Featured
Ultimate natural social distancing at Ayada Maldives
While much of the world has shut its borders or enacted strict measures on incoming travellers, the Maldives has reopened its borders and does not require new arrivals to quarantine or undergo testing, other than a simple temperature check at the airport.
The Maldives remains a safe and secure destination to travel to, and at Ayada Maldives the 15-acre tropical island is naturally isolated in a beautiful and remote, yet easily accessible, part of the country.
About 450 km away from the busy side of Maldives, Ayada Maldives is located in the pristine Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the south, often referred to as the most beautiful region within the island nation.

For guests looking to isolate themselves in a luxury setting, the tropical island of Ayada Maldives is the perfect answer. Surrounded by nothing but beautiful sandy beaches, uninhabited islands and the open ocean, the nearest human concentration is at least 20 km away.
The resort also features spacious and private standalone villas with direct access to the sandy white beach or over the beautiful turquoise lagoon as well as a lot of open air spaces to relax and unwind in complete privacy.

The resort’s experienced team is on hand to ensure a completely hassle free arrival and departure experience for all guests. From arranging your domestic transfers completely in accordance with your international arrival and departure flights, to guiding you every step of your onward journey.
Ayada Maldives’ Natural Social Distancing Programme has been launched following weeks of dedicated research, development and testing. Safety and wellbeing remains of paramount importance as the resort welcomes back its team members and guests.

The resort has taken time to enhance all of its procedures by leveraging expert advice, global health recommendations, bespoke technologies and innovative procedures to enhance safety and wellbeing protocols, so that when you arrive at the resort, the team is able to give you peace of mind allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful paradise island.
These enhancements to cleaning, hygiene, leisure, dining, technology and guest services procedures include the right preventative measures to create an environment where guests and team members feel comfortable, confident and most importantly, relaxed.

The team at Ayada Maldives awaits you with many new features that make social distancing and hygiene standards effortless and enjoyable. With uncompromising experiences and safety initiatives, they aim to exceed your expectations and will be offering a more bespoke level of service during your stay.
The Ayada app has all the information that you require about the resort, including menus, spa treatments, water sports, excursions and diving activities.

Additional amenities such as hand sanitiser and personal hygiene kits have also been placed in your room should you require them.
Gourmets looking for great food in the Maldives are well served at Ayada Maldives. Sebastiaan, the resort’s Executive Head Chef, has been busy working with local farmers and fishermen to get the best produce available to offer a more local, Maldivian experience for you, not forgetting the in-house Secret Garden where a lot of fresh vegetables are grown. Tours of the Secret Garden are also available for the garden enthusiasts!
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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