News
NIYAMA now offers twice the fun
Maldives.net.mv – NIYAMA, the Per AQUUM Resort located in the South Western Atoll of Dhaalu in the Maldives, announces the opening of its second island ‘Play’. With 48 new villas, Play offers fresh, groundbreaking concepts including Nest, the treetop dining experience and BLU, the laid-back beachfront restaurant, plus new facilities for every generation including the most exciting children’s club in the Maldives. Play is connected to NIYAMA’s original island, ‘Chill’, by a bridge with the two just a hop, skip and a jump apart.
Miami meets the Mediterranean at BLU, which offers relaxed family-style beachfront dining from day through to night. The large infinity pool with its dedicated children’s swimming area offers fun for the whole tribe and the poolside ice cream parlour is packed with homemade treats including smoothies, sherbert and crêpes. A ‘Sunshine Thakuru’ takes care of guests’ every whim and poolside cabanas offer a private haven close to all the action.
Opening soon on Play, Nest is a one-of-a-kind dining concept for the Maldives featuring naturally modern design nestled amongst the Banyan trees in the heart of the jungle. With a diverse menu, Nest offers a gourmet wonderland of Asian specialties from Thai to Teppanyaki with fresh, seasonal produce from the Chef’s own island garden. The innovative multi-level treehouse design provides spectacular locations from private pods suspended six metres above the ground to culinary theatrics in domed pavilions burrowed amongst the trees, all linked by wooden walkways adding a sense of adventure to the jungle experience.
Explorers, the new children’s club run by an internationally renowned operator, is located close to the resort’s family friendly accommodation on Play. Designed with adventurous spirits in mind, Explorers offers a wealth of experiences which promise to ignite children’s imagination.
Operated by fully qualified childcare professionals and local team members with an exceptionally high ratio of carers to children, the club caters to children from 12 months to 12 years. NIYAMA is the only resort in the Maldives offering a club for children under three years of age with special facilities for younger children including a sleeping room for daytime siestas. Children will be split into four age groups with activities tailor-made to their abilities and interests. Theme days include Jungle Safari, Pirates & Princesses and Circus Fun as well as activities such as sandcastle building, salt dough making and ‘bubble trouble’. Older children can enjoy their own space with activities such as football skills, beach cricket, tennis, snorkelling safaris and Master Chef Classes as well as expeditions to nearby islands. Highlights include water games, a climbing wall and a trampoline. Budding thespians will have the time of their lives treading the boards at the club’s own amphitheatre.
New accommodation options at NIYAMA include the One-Bedroom Beach Pool Suites which offer the best of indoor/outdoor living, perfect for families, groups of friends or couples seeking more space. The Beach Pool Suites provide total privacy but also the convenience of direct beach access and ocean views from bed as well as a ‘family-sized’ plunge pool. The new Two-Bedroom Family Beach Pavilion boldly faces the lagoon and offers the ultimate in luxury living and a high level of privacy with the added bonus of an in-villa spa. Guests will enjoy all of NIYAMA’s signature touches including a personal Thakuru – butler service ‘Maldivian-style’ – ‘Deli-In’, a refrigerator brimming with gourmet drinks and treats including complimentary popcorn and ice cream, and an in-room entertainment system with LED TV, Bose 5.1 Surround System and a wide range of international and foreign language movies. Children and teenagers will receive a special welcome gift and turndown service.
NIYAMA, which opened in 2012, is a 45 minute seaplane flight from Male and has quickly established a reputation for redefining the Maldives experience. The new facilities on Play complement the venues on Chill, including LIME Spa which promises to bring guests out of their shell with a range of cutting edge treatments. Dining options on Chill include Tribal, the innovative African dining experience, fine dining at Edge, which is only accessible by boat, and Subsix, the underwater playground.
Guests can be part of the celebrations with Per AQUUM’s special introductory offer ‘Chill & Play’ which offers a saving of 30% on the best available rate and a whole range of extras designed to make their stay even better including one of the following extras for each full day:
- Babysitting service for three hours
- 60 minute treatment at LIME Spa for two
- Dinner at BLU on Play or Epicure on Chill
- Lunch at the underwater playground, Subsix
- Heaven for game-lovers with a two hour session on the simulator (golf, basketball and ice hockey)
Drink
French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to lead wine-pairing dinner at Milaidhoo Maldives
Milaidhoo Maldives will welcome French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to the island for an exclusive five-course wine-pairing dinner on 4 December, where guests will have the chance to meet him in person, discover his wines and hear more about his approach to winemaking.
Known for his distinctive wines from France’s Loire Valley, Pascal Jolivet will personally present a selection from his collection throughout the evening. Each wine will be paired with a specially created course, bringing together carefully prepared dishes and wines chosen to complement their flavours.
The selection will include Sancerre Signature 2023, Pouilly-Fumé Indigène 2023, Attitude Pinot Noir 2024 and Sancerre Rosé 2024, giving guests the chance to discover different styles from the winemaker’s collection.
