reflects the spirit of Japanese hospitality.
As sunset draws over the Indian Ocean, Cellar at NÜ offers an elegant overwater wine-degustation lounge where evenings unfold with sophistication. Guests can explore rare vintages and special selections paired with curated chocolate, cheese and charcuterie platters. The centrepiece is a six-course Royal Wine Pairing Dinner.
“At VARU, our cuisine, design and service are intuitive and inventively curated,” said Maurice Van Den Bosch, General Manager of VARU by Atmosphere. “We continue to evolve in meaningful ways. With Teppanyaki Over Water and Cellar at NÜ, we’ve created culinary journeys that are intimate, enriching and true to the island’s generous spirit — offering guests new reasons to return, season after season.”
For special occasions, romantic evenings or those wishing to discover new cuisines, the two overwater venues add an extra layer of indulgence and celebration beyond the VARU Plan™, and are available for guests to pre-book.
Located in North Malé Atoll, VARU by Atmosphere has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2025, ranking among the top 1% of listings worldwide. Its signature restaurant, Kaagé, has also received the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025 for the fifth consecutive year, underscoring the resort’s reputation for dining excellence. With these thoughtfully introduced experiences, VARU by Atmosphere invites guests to embrace an unforgettable, Naturally Maldivian island adventure.
-
Awards1 week agoManta Air named ‘Best Seaplane Company – Indian Ocean Islands’ at 2025 World Luxury Travel Awards
-
News7 days agoThe Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort unveils festive season programme with beachside Christmas, Gatsby-themed New Year
-
News1 week agoCinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives transitions to five-star adults-only resort
-
Action4 days agoSheraton Maldives partners with tennis pro Jackson Withrow, yoga expert Dawn Sim for guest experiences
-
Awards1 week agoMercure Maldives Kooddoo wins triple honours at World Luxury Awards 2025
-
Awards1 week agoHat-trick for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa at 2025 World Luxury Awards
-
News1 week agoKuda Villingili Maldives welcomes New Year with music, memories, magic ‘Through the Decades’
-
Featured1 week agoAlila Kothaifaru Maldives aligns festive events with World of Care commitments