News
This Holiday Season It’s New Year No Rules at W Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – With the holiday season approaching, W Maldives has created exciting happenings from December 11, 2016 to January 1, 2017. Breakfasts with international DJs, pool and desert island parties, sunset sessions and cruises, cocktail parties and a gala dinner, offer guests a plethora of choice this festive season.
W Maldives will upend tradition and rewrite the rules of the holidays with a street art–style take on the season. In the spirit of the graffiti artists who inspired us, W Maldives will push the boundaries and colour outside the lines in 2017. W Hotels have partnered with graffiti legend John “Crash” Matos to create a custom Christmas tree and celebrate the New Year with bold messages in bright colors.
Raised in the Bronx, Crash first honed his craft tagging subway cars. These days he can be found collaborating with luxury brands including Ferrari, Tumi and Fender. Like W, Crash also has deep roots in the music world, with close connections to Grandmaster Flash, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys as well as a partnership with MTV.

On December 11, 18 and 24, W Maldives will hold Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by its Resident DJ Ivan Zubo from Slovakia. Complimentary snacks and a glass of Champagne will be available upon arrival.
On CHRISTMAS EVE, Saturday 24 December, guests can join the Dreamscape Sunset Cruise with Champagne, canapés and festive mixes by DJ Kane Ian from Singapore on the two-mast yacht ‘Escape’. 5:30PM-7:30PM / US$110++ per person.
Extraordinary Gala Dinner Under the Stars on serene beachfront including a large selection of live cooking BBQ stations featuring supreme meat and local “catch of the day”. The island’s interactive chefs will be carving, stirring and whipping up whatever guests are craving. 7:30PM-11:00PM / US$390++per person incl. a free flow of house beverages.
After dinner guests can make their way to the scenic WET deck to celebrate Christmas with W Maldives’ Resident DJ Ivan, who will keep his guests entertained with his ‘Chillout Beats by the Pool’ party. 8:30PM – midnight / free entry.

On CHRISTMAS DAY, Sunday 24 December, breakfast will be served at KITCHEN to celebrate Christmas in a tropical style, complemented by vibrant mixes from DJ Justin Paul, our celebrity guest DJ from LA. 7:00AM – 1:30AM.
On both of the above dates Parasailing and Jet Ski with Santa will be offered by DOWN UNDER & WAVE (watersports and diving) team.
Fuel at the Pool party will be held on WET pool deck, and hosted by DJ Kane. There will be endless BBQ and dessert options.1:00PM – 4:00PM / price upon consumption.
Overwater Sunset Session at SIP overwater bar will quench everybody’s thirst with mouthwatering cocktails created by resort’s talented mixologists to the tune of intoxicating sunset beats by DJ Ivan. 6:00PM – 7:30PM.
Chillout After Dinner Party with DJ Justin will keep everyone entertained, where guests will sip on creative cocktails, mix and mingle! 8:30PM – MIDNIGHT.
W Maldives will launch 31 December in style and with a party of a lifetime ‘Stranded on a Desert Island’, during which guests will be escorted to the Gaathafushi private island located just minutes away from the resort. Our culinary team will set up a special BBQ on the beach, and DJ Justin will entertain everybody with his LA inspired mixes. 12:00NOON – 3:00PM / US$ 210++ per person including two glasses of Champagne, a free flow of house beverages and BBQ. US$ 110++ per person incl. BBQ only.
The NEW YEAR’S EVE will start with the Glamorous Cocktail Party at LIVING ROOM, where Champagne and canapés will be served to DJ Ivan’s festive tunes. 19:30PM – 9:00PM / Free entry includes a glass of Champagne.
White Sensation Gala Dinner will take place on the FIRE beach and it will be a top feast sensation! Guests will savour fresh bites like oysters, canapés, prime meat cuts and locally sourced seafood. 9:00PM – 11:00PM / US$650 per person and includes food and house beverages.
Let the Countdown Begin with spectacular midnight fireworks and impressive line-up of international DJs and performers afterwards, including DJ Ivan Zubo, DJ Justin Paul, DJ Kane Ian and Céline Roscheck, a ravishing violinist from Vienna, the night will be truly hipped, vibrant and unique! 11:00PM – 1:00AM / Entry included in the Gala Dinner.
After the party on the beach guests will be able to enjoy After Midnight Munchies at 15BELOW underground club. These will including glow-in-the-dark cocktails and snacks complemented by more festive beats from DJ Justin. 1:00AM – until early morning / Entry doesn’t include food and drinks.
On NEW YEAR’S DAY everybody will enjoy a late Hangover Breakfast at KITCHEN restaurant. 9:00AM – 12:00NOON.
In the evening at FISH specialty overwater restaurant, Director if Cuisine Ilias Kafalis will treat guests with his famous four-course dinner Lobster Fiesta featuring the freshest Maldivian lobsters. 6:00PM – 10:30PM / US$ 180++ per person.
Alternatively, guests will be able to enjoy the Sunset Session at SIP overwater bar while listening to the chill out beats by DJ Ivan, or sipping on yummy. 6:00PM – 7:30PM.
AWAY Spa will offer a Detox. Retox. Repeat Journey that will include an aroma infused steam followed by the 80-minute AWAY massage and Detox Body Wrap to get back your own self. Our therapist’s magical hands will drift your body and mind away from toxins and unnecessary tension. 110 minutes / $ 270++ per person.
For more information please visit www.wmaldives.com
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents a new chapter in destination dining with the launch of its Secret Garden concept, a thoughtfully designed experience that brings guests into a secluded setting surrounded by nature, soft lighting, and carefully curated details.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, Secret Garden is created for those moments that deserve more than a traditional dinner. The space is styled with flowing drapes, warm candlelight, and natural greenery, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels both personal and special. It is a setting that invites guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
At the centre of the experience is a seven-course menu, crafted to guide guests through a balanced journey of flavours. Each course is presented with care, with live cooking moments adding a sense of theatre and interaction throughout the evening. The service remains attentive yet discreet, allowing the experience to feel seamless and uninterrupted.
Guests can choose between two tailored offerings. The Romantic Escape focuses on the dining experience itself, complemented by a beautifully arranged setup and personalised service. For those looking to extend the evening, the Ultimate Romance Experience adds thoughtful touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, a private cinema moment under the open sky, in-villa breakfast the next day, and special bed decoration to complete the occasion.
The concept also allows for additional customisation, from floral arrangements to bespoke messages and decorative details, giving guests the flexibility to shape the evening around their celebration, whether it is a birthday, proposal, or simply a meaningful time together.
With Secret Garden, Kuredhivaru continues to expand its dining experiences beyond traditional venues, offering guests something more personal and immersive. It reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, where every detail is considered, and each experience is designed to feel natural, effortless, and quietly memorable.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 6563000.
Cooking
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch
Modern travellers increasingly view a destination as a collection of flavours to be explored, often reserving their dining experiences at the same moment they book their stay to ensure a true sense of discovery.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has embraced this trend, aligning its “Premium Island Experience” with exclusive chef residencies that transform an island stay into a sophisticated, curated sensory adventure. This approach reflects the resort’s core philosophy in reimagining the guest experience in its 15 dining venues and bars.

