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Niyama Maldives announces visiting wellness practitioner programmes
Niyama Private Islands Maldives has announced a roster of visiting wellness practitioners.
Drift by Niyama offers a unique take on spa journeys, with the latest in beauty from the world’s leading brands and a visiting roster of wellness practitioners from Beverly Hills to Dubai. The schedule of visiting practitioners for the rest of the year and early next year include:
Inner peace and outer beauty with Katrina Valente (October 20 to November 10)
Join the Hollywood A-list with Intraceuticals oxygen facials – the first in the Maldives – and Dermapen mesotherapy, treatments which deliver tailored nutrients directly to the skin. Indulge in soothing massages such as raindrop therapy, originating with the Lakota Native Indians.
Katrina’s philosophy begins with the maxim that beauty radiates from the inside out. Her facials and anti-ageing treatments combine the latest medical innovations, 100 percent organic aroma products and the healing powers of holistic medicine. Each personalised consultation with Katrina begins with colour therapy to individualise treatments based on each individual’s chakras.
Trained at the Burghley Academy of Beauty in Cambridgeshire, Scottish-Italian beauty Katrina Valente is a master practitioner of reflexology, crystal therapy, Shamanic reiki and pranic healing, and has spent the last two decades based in Dubai giving holistic beauty treatments to royalty and socialites alike.

Non-surgical facelifts with Dr Alessi (December 22 to January 2, 2018)
Remove wrinkles and folds, contour and shape the planes of your face, or correct asymmetrically aligned features. Using a combination of Botox for crow’s feet and frown lines; Juvederm and Perfectha hyaluronic fillers to lift and contour cheeks, minimise nasolabial folds, wrinkles and skin depressions, and add volume to and contour lips; and Kybella, the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment to improve the appearance of impurities beneath the chin by physically destroying fat cells. Treat yourself to a facelift without the invasiveness of surgery, all under Dr Alessi’s artistic hands.
As the founder and medical director of the Alessi Institute for Facial Plastic Surgery, Beverly Hills, Dr Alessi is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. Magician to the stars, Dr Alessi has appeared on Larry King Live, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News and CNN for his expertise in facial contouring.

Perfect health with Paulo Fernandes (December 27 to January 17, 2018)
Paulo will be hosting complimentary workshops on The Ten Steps for Perfect Health at Drift by Niyama. A holistic look at the combination of diet, hydration, detoxing and exercise, Paulo also introduces the wonders of nutritional microscopy and an alkaline lifestyle.
Discover the inner workings of your body, with a live blood analysis illustrating your nutritional needs, deficiencies and imbalances. Learn about targeted super foods and herbs to increase your energy levels. Sign up for a bamboo massage to melt away muscle pain, or a session of lymphatic detox with cavitation to remove accumulated toxins and break up localised fat deposits and cellulite with ultrasound.
Paulo Fernandes is a health coach certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in Manhattan. Competing in international swimming from a young age, Paulo joined the Marines at 18 and became a Navy Seal officer. After receiving his PhD in sports, Paulo specialised in nutritional microscopy, naturopathy, raw nutrition and biontology. Paulo has travelled the world, from Los Angeles to London to Dubai, helping the elite reach their goals of maximum health and fitness.

Niyama, a popular A-list hideaway nestled in the Dhaalu atoll, offers guests exclusive access to its twin islands – Chill and Play – conveniently connected via a picturesque bridge.
The family-friendly retreat, surrounded by picturesque shorelines and lush vegetation, has nine deluxe room categories ranging from spacious beachfront studios and one-bedroom water pavilions to three-bedroom family beach pavilions with two private pools, jacuzzi and a personal spa treatment room. With state-of-the-art amenities, in-room fridges filled with gourmet treats, a private butler plus the magic of the Maldivian island, this is the ultimate antidote to city life.
The jewel in the resort’s crown is the magnificent Crescent, a playground of five ultra-chic villas, all with private pools, for up to 14 adults and eight children. Boasting a private chef, two butlers, a housekeeper and a host of complimentary activities including a sunset dhoni cruise and movie under the stars, this over water sanctuary is the perfect paradise treat for extended families, honeymooners and discerning travellers.
With nine dining destinations, including tree house restaurant Nest and the world’s first underwater playground Subsix, guests can enhance their stay at Niyama with surreal gastronomic experiences.
Young VIPs will adore the Explorers Kids Club with its range of activities including nature expeditions around the tropical isles to MasterChef classes, while adventure-seeking teens and adults will be inspired by the resort’s excellent water sports offerings such as surfing, scuba diving and jet-skiing. Wellness devotees looking to indulge in a spot of indulgent pampering can retreat to the tranquil Drift by Niyama spa while enjoying the crystal-clear turquoise sea views from the six overwater treatment rooms.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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