InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort Seachella: Photos, Review

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Coachella and Stagecoach helped to kick off music festival season from the California desert, but halfway around the world, another festival was debuting at the InterContinental Maamunagau Resort in the Maldives.

Dubbed “Seachella,” the music and food festival took over the resort’s beachfront locale for a weekend of live performances, local delicacies and one-of-a-kind activations for those seeking a decidedly more elevated festival experience.

This was the first-ever Seachella festival, with organizers promoting it as not only a chance for guests to experience the bucket list island, but also as an alternative to the often-overwhelming crowds and chaos of Stateside events. Indeed, Seachella fostered a more intimate environment, with the guest list limited to less than 200 attendees, spanning travelers, influencers and VIPs alike.

The three-day event included DJ acts, a local live band, aerial and acrobatics, and fire shows at night, culminating in a DJ set from Marvin Humes, best known as a member of the BRIT Award-winning boyband, JLS. Set against a breathtaking star-lit sky, Humes spun a 90-minute long set that spanned R&B and pop classics, from Human League to Whitney Houston to Sir Mix-a-Lot. At one point, Humes had the crowd break out into the Macarena, with the three decade-old dance moves coming back surprisingly easily for everyone. The singer and radio host, who is set to embark on a reunion tour with JLS this fall, also had the dancefloor going (and his kids storming the stage) after dropping a one-two punch of Doechii’s latest hit “Anxiety,” and Bruno Mars and Rosé’s “APT.”

In addition to Humes, former Capital Xtra radio host DJ Charlesy played live sets throughout the festival, including a daytime beach party that also saw aerial acts take to the sky in three-storey-high spinning “flowers,” while guests down below enjoyed treats from an oyster bar and champagne stall. Chefs also served up locally-inspired fare at the Maamunagau Resort’s multiple restaurants, including cuts of fresh tuna and reef fish, and curries and noodle dishes that drew on flavors from neighboring countries India and Sri Lanka. The vibe was delightfully upbeat yet laidback, with revelers freely mingling as they ate, danced and chased the sun.

And for those who just wanted to take it easy, there was plenty of time for relaxation too. Unlike the overly stimulating music festivals in the U.S., guests at the Intercontinental Maldives were invited to decompress and wind down with a number of tranquil experiences, from a facial or massage in the private overwater treatment rooms at the resort’s AVI Spa (using Eminence Organics products), to oceanside yoga classes or just a leisurely bike ride along the resort’s many winding paths.

Other activities at the resort include their popular manta watching excursion, which is led by researchers at the non-profit Manta Trust, who work to bring awareness to the declining population of these animals. The property can also arrange private boat trips, scuba diving excursions, dolphin watching and more.

This was the first Seachella festival at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, which opened in 2019. Located in the Raa Atoll, just 35 minutes by seaplane from the Velana International Airport, the resort offers the iconic, postcard-worthy overwater villas you’ve no doubt seen before, in addition to residences situated along the beach and the property’s own private lagoon.

A favorite destination for actors, musicians and entrepreneurs, InterContinental Maldives offers a number of other arts and culture-related programming throughout the year, including an artist in residence program, and a rotating roster of acclaimed chefs and sommeliers from around the world who set up guest stints on the property.

Getting to Maldives is surprisingly easy, with daily direct flights from Dubai via Emirates Airlines. Have a layover? There’s lots to keep you entertained in Dubai this summer, whether you have a few hours or a full day. We spent our seven-hour layover at the world famous Dubai Mall, where luxury stores like Margiela and Louis Vuitton are just steps away from an (indoor) ice skating rink, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, and Instagram-worthy choreographed fountain shows set under the soaring Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Not only is the Burj the world’s tallest structure, the Dubai Fountain is the world’s largest choreographed fountain system (yes, it’s even more impressive than Vegas).

Hotel hopping is also a popular tourist attraction in Dubai and the cruise ship-like Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab just opened in March, completing Jumeirah’s “oceanic trilogy” of ultra-luxury properties, alongside the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and the sailboat-inspired Jumeirah Burj Al Arab (see rooms and rates here).

Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah opened to much fanfare when Beyonce performed there in 2023 and the hotel is now the latest international outpost for celeb-favorite Italian restaurant, Carbone. Foodies will also want to swing by Time Out Market Dubai, an international food hall serving up unique dishes that run the gamut from Asian comfort foods to Spanish tapas to Middle Eastern cuisine (and yes, there are a couple bars there to help you pass the time as well).

Other events this summer include the Dubai Esports and Games Festival, which is a serious networking and money-making event for gamers, creators and entrepreneurs alike. DJ Kygo, meantime, hits Coca-Cola Arena on May 30 for a special one-night-only performance. Get a full calendar of events at VisitDubai.com.