News
Jumeirah Olhahali Island celebrates World Wellness Weekend with bespoke programming
Jumeirah Olhahali Island has presented an exclusive wellness programme in celebration of World Wellness Weekend, taking place from 20 to 22 September 2024. This specially curated event aligns with the five pillars of wellness established as an annual, pro bono initiative to support the United Nations’ goal of Good Health and Well-being for All, including sleep and creativity, nutrition and immunity, movement and vitality, mindfulness and serenity, and purpose and solidarity. With one bespoke activity per day aligning with each of the five pillars, guests can indulge in purpose-nurturing experiences such as:
- Purpose and solidarity: A variety of treatments such as Sodashi Heart Chakra face and body alignment, designed as a fusion of healing modalities to bring balance and harmony to the chakra system while restoring the skin’s complexion.
- Movement and vitality: Guests will have access to active pursuits throughout the resort such as dancing classes and mat Pilates.
- Mindfulness and serenity: Through activities to promote and practice mindfulness and concentration, guests can book sessions including prana, trataka and Tibetan singing bowl meditations. In the privacy of their contemporary villas, visitors can also indulge in customise bath rituals for guests of all ages, with soothing foam baths infused with citrus-scented oils and opulent amenities.
- Sleep and creativity: In addition to jet lag massages and shirodhara treatments, guests are invited to personalise their sleep experience with the resort’s curated pillow menu, offering nine options ranging from cassia seed pillows to orthopedic pillows, all designed to enhance sleep quality and provide maximum comfort.
- Nutrition and immunity: Throughout the weekend, Jumeirah Olhahali Island’s diverse culinary outlets present healthier lifestyle choices through bespoke gastronomy and nutritious food stations, featuring fresh ingredients for fruit juices, wellness elixir shots, and Ayurveda-inspired drinks, along with healthy entrees ranging from salads to soups and more.
“We are excited to host World Wellness Weekend, providing our guests with a unique opportunity to rejuvenate and reconnect in the stunning surroundings of our Maldivian paradise,” said Mohamed Ashraf, General Manager of Jumeirah Olhahali Island. “Our wellness programme is meticulously crafted to both inspire and invigorate, harmoniing with the natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere of our island. We believe this weekend will provide an enriching experience that leaves our guests feeling refreshed and balanced.”
All activities during World Wellness Weekend are available on an à la carte basis, with complimentary sessions to those ranging from $60 to $250 per person, allowing guests the flexibility to tailor their wellness journey according to their preferences and schedules.
In addition to World Wellness Weekend programming, guests can enjoy the Jumeirah Olhahali Island’s year-round wellness offerings at its Talise Spa. The spa’s five stand-alone treatment villas boast floor-to-ceiling windows and glass floors located beneath the treatment beds for guests to marvel at the vibrant underwater life while receiving therapies like Tibetan crystal healing massages. Beyond wellness in the treatment villas, the resort is home to beachside tennis courts for private lessons from the resident coach and access to its private island to enjoy moonlit sandbank massages under a starry sky, rooftop yoga and more.
For more information about the resort and to book a stay for World Wellness Weekend, please visit here.
News
Fushifaru Maldives blends cultural experiences with new in-house activities
Fushifaru Maldives has introduced a refreshed programme of guest activities and experiences as it enters 2026, combining cultural elements with new forms of entertainment across the resort.
The boutique resort has expanded its in-house activities to cater to a wide range of age groups. New offerings include circus-style sessions for children, hula hoop classes, aerial performances, fire shows and CYR wheel displays, aimed at providing structured entertainment for both families and adult guests.
The resort marked the end of 2025 with a Gatsby-themed farewell event, featuring a cocktail evening where guests were invited to dress in period-inspired attire. New Year’s Eve celebrations centred on a dinner service prepared by the resort’s culinary team, with a menu that included beef ribs, roasted turkey, grilled lobster, salmon and oysters, alongside seafood selections, Japanese dishes, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and live cooking stations. The evening concluded with desserts and tropical fruit offerings.
For 2026, Fushifaru Maldives has also updated its daily activity schedule. Themed dinner nights continue to form a core part of the guest experience, with a Maldivian-themed dinner held every Friday. This includes a live cooking demonstration based on traditional Maldivian preparation methods, highlighting the step-by-step process of making local curries.
According to the resort, the updated programmes are designed to strengthen guest engagement while maintaining links to Maldivian heritage. The focus remains on offering structured experiences that reflect both cultural practices and contemporary resort entertainment.
Fushifaru Maldives stated that it plans to continue developing its activity and dining concepts throughout the year, with further updates to be shared with guests and industry partners.
Action
Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.
Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.
Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.
Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.
While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.
Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.
“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”
Featured
Intimate island experiences shape Valentine’s Day at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
This Valentine’s Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites couples to celebrate love through a collection of carefully curated experiences designed to unfold in intimate moments across the island.
Framed by the natural beauty of Maamunagau Island, the resort’s Valentine’s programme centres on a series of limited-edition dining and wellness experiences created exclusively for the occasion. From private beachfront dining and moonlit dinners along Café Umi Beach to an elevated Valentine’s evening at the signature Lighthouse venue, romance is conveyed through setting, atmosphere and thoughtful detail rather than elaborate gestures.
Culinary experiences sit at the heart of the celebration, with bespoke Valentine’s menus intended to be savoured slowly, paired with curated wines and accompanied by uninterrupted ocean views. Each dining experience is crafted to feel personal, whether enjoyed beneath the night sky or in one of the island’s more private spaces.
Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to reconnect through shared wellness experiences at AVI Spa. Signature rituals and indulgent treatments offer a quieter expression of romance, giving guests the opportunity to unwind together in a calm, oceanfront environment. Those seeking complete privacy may opt for bespoke in-villa treatments, allowing the occasion to be marked within the comfort of their own surroundings.
Throughout Valentine’s Day, subtle touches across the resort—from crafted cocktails to curated wine moments—enhance the celebration without overwhelming it, reflecting InterContinental Maldives’ belief that genuine luxury is rooted in balance, intention and authenticity.
At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Valentine’s Day is shaped not by excess, but by considered, enduring moments that create shared memories long after the day has passed.
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