News
Sanctuary for her at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Dhawa Ihuru
This May, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru honour the spirit of motherhood with a curated collection of peaceful, rejuvenating experiences. Designed to celebrate connection, well-being, and serene moments together, each offering invites families to pause, reflect, and share time in a true sanctuary for the senses.
From restorative spa rituals to fun-filled adventures and curated family experiences, the celebration is a graceful tribute to the women who give endlessly.
Honouring Her Gracefully: A Tribute to Mothers; 10–25 May 2025
Celebrate the women who give endlessly with bespoke experiences rooted in well-being, gratitude, and intentional joy.
Stay More, Pay Less: A Gift of Time Together
Create more moments that matter with the Stay More, Pay Less offer – perfect for families and multi-generational travellers seeking an extended holiday. This exclusive promotion rewards longer stays with greater value, encouraging families to slow down, unwind, and enjoy family bonding time together.
Exclusive offer for Banyan Tree Spa and 8lement Spa
At the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa and 8lements Spa, mothers are welcomed into a haven of serenity and rejuvenation. A signature treatment is paired with a complimentary private yoga duo session, offering a moment of rest and reconnection between family members. Mums can also enjoy 30% off hand-crafted ceramic products from Banyan Tree Gallery.
Banyan Tree Connections: A Curated Journey for Togetherness
Now available from May 2025, the Banyan Tree Connections programme offers a holistic, regenerative experience designed to celebrate the heart of family. As part of the Mother’s Day offering, this immersive well-being journey invites Mum and her loved ones to reconnect through guided rituals, mindful movement, and shared moments in nature. Thoughtfully crafted to inspire presence, nurture bonds, and honour what matters most, it is a sanctuary of connection in every sense.
Marine Adventures & Family-Bonding Moments
Celebrate the joy of discovery with 30% off watersports and marine activities for Mum – from guided snorkelling and topcat catamaran sailing to exciting discovery guided snorkelling trips for magical rendezvous with turtles and stingrays. These vibrant experiences are designed to spark connection, adventure, and shared wonder across one of the best house reefs and lagoons of the Maldives.
Curated Experiences That Inspire
Embark on a series of intentional and uplifting guest experiences curated to bring loved ones closer. Enjoy 20% off a collection of excursions including snorkelling safaris, Kahan’bhu day cruises, sunset sails, and full moon night snorkelling—each designed to awaken the senses, delight in the present, and foster a deeper connection with nature and each other.
Taste of Love: Mother’s Day Cooking Competition; 11 May 2025
On 11 May, Dhawa Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru invite families to gather for a heartfelt culinary celebration. Fathers and little ones will come together to craft a heartfelt dish in honour of Mum, who takes her place as the cherished guest judge. The afternoon unfolds in a spirit of joy, creativity, and shared connection—concluding with a delightful family award that celebrates togetherness, laughter, and inspired moments.
Vesak Celebration at Saffron; 10–12 May 2025
In honour of Vesak – the sacred day marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha—Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru presents a reflective culinary journey at its signature Thai restaurant, Saffron.
Guests are invited to savour a specially curated set menu dinner, offered with both vegan and non-vegan options, thoughtfully crafted with locally inspired flavours to reflect the spirit of the occasion—mindful, nourishing, and deeply rooted in tradition.
A Shared Responsibility: Celebrating Earth and Ocean
As stewards of nature and champions of regenerative travel, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru invite guests to celebrate not only love, but also intention—through experiences rooted in sustainability, purpose, and harmony with the environment.
Full Moon Lights Out; 12–15 May
In alignment with our sustainability mission, both islands switch off non-essential lighting from 6:30 p.m. to sunrise. Guests are invited to dine beneath the stars, practise meditation by moonlight, or set sail on a Kahan’bhu full moon cruise—an enchanting experience in harmony with nature’s rhythms.
World Biodiversity Day; 22 May
Discover the richness of the reef with complimentary guided snorkelling, led by our dedicated Marine Lab team. These immersive sessions aim to spark awareness, appreciation, and awe for the underwater world that surrounds our sanctuary.
World Turtle Day; 23 May
Participate in educational workshops on turtle and fish identification and join a Save the Reef trip—supporting the removal of coral-eating starfish and nurturing the health of this delicate marine ecosystem.
