Month: January 2025

This Ramadan, The Nautilus Maldives, a luxurious private island retreat, invites guests to celebrate the holy month with a unique blend of opulence, cultural heritage, and meaningful connections. The resort’s Nautilus Majlis Iftar Pop-Up offers a bespoke experience, allowing guests to enjoy traditional Iftar meals in the privacy of their accommodations, on the beachfront, or at an exclusive sandbank retreat. The carefully curated Iftar menu, served in a boho-chic setting, combines tradition with personal customization, creating a sensory celebration of Ramadan.

The resort’s 24/7 timeless hospitality and unscripted dining concept ensure a personalized experience, while exclusive privileges, such as discounts on accommodations, spa treatments, and water sports, enhance the stay. Families are welcomed with children under 12 staying and dining for free, making it an ideal retreat for all. The Nautilus provides a sanctuary for reflection, cultural immersion, and indulgence, offering a truly unforgettable Ramadan experience.

Dubai-based Samana Developers has introduced its inaugural luxury branded residences project in the Maldives, worth $598 million. The project, Samana Ocean Views, will include 190 high-end units such as beachfront villas, over-water bungalows, and apartments with pools, all designed by Elie Saab. Covering 507,651 square feet, the project is slated for completion by 2029.

Situated near Hanimaadhoo Airport, the property is accessible via a 20-minute speedboat ride or a 45-minute seaplane journey from Malé. Amenities will include a wellness spa, multiple swimming pools, a fitness centre, and dining options offering Arabic and Japanese cuisines. Additional features are water-sports facilities, a dive centre, and entertainment for families, with a focus on sustainability through coral restoration initiatives.

Having delivered over 1,000 units and constructing another 10,000, Samana Developers is a top player in Dubai’s real estate market. CEO Imran Farooq noted that the company’s expertise is reflected in the unique design and luxury of the Maldives project. Meanwhile, Elie Saab Jr. highlighted the development as a major milestone in expanding the brand’s global presence to exclusive destinations

Sun Siyam Resorts proudly received the 2024 Target Taste Award for ‘Overseas Island Hotel Group’ during the prestigious awards ceremony held in December 2024 in Beijing. The event, organised by Target Taste, a renowned Chinese luxury lifestyle magazine, celebrated innovation and excellence in the luxury lifestyle industry under the theme ‘Revolutionise and Innovate.’

The award recognises Sun Siyam Resorts for its exceptional guest experiences, sustainable practices, and innovative contributions to redefining island luxury. Ashley Zhang, Regional Marketing & Communications Manager for China, accepted the award, which marks a significant achievement for the group.

Claudia Klingbeil, Group Director of PR & Communications at Sun Siyam Resorts, expressed gratitude, stating that the award reflects the team’s dedication to creating unforgettable guest experiences and drives their ongoing commitment to innovation.

Since its establishment in 2013, Target Taste has celebrated leaders in luxury, making its awards a symbol of excellence and innovation in the hospitality sector.

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives) announced the Maldives Carnival 2025, named ‘Maldives Mahautsav,’ organised by Pickyourtrail and endorsed by Visit Maldives. Held from January 11th to 12th, 2025, at Ambience Mall in Gurgaon, India, the event was inaugurated by Aishath Azeema, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to India.

The two-day event showcased the Maldives’ unique offerings through 17 resort booths, interactive activities, and immersive experiences. Pickyourtrail representatives provided personalised travel advice and highlighted luxury stays, destination weddings, honeymoons, and family vacations tailored to Indian travelers. The carnival also coincided with North India’s peak wedding season, promoting the Maldives as a top-tier destination for weddings and romantic getaways.

Pickyourtrail, a travel-tech platform founded in 2014, specialises in personalised itineraries and seamless trip planning for international destinations, including the Maldives. The platform, recognised with the Best Holiday Brand award in 2024, partnered with resorts to strengthen connections between travel stakeholders and potential buyers during the event.

