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Women rule at Niyama Private Islands Maldives

In recognition of International Women’s Day on 8 March, the team at Niyama Private Islands Maldives is celebrating their women in power. From guest services to media relations to everyday behind-the-scenes action, Nature’s Playground is brought to life by our female colleagues from all over the world.

Chef Niki, Teppanyaki Chef
Niyama Private Islands Maldives is particularly known for its dining experiences in surreal settings. And two of its three signature restaurants are headed by female chefs. Head to the treetops to sample contemporary Asian cuisine presented by Chef Wiparat Pratumma. From her native Thai cuisine with an Indian Ocean twist, to bold Chinese, Indonesian and Vietnamese flavours, Chef Wiparat, or Chef Gai as she is known to guests, has designed a menu with a mix of traditional and modern Asian flavours.
Nest also boasts of a teppanyaki table, helmed by another rising stars, Chef Narissara ‘Niki’ Tansomboon. Chopping, sizzling, handling bursts of flame with finesse, Chef Niki illustrates Minor Hotels’ emphasis on female career development: recruited as a junior chef at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle, Chef Niki quickly worked her way up the career ladder, as well as across the Indian Ocean.

Chef Gai, Nest Sous Chef
Chef Naomi Wamaitha Kimani takes on a different sort of fire, this time deep in the jungle at Niyama’s Tribal — the only Afro Latin restaurant in the Maldives. Serving up rare flavours from Central, South America and Africa, Chef Naomi handles every detail from the menu to execution. Sample must-try signature dishes from her native Kenya – flame-Warm Ostrich Bobotie, garlic reduction and peppadew puree, or line-caught seabass simmered in tamarind and coconut sauce.
The women in leadership at the resort are multi-talented, multi-lingual, and drawn from all over the world, from the South African Front Office Manager to the Indian Resort Manager, Thai Spa Manager, Seychellois HR Training Manager, Russian Head of Water Sports and many, many more. Each brings a unique skillset, passion and vision, making the Niyama team the success it is – the resort is consistently rated as one of the best in the world, taking last year’s #4 spot in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
Niyama offers more than a luxury retreat in the Maldives. Going beyond conventional concepts of lavish accommodation, sumptuous cuisines, and lavish services, Niyama presents every visitor with myriad opportunities to create their own exceptional island experience.
With twin islands Play and Chill, Niyama offers you the true luxury of choice, with everything expected from an island resort and so much more.
Chill is true to its name. You can discover new depths of relaxation at the Drift Spa, or take in a movie under the stars at the outdoor cinema. Just off the coast, enjoy a fine dining experience at Edge accessible only by speedboat, while Subsix invites you the world’s finest underwater seafood restaurant and night club.
Play provides delightful diversions for those looking for more active pursuits. On the water, you can kayak around the islands or discover why Niyama is amongst the hottest surfing destinations. Bicyclists can explore the island at their own pace, perhaps lured by the aromas from the chef’s spice gardens.
Cover photo: Chef Naomi, Tribal Sous Chef.
Featured
Renowned holistic practitioner Ranjith Saj brings healing expertise to NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort

NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort is welcoming Ranjith Saj, a renowned holistic practitioner from Kerala, India, for a limited-time residency offering bespoke Ayurvedic and energy healing therapies.
With over 17 years of international spa expertise and a heritage grounded in traditional Indian medicine, Ranjith is celebrated for his intuitive, integrative approach to mind-body wellness. His treatments blend Ayurveda, reflexology, meridian therapy, and energetic detox techniques—ideal for guests seeking both physical rejuvenation and emotional clarity.
During his residency, Ranjith will present a dedicated signature menu, customised to suit individual wellness needs. Each session begins with a personal consultation and is designed to help restore the body’s natural equilibrium.
Signature Treatments:
- Muscle Energy Rebalance: 60 minutes – USD 135 | 90 minutes – USD 210
- Immune Booster Vedic Therapy: 60 minutes – USD 135 | 90 minutes – USD 210
- Foot Reflexology: 60 minutes – USD 135
- Vital Energy Restoration with Shiatsu: 60 minutes – USD 135 | 90 minutes – USD 210
- Blend of Healing (Detox + Reflexology): 75 minutes – USD 150
Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in guided chakra balancing meditations and Qigong movement sessions, enriching their wellness experience and deepening internal harmony.
Set against the backdrop of Havodda’s pristine natural surroundings, these therapies offer a space for profound restoration—where stress melts away, energy realigns, and the body reconnects with a sense of ease.
“This residency reflects our commitment to meaningful wellness,” said the Resort Manager. “Ranjith’s presence offers our guests something more than relaxation — it’s a return to personal connection and inner stillness.”
Featured
Luminara sets sail to Maldives in luxe collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands

