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Mercure Maldives Kooddoo to celebrate Eid Al-Adha with cultural immersion

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This June, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites guests to celebrate Eid Al-Adha with a deeply immersive two-day program that blends tradition, storytelling, and rare cultural craft. As part of the resort’s signature ‘Discover Local’ initiative, guests will experience some authentic side of the Maldives through culinary rituals, folklore, a Joali and palm leaves weaving sessions.

A Rare Tradition Shared: Joali Weaving

On Saturday, 7 June 2025, guests will take part in a Joali weaving workshop, where they’ll learn to create traditional coconut rope items using age-old island techniques. Joali weaving, typically passed down in island households and rarely demonstrated in hospitality settings, becomes a tactile way for guests to engage with living Maldivian heritage.

“We don’t want to just show our guests the Maldives, we want them to feel it through our traditions,” said Mohamed Irshad, Front Office Manager. “Joali weaving is one of those rare crafts that tells the story of resourcefulness, connection to nature, and island life.”

Eid Buffet and the Maali Parade

The celebration begins on Friday, 6 June, with a special Eid buffet inspired by Maldivian culinary heritage. Guests will enjoy refined versions of festive dishes made from fresh, local ingredients, a tribute to the holiday and the island’s vibrant flavors.

The following evening features the Maali Parade, a vivid, resort-led folklore procession inspired by masked figures from traditional Maldivian storytelling.

Maldivian Sandbank Picnic: A Culinary Ritual by the Sea

One of the most visually striking and sensory-rich experiences during Eid but available throughout the year, is the Sandbank Picnic. Set on a secluded sandbank, guests are welcomed with a traditional tray placed on top of tropical leaves, filled with Maldivian short eats, including:

  • Gulha – Coconut and tuna fritters
  • Kulhi Kaajaa – Spicy tuna bites
  • Bajiya – Pastries with sweet-spicy fillings
  • Rihaakuru Kaajaa – Deep, rich fish paste fritters
  • Dry Fish – Smoked tuna strips
  • Bodi – Coconut sweets with toddy syrup

Served with fresh coconut water, this picnic is more than a meal; it’s a cultural tasting ceremony that connects guests to the island’s culinary soul.

Year-Round Discover Local Experiences

Eid is part of a broader commitment to cultural programming at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo.

Through its Discover Local program, the resort offers guests:

  • Traditional sunset fishing
  • Palm leaf art
  • Cultural cocktails with a local twist, crafted using indigenous ingredients and inspired by island flavors

Guests can explore a rotating menu of signature Maldivian-inspired cocktails, including:

  • Maldivian Green – Gin, curry leaf-infused syrup, lemon, soda water
  • Ocean Breeze – Butterfly pea flower vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple, coconut syrup
  • Green Kooddoo – Rum, Malibu, pandan leaf juice, pineapple, coconut syrup
  • Mirus Rita – Maldivian chili-infused tequila, lime juice, sugar, tobacco
  • Coco Kurumba – Tamarind juice, whisky, coconut milk, passion fruit syrup

These handcrafted beverages add a new dimension to local discovery, allowing guests to taste the islands in an entirely new way.

Whether joining for Eid or visiting any time of year, guests at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo are invited to experience the Maldives not just as a destination, but as a living culture.

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Amilla Maldives announces special experiences for Autumn, year-end holidays

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As the year moves towards its most meaningful seasons, Amilla Maldives is quietly preparing a series of celebrations designed to connect guests with culture, nature, and moments of gentle luxury. Each experience invites guests to slow down, reflect, and enjoy time together in the peaceful beauty of the island.

Chinese Golden Week & Mid-Autumn Festival: A Golden Getaway

During this combined celebration, Amilla welcomes guests to immerse themselves in a golden island retreat. Days unfold with ocean-dipped calm, personalised care, and tranquil moments. Under the glow of the full moon, guests can rest, reconnect, and savour the softer rhythms of life in a setting designed for peace and togetherness. 

Diwali Glow, Island Flow

This season, Amilla offers a warm, inviting space for families seeking a meaningful Diwali away from the bustle. Thoughtful touches and simple rituals create a gentle glow beneath starlit skies, welcoming guests to celebrate light, warmth, and connection in harmony with nature.

A Coco-Inspired Halloween

Inspired by the story of Coco, Halloween at Amilla will blend soulful music, memory, and subtle playful flair. With creative island-wide touches and a heartfelt spirit, this celebration invites guests of all ages to enjoy a season marked by imagination and gentle fun. Unwrap the agenda here.

Festive Season: Around the World in Wonder

Closing the year, Amilla sets the stage for a cultural journey across the globe, right on the island. Stories, flavours, and traditions from far and wide will weave into a festive season full of joy and togetherness, designed to delight guests of every age and interest. Travel the world here.

The full agenda is available on the Amilla website as well as the Amilla App. Each event reflects Amilla’s ongoing commitment to crafting heartfelt, inclusive experiences that connect guests to each other, to nature, and to themselves.

For more information about Amilla Maldives, please visit www.amilla.com.

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Centara’s Maldives resorts mark Diwali with island-style festivities

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Blending its signature Thai hospitality with authentic island charm, Centara Resorts & Hotels boasts four dynamic properties in the Maldives – Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, and Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection. Throughout Diwali, each destination will roll out a full schedule of dazzling celebrations, promising something to delight every traveller.

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives

Just a short speedboat ride from Malé International Airport, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives combines privacy, elegant villas, world-class dining, and land-and-sea adventures, with highlights including the SPA Cenvaree Retreat. As part of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, visitors enjoy seamless access to the neighbouring Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, ensuring every guest can celebrate Diwali their way.