Central to this refined vision, the resort’s Easter programme debuted with a bespoke four-course residency masterminded by Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch. Collaborating closely with Executive Chef Putu Wijana and Beverage Manager & Sommelier Sunil Kumar, Pietsch ensured every ingredient achieved a sensual harmony with its chosen vintage pairing—a true study in the art of culinary chemistry.

The residency was hosted at Islander’s Grill, the resort’s beachfront destination, where the “Land & Sea” menu showcased technical precision through signatures such as Hand-Cut Beef Tartare finished with a silken yolk and garden botanicals; Lightly Cured Cod jewelled with Beluga Caviar; and a succulent Beef Cheek with Seared Foie Gras and winter truffle.
The experience concluded with a Topfen Dumpling accented by papaya, yogurt, and almond. The menu featured curated pairings, including French Champagne and a selection of prestigious French and Italian wines.

“We strive for a synergy between Michelin-standard precision and the evocative pulse of local and regional provenance. This marriage of world-class craft enables us to elevate our flavour profile, establishing a new lineage of bespoke dishes that honour our heritage while setting a sophisticated benchmark for the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi dining experience,” highlighted Abdulla Atham, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort Manager.
News
The Standard Maldives targets Chinese market with new all-inclusive programme
The Standard, Maldives, part of the globally respected Hyatt portfolio, has announced an elevated lifestyle-led luxury retreat tailored for Chinese travellers in search of a truly memorable Maldives escape. By harmoniously combining Hyatt’s world-class hospitality standards with The Standard’s dynamic and social lifestyle ethos, the resort introduces a new benchmark for premium island living in the Indian Ocean.
Reached via a scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport in Male’, The Standard, Maldives features 115 beautifully designed villas, set either overwater or along the beachfront. Each villa includes a private plunge pool and lounge deck, offering generous space and privacy for families or groups of up to ‘2 adults + 2 children’. Designed to complement the Maldives’ natural surroundings, these stylish accommodations provide direct access to clear lagoons or untouched beaches, ideal for relaxation, play, and exploration.
Enhancing the overall stay, The Standard has recently elevated its Food & Beverage offerings and introduced a Premium All-Inclusive programme, allowing guests to enjoy unlimited access to curated dining, signature cocktails, and bold flavours across its lively culinary venues. From casual beachfront BBQs to all-day dining and sunset bars, indulgence is effortless and uninterrupted throughout the stay.
With the preferences of Chinese guests in mind, the resort offers Mandarin-speaking hosts and personalised services, ensuring seamless communication and thoughtfully tailored hospitality from arrival to departure. Feedback from Chinese visitors consistently praises the warm, attentive service, with particular appreciation for Chinese-speaking hosts who make each experience smooth, welcoming, and stress-free.
Completing the island experience, The Standard, Maldives offers a thoughtfully curated selection of excursions that invite guests to explore both the natural wonders and cultural heritage of the Maldives. From traditional sunset fishing and guided manta ray and sea turtle expeditions in the surrounding atoll waters, to world-class scuba diving across vibrant coral reefs, each experience is designed to connect guests with the beauty of the Indian Ocean. For those seeking cultural discovery, the resort also organises visits to nearby heritage islands such as Kendhoo Island, an 800-year-old living community where guests can gain rare insight into Maldivian traditions, craftsmanship, and local way of life. These immersive experiences add depth and meaning to every stay, creating unforgettable memories beyond the shoreline.
Blending Hyatt’s trusted service excellence, The Standard’s lifestyle-driven spirit, premium all-inclusive offerings, and villa designs created with family comfort in mind, The Standard, Maldives stands out as a leading choice for Chinese travellers seeking a Maldivian holiday that is luxurious, playful, and genuinely distinctive.
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