Soak into 'Imaginarium' with Kandima Maldives

Kicking off this December, Kandima Maldives will transform into a spectacular Imaginarium for guests. Kandima, the game-changing resort with a passion for being anything but ordinary is fulfilling everyone’s wildest dreams. Kandima presents the very kool festive theme ‘Imaginarium’ for all its guests this season. The festivities have been designed to stimulate the senses and ignite guests’ creative fantasies yet again. There is a two-week-long schedule of creative activities, performances and imagination infused art installations for guests at Kandima Maldives

A Kandima Christmas

Soak into 'Imaginarium' with Kandima Maldives

Everyone’s invited to take part in Kandima’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the 22nd of December. Kandima’s Breeze Beach will be transformed into a tree lighting extravaganza, with decorations, creative tropical lights, and singing Christmas carols. On Christmas Day itself, forget the city grotto and line up for a photoshoot with Santa! With an in-house photographer to capture memories, everyone can put down their screens and relish the stunning Maldivian sunsets. For the Christmas day buffet, expect delicious menus serving classic Christmas dishes with a Maldivian twist. Fresh seafood and accompanying imaginative cocktails and bubblies will whet your appetite with live music to enjoy whilst dining. Try five eccentric chocolate flavours curated by the pastry chefs all available at the kool food retail outlets.

Endless Entertainment

Kandima has music and dancing to everyone’s taste from day to night to mark your perfect Maldivian festive holiday. From bands such as Nothing but Hits to globally renowned DJs like Tanya Vie and famous children’s entertainer Mr Marvel. With 10 unique dining choices, from restaurants and bars, Kandima is the best place to keep the party going.

The oh-so-kool resort will be throwing a festive bash on Christmas Eve before Christmas day. But the party doesn’t stop there. The next day brings on a retro party before a big adults-only white party at the Forbidden Bar on the 28th. Oh, but don’t let the name fool you — nothing is forbidden at Kandima! The resort has thought of every generation. With pool parties, guest football matches, kids crab hunts and karaoke at the island so parents can enjoy themselves without worrying about the kids.

The big entertainment kicks off with the official launch of the Imaginarium soon after Christmas. This is when the island transforms into a new world of fantasies! From the Kula Run and art illustrations to the super kool entertainment with fireworks to bring in the New Year! Maritime imaginers and adrenaline chasers will be delighted to discover a calendar of paddleboard races, water volleyball, night snorkelling, dolphin cruises and diving with Santa!

Arts, Crafts & K’reativity

The Imaginarium theme will see Kandima’s extraordinary DELI transformed into a ‘DELI Of Illusions’. Here, guests will have the chance to experience the entertaining illustrations while they sip their kool-coffees and get creative at the nearby spaces. The facilities include a Tattoo Parlour, resin art painting, Kocktail creation masterclasses. Alternatively, enjoy a wellness-filled vacation at the resort’s esKape Spa to relax your imaginative soul.

Guests are also invited to join the resident artist for painting sessions at the Kula Art Studio. Then, take a moment of peace to marvel at the work of talented local artists at the Aroma Cafe’. And for anyone looking to keep fit during the festivities, join the endless sports activities. This includes football matches for the guests. Additionally, guests of all ages can take part in the KULA Colour Run; an epic trail that sees guests run through clouds of colour as they explore one of Maldives’ longest stretches of beach.

A New Year Like No Other at Kandima

Welcome 2022 with tasty treats at the two expansive all-day diners Zest, Flavour, as well as other fine dining restaurants, offing a worldly New Year’s Eve selection. Think of a world of choices. From the freshest seafood to the choicest of meats or the Asian delicacies to the mouth-watering delicious desserts – there is something for everyone’s palate.

After dinner, start the new year by having a blast at the party, with live entertainment all night long. The oh-so bedazzling fireworks display will make for a NYE for the books. An unforgettable night of fun fit for the imagination, but in the real world. The day after, guests can soothe aching heads with an indulgent New Year brunch, an intimate floating breakfast or lunch in your private villa. Or, plan a castaway island experience for the family or simply soak up the sun as you discover the incredible house reef.

With great accommodation options for every type of traveller and enough space to discover something new each day, Kandima is the fail-safe recipe for escapism this winter. After months of stunted summer plans, it’s the perfect time to start a tropical tradition of Christmas in paradise. The Imaginarium New Year is sure to give you that rush. You will find your imagination ignited at Kandima this festive season.

Feature image by Kandima Maldives

This summer, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers the perfect opportunity to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with yourself. In celebration of International Yoga Day on June 21st, the resort hosts an immersive five-day yoga retreat from June 20th to 24th, guided by the highly experienced and respected yoga instructor Emilia Métaireau. With its serene surroundings, the retreat provides a peaceful sanctuary for wellness seekers to refresh their mind, body, and spirit while embracing the transformative power of yoga, meditation, and mindful movement.

A Mid-Summer Reset in Paradise

Held at an ideal time for a mid-summer reset, this retreat invites participants to rediscover their inner balance in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Surrounded by the Maldives’ crystal-clear waters, vibrant reefs, and unspoiled beauty, guests step away from their routines and focus on restoring their energy and clarity. Moreover, Emilia, whose teachings span over a decade and more than 2,500 hours of global experience, brings a grounded and expansive presence to the experience. She blends breathwork, ancient wisdom, and conscious movement, guiding each guest toward a deeper connection with themselves.

A Thoughtful and Immersive Daily Practice

The retreat begins each day with rejuvenating sunrise yoga, allowing guests to wake up and center themselves before embracing the day ahead. In the evenings, the focus shifts to calming rituals designed to soothe the body and still the mind. To enhance this immersive experience further, guided meditations and energy healing practices integrate seamlessly into the program, creating a journey of self-discovery and spiritual connection. Each session is thoughtfully crafted to help participants not only practice yoga but also experience the deeper emotional and mental benefits that come with it.

Exploring the Five Koshas: A Journey Inward

A key focus of the retreat is the ancient yogic philosophy of the five koshas—five interconnected layers of being that shape our experiences of life, health, and spirituality. These layers include the physical body (Annamaya Kosha), the energy body (Pranamaya Kosha), the mental body (Manomaya Kosha), the intellectual body (Vijnanamaya Kosha), and the bliss body (Anandamaya Kosha). Throughout the retreat, guests explore these layers through mindful movement, meditation, and yoga, with each practice designed to bring them closer to a state of peace, clarity, and self-awareness.

Luxurious Spa Treatments to Complement Your Journey

Adding to the holistic experience, guests indulge in treatments at the resort’s luxurious AVI Spa, a sanctuary perched over the water and designed to promote deep relaxation and wellness. Named after the local word for “sunshine,” AVI Spa offers a variety of signature treatments and therapies that nurture the body and soul, perfectly complementing the retreat’s focus on mindfulness and rejuvenation.

An Idyllic Setting for Renewal and Rejuvenation

Furthermore, the stunning location of the resort enhances the retreat experience. Situated at the southern tip of Raa Atoll, bordering a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a juvenile manta ray aggregation site, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a peaceful and inspiring backdrop for reflection and rejuvenation. As the first and only all-Club InterContinental resort, it provides exclusive benefits to guests, including indulgent amenities and luxurious accommodations. The resort features overwater villas, an adults-only area, an exquisite spa, and a variety of dining options, ensuring that each guest enjoys a complete experience of luxury and wellness.