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Jumeirah Vittaveli celebrates year of industry recognitions

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Jumeirah Vittaveli is wrapping up a year of astounding industry recognition with its success at this weekend’s World Luxury Hotel Awards at the enchanted Arctic Circle in Finland.

To be named global winner for ‘Best Luxury Island Resort’, and having the lavish five-bedroom Royal Residence recognised as ‘Best Luxury Hideaway Villa’ in the Indian Ocean region is the crowning achievement of Jumeirah Vittaveli in a year that has seen not only the resort itself but its Talise spa, two of its restaurants and the Royal Residence bring home nine industry trophies.

The year 2019 has been an exciting year at Jumeirah Vittaveli – guests can now slide into the crystal clear lagoon on the destination’s longest private water slides from the privacy of their own free standing Private Ocean Retreats with Slides, or embark on an ocean adventure on the 85 foot Azimut superyacht ‘MY Vittaveli’.

Together with many other milestones, such as the opening of the five-bedroom Royal Residence in 2017, the launch of the first eco-friendly open air ice rink in the Maldives in 2018, and the extension of dining venues to 20 distinct concepts, including an underground whisky and chocolate salon and an overwater wine library – this achievement has completed the journey of Amit Majumder as General Manager of Jumeirah Vittaveli.

Majumder has recently been named Vice President Boutique Resorts at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, and will bring his in-depth expertise as well as his drive to constantly push the envelope to this new branch of the Jumeirah Group, whilst still overseeing Jumeirah Vittaveli.

Majumder attended the World Luxury Hotel Awards gala in Finland on behalf of Jumeirah Vittaveli and commented: “To receive the global award for ‘Best Luxury Island Resort’ as voted on by our industry peers and guests is an honour beyond compare. I count myself incredibly lucky to have had the pleasure of working with the passionate team Jumeirah Vittaveli for seven years – without each and every one of them, our resort wouldn’t be what it is today. Having achieved such recognition for Jumeirah Vittaveli gives us further confidence to grow the Boutique Resorts portfolio.”

Jumeirah Vittaveli has consistently been recognised for outstanding achievements, such as the award for ‘Maldives Leading Luxury Resort’ at the South Asian Travel Awards, or the recognition for ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’ at the World Travel Awards.

The Royal Residence has been named ‘Most Luxurious Hotel Villa’ by the HIDEAWAYS awards, and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ at the World Travel Awards.

The resort’s signature restaurant Swarna has been named ‘Best Indian Cuisine in Asia’ four years in a row by the World Luxury Restaurant Awards, just like French fine dining restaurant Fenesse received the title of ‘Best French Cuisine in the Indian Ocean region’.

The Talise spa at Vittaveli has received the title of ‘Best Luxury Wellness Spa’ each year since 2016 at the World Luxury Spa Awards.

With a traditional Maldivian welcome and more activities to fill your days with than you can dream of, Jumeirah Vittaveli is the perfect place for all the family to speed things up or slow things down. Land and water-based activities include the destination’s first ice rink, a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, Talise Spa, six restaurants and bars, a wine library, an overwater lounge, an underground whisky and chocolate salon and a cigar lounge.

Jumeirah Vittaveli has curated a collection of all of the most remarkable experiences the Maldives has to offer in one place. Shape your own unique Maldives experience at the resort.

Established in 2006, World Luxury Hotel Awards is the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury hotel industry offering international recognition as voted by guests, travellers and industry players alike. Over 300,000 international travellers vote each year, during a four-week period to select the winners. Properties from over 120 countries competed in the 2019 awards and it is truly an honour to be one of the selected nominees and winners.

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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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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.

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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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.

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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

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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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