As travel evolves from a flop-and-drop mentality toward a quest for self-improvement and connection with place, hotels and resorts are increasing their holistic offerings to engage guests mentally. The Maldives is an anchorage for properties that promise stimulating programs – for the mind as well as the senses – for guests of all ages.
NIYAMA PRIVATE ISLAND - EXPLORERS KIDS CLUB
Don’t be fooled into thinking Niyama Private Island is just for couples or grown-ups – it’s also a fantastic option for young families. Home to the ‘Isle of Play’, the resort has a dedicated engagement area, catering to imaginations of all ages. It’s here that youngsters will find the Explorers Kids Club, a quintessentially Maldivian kids club that immerses children in the eye-opening nature and cultural beauty of the islands – from Dhivehi lullabies to dolphin scouting.
A one-of-a-kind family holiday experience in the Maldives, you and your young ones follow the winding curves of a sandy trail into island forest. The outside world slips away as you approach Explorers Kids Club, where imagination reigns and encounters with the surreal await at every corner.
Young VIPs embark on safaris, explore wildlife, go gourmet with Master Chef classes, scout for dolphin and plunge into family, indulgences, with luxuries reinvented to thrill guests 12 months to 12 years old.
SONEVA JANI - THE DEN
In addition to a mind-blowing list of informative, educational and stimulating activities on offer at Soneva Jani - from sustainability tours to guided astronomy experiences - the resort caters to young minds in a special way.
One of (many) of Soneva Jani’s claims to fame is that the resort is home to the largest children’s zone in the Maldives: The Den. Inspired by childhood wonder, the Den at Soneva Jani is a two-storey awe-inspiring playground for the imagination – and now one of the largest children’s clubs in Asia. Featuring dedicated toddler and teenage areas, no Young Sonevians have been forgotten in the creation of this wonderland.
Kids can glide along the zipline through the cascading waterfalls, make a splash in the pool or explore the pirate ship. Throughout the day, teens can hang out in the Cave Bar, where music and mocktails set the scene.
Inside, The Den is ripe for discovery. Children of all ages can hop along the musical piano steps to create their own music or talk like a fish with Tale of the Whale. A Lego and craft area, dressing-up room and library also provide space for books, fantasies and more.
A haven for families, there is an ever-changing weekly programme of activities and experiences to keep children of all ages entertained, including taking a turn at the DJ booth, amongst a range of unique experiences – all around the island. The Den is a technology-free zone, where young guests are encouraged to learn, play, discover nature, and let their creativity and curiosity run wild.
HERITANCE AARAH - TRADITIONAL MALDIVIAN VILLAGE
An educational offering for the whole family to enjoy, Heritance Aarah is home to a first-of-its-kind Maldivian village on island, where guests can participate in a village tour and learn all about the Maldivian way of life: what their homes look like, how schools and learning works in the Maldives, and local foods.
Built to celebrate the illustrious culture and heritage of the island nation, the village endeavours to create awareness and educate guests from around the world, of the incredible past and its varied influence in modern Maldives lifestyle. The experience includes a tour of a typical Maldivian household, an outdoor school area, ‘joali’ traditional furniture, and examples of key local industries such as boat building and coral stone carpentry.
Guests will also get to see local handicrafts in action, including local jewellery-making, mat weaving, embroidery, and lacquer work. Interactive sessions include experiencing life as a local, with activities ranging from making food in an open kitchen to learning to write your name in Dhivehi.
SIX SENSES LAAMU - MARINE CONSERVATION
Science, marine conservation, and education meet high-end hospitality in a new hub recently launched on the sandy shores of Six Senses Laamu. The resort’s Sea Hub for Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL) sits on the resort’s sunset beach and houses the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) – a marine conservation collaborative consisting of Six Senses Laamu marine biologists and partner NGOs, The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation, and the Olive Ridley Project.
SHELL is a multi-use space designed for guest education and for offering curated and immersive marine conservation experiences. It boasts a gallery exhibition space, offices, marine laboratory, cinema room, and kids’ zone. Virtual and augmented reality technologies and conservation art further enhance the space, encouraging guests to really immerse themselves in the aquatic wonderland that makes the Maldives such a unique destination.
For budding marine conservationists, Six Sense Laamu also offer an engaging junior marine biology program. Guests aged 7 to 12 are invited to join the MUI team for exciting science experiments, explorations of the ocean via snorkelling adventures, and lessons in making their own conservation videos.
The team understand that different people engage with conservation messages in different ways, and so they have curated a broad range of programs that feature different activities, hands-on workshops, presentations, kids club, dolphin cruises, guided snorkels, reef clean ups, and more.
