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Christmas sparkle, star-studded NYE celebrations at Niyama Private Islands Maldives

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Jet to the Maldives for a Christmas that sparkles in the brilliant hues of the Indian Ocean. Niyama Private Islands Maldives invite you to play or chill on twin islands throughout the festive season.

The season officially kicks off with the lighting of the Christmas tree and arrival of Santa by catamaran. Enjoy a Christmas market that is traditional – with carols, egg nog and mulled wine – yet fabulously Maldives in a beach setting. Multi-day feasting is then on the cards, starting with a Christmas Eve gala buffet, and Christmas Day barbecue roast with Ibiza-style pool party.

New Year’s celebrations see stars fly in from around the world. Magician Laura London of ITV’s “The Next Great Magician” fame works the crowd, whilst the Spark! theatre troupe takes the stage with dazzling sound, light and movement. Salsa Con Soul then fires up the dance floor with seductive rhythms, whilst the award-winning Swing Latino collective put on the show of their lives.

The days in between are a whirl for the taste buds, with Maldivian nights, wine and cheese tastings, and Champagne pairings at Edge.

Three legendary chefs fly in, hosting exclusive dinners throughout the festive season: Hervé Rodriguez, owner of MaSa Paris and known as the “Manipulator of Flavours”, serves up contemporary, audacious and complex flavours; David Rathgeber, owner of Parisian bistro L’Assiette, creates traditional French gastronomy; and Alexandre Polmard, famed for the world’s most expensive steak, presents the most extraordinary dry-aged beef dishes.

Families are offered adventure everyday in Nature’s Playground. The Explorer Kids’ Club is one of the largest in the Maldives, with a superhero costume party, Christmas arts and crafts, a New Year’s masquerade and more. Teens enjoy their own corner of the island, with an outdoor gym, cinema under the stars, DJ workshops and mocktails on the beach.

Adults, meanwhile, can hide away at Drift Spa, indulging in massages, IV drips and the Hollywood services of our visiting practitioners. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr David Alessi promises no-downtime face lifts with Botox and fillers. Gopal Govindasamy, Muayad Najemeddin and Banu Alagoz lead you through Eastern healing treatments and movement, from singing bowls, Reiki and Ayurveda to Watsu and Kundalini Yoga.

Also recommended for your time on the islands are experiences new and unique to Niyama. Set sail on a Dream dhoni for a castaway adventure of island hopping, snorkelling and dinner on a deserted sandbank. Play with your senses in a Food Play cooking class, mastering the arts of Thai, Maldivian, Mediterranean or African cuisine.

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.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives’ festive package starts at USD 3,218++ for a five night (minimum requirement) stay in a Water Pool Villa on double-sharing basis from December 23, 2019 to January 8, 2020. For more information and bookings, please visit www.niyama.com/en/offers  or contact reservations@niyama.com.

Awards

Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026

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Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.

The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.

Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.

The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.

Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.

Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.

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Cooking

Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day

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Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.

The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.

As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.

An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.

The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.

The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.

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Awards

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition

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Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.

Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.

The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.

The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.

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