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has achieved remarkable recognition, earning two prestigious awards that underscore its commitment to luxury and exceptional guest experiences. Located in North Malé Atoll, the five-star resort was recently named “Reader’s Favourite Overseas Hotel” at the 2024 Travel + Leisure China Travel Awards and “Best Luxury Resort of the Year” by the Travelling Scope Star Hotel Awards. These accolades further cement its position as a global leader in luxury hospitality.

The Travel + Leisure China Travel Awards were established over a decade ago as an extension of the globally respected Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. With a comprehensive evaluation process that includes public voting, expert reviews, and editorial audits, the awards serve as a benchmark for excellence in the travel industry. Similarly, the Travelling Scope Star Awards, hosted by China’s longest-running travel publication, celebrate innovation and excellence in the travel sector, inspiring progress within the industry.

Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “These awards reflect our dedication to delivering world-class luxury and service. The Chinese market remains vital to us, and we aim to continuously enhance our offerings for our Chinese guests while ensuring unforgettable experiences for all visitors.”

Located just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort offers a tranquil tropical escape. Guests can enjoy 75 luxurious villas, including beach and overwater options with private pools. The resort boasts the Maldives’ largest pool—a 150-meter feature with jacuzzis, children’s areas, and an Olympic-size lap section that doubles as a starlit dining venue at night. Dining options include seven restaurants and three bars, showcasing global cuisines such as Mediterranean and Peruvian-Japanese fusion, alongside a whisky and cigar lounge with the Maldives’ largest whisky collection.

For relaxation, the resort features a spa with eight ocean-view treatment villas inspired by South Asian therapies. Adventurous activities include surfing, diving, and e-foil rides, while tennis, padel tennis, and a kids’ club provide options for all ages. The resort’s exceptional offerings were also recognized by Condé Nast Traveller’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking 8th among the best resorts in the Indian Ocean.

More than just a destination, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives serves as a welcoming sanctuary for couples, families, and solo travellers alike, offering personalized experiences and a harmonious blend of luxury and comfort.

The Maldives Customs Seaport Division recently extended en-route clearance services to passengers and crew aboard the Crystal Symphony, marking the first cruise liner to visit the Maldives this year.

The vessel, which set sail from the Seychelles, arrived in the Maldives on Thursday. During its stopover, customs officers facilitated the clearance process for 216 passengers and 416 crew members, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.

The Crystal Symphony is the third cruise liner to visit the Maldives this season. Earlier, the MS Norwegian Sky and MS Riviera brought thousands of tourists to the country late last month.

The MS Norwegian Sky, registered in the Bahamas, docked in Malé with 1,872 passengers, while the MS Riviera, registered in the Marshall Islands, arrived with 2,004 passengers.

These visits highlight the Maldives’ growing popularity as a cruise destination, contributing to the country’s thriving tourism industry.

Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, reached a historic milestone on Monday by introducing its first wide-body aircraft, an Airbus A330, at Velana International Airport (VIA). This marks the airline’s entry into wide-body aircraft operations.

The launch event was a grand affair, starting with an air show featuring other Maldivian flights. The highlight was the Airbus A330’s arrival, greeted with much fanfare. President Mohamed Muizzu and Ibrahim Ghiyas, the Managing Director of Island Aviation Services, were present to welcome the crew. Following the warm reception, President Muizzu took a tour of the aircraft to experience its features firsthand.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ibrahim Ghiyas emphasized the significance of this achievement for the airline. He stated that introducing the wide-body aircraft is a major step forward, paving the way for Maldivian to expand its international routes and strengthen its presence in global markets.

As part of its expansion strategy, Maldivian is set to launch direct flights to three major Chinese cities—Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu—later this month. Ghiyas proudly noted that Maldivian’s own employees were part of the crew operating the new Airbus A330.

Key details about the aircraft and its role were shared during the event:

• The Airbus A330 accommodates 264 passengers across first class, business class, and economy class.
• It has the capacity to transport up to 10 tons of air cargo, offering new possibilities for trade and commerce.
• With the addition of a second wide-body aircraft, the airline aims to bring over 65,000 tourists to the Maldives each year.

This initiative fulfills a pledge made by the President and was approved by the cabinet in December 2023. The agreement to acquire the aircraft was finalized in July 2024, making this accomplishment a testament to the government’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s aviation sector.