Anantara Kihavah marks brand’s 25th anniversary with celestial Maldives experience
Anantara Hotels & Resorts is marking its 25th anniversary with a collection of signature experiences across its portfolio, including a stargazing programme at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas in Baa Atoll.
The anniversary initiative brings together experiences across Thailand, the Maldives and Italy, with a focus on stillness, wellbeing and slower forms of travel. The experiences are being offered across Anantara’s more than 50 properties throughout 2026, with each programme developed around its destination.
In the Maldives, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is highlighting the night sky through its Celestial Maldives experience at SKY, the resort’s overwater observatory.
As daylight fades over the Indian Ocean, guests are invited to the observatory for a guided stargazing session with the resort’s SKY Edhuru, or astronomy guide. Using the telescope at the observatory, guests can observe galaxies, constellations and planets above the Maldives.
According to Anantara, the experience reflects the broader theme behind its anniversary programme: encouraging travellers to spend more time observing their surroundings rather than focusing on covering more destinations or activities.
Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah has incorporated astronomy into its guest experience through SKY, which the resort says is home to the most powerful telescope in the Maldives. The observatory offers guests an opportunity to explore the night sky with guidance from its resident astronomy team while remaining within the resort’s overwater setting.
The Maldives programme forms part of a wider series of anniversary experiences developed by Anantara around different interpretations of rest, reflection and wellbeing.
At Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel in Italy, guests can take part in a morning programme inspired by the property’s history as a 13th-century Capuchin convent. The experience includes a walk through its gardens with Friar Marcus, sound healing in the convent sanctuary and a picnic featuring produce from the property’s gardens.
In Thailand, Anantara Chiang Mai Resort has introduced an experience built around a journey along the Mae Ping River aboard its teakwood boat, Nam Jai. The programme includes visits to Wat Ket Karam and Khua Kaek Bridge, an alms-giving ceremony and a Lanna khantoke lunch beneath Bodhi trees at the resort.
Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is meanwhile offering a wellbeing programme beginning with a personal consultation at Layan Life by Anantara, followed by sound healing, heated herbal therapy, sunset viewing and stargazing.
Anantara said the collection is intended to mark its 25th year by drawing attention to experiences rooted in the character of each destination.
Founded in 2001, Anantara Hotels & Resorts is the experiential luxury brand of Minor Hotels. Its portfolio now spans more than 50 properties, including several resorts in the Maldives.
The signature 25th-anniversary experiences, including Celestial Maldives at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, are available during 2026.
