Featured
Royal Island blends local traditions and lagoonside celebrations this festive season
Royal Island has announced its festive 2025–2026 programme, titled “Island Traditions, Festive Glow,” inviting guests to celebrate the season on a laid-back Maldivian island illuminated by lanterns and framed by palm trees and calm lagoon views.
The programme has been crafted to evoke warmth, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place. Days follow an unhurried rhythm, centred on family-friendly activities such as island-inspired games, children’s treasure hunts, craft sessions, palm-leaf weaving, and relaxed poolside gatherings. As evening approaches, the island shifts into a gentle social mood, with live music, retro disco nights, white parties, and informal after-dinner beach gatherings where guests are encouraged to linger under the stars.
Christmas at Royal Island combines familiar traditions with Maldivian touches. Guests can enjoy a beachside tree-lighting ceremony, Christmas Eve cocktails, and a festive gala dinner followed by an upbeat party featuring a mix of classic and contemporary music. On Christmas Day, Santa makes a tropical arrival by the water, while a children’s fashion and talent show keeps younger guests at the centre of the celebrations. New Year’s Eve includes oceanfront cocktails, a celebratory dinner, and a countdown that progresses from live music to a beachside gathering. Orthodox Christmas in early January is marked with a dedicated dinner and DJ night, offering a soft close to the festive season.
“Island Traditions, Festive Glow” also places a strong emphasis on Maldivian culture. Guests can take part in Maldivian cooking classes, enjoy homestyle Haruge dinners, and experience Boduberu drumming accompanied by Royal Island’s signature dance performances. Private dining experiences—such as candlelit dinners on the beach, cinema under the stars, floating or lagoon breakfasts, and bespoke romantic set-ups—provide opportunities for couples and families to personalise their celebrations.
Beyond the festive programme, Royal Island’s location in Baa Atoll, close to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offers access to rich marine life, including turtles, reef fish, and, seasonally, manta rays. Guests may join guided snorkelling excursions, plan multi-day dives, or opt for relaxed private cruises, including dolphin safaris, sunset fishing, sandbank escapes, and stargazing on secluded stretches of beach. At Araamu Spa, island-inspired therapies, couples’ rituals, and restorative massages offer moments of calm between festivities and a restful start to the new year.
With its intimate scale, strong cultural identity, and a festive calendar that balances family-focused activities, local traditions, and quiet seaside moments, Royal Island delivers a season that feels both celebratory and distinctly Maldivian.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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