From October 20th to 24th, enjoy a festive lineup of Diwali-inspired dining and activities, with mornings filled with Indian classics, sweet treats, and vegetarian favourites. Days are packed with creative workshops, Rangoli art, diya lamp making, kite festivals, and even a Colour Fun Run. Meanwhile, evenings bring cocktail gatherings, themed dinners, live music, Bollywood karaoke, and movie nights, culminating in an unforgettable beachside celebration of food, fire, and festivity.

When: From October 20th to 24th

Offer: A range of Diwali-inspired experiences for in-house guests, offered as per meal plans, with supplementary charges applicable to select workshops and dining events.

Unwind this Diwali with rejuvenating massages and facials at the serene SPA Cenvaree Retreat. Choose from a 90-minute Holistic Massage, Oriental Massage, or Jet Lag Recovery, or indulge in a 60-minute Natural Facial or Phytomer Facial.

Signature treatments starting from USD 230++ per person. For bookings and more information, please email cglm@chr.co.th

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, part of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, is a family-focused escape under Centara’s renowned Mirage brand. Designed with fun at its core, it features diverse dining, a dedicated kids’ club, Games Room, the acclaimed SPA Cenvaree, a Candy Spa for young travellers, and a spectacular water complex with pools, a lazy river, and splash zones.

This Diwali, the resort blends tradition with island-style festivity, starting with Rangoli art and crafts at the kids’ club, a lively Sundance Pool Party, and a colourful Fun Run. The night ends with a lavish buffet set against glowing lanterns, festive photo spots, and high-energy performances carrying the spirit well into the night.

When: October 20th

Offer: A range of Diwali-inspired experiences for in-house guests, offered as per meal plans, with supplementary charges applicable to select workshops and dining events.

Treat your little ones to a magical spa adventure with 20% off all treatments at the Candy Spa this October 20th. Created for kids aged four to eleven, this colourful, sweet-inspired haven spoils younger guests with edible treatments, hair braiding, manicures, pedicures, and more.

20% off treatments at the Candy Spa. For bookings and more information, please email cmlm@chr.co.th

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives unveils an adults-only paradise, blending indulgence and tranquillity in equal measure for a Diwali to remember. Reconnect and rejuvenate in a private beachfront villa, lounge on the beach, or explore vibrant marine life, all while embracing the spirit of the occasion with a series of enchanting experiences that blend festive flair with island elegance.

Taking place from October 17th to 23rd, guests can dive into a world of flavour, celebration, and colour. At the heart of the festivities are a selection of curated dining experiences and daily themed buffets. By evening, the resort becomes aglow with festivities, including Bollywood-themed karaoke nights and movie screenings, live DJ sets, flavourful hubbly bubbly, and a hands-on mixology masterclass.

When: From October 17th to 23rd

Offer: A range of Diwali-inspired experiences for in-house guests, offered as per meal plans, with supplementary charges applicable to select workshops and dining events.

For bookings and more information, please email crf@chr.co.th

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection

Located in South Ari Atoll, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, part of The Centara Collection, embodies the Maldivian way of life, where nature and culture blend seamlessly. It is a sanctuary to disconnect, reconnect with loved ones, and celebrate Diwali across 112 elegant beachfront and overwater villas, each offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and direct access to an award-winning house reef teeming with marine life.

On October 19th and 20th, the resort comes alive with Diwali-inspired experiences for all ages, from Rangoli sand art and henna to family games. The festivities culminate in a mouthwatering Diwali buffet with Indian specialities, live entertainment, and a Bollywood DJ night.

When: October 19th and 20th

Offer: A range of Diwali-inspired experiences for in-house guests, offered as per meal plans, with supplementary charges applicable to select workshops and dining events.

For bookings and more information, please email cirm@chr.co.th

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Hulhule Island Hotel wins South Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel at SATA 2025

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Hulhule Island Hotel (HIH) has announced that it has been awarded the Gold Award for “South Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel” at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025. This recognition underscores the hotel’s longstanding reputation as the premier gateway to the Maldives, providing seamless hospitality experiences for travelers.

Held at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Sri Lanka, the 9th edition of the South Asian Travel Awards welcomed industry leaders and esteemed delegates from across the region to celebrate outstanding achievements in hospitality and tourism.

The South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) is the region’s most prestigious platform dedicated to recognising excellence in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. Launched to elevate industry standards and celebrate the diverse offerings across South Asia, SATA honours outstanding achievements by businesses, individuals, and destinations that shape and inspire regional tourism. With participation from six nations – Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives – SATA has become a symbol of unity and collaboration in one of the world’s most culturally rich and geographically diverse regions.

Ali Shakir, Group General Manager, commented on the award by saying, “Winning the Gold Award as South Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel reinforces our promise of being more than just a transit hotel. Hulhule Island Hotel stands as the gateway to the Maldives, where comfort, convenience, and heartfelt hospitality meet. This achievement is dedicated to our passionate team who consistently go beyond expectations to create memorable experiences for every guest.”

Hawwa Fareesha, Hotel Manager of Hulhule Island Hotel added, “We are honored to receive the Gold Award for Best Leading Airport Hotel. This prestigious recognition reflects the dedication of our exceptional team and the strong leadership of our Group General Manager. Thank you to all our staff – your passion and commitment continue to set us apart.”

Strategically located just minutes away from Velana International Airport, Hulhule Island Hotel stands as the Maldives’ premier airport hotel, offering comfort and convenience to both leisure and business travelers. The property features a wide range of modern facilities including well-appointed rooms, multiple dining venues, recreation options, and event spaces, all designed to provide a seamless transition for travelers entering or departing the Maldives. Known for blending efficiency with warm Maldivian hospitality, HIH has become the preferred choice for international passengers, airline crews, and corporate guests alike.

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