This festive season, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo invites guests to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year with its festive programme ‘Extravaganza’, a spirited schedule of adventure, music, colour and wellness.
From 22nd December to 7th January, the twin-island resort situated in the Maldives’ remote and pristine Gaafu Alifu Atoll will play host to a range of experts, presenting a non-stop programme of adventure and unique dining experiences. Among Extravaganza’s many highlights will be a succession of performances by Cuban salsa band Sweet Habana and an opportunity to learn the art of Maldivian music, Boduberu, as well as the country’s dance culture with Master Abdul Wadhood.
One of the world’s best free divers Bastien Soleil will offer guests an opportunity to discover the beauty of freediving amongst the endlessly fascinating reefs. A first for the Maldives, Bastien will be in residency from 16th December to 15th January, to share his extensive expertise garnered during the 1000 dives he takes each year.
Adventure aplenty, guests catch their dream fish with Big Game Fishing Master Mikhail Karpovich who is on-site to guide enthusiasts through the resort’s healthy reefs, allowing the opportunity to dine on a fresh catch at Firepit, amongst a sunken table and seating that has been carved from the sand – the first restaurant of its kind in the country.
Guests can discover and understand one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful masterpieces with the resort’s passionate resident marine biologist. With extensive knowledge about the marine ecosystem, Giulia Pellizzato will be on hand to connect visitors directly with the underwater environment through a unique Marine Discovery program and snorkelling tours.
Also joining Extravaganza is Deependra Singh, Indian Yoga Master who is on-site to unite breathing, meditation, and movement, enhancing an overall sense of mindfulness, health and wellbeing, as well as increasing flexibility and decreasing stress levels. Whether it be a private session from the villa or a sunrise awakening from the spa deck, Mr. Singh is on-hand to guide guests through Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Prananyama or meditation.
Extravaganza presents themed evenings and delectable dining experiences – from Christmas Eve Dinner, Welcoming Santa Claus, Turkish and Mediterranean dinner parties, and a New Year gala dinner. Additional entertainment will include belly and fire dancers, circus performers, nightly DJ performances by DJ Majesty and Flamenco shows.
The gastronomic journey – from special breakfasts, lunches, or dinner – will take setting amongst the property’s varied dining offerings. Among them, The Firepit is an outdoor barbecue restaurant set directly on the shore for uninterrupted views of the starlit sky; for fine dining soundtracked by gently lapping waves, while the overwater Yuzu restaurant makes judicious use of the best sustainably sourced local fish to serve exceptional Nikkei cuisine. For a New Year’s Eve cocktail, the Long Bar’s Maldives Sling is a golden blend of gin, grapefruit, coconut, cinnamon and clove that mirrors the Maldivian sunset.
The resort offers a unique collection of expansive villas, each beach and overwater residence come with a large marble bathtub, private pool and outdoor shower, with the newly built 1,700 square metre Royal Residence ready to play host to up 15 guests. The Raffles’ legendary service reaches new heights at this exclusive Indian Ocean hideaway, too: dedicated Marine Butlers are on hand to lead snorkelling tours of the resort’s two wondrous house reefs (home to Apollo and friends, the 20 resident hawksbill and green turtles) and Children’s Butlers are on standby to meet the needs of younger guests.
Accommodation at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo during the festive season starts at USD 2.950 ++ per night, including breakfast and complimentary speedboat transfers from Kaadedhdhoo Airport, an hour’s domestic flight south of Malé International Airport.
The full Festive Programme can be viewed here.
