Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort is inviting the public to take part in selecting this year’s Christmas theme, with a unique twist. The resort has used artificial intelligence (AI) to generate four festive concepts, giving Instagram followers the chance to choose which one will shape the celebrations.

The four AI-designed themes—Tropical Wonderland, Candy Cane Christmas, Frosted Paradise, and Santa’s Surf Shack—will be presented on the resort’s Instagram page, @AvaniMaldives, on October 15 at 10 am MVT. Followers will have 24 hours to vote through a poll, with the winning theme set to inspire festive activities throughout the remainder of 2024. The final selection will be announced on October 16.

AI-Generated Themes Overview

Tropical Wonderland: A blend of snowy charm and island paradise, this theme features a grand Christmas tree surrounded by palm trees, with seashells and coral flowers decorating its branches. Candle-lit paths lead visitors toward the beach, enhancing the magical feel.

Candy Cane Christmas: This playful theme offers giant candy canes designed as beanbags and light structures along the shore. It also includes cozy campfires perfect for s’mores and cocoa, evoking childhood joy with bright pink hues.

Frosted Paradise: Bringing the spirit of a snowy Christmas to the tropics, this theme channels Lapland’s winter magic. Guests can enjoy snow-castle building on the beach and sip eggnog under twinkling lights in a festive gazebo.

Santa’s Surf Shack: A relaxed, beachside Christmas atmosphere, this theme features Santa at a surf-themed shack surrounded by surfboards and sun loungers. The scene reflects the laid-back spirit of an Australian holiday, complete with beach BBQs and ocean paddles.

“We are thrilled to combine creativity and technology to offer our guests an unforgettable experience,” said Judd Rabbidge, General Manager of Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort. “Each theme showcases something unique, and we look forward to seeing which one resonates the most with our followers.”

To participate in the poll and learn more about the festive celebrations, guests can follow @AvaniMaldives on Instagram. For bookings and further details, visit Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort or contact reservations at +960 664 4111 or reservations.fares@avanihotels.com.

About Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels operates over 550 properties across 56 countries through eight distinctive brands, including Avani, Anantara, and NH Collection. The group aims to expand its portfolio by adding 200 more properties by 2026.

Image Credits: Minor Hotels

Hotel Indigo, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has introduced a limited-edition candle collection called Scents of the Neighbourhood. The collection features five custom scents, each inspired by the unique character of local neighborhoods where the hotels are located across Australia and New Zealand.

The candle collection reflects the spirit of five key locations: Potts Point in Sydney, Flinders Lane in Melbourne, Brisbane City Centre, Adelaide Central Markets, and Auckland City Centre. Developed with Australian artisans, these candles are crafted to evoke memories through scent, reflecting the distinct culture, nature, and charm of each area.

Scent Profiles

Potts Point (Sydney): Combines notes of whiskey, rosewood, oak, and white musk, capturing the neighborhood’s blend of history, nightlife, and modern sophistication.

Flinders Lane (Melbourne): Inspired by the city’s famous laneways, with aromas of fresh coffee, vanilla buttercream, and tonka bean, evoking Melbourne’s street art and café culture.

Brisbane City Centre: A refreshing blend of eucalyptus, mint, cucumber, and ginger, reminiscent of Brisbane’s urban parks and nightlife.

Adelaide Markets: Reflects Adelaide’s cultural diversity with scents of white oak, chocolate, vanilla, and malbec, nodding to the nearby wine regions and the city’s vibrant markets.

Auckland City Centre: Captures the balance of city life and the sea with ocean breeze, sea salt, rum, and spearmint, inspired by Auckland’s maritime heritage.

Hotel Indigo’s goal with this collection is to offer guests a sensory experience that reflects their travels. “Travellers want to experience the true essence of the places they visit, and Hotel Indigo brings that to life through tailored design and guest experiences,” said Dean Jones, Vice President Commercial, East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts. He added that the candles allow guests to take a part of the neighborhood home, bringing back cherished memories.

Exclusive Guest Offering

Guests who stay at Hotel Indigo properties in Australia from October 14 to November 30, 2024, will receive one of these limited-edition candle sets, valued at $200. This offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.

This launch is an extension of Hotel Indigo’s World’s Neighbourhood Hotel campaign, emphasizing the brand’s connection to local culture. With four properties currently operating in Australia—Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Sydney—the brand will also open a new hotel in Auckland by late 2024, further expanding its presence in New Zealand.

*To book a stay and learn more about the ‘Ignite Your Senses’ campaign as well as T&Cs, visit https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/content/gb/en/deals/hotel-offers/aua-hotel-indigo

Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra is kicking off its annual Kilo of Kindness initiative, encouraging the community to donate essential items throughout October. This marks the hotel’s fifth year participating in the global campaign, which aims to support children and young adults in the Old Fadama area, with assistance from the local NGO, City of God. Guests, visitors, and locals are invited to drop off donations at the hotel’s lobby from October 1-31, contributing food, clothing, and school supplies for those in need.

The Kilo of Kindness campaign aligns with Mövenpick’s philosophy that indulgence can benefit both people and the planet. “Through uncertain times, it’s important to come together to spread kindness to where it is needed most; that’s the core premise behind Kilo of Kindness,” said Deborah Lee-Ann Sivertsen, General Manager of Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra. “With our annual campaign, we believe in indulging in heartfelt moments and finding the goodness in the social change we can make by giving back.”

Global Initiative with a Local Impact

The campaign is part of a larger initiative uniting 65 Mövenpick hotels across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Together, they aim to collect a total of 25,000 kilograms of donations this year, surpassing the previous record of 21,921 kilograms.

Since the campaign’s launch in 2015, Mövenpick hotels worldwide have donated over 71,457 kilograms of essential supplies to underserved communities. In line with this year’s efforts, high-priority donations include school supplies such as notebooks, stationery, and books; non-perishable foods like rice, canned fruits, and pasta; as well as clothing for adults and children.

Spreading the Spirit of Kindness

This year’s campaign slogan, “Nothing tastes sweeter than a Kilo of Kindness,” reflects Mövenpick’s culinary heritage and its belief that giving brings joy to both the giver and the recipient. Participants are encouraged to share their contributions on social media using the hashtag #KiloOfKindness and tagging @MovenpickHotels, inspiring others to join the initiative.

The hotel welcomes donations of any size, reinforcing that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a meaningful impact. By working closely with the City of God NGO, the collected items will go directly to children and young adults in need, fostering community support at a grassroots level.