Founded in 1987, Pascal Jolivet’s wine house has become well regarded for its approach to expressing the natural character of the Loire Valley’s vineyards. His wines are particularly recognised for their freshness, precision and elegance.
At Milaidhoo, food and wine are an important part of island life. With a strong focus on quality ingredients, varied culinary experiences and a carefully selected wine collection, the island attracts guests who appreciate good food and fine wines.
Nikhil Bakle, Resident Wine Sommelier at Milaidhoo Maldives, says: “What makes an evening like this special is the chance to go beyond the wine in the glass. Having Pascal with us means guests can hear directly from the winemaker, learn about his approach and discover what goes into each bottle. It is also a lovely opportunity to explore how these wines complement the food.”
Set in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the evening will bring together good food, exceptional wines and the chance to meet the man behind the label, making it a special occasion for wine lovers visiting Milaidhoo.
Read more about Milaidhoo’s culinary offering here.
News
SO/ Maldives celebrates three years with new island experiences and villa offerings
Three years of bold expressions, unforgettable moments and unapologetic individuality. SO/ Maldives celebrates its third anniversary, marking an iconic journey of redefining contemporary island luxury with its distinctive style and playful sophistication.
Designed for the stylish individualist, SO/ Maldives commemorated the milestone in collaboration with Rip Curl Maldives, bringing together ocean culture, vibrant entertainment and the resort’s signature barefoot glamour in a celebration of creativity and island living.
To mark this new chapter, the resort introduces SO/ Signature Experiences, a curated collection of playful and elevated island moments. From Lazuli Frequency’s silent disco sessions and energetic Water Drums to Floating Pickleball and board games at Lazuli, Afternoon High Tea and Sunset Rituals at Pavilion Bar, each offering captures the resort’s distinctive personality.
Further elevating its luxury offering, SO/ Maldives unveils Your Villa, Your Way, an exclusive villa escape celebrating personalised indulgence and effortless privacy. Featuring private speedboat transfers, bespoke in-villa dining, flexible check-in and check-out, and curated privileges, the experience also extends to the entire CROSSROADS dining experiences.
Beyond the resort, guests are invited to discover a world of flavours across CROSSROADS Maldives, home to 17 restaurants and bars offering everything from international favourites to exceptional culinary experiences, including dining recognised by Asia’s 50 Best. With flexible meal plans and an extensive choice of dining destinations, guests can explore the wider culinary scene with ease.
Connecting SO/ Maldives to The Marina and neighbouring resorts, a complimentary premium Maldivian dhoni shuttle offers a seamless and distinctly local way to experience everything CROSSROADS Maldives has to offer.
As SO/ Maldives enters its fourth chapter, the resort continues to push boundaries through bold collaborations, immersive experiences, environmental stewardship and a fresh perspective on contemporary island luxury.
For reservations and further enquiries, please visit the resort’s official website.
Action
ananea Madivaru Maldives to host international padel player Cornelia Lister
ananea Madivaru Maldives will welcome Cornelia Lister, international padel player and Captain of the Swedish National Junior Padel Team, from 7 to 14 November 2026. Bringing experience from both professional tennis and international padel, she will host two afternoons of padel sessions, inviting guests to refine their game and enjoy friendly competition in an intimate group setting.
With a tennis career spanning appearances at Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open, Lister brings a distinguished sporting background to the experience. A WTA doubles titleholder who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of No. 72, she combines experience at the highest levels of tennis with a passion for developing players on the padel court.
With the growing appeal of padel inspiring new ways to spend time together on holiday, ananea Madivaru offers a setting where a love of sport finds its place within the ease of island life. Its padel and pickleball courts, overwater gym and Kandu Spa allow guests to move between spirited play and quieter moments at their own pace. Lister’s visit lends a distinctive touch to this experience, bringing the insight and warmth of an accomplished player to afternoons shared on court.
Pierre Edlund, General Manager of ananea Madivaru Maldives, says: “Having worked with Cornelia before, I know firsthand the incredible energy and passion she brings, not only to the sport but also to the people around her. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and for me, it was an obvious choice to welcome her to ananea Madivaru Maldives. She brings exactly the kind of personality and spirit we love, adding a little extra sporty glamour, fun and unforgettable moments to our guests’ island experience.”
Padel sessions with Cornelia Lister are exclusively available to in-house guests on a complimentary basis, adding a fun, active and memorable moment to their Slow Glamour holiday.
Opened in July 2025, ananea Madivaru is a luxury twin-island resort set in the heart of the Maldives’ North Ari Atoll. Rooted in the philosophy of slow glamour, the resort invites guests to embrace life’s unhurried rhythms while immersed in timeless beauty and refined simplicity. With 111 elegantly designed villas, nine distinct dining destinations, a private lagoon, serene spa, immersive experiences, and a dedicated kids’ club, ananea Madivaru blends contemporary sophistication with the traditions and natural splendour of its surroundings. Every element has been carefully curated to offer meaningful, memorable escapes that resonate long after departure.
For more information and bookings, please visit the resort’s official website.
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