Featured
All you need is love: Vakkaru Maldives unveils five romantic experiences for truly memorable Valentine’s Day
To celebrate the resort’s fifth anniversary and the Day of Love, Vakkaru Maldives has curated a dawn-to-dusk programme of its Top Five extraordinary experiences for those in love.
Start the day in your luxury villa, watching the sunrise as you enjoy a sumptuous floating breakfast in your private pool. Then head to the award-winning Merana Spa for a pampering His & Hers spa treatment. Your journey begins with an ultra-nourishing body scrub, followed by a blissful couple’s massage enhanced with essential aroma oils of your choice. At the end of the treatment, immerse yourselves in a silky milk bath as you enjoy a glass of Champagne and an exotic fruit platter. This is followed by a relaxing sound healing session, which helps create new neural pathways to build a stronger relationship and leave you and your partner with feelings of joy and gratitude for each other.
You and your loved one can spread your love and also do your bit for the environment by joining the resort’s coral propagation programme and adopting a coral frame. The frames are used to create artificial reefs for the myriad reef fish and invertebrate species that live around the island. Each couple will also receive an “adoption” certificate.
Before dinner, take in the magnificent Maldivian sunset aboard the Princess 54 luxury yacht as you cruise around the Baa Atoll while sipping Champagne and nibbling on delectable canapes.
Food is the definitely the way to the heart and to end your day of romance, Vakkaru has created five exceptional dining options to help you sweep your loved one of their feet.
Lovers can expect an impressive selection of international dishes at the live stations and buffet spread at Amaany’s Timeless Romance Buffet Dinner while enjoying live music by the beach. This special dinner is priced at US$145++ and guests on a Half Board or Full Board meal plan can enjoy it with a US$35++ food supplement.
Treat them to a movie and dinner date with a difference at the new Jungle Cinema. Sit back and savour the four-course Lobsterlicious menu paired with a bottle of premium Rose Champagne while enjoying your favourite stars on screen. Our Tryst in the Jungle experience is priced at US$1,200++ and also includes a unique floral setup at the cinema, one movie of your choice, a bouquet of roses and a romantic bed decoration in your villa on Valentine’s Day.
An exquisite feast awaits you on a secluded sandbank surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The Valentine’s Castaway Dinner, priced at US$2,500++ per couple, includes floral decoration on the private sandbank, a Mediterranean menu, a 12-rose bouquet, a bottle of premium Rose
Champagne, live music during the dinner, bed decoration in your villa and a 60-minute His & Hers spa treatment.
Enjoy an evening of love with the Romantic Seaside Rendezvous experience at Vakku beach for US$550++ per couple. The magical evening includes an oceanfront table setup with floral decoration, a lavish four-course set menu, a bottle of Rose Champagne, a red rose bouquet, and a romantic bed decoration in the villa on Valentine’s Day.
Or, sweep your loved one off their feet with the indulgent Suite Escape. Wow them with the award-winning four-bedroom Vakkaru Over Water Residence as the setting for your night of romance. Enjoy an hour of spa bliss, followed by an intimate candlelit dinner on the open-air deck overlooking the endless ocean views. The US$2,000++ per couple experience includes a four-course Mediterranean menu, a bottle of premium Rosé Champagne, a bouquet of 12 roses, a 60-minute His & Hers Spa treatment, and a romantic bed decoration in the villa.
Couples can also book the Idyllic Romance Package for an extended romantic Maldivian escape. Valid for a minimum stay of five nights, rates start from US$1,938++ per night in the Overwater Villa and include these top five benefits:
- One Floating Breakfast experience in the private pool for a couple / one time in-villa breakfast experience in Overwater Villa (without pool)
- Complimentary return seaplane/domestic transfers for the couple
- One Private Destination Dining Experience on the beach
- One 60-minute Signature Couple Massage at Merana Spa
- One 30-minute jet ski session by Splash Dive and Watersports Centre for a couple
For reservations and general information, visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com.
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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