Featured
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi announces two key executive appointments
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has announced two key appointments within its management team; General Manager Andrew Steele and Hotel Manager Lawrence Tuck.
With over 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Andrew has worked with some of the world’s most reputable brands, from Le Meridian and Mandarin Oriental to Shangri-La.
He joins Fairmont Maldives from Potato Head Bali which, as Group Managing Director, he transformed into a globally recognised sustainable lifestyle hospitality brand, mobilising the company to become the first hospitality brand in Indonesia to be carbon neutral and opening the first zero-waste restaurant in the region.
Andrew, who has been recognised as one of twenty international hoteliers on 100 Best Luxury Hotels by Luxury Hunt 2019, said: “I am honoured to be leading the team at the Fairmont Maldives along with Lawrence, our Resort Manager. We look forward together with team to further elevate our commitment to sustainability, building upon our wellness and family offerings while delivering the unrivalled guest experience that Fairmont Maldives has become synonymous with.”
Lawrence joins Fairmont Maldives from Pueblo Bonito Pacifica in Cabo San Lucas Mexico, with over 15 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry.
From Four Seasons and Intercontinental to Fairmont properties in Canada and Mexico, Lawrence has worked as an Executive Chef, Director of Food and Beverage, and General Manager, bringing a breadth of experience across key departments to his role as Fairmont Maldives’ Resort Manager.
The two new positions come ahead of an exciting year for the five-star resort, with the launch of the Fairmont Fit programme and new underwater sculptures within the Coralarium – an underwater art gallery and pioneering coral regeneration project.
Located in the northern Shaviyani atoll, which boasts one of the country’s largest resort lagoons, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is a luxurious, 120-villa resort and home to the largest, 200m infinity pool in the Maldives. Designed by Hirsch Bedner, Fairmont Maldives is peppered with opulent Beach Villas, decadent Overwater Villas and luxury Tented Jungle Villas.
The resort boasts an onsite Art Studio, a 9km long manta ray cleaning station, the Willow Stream Spa, tennis courts and a fitness studio, as well as a Kids Club – three restaurants and two bars.
Fairmont Maldives is accessible via a scenic 50-minute seaplane flight.
Photo: Andrew (L) and Lawrence
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.
-
Meditation1 week agoFour Seasons Kuda Huraa introduces ŪRJĀ, a new naturopathy wellness island
-
Honeymoon1 week ago10 ways Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is redefining the modern Maldives honeymoon
-
Cooking6 days agoVakkaru Maldives welcomes back Chef Jesper Koch for autumn culinary residency
-
News7 days agoChavana Spa introduces personalised wellness journeys in Maldives
-
News7 days agoMandara Spa launches immersive wellness journeys across Maldives resorts
-
Entertainment5 days agoIfuru Island Maldives to stage four nights of music and culture with Ripple & Friends
-
News6 days agoFootball stars, freestyle champions headline Kandima Maldives’ Summer Kamp 2026
-
Cooking5 days agoRiva enters new chapter with Mediterranean concept at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll


