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JAMAICA REDEFINES THE SPRING RESET WITH ISLAND ENERGY AND CULTURE

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As travellers look to reset and recharge this spring, Jamaica is emerging as one of the season’s most compelling long-haul destinations, offering a rare balance of energy, restoration and cultural immersion. As UK travellers increasingly seek purpose-led escapes, from Skyscanner’s “passion-led” travel to British Airways Holidays’ growing focus on wellness and “neurosurfing”, Jamaica delivers a reset that goes beyond relaxation, reconnecting visitors with rhythm, nature and a slower pace of living.

That sense of re-energising begins with the island’s most dynamic cultural moment. Carnival in Jamaica (8–14 April) transforms Kingston into a high-energy celebration of music, movement and connection. A packed programme of soca-fuelled fetes, beach parties and road marches led by bands including Xodus, GenXS, Yard Mas and Bacchanal draws tens of thousands of revellers each year. For many travellers, it’s not just a festival but a full reset of mood and mindset. Those looking to immerse themselves without the logistical complexity can opt for Carnival band packages, which bundle costumes, food and drinks access, and concierge-style support on parade day.

Beyond the energy of Carnival, Jamaica invites visitors to reset through flavour and ritual. This begins at Boston Bay, widely regarded as the birthplace of jerk, where meat is slow-smoked over pimento wood in a method that is as much about tradition as taste. Across the island, that same authenticity carries through to roadside cookshops and refined dining alike, while Jamaica’s rum heritage can be explored through intimate tastings and local bars that showcase the island’s long-standing distilling craft. For something truly off-grid, The Pelican Bar, set on a sandbar off the south coast and reached only by boat, delivers a stripped-back, toes-in-the-water escape that captures the essence of switching off.

In Jamaica, wellness is rooted in nature, inviting travellers to slow down and reset at their own pace. In the Blue Mountains, mist-covered trails and sunrise hikes create space to recalibrate both physically and mentally, often followed by tastings of the region’s renowned coffee, enjoyed overlooking the peaks where it is grown.

That connection to nature continues across the island, from the Blue Hole Mineral Spring in Westmoreland, where traditional mud treatments take place within a limestone cavern, to bamboo rafting along the Martha Brae River in Falmouth, near Montego Bay — a slow, meditative journey through lush tropical greenery that invites travellers to fully switch off.

At the resort level, this philosophy is evolving into more personalised, immersive wellness experiences. At Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, a signature “farm-to-skin” ritual invites guests to forage fresh botanicals from on-site gardens before incorporating them into bespoke spa treatments. Elsewhere, resorts across the island are reimagining the traditional spa model, introducing open-air treatments, holistic therapies and nature-led rituals designed for genuine restoration.

With temperatures averaging around 29°C, long hours of sunshine and one of the most vibrant cultural calendars of the year, spring offers a natural moment to pause, reset and re-engage. In Jamaica, that reset comes effortlessly, shaped by music, nature and a rhythm of life that stays with visitors long after they leave.

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Hospitality

A SUNDAY BRUNCH FOR KIDS: BAMBINI BRUNCH AT FALCONE

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FALCONE invites Dubai families to join with their little ones for a special kids’ brunch afternoon 1pm – 4pm at FALCONE: “Bambini Brunch”. An afternoon dedicated for kids to have fun away in the heart of Italian cuisine featuring children’s all-time favourite: pizza.

Now that Dubai kids are studying from home due to the current challenging situation, they are more than ever spending time on screens. Bambini Brunch is the perfect weekend activity for kids to get them off screens and engage in fun, hands-on interactive activities that stimulate their creativity while they’re making unforgettable memories. 

Activities include a pizza masterclass for kids (that adults would love too), showcasing the original Neapolitan pizza recipe and techniques, as taught by FALCONE’s world-ranked pizza chef, Chef Roberta, the talent behind FALCONE’s pizza that was named Dubai’s Best Pizza, Highly Commended for Best Pizzeria at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2026. Kids will get to learn directly from the chefs and make their own pizzas.

In addition to the pizza masterclass, children can enjoy DIY kids’ stations, all set within a lively and engaging atmosphere, with their favourite tunes playing throughout the afternoon.

While their kids are enjoying the kids’ activities, parents can relax and enjoy FALCONE’s comforting Italian favourites.

Bambini Brunch is happening this Sunday 29 March, 1pm – 4pm. All ages are welcome.

Details: 

  • Where: FALCONE, Galleria Mall, Ground Floor, Al Barsha, Dubai
  • When: Sunday 29 March, 1pm – 4pm
  • Offer: Bambini brunch for kids featuring:
    • Pizza masterclass for kids 
    • Magician show
    • DIY kids’ stations 
    • Balloon bending
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Hospitality

WELLBEINGS HOLISTIC HEALING AT EDITION DUBAI PRESENTS A “WELLNESS ESCAPE”

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In a moment where the world calls for greater stillness and intention, Wellbeings Holistic Healing at Edition Dubai introduces Wellness Escape, an elevated experience designed to restore balance through refined simplicity and thoughtful care.

