Anantara Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026 with a collection of immersive experiences across its global portfolio, including a captivating stargazing programme at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas in the Baa Atoll.
Created around the themes of stillness, wellbeing and slower travel, the anniversary collection brings together destination-led experiences across Anantara properties in the Maldives, Thailand and Italy. Throughout 2026, guests at more than 50 Anantara properties can discover specially curated programmes inspired by the culture, surroundings and character of each destination.
For travellers visiting the Maldives, Anantara Kihavah’s Celestial Maldives experience offers a unique opportunity to discover the wonders of the night sky from the resort’s distinctive overwater observatory.
Discover the Night Sky at SKY
As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, guests are invited to SKY, Anantara Kihavah’s overwater observatory, for an evening of guided stargazing.
Led by the resort’s SKY Edhuru, or astronomy guide, the experience introduces guests to the celestial world above the Maldives. Using the observatory’s telescope, visitors can observe planets, constellations and distant galaxies while learning more about the night sky.
The experience offers a different way to experience the Maldives, shifting the focus from daytime island adventures to the beauty and tranquillity of the destination after dark.
Set above the ocean, SKY provides an atmospheric setting for guests to slow down, look upwards and connect with the natural environment surrounding them.
Astronomy Meets Island Luxury
Located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has long incorporated astronomy into its collection of distinctive guest experiences.
The resort’s SKY observatory is designed to give guests an opportunity to explore the universe while remaining surrounded by the beauty of the Maldivian ocean. Anantara Kihavah describes SKY as home to the most powerful telescope in the Maldives, supported by its resident astronomy team.
For couples, families and travellers seeking something beyond traditional beach and water activities, the observatory provides an educational and memorable addition to a Maldives itinerary.
A Celebration of Slower Travel
The Celestial Maldives experience forms part of Anantara’s wider 25th-anniversary programme, which encourages travellers to embrace a more considered approach to exploring the world.
Rather than focusing on seeing as many destinations or completing as many activities as possible, the collection invites guests to spend more time observing, reflecting and connecting with their surroundings.
At Anantara Kihavah, this philosophy takes shape beneath the Maldivian night sky, where the natural beauty of the destination becomes the centre of the experience.
Destination-Led Experiences Around the World
The anniversary programme extends beyond the Maldives, with each Anantara destination developing its own interpretation of rest, reflection and wellbeing.
At Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel in Italy, guests can discover an experience inspired by the property’s history as a 13th-century Capuchin convent. The programme includes a garden walk, sound healing within the convent sanctuary and a picnic featuring produce from the property’s gardens.
In Thailand, Anantara Chiang Mai Resort offers a journey along the Mae Ping River aboard its teakwood boat, Nam Jai. The experience combines cultural discoveries, including visits to Wat Ket Karam and Khua Kaek Bridge, with an alms-giving ceremony and a Lanna khantoke lunch beneath Bodhi trees.
Meanwhile, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort has developed a wellbeing programme beginning with a personal consultation at Layan Life by Anantara, followed by sound healing, heated herbal therapy, sunset viewing and stargazing.
Together, these experiences reflect Anantara’s approach to creating meaningful journeys rooted in the character of each destination.
Celebrating 25 Years of Anantara
Founded in 2001, Anantara Hotels & Resorts is the experiential luxury brand of Minor Hotels. Over 25 years, the brand has grown into a global collection of more than 50 properties, spanning destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
The 2026 anniversary celebrations provide an opportunity to highlight the distinctive experiences that define the brand, with each property drawing inspiration from its local environment and heritage.
In the Maldives, Anantara Kihavah’s Celestial Maldives experience captures this philosophy through a simple yet extraordinary concept: looking beyond the horizon and discovering the universe from an overwater observatory.
For travellers looking to combine luxury, nature and a sense of discovery, the experience adds another dimension to a stay at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and showcases the destination from an entirely different perspective.
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