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Raising the Barre: Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort brings ballet retreat to Baa Atoll

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Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort is bringing classical ballet to its shores with the launch of a new “Baa Atoll Ballet Retreat”. This exclusive retreat, featuring Royal Ballet-trained dancer Karis Scarlette, is set to grace the island of Fares from 6th to the 19th of November 2023.

The resort, which opened in April 2023, beckons sunseekers to indulge in the art of ballet and experience a classical touch in an upbeat island setting. Representing a shift towards holistic wellness that goes beyond the gym and spa, this event marks the first in a series of innovative retreats planned at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort this year, and beyond.

Echoing the balletic performances of marine life beneath the waves, Karis will introduce guests of all ages and levels to classical ballet, breaking the steps down and adding her own energy for an uplifting experience. Group classes and one-to-one sessions will take place in a dedicated dance studio complete with barres and mirrors.  From pliés to pirouettes, group classes and one-to-one sessions will focus on perfecting posture, footwork and the all-important port de bras, or carriage of arms. Young dancers aged five and under can delight in the “Tutus & Twirls” class, blending storytelling elements and interactive props. Guests looking to connect with nature can join “Sunrise Serenity”, a revitalising session that combines stretching, mobility exercises, and mindful breathwork, set to the natural sounds of the island at dawn.  

Enhancing the ballet programme, guests can pamper themselves with unique spa experiences, like the Tutu Tension Release Massage and Dancer’s Delight Detox Wrap, all accompanied by melodic ballet scores, at the resort’s AvaniSpa. They can also savour imaginative cocktails, including the Tutu Tini and Grand Jeté Gin Fizz, seamlessly transitioning from the barre to the bar. Additionally, they can indulge in enchanting, starlit dining concepts right on the sandy shores.

Karis Scarlette, the inspirational force behind this unique retreat, is a ballet dancer par excellence, whose expertise have attracted actors, models, singers and even British royalty. Her remarkable journey began at the age of two, and she honed her talents through training at the Royal Ballet School, gracing the stage of London’s illustrious Royal Opera House. In more recent years, Karis has turned her attention towards teaching, making the world of ballet inclusive and accessible to all.

Commenting on the retreat, Karis said: “I’m excited to partner with Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort to bring ballet to Baa Atoll. The contemporary, sun-soaked setting of the resort provides the most amazing, once-in-a-lifetime backdrop for guests of all ages and levels to enjoy ballet. My classes focus on movement, mobility and mindset and I cannot wait to use these techniques to encourage guests to discover their inner dancer.”

Wellness takes centre stage at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, offering guests a multitude of ways to embrace a healthy lifestyle, from sunrise sound healing and nourishing smoothies to unique vinotherapy massages at the AvaniSpa. In addition to the ongoing wellness retreat series featuring international experts, the resort boasts its own dedicated wellness team, including Dr. Aleena Simon, an Integrative Wellness Practitioner bridging Eastern and Western traditions; Ashna Hanma Hurbansee, a Wellbeing Therapist and cupping therapy specialist; and Rithik Aggarwal, an International Tennis Federation-certified coach renowned for his ability to transform beginners into accomplished athletes. The resort’s special opening offer for villas starts from USD 510 per night in a Beach Villa based on two people sharing and includes breakfast and lunch or dinner. Classes include Adult Ballet Basics for Beginners (USD 60pp), Tutus & Twirls: Ballet for Tots (USD 35pp), Kid-Friendly Ballet Basics (USD 35 pp) and Sunrise Serenity: Breathwork in Baa (USD 50 pp).

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The Nautilus Maldives’ unscripted dining: A revolution in ultra-luxury hospitality

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Luxury travel is moving beyond service—it’s moving toward liberation. The Nautilus Maldives pioneers culinary freedom and is the world’s first resort without meal times, where chefs co-create indulgence with guests, anything, anytime, anywhere.

A Pioneer of schedule-free, personality-driven dining

The Nautilus is not just another luxury resort in the Maldives; it is rewriting the rules of fine dining. Its “Unscripted Dining” concept makes it the most liberated, guest-centric culinary experience in the world.

The Nautilus’s Chefs Are Always In

Unlike traditional luxury resorts, dining at The Nautilus isn’t bound by restaurant hours, menus or venues. Chefs serve as co-creators of indulgence, working with guests to turn moods, whims, or even Instagram posts into one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Haute cuisine at 2 a.m., ramen by the beach at sunset, or a Michelin-style degustation menu on a private sandbank — The Nautilus chefs deliver, as at The Nautilus, the kitchen never closes. For jet-lagged travellers, this means ultimate convenience and comfort: breakfast at dusk, dinner at dawn, or spontaneous midnight feasts.

Why Plan a Meal When You Can Invent It?

Culinary freedom defines The Nautilus. Guests aren’t simply dining – they are designing their own experience in real time. From lobster benedict in bed at midnight to cocktail-paired tasting menus under the stars, everything is on the table – literally. It’s a rejection of routine and predictability, elevating emotional dining as the new luxury. Guests are invited to experience food as emotional expression, with each dish crafted in the moment and shaped by imagination.

An Island Without Meal Times – Radical Hospitality for the Ultra-Individual

The Nautilus rebels against hospitality norms: no schedules, no restrictions, no compromises.

Its philosophy embodies the future of ultra-luxury hospitality: total guest freedom, spontaneity, and personalised indulgence.

A Shared Vision of Culinary Freedom

“True luxury is freedom,” says Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus. “Our Unscripted Dining concept is a direct reflection of that belief. By removing the limits of time and menus, we invite our guests to experience food not as routine, but as a deeply personal journey of indulgence and expression. Today’s ultra-luxury travellers seek authenticity and individuality above all else. The Nautilus leads this shift, offering a radical departure from scripted hospitality. Every meal becomes a story co-created with the guest, a promise of spontaneity and soulful connection.”

To find out more about The Nautilus visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com

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Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.

The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.

On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.

As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.

The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.

Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.

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A quiet force for sustainability: Island produce at Ayada Maldives

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Set within the vibrant Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Ayada Maldives continues to set itself apart, not just as a destination for discerning travellers, but as a resort committed to responsible luxury. Beyond the palm-fringed villas and crystal-clear lagoons, there is a quiet but powerful movement taking place behind the scenes: one that embraces island farming, sustainable operations, and meaningful community partnerships.

At the heart of this vision is Ayada’s flourishing “Secret Garden”, an expansive green haven where herbs, vegetables, and tropical fruits are grown using eco-conscious techniques. From fragrant basil and lemongrass to nutrient-rich leafy greens, the garden supplies the resort’s kitchens with hyper-local ingredients, ensuring that guests experience fresh, flavourful dishes that reflect the richness of the Maldives.

The resort also works hand-in-hand with farmers from nearby islands, offering support and guidance in organic farming practices, composting, and water-efficient growing methods. This collaboration not only enhances the culinary offering at Ayada but also strengthens local island economies and food security across the region.

Sustainability at Ayada is holistic. Energy is managed with precision, wastewater is treated and repurposed for irrigation, and organic kitchen waste is composted. Even the design of villas takes inspiration from natural Maldivian architecture, using locally sourced materials to blend seamlessly with the island’s surroundings.

What sets Ayada apart is the seamless integration of sustainability with the guest experience. Whether strolling through the garden, enjoying a farm-to-table meal, or simply knowing that their stay supports environmental stewardship, guests walk away with more than memories, they become part of a broader story of conservation and care.

In a world where sustainability is becoming essential, Ayada Maldives continues to lead with purpose, proving that true luxury can and should leave a lighter footprint.

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