This December, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will welcome Luminara, the newest superyacht in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, marking a remarkable convergence of land and sea. Two distinct itineraries will bring the 226-suite Luminara across the Indian Ocean, offering an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy a two-night stay at this iconic design-led island retreat for those travelling between Mauritius and the Maldives, or the Maldives and Singapore. This seamless journey, transitioning from voyage to villa, invites guests to rediscover the region in the signature style of The Ritz-Carlton.
The experience combines one of the world’s most refined yachts with one of the Indian Ocean’s most sought-after island destinations. Guests will enjoy a pre- or post-cruise stay in an Ocean Pool Villa—elegantly designed elliptical sanctuaries with expansive sundecks and private infinity pools overlooking the ocean. Time on the island unfolds through holistic wellness rituals at The Ritz-Carlton Spa with signature Bamford treatments, immersive snorkelling and diving adventures guided by resident naturalists, and exceptional dining spanning Japanese omakase, Cantonese, Southern Italian, and Lebanese cuisines—all within a celebrated architectural masterpiece.
Just a short boat ride away, Fari Marina Village offers further sensory delights. Visitors can explore James Turrell’s Amarta installation, indulge in Asian street food at Tum Tum, and enjoy Levantine-inspired dishes at Arabesque. Offshore excursions include diving at vibrant coral nurseries, sailing on a traditional dhoni, deep-sea fishing, or scenic seaplane flights revealing panoramic views of shimmering lagoons and untouched sandbanks. These curated land-based experiences perfectly complement life aboard the yacht, both above and below deck.
Aboard Luminara, the third superyacht in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, launched in July 2025, guests are invited to embrace a new pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel at sea. Offering one of the highest crew-to-guest and space-to-guest ratios at sea, Luminara provides an environment that fosters both connection and discovery, set against a backdrop of refined design. While sailing along the brand’s inaugural Asia-Pacific routes, guests can enjoy culinary creations by award-winning chefs Fabio Trabocchi and Michael Mina, rejuvenating wellness treatments at The Ritz-Carlton Spa featuring ESPA, 111SKIN, and Pisterzi products, and curated art spaces showcasing works by renowned artists including Paul Klee, David Hockney, and Alexander Calder.
The first itinerary, departing 3 December 2025, sails from Mauritius to the Maldives over nine nights, followed by a two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. The voyage includes stops in Mahé for a glimpse of the Seychelles’ coral gardens and orchids, and La Digue for serene swims among granite boulders. Guests then disembark at the resort for a final night on board before transitioning to the island.
The second itinerary, departing 10 December 2025, begins with two nights in an Ocean Pool Villa at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives before guests board Luminara directly from the resort. The eleven-night journey features cultural explorations in Colombo and Galle Fort, a rare call to the Andaman Islands, and scenic sailings past the limestone karsts of Phuket and Langkawi, concluding in the vibrant city of Singapore.
Rates begin at USD 12,400 per person, inclusive of a two-night Ocean Pool Villa stay with daily breakfast. Packages are subject to availability and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with villa upgrades and additional excursions available at an extra cost.
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Tribute to tradition: Milaidhoo Maldives introduces ‘Set Sail with Captain Ibbe’

Milaidhoo Maldives, the exclusive boutique island nestled in the heart of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has launched a deeply immersive new offering: Set Sail with Captain Ibbe. More than a typical sunset fishing trip, this thoughtfully curated experience invites guests to reconnect with the rhythm of Maldivian island life, guided by tradition, sustainability, and heartfelt storytelling.
Reflecting Milaidhoo’s philosophy that true luxury lies not merely in what is seen or served, but in what is felt, this new experience captures the essence of the brand’s “reinvented luxury” and “island-inspired” ethos. Guests are invited to discover the soul of the Maldives through its most enduring and elemental force—the sea.
At the helm is Captain Ibbe, a proud Maldivian and long-standing crew member at Milaidhoo. Hailing from the island of Kendhikulhudhoo in Noonu Atoll, the sea has been an intrinsic part of his life from early childhood. For Captain Ibbe, time on the water feels like a return home. With his ever-warm smile and deep-rooted knowledge of the ocean, he guides guests through time-honoured Maldivian fishing techniques, such as trolling and jigging, relying solely on line and instinct passed down through generations.
But the journey does not end with the day’s final catch.
As the sun sets below the horizon, guests are transported to a secluded, untouched sandbank, where an unforgettable scene unfolds. Welcomed by the rhythmic beat of Bodu Beru drums and bathed in the golden light of dusk, guests are treated to a private beachside barbecue. Here, a chef transforms the fresh catch into a traditional Maldivian feast, cooked over an open flame and wrapped in banana leaves, just as the islanders have done for generations.
With cocktail in hand and toes in the sand, guests enjoy a magical evening beneath the stars—far removed from the demands of the world, surrounded only by the gentle lapping of waves and the whisper of the ocean breeze.
The Set Sail with Captain Ibbe experience is more than a simple excursion; it is a celebration of sustainability, authenticity, and connection. From age-old fishing methods to a dinner inspired by local traditions, every detail reflects Milaidhoo’s dedication to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Maldives.
At Milaidhoo, the greatest luxury lies in meaningful moments—where nature envelops you and every experience tells a timeless story.
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