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
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Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
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Sirru Fen Fushi hosts football programme with Marcus Allbäck
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort has announced another successful edition of the Sirru Icon Series, a week-long programme that brought international sporting energy, youth inspiration, and meaningful community connection to this private lagoon paradise.
Held from 27 March to 3 April, the initiative welcomed former Swedish professional footballer Marcus Allbäck, whose presence made the week truly exceptional for guests, young aspiring players, and the neighbouring island community. Marcus Allbäck is a celebrated former Swedish international striker, having played 74 games for his country, scoring 30 goals. He represented Sweden in three European Championships and two World Cups, and enjoyed a distinguished club career across Europe, including the Bundesliga, Serie A, the English Premier League, the Dutch Eredivisie, and the UEFA Champions League. Following his retirement, Marcus served as assistant coach for the Swedish national team for six years. Today, he continues to inspire the next generation of footballers, working as a player agent and advisor to help aspiring players achieve their dreams. His visit highlighted the power of sport not only as entertainment, but as a bridge for cultural exchange and social impact. This reflected the resort’s ongoing commitment to purposeful, community-centred initiatives.

Throughout the week, Marcus led a line-up of engaging activities, including friendly football matches with guests, dedicated junior football camps that fostered confidence and skill-building among young participants, and a memorable visit to a nearby local island. This local-island match stood out as a meaningful moment of connection, bringing the resort and community together through shared passion and friendly competition.
Guests also enjoyed an intimate Sirru Signature Sunset Cocktail, where they had the rare opportunity to meet Marcus in person, hear stories from his international career, and enjoy a relaxed, uplifting atmosphere against the backdrop of the resort’s iconic sunsets.

Programme Highlights:
- Friendly Football Matches–A fun and energetic opportunity for guests to play alongside an international football figure.
- Junior Football Camps –Inspiring sessions focused on youth development, teamwork, and confidence-building.
- Local Island Football Match – A memorable moment on the local island Milandhoo, celebrating the power of sport to bring resort guests and the local community together.
- Meet & Greet Sunset Cocktail – An exclusive experience offering direct interaction with Marcus and inspiring conversation.
The Sirru Icon Series reflects the resort’s dedication to creating exceptional experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality, pairing luxury with purpose and offering guests opportunities to connect, learn, and create lifelong memories.

This remarkable week marked an inspiring chapter of the Sirru Icon Series, with more unique programmes planned for the future to continue delivering immersive guest experiences at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort.
For further information and reservations, please visit sirrufenfushi.com or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.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.
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