A New Era of Wellness: Meet the Spa Manager Bringing Fresh Energy to the Island

At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, wellness continues to evolve with intention and care. At the heart of this journey is Chootima Losakul (Joy), Spa Manager, whose thoughtful approach has been quietly shaping the island’s wellness experience. With over two decades of international experience in luxury spa and wellness, Joy brings an intuitive philosophy that blends traditional healing with modern wellbeing. Originally from Thailand, her career spans guest relations to spa leadership, shaping a perspective rooted in cultural sensitivity, personalised care, and meaningful connection. At Spa Alila, her influence is reflected in a renewed vision where wellness extends beyond treatments into a curated rhythm of daily practices inspired by the island. “Wellness, to me, is about creating space for stillness, movement, and reconnection,” said Joy. “Here, we invite guests to slow down and experience wellbeing in a way that feels natural and unforced.” A Curated Wellness Programme in the Maldives Under her guidance, the resort’s wellness programme has expanded to include daily complimentary activities that balance movement and mindfulness. Guests can enjoy: · Sunrise yoga overlooking the Indian Ocean · Guided walks around the island · Tai Chi breathing sessions · Bodyweight and core training · Yin and Hatha Yoga · Meditation for stress relief Each experience complements the pace of island life, encouraging a restorative and intuitive approach to wellbeing. Recognised Wellness Excellence This evolution builds on a strong foundation of excellence. The resort’s signature Maldives Indulgence treatment was recognised as Eco & Green Treatment of the Year at the SpaChina Wellness and Spa Awards 2024, highlighting its authentic approach to locally inspired wellness. Behind this achievement is a dedicated spa team whose care and attention ensure every guest experience feels personal and meaningful. Wellness Rooted in Nature A defining element of Spa Alila is its connection to nature. From ocean-facing yoga sessions to open-air meditation spaces, wellness is shaped by the surrounding environment, encouraging presence, simplicity, and balance. This holistic philosophy reflects a growing shift in wellness travel in the Maldives, where guests seek experiences that are both grounding and meaningful. Introducing Mandala Meditation Ink Drawing Adding a creative dimension, the resort offers a Mandala Meditation Ink Drawing Class on selected occasions. This guided practice combines mindfulness with artistic expression, allowing guests to slow down, focus, and reconnect through creativity. Wellness Focus: A Monthly Ritual of Renewal At Spa Alila, wellness is approached as an evolving journey. Each month, we introduce a unique offering, featuring thoughtfully curated rituals that intuitively respond to the rhythms of travel, rest, and restoration. Wellness continues to evolve through curated monthly rituals. The current highlight, the Alila De-Stress Package, is designed to ease travel fatigue and tension through a 30-minute facial and 45-minute targeted massage, with personalised options such as back and neck, head and scalp, or leg and foot therapies. The experience is subtle, restorative, and deeply calming. A Thoughtful Evolution of the Spa Experience “Joy has brought a quiet yet impactful energy to our wellness offering ” said Thomas Weber, General Manager. “Her

Every April, the hospitality industry undergoes a green makeover. But lately, the gap between symbolic gestures and measurable action has become impossible to ignore. This shift is forcing us to rethink what Earth Day actually stands for: Is it a 24-hour marketing window, or a blueprint for the future? Leading brands are moving away from "performative" eco-friendliness in favor of structured, outcome-driven initiatives. We’re seeing this evolution in action across the globe: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui offered guests immersive and engaging experiences designed to spark reflection. These activities were part of their sustainability initiative, known as the “Planet Pillar,” and highlighted themes of environmental stewardship and supporting the local community. easyHotel London Victoria introduced an "Earth Day Energy Challenge", aimed at lowering electricity consumption compared to the 2024 baseline. As a result, they succeeded in reducing their energy usage by approximately 24.5%. Flora Hotels took several eco-friendly steps across their properties. They dimmed non-essential lighting, encouraged recycling through visible stations and digital menus, and engaged guests with an educational “Eco Guest Challenge” campaign. However, GCSTIMES believes that the real test begins on April 23. The true industry leaders are those embedding sustainability into their DNA rather than treating it as a seasonal campaign. This means moving past "feel-good" messaging and doing the heavy lifting: Setting rigorous targets for resource management, investing in renewables, and ditching single-use materials for good. In the end, Earth Day shouldn’t be the finish line. The hotels that truly stand out today aren’t the ones planting a single ceremonial tree; they are the ones quietly redesigning the machinery of hospitality to work for the planet 365 days a year.