Hotels and resorts gear up for festive period

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hotels and resorts across the Maldives are preparing to usher in the festive period with special activities for guests to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

The end of the year is traditionally the busiest time of the year for the tourism industry, coinciding with the holidays and the peak season.

From 19 December to 2 January, the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort’s festive programme includes:

For Little VIPs – Kids can enjoy activities such as making sand sculptures on the beach, island treasure hunt, aqua gym, open air movies, banana boat rides, secret garden picnics, making super hero capes, dance lessons, meeting Santa in his grotto, and more.

For Adults – While the kids are playing (supervised), adults can enjoy complimentary yoga, guided snorkelling trips, morning meditation, fishing trips, beach barbecues, water polo, sushi making, a Southeast Asia culinary night, romantic sunset dinners, chilling by the pool (with in-house DJ), discovering nearby castaway islands, a Moroccan evening, Japanese night, Tai Chi on the beach, kayak racing, dolphin trips, snorkelling with a marine biologist, open air movies, and more.

Out of the Ordinary Stuff – Guests can celebrate Christmas and New Year in style by renewing their vows on the beach, crossing the equator to the ‘other side of the world’, surfing (yes, surfing – there are six reef breaks nearby), being castaway on their own island for the day (with nice food and drinks), visiting local islands, dining on the beach at a sunken table, and learning to cook Maldivian, Indian, Sri Lankan or Japanese cuisine.

At Finolhu, special festive activities include Groovy Cocktails and dinner, Funky Festive Lunch, Bubbles and Cocktails by the beach with fireworks, Soul Sister Groove on the Dance Floor and a Recovery Pool Party.

Special performances by Cuban Brothers, Gypsy Queens, SRS, Phuture Wave, DJ Jaffa and NYE DJ Set by Marvin Humes are also planned for the festive period.

At Amilla Fushi, activities include a Christmas Dinner at signature over-water restaurant Feeling Koi, festive cruises, cocktail parties, Santa Arrival Parade, fireworks and an After Glow Party.

The line-up of special performances includes Mel C, Cuban Brothers, Gypsy Queens, Rishvan Imon, DJ Simon and Phuture Wave.

Kurumba Maldives is also set to celebrate Christmas and New Year with a host of special activities for its guests.

The resort’s Executive Chef Glen Cooper and his culinary team will present a series of gastronomic experiences where guests can enjoy a selection of delicacies and classy, cosmopolitan events.

The festive events include unique activities such as wine tastings set in the sparkling blue lagoon, cocktail mixology classes and cooking demonstrations.

For kids, a fashion show, a gingerbread competition and a visit from Santa himself, along with many other activities are planned to keep them entertained.

On Christmas Eve, dinner in Thila will showcase an exciting and vibrant buffet complete with live cooking stations, followed by entertainment at Kandu Bar.

On Christmas Day, Kurumba’s team will perform the classic Christmas Carols at Kandu Bar – an annual tradition – and for the children, a kids’ party will be organised at the pool side to meet Santa Claus.

On Boxing Day (26th December), a special barbeque will be organised by the poolside for a more informal treat.

On New Year’s Eve, a ‘White Party’ will take centre stage; glamorously dressed guests will walk down the red carpet, starting the celebrations with bubbles.

For dinner, a lavish buffet will be served in Thila restaurant with entertainment and a few surprise performances.

An awards ceremony will follow where winners will be selected in different categories including ‘Best Dressed’ as well as a raffle draw.

As the night progresses, the party will move to Kandu Bar where a live local band and the resort’s resident DJ will take turns in entertaining the crowd.

A complimentary ‘recovery brunch’ will be served from 8am to 2.30pm on New Year’s Day.

On 6th January, an Orthodox Christmas dinner will be served in Thila, with a focus on fresh seafood followed by entertainment in Kandu Bar with a live band.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]