Featured
Crossroads Maldives offers in-villa coronavirus tests for safe return home
Crossroads Maldives is going the extra mile by offering guests the chance to get tested for coronavirus in the comfort of their hotel room.
With two of its fabulous resorts — SAii Lagoon Maldives and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives — back up and running, the first and largest integrated leisure and lifestyle destination in Maldives has recently introduced PCR exit screening without having to travel out of the resorts and visit a testing facility.
Thanks to its well-equipped clinic with a doctor and nurse based at The Marina at Crossroads, you can completely unwind knowing that you will have everything you need to safely return home.
Priced at $162 per person, the test can be carried out at the clinic or in your villa and then will be sent to capital Male for analysis. Samples will be collected 72 hours prior to departure.
Test results will be sent via email and delivered straight to your room.

This new service will make it easier for guests who require Covid-19 test results for their return home.
For instance, travellers returning to the United Arab Emirates are now required to carry a negative Covid-19 PCR test result. The test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure.

Maldives lifted all Covid-19 related travel restrictions on July 15, requiring only a health declaration form from international travellers. There is no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival.
Crossroads Maldives is committed to provide its guests with an enhanced hygiene and safety programme, which is in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation, as well as local and international tourism and health authorities. The Crossroads Safe, Healthy Relax Manifest allows guests to enjoy unforgettable experiences curated in a safe environment.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives’ safety and hygiene practices are amplified by the new SAFE+SOUND programme from Hard Rock International, in partnership with Ecolab and NSF.
SAii Lagoon Maldives follows Hilton CleanStay practices with guidance from experts at the Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control team.

Nestled within the exquisite Emboodhoo Lagoon, just 15 minutes by boat from the main Velana International Airport, the game-changing new retreats offer a myriad of immersive experiences.
Whether it is a family seeking bonding time, a small group of friends in search of an upbeat get-together, a cool couple who wants to rock out in style, or a company that wish to bond with staff in a refreshing way, Crossroads customises memorable island experiences while ensuring space, privacy and safety.
With maximum flexibility, the two resorts at Crossroads Maldives are offering irresistible “Stay 3 Pay 2” packages, allowing guests to purchase vouchers that can be redeemed any time before October 31, 2021 with an attractive free night for each consecutive two nights stayed.
Perfect for those who want to travel but not sure when, this offer also comes with a maximum flexibility on reservation changes and cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival time.
The package is available across several room types starting at $550 net with a value of $800 for SAii Lagoon Maldives and at $650 net for a value of $1,000 for Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. A credit of $100 will be offered on top when staying five nights and more.

Complimentary activities such as sunrise yoga, coral propagation programme, aqua gym and cocktail class are offered at SAii Lagoon Maldives.
Besides many attractive activities such as aerial acrobatics, self-defence and Jiu-jitsu classes, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives also comes with the Signature Sound of Your Stay programme allowing guests to borrow, on complimentary basis, Crosley turn tables to curate their holiday soundtracks or a Fender Electric Guitar from an exquisite guitar menu.
For the ultimate privacy, or to host destination weddings and events at both resorts, the entire island is now available for rent at $35,000 net per night inclusive of up to 50 rooms. With the Buy-Out Package, groups will be exclusively hosted on the entire island.
The package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in resort restaurants throughout the stay, non-alcoholic drinks during meals, exclusive return speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport, and a variety of exciting signature group bonding activities with a private coach.
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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