Cooking
International Chefs’ Day: Kabita Singh to cook live at Sun Siyam Olhuveli
Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives will welcome award-winning food creator Kabita Singh, the personality behind Kabita’s Kitchen, for a special culinary residency in October to mark International Chefs’ Day on 20 October 2026.
Known for making everyday Indian cooking accessible to a wide audience, Singh will move from her digital kitchen to the Maldives, joining the resort’s culinary team for a live cooking experience created for guests.
The collaboration will bring together Singh’s approach to Indian cuisine — centred on familiar flavours, accessible recipes and an increasing focus on wholesome cooking — with Sun Siyam’s Plant Based Bliss philosophy, which promotes the nutritional and holistic benefits of plant-forward dining.
As part of the International Chefs’ Day celebrations, Singh will cook alongside Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary team during a live session in front of resort guests. The experience will feature a specially curated selection of vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious dishes developed in collaboration with the resort’s chefs and inspired by Singh’s own cooking philosophy.
Guests will have the opportunity to watch Singh prepare the dishes, learn about the techniques and stories behind them, and sample her interpretation of plant-forward Indian cuisine in a Maldivian island setting.
Kabita’s Kitchen has grown from a home-cooking channel into one of India’s most widely followed food platforms, with approximately 14.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Singh has built her audience through content ranging from regional favourites and vegetarian staples to festive dishes, street-food classics and everyday family recipes.
Her influence within India’s food and digital content sector was recognised at the inaugural National Creators Award in 2024, where she received the Best Creator in Food Category award, presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We are really excited to welcome Kabita to Olhuveli and bring a taste of Kabita’s Kitchen to the Maldives,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
“Food is such an important part of the way people connect, and this is about bringing our guests closer to the experience, watching Kabita cook, discovering the flavours and stories behind her dishes, and of course tasting them together. Her fresh, approachable style is a great match for our Plant Based Bliss philosophy, and celebrating International Chefs’ Day together with our own culinary team makes it even more special. We want dining at Olhuveli to be fun, social and full of moments that guests remember long after they leave the island.”
Located in South Malé Atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection. The resort combines beach experiences, dining, entertainment, wellness and other activities within its broader island offering.
Awards
Madifushi Private Island wins ‘Sensation of the Year’ at Global Destination Awards
Madifushi Private Island has been named “Sensation of the Year” at the Global Destination Awards 2026, marking a proud milestone for the resort and its team. The award was presented during a gala ceremony held in Moscow, bringing together leading hospitality professionals, international brands, travel experts, celebrities, and media representatives.
Established by World Fashion Channel and Global Destination Group, the awards recognise achievements across the luxury travel and hospitality industry, with a focus on service, innovation, architecture, and distinctive guest experiences. This year’s ceremony honoured winners across 33 categories, spanning Russian and international hotels, resorts, destinations, and tourism businesses.
The evening provided Madifushi Private Island with an opportunity to showcase its identity and guest experiences to an audience of industry leaders and travel and lifestyle media.

“Anyone who has experienced Madifushi Private Island will understand why ‘Sensation of the Year’ feels so fitting,” said Mohamed Hilmy, General Manager of Madifushi Private Island. “There is something truly special about the island—the colours of the lagoon, the beauty of its beaches, and the sense of tranquility that invites you to slow down and take it all in. The island leaves an impression that stays with you long after you leave, and we are delighted to see it recognised in this way.”
For Madifushi Private Island, the award is a moment to celebrate the people behind the guest experience, from the teams welcoming visitors to those working behind the scenes. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen connections with travel partners and introduce the resort to travellers seeking their next true Maldivian escape.
Madifushi Private Island extends its appreciation to the award organisers, its guests, travel partners, and colleagues for their continued support. As the resort celebrates this achievement, its focus remains on thoughtful hospitality and creating memorable island experiences for every guest.
Awards
JOALI BEING elevates to Three MICHELIN Keys for its island-wide well-living experience
JOALI BEING, the transformative well-living island in the Maldives, celebrates a defining milestone as it is awarded Three MICHELIN Keys, progressing from Two Keys to the MICHELIN Guide’s highest hotel distinction.
The recognition marks an important moment in the evolution of JOALI BEING and celebrates its distinctive philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living, an invitation to experience wellbeing not as a temporary retreat, but as a more joyful, conscious and meaningful way of living.
More than a resort with a wellness offering, JOALI BEING was conceived as an entire island dedicated to well-living. Ancient wisdom and modern science, nature and biophilic design, nourishment, movement, mindfulness and meaningful connection come together to create an immersive environment where guests are invited to reconnect, discover and build a more conscious relationship with themselves.
At the heart of this journey is the pursuit of Weightlessness – a sense of freedom, lightness, energy and wonder – with experiences designed not only for the time spent on the island, but to inspire positive and sustainable changes that can continue beyond it.
A singular approach to the Joy of Well-Living
JOALI BEING approaches wellbeing as something deeply personal and interconnected. Its philosophy is centred around Four Pillars – Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy – creating a framework through which guests can explore their individual needs and aspirations.
Rather than following a predetermined definition of wellness, each journey is shaped around the individual. Personalised wellbeing programmes bring together expert guidance, ancient healing traditions and modern science, spanning movement, nutrition, mindfulness, restoration and holistic therapies. This integrative approach encourages guests to understand themselves more deeply, explore new practices and discover what well-living can mean within their own lives.
An entire island designed around transformation
At JOALI BEING, wellbeing extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of a spa. It is embedded into the architecture, landscape and rhythm of the island, with dedicated Transformational Spaces offering different pathways towards discovery and reconnection.
AREKA, the island’s wellbeing centre, brings together personalised experiences and specialised therapies. KAASHI Hydrotherapy Hall explores the restorative qualities of water and heat, while AKTAR, the herbology centre, invites guests to discover the properties and uses of herbs and essential oils. Sound becomes another pathway through SEDA and the Discovery Sound Path, while CORE creates an energising environment for fitness and movement.
Together, these spaces create a complete ecosystem for well-living, transforming the island itself into part of the guest’s personal journey of renewal and transformation.
Where nature and design become part of wellbeing
Nature is fundamental to the JOALI BEING experience. Conceived according to biophilic design principles, the island creates a continuous relationship between architecture and the natural environment. Across its 68 beachfront and overwater villas, wellbeing spaces and pathways, indoor and outdoor environments flow together with tropical greenery, water, light and open horizons.
Here, nature is not simply a backdrop. It becomes an active part of the journey, creating opportunities to slow down, reconnect and experience a deeper sense of presence.
Nourishment with joy at its heart
The philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living extends naturally to gastronomy, where mindful cuisine brings together nourishment, creativity and pleasure. Connected to the Microbiome pillar, the culinary experience encourages a greater understanding of the relationship between food and wellbeing while preserving the flavour, craftsmanship and social connection that make dining joyful.
Rather than defining wellbeing through restriction, JOALI BEING celebrates nourishment as a source of discovery and pleasure – reflecting the belief that meaningful change becomes more sustainable when joy remains at its centre.
Well-living for every generation
At JOALI BEING, wellbeing also unfolds through connection, curiosity, movement and play. B’Kidult welcomes younger guests and families with meaningful experiences that encourage shared well-living, allowing children and adults to explore nature, creativity, movement and discovery together.
This multigenerational approach expands the traditional idea of a wellbeing destination, creating an environment where the Joy of Well-Living can be explored at every stage of life.
From Two to Three MICHELIN Keys
The progression from Two to Three MICHELIN Keys represents a defining milestone in the journey of JOALI BEING and its continued evolution as a transformative well-living destination.
From its Four Pillars and personalised wellbeing journeys to its Transformational Spaces, biophilic design, mindful cuisine and multigenerational experiences, every dimension of JOALI BEING contributes to an environment where wellbeing is not treated as one element of the stay – it is the experience itself.
The achievement celebrates a philosophy that has guided JOALI BEING from the beginning: that well-living should feel inspiring rather than prescriptive, personal rather than predetermined, and joyful rather than restrictive.
Through the Joy of Well-Living, JOALI BEING continues to create a place where guests can feel lighter, happier and more energised, returning home with renewed perspective and meaningful practices to carry into everyday life.
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