Set against the iconic backdrop of Burj Khalifa, this exclusive offering by Wellbeings Holistic Healing invites guests into a serene sanctuary where time slows and wellbeing takes precedence. The experience includes pool access with sweeping skyline views, a 90-minute signature massage or rejuvenating facial, an oxygen therapy session designed to refresh and restore, AED 150 redeemable on food and beverage, and full access to the spa’s sauna and steam facilities, each element curated to deliver a seamless sense of indulgence and calm.

Rooted in a philosophy that blends holistic therapies with contemporary luxury, Wellbeings Holistic Healing continues to define elevated wellness experiences, creating spaces that nurture both body and mind in an atmosphere of quiet sophistication.

Christian Kiefer, CEO and Founder of Spa Wellness Project Management, commented: “In times of uncertainty, true luxury lies in the ability to pause, recalibrate, and reconnect. Wellness today is about creating meaningful moments of restoration that resonate long after the experience itself.”

The Wellness Escape presents a refined expression of modern wellbeing for those seeking both escape and renewal in the heart of Dubai.

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Hospitality

SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS TO OPEN SIX DISTINCT RESORTS IN THE MALDIVES OVER SIX YEARS

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SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS introduces a new philosophy of island hospitality. Co-founder and CEO Laith Pharaon, a seasoned hotelier and investor, launched the company in 2024 with a bold, lifestyle-led vision. Over the next six years, the brand will unveil six individually designed private island resorts each a distinct destination shaped by a shared ethos: presence, authenticity, and meaningful connection. The journey begins in 2026 with RAH GILI MALDIVES and DON MAAGA MALDIVES, both located in the South Malé Atoll, just a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

Rather than follow the tropes of luxury hospitality, SIX & SIX recentres the guest experience around presence — removing noise to make space for something deeper. Guests are given the freedom to design their own journey, supported by wellness specialists, creative thinkers, and cultural experiences tailored to how they wish to feel — not just what they wish to do.

“SIX & SIX is about giving guests the most meaningful luxuries: time, space, and the freedom to just be,” says Laith Pharaon. “We’re not interested in replicating what already exists. This is about reimagining what luxury in the Maldives can feel like — intuitive, intentional, and personal.”

A Culture Rooted in the People of the Islands

At the heart of the brand’s culture is a philosophy drawn from the Maldives itself known as Rayyithun, meaning People of the Islands in Dhivehi. This is more than a concept. It is a living rhythm that shapes how each island is built, led, and experienced. From the fishermen who bring the day’s catch, to the builders who carve each space by hand, to the drummers who carry the island’s pulse — the Rayyithun are the quiet architects of island life.

Their presence flows through every SIX & SIX resort in its design language, cultural programme, and approach to care. This is most clearly embodied in the Edhurun programme, a reimagining of the traditional butler. Edhurun, meaning mentor, reflects a form of service that is intuitive, respectful, and grounded in care. But more than that, the Edhurun are storytellers — guardians of island knowledge who bring depth and meaning to the guest journey through quiet narrative, ritual, and presence.

Introducing the First Two Islands

RAH GILI MALDIVES — opening February 2026 — is located beside a protected dolphin sanctuary. With 74 villas, including 37 overwater, the resort blends bold design with whimsical details and vibrant social spaces. It is the first island to fully express the Rayyithun philosophy — a story-led destination where stillness, culture, and connection converge.

DON MAAGA MALDIVES, launching in late 2026, is the brand’s ultra-luxury flagship. Featuring the signature TERRA∞ beach villas and AETHR∞ overwater villas — some exceeding 1,500 sqm — it offers unapologetic scale paired with architectural restraint. Select villas feature both saltwater and freshwater pools, alongside open courtyards, semi-precious inlays, and serene private zones crafted for deep restoration. The island also introduces HIRIGAA, an invitation-only private island for full-island takeovers.

“Each island stands on its own — with its own energy, its own soul,” says Marc Gussing, SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS Director of Operations. “What unites them is not uniformity, but intention. Our role is to protect that individuality while shaping a guest experience that feels grounded, generous, and quietly unforgettable.”

SIX & SIX PRIVATE RESIDENCES

SIX & SIX PRIVATE RESIDENCES are a natural extension of the brand’s philosophy — offering a way to return not just for a season, but for a lifetime. Available across every island, beginning with RAH GILI and DON MAAGA, these residences invite individuals and families to become part of the island’s rhythm — not as guests, but as stewards of place. With access to all resort experiences, services, and cultural programming, each residence is shaped for those who seek continuity, presence, and a deeper sense of belonging within the SIX & SIX constellation.

Designed for Conscious Living

Every SIX & SIX resort is conceived with purpose — from design and storytelling to sustainability and social impact. The brand is pursuing EarthCheck certification for each island, integrating solar power, zero single-use plastics, desalination with in-house bottling, and regenerative marine conservation. A strong focus is placed on community partnerships, local materials, and guest education — all embedded into the operating rhythm from day one.

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