Featured
The Nautilus Maldives voted Indian Ocean’s best resort
Luxury bohemian hideaway, The Nautilus Maldives, has been voted the Indian Ocean’s Best Resort in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s international Readers’ Choice Awards 2020.
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry.
“We are immensely grateful and proud to be recognised as the Best Resort in the Indian Ocean by the most important awards in the travel industry. I would like to express my gratitude to all voters, our guests and to our highly committed team as without them we would not be celebrating this amazing achievement. Thank you all,” Mohamed Ashraf, General Manager of The Nautilus, said.
As a thank you to all its supporters, past guests and Condé Nast Traveler readers who voted for The Nautilus in these awards, the resort has launched a special ‘thank you offer’ providing exceptional value for anyone seeking a post-Covid getaway.
The offer includes complimentary breakfast, dinner and combined return seaplane transfers, as well as a host of other benefits, and is applicable for stays of four nights or more.
Enjoying a remote setting in the stunning UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, The Nautilus is one of the smallest island resorts in the Maldives — a tropical haven of just 26 exceptionally spacious Houses and Residences, each with its own temperature-controlled freshwater infinity pool and extensive private decks, and attended by a dedicated House Master offering full butler services.
The Nautilus epitomises spacious seclusion and sublime service, with consciously minimal interaction from the moment guests step off the plane at Velana International Airport and into the care of island’s exclusive, ultra-smooth and queue-free VIP arrival and transfer service.
The only Relais & Châteaux member resort in the Maldives is the realisation of a vision of life unbound, a place of liberation and unscripted luxury, where guests are free to do – and be – as they please. Casting off the anchor of inflexibility and rejecting the tyranny of timetables, The Nautilus liberates guests to enjoy a private island experience beyond the humdrum clockwatching constraints of opening hours and menus.
To mark its official reopening on September 1, The Nautilus curated exclusive reopening packages for couples and for families, including 35 per cent discount on accommodation and a selection of The Nautilus’ bespoke experiences.
Moments of Togetherness starts from $19,100 (approximately GBP14,653) and includes seven nights B&B accommodation for two adults sharing a Beach House with private pool, return transfers via The Nautilus’ liveried private seaplane, private ‘Cinema Under The Stars’ experience, personalised Spa Journey for two, guided house reef snorkelling, private yoga session with resident Yogi, and a private cocktail experience.
A Dream Haven for the Entire Family starts from $21,000 (approximately GBP16,110) and includes seven nights B&B accommodation for two adults and two children (under 12 years) sharing a Beach House with private pool, return transfers via The Nautilus’ liveried private seaplane, complimentary Kids Menu dining for up to two children (under 12 years), one family sandbank experience, one family cooking class, unlimited laundry, one Child’s Head and Shoulder Massage, Manicure and Pedicure (60 minutes), coral frame adoption in the family name, and up to two hours’ complimentary babysitting service (for children aged 3-12 years) during dinner.
Both packages are valid for travel until December 22, subject to availability.
The already thorough cleaning and hygiene protocols at The Nautilus have been further reinforced in line with public health guidelines issued by the WHO and local government authorities, and the team have been fully trained and informed of the new procedures.
For more information and reservations, visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com or contact reservations@thenautilusmaldives.com.
Drink
Sun Siyam Olhuveli unveils Milano, Olive Bar and Crust & Flame on Dream Island
Sun Siyam Olhuveli has introduced three new dining and social venues on its Dream Island — Milano, Olive Bar, and Crust & Flame — each conceptualised by the award-winning Studio Sixty7. Together, the venues bring a contemporary expression of coastal European style to the Maldives, blending refined design, effortless island living, and a sense of community that positions Dream Island as the resort’s newest lifestyle and entertainment hub.
Milano – An Italian Soul with a Front-Row Kitchen
Milano celebrates the warmth and generosity of Italian dining, presented through a coastal aesthetic that feels both relaxed and refined. The open kitchen serves as the heart of the restaurant, where guests can watch chefs craft handmade pasta, simmer traditional sauces, and prepare wood-fired dishes. The experience is intimate and engaging, reflecting the sincerity of Italian cooking.
Studio Sixty7 designed the space with an olive-green palette, arched features, textured off-white plaster, linen drapery, and sculpted timber furnishings. Deep green crittall-style glazing adds a quiet elegance, while patterned floors create a gentle visual rhythm. As evening falls, woven pendant lights warm the room, making Milano ideal for leisurely lunches and romantic dinners. Every design detail balances Italian flair with Maldivian tranquillity.

Olive Bar – The New Entertainment Pulse
At the centre of Dream Island’s social energy, Olive Bar offers a refreshed take on family entertainment, hosting nightly performances from acoustic musicians and cultural acts to lively DJ sets. By day, it provides a relaxed lounge environment; by night, it transforms into a vibrant social hub.
The bar’s design embraces coastal openness, featuring timber shutters, adaptable lounge seating, abundant greenery, and natural textures that reflect Studio Sixty7’s craftsmanship-driven approach. Gentle ambient lighting completes the atmosphere, creating a welcoming setting for conversation, laughter, and shared experiences.

Crust & Flame – Casual, Beachside, and Comfort-Driven
Crust & Flame offers a relaxed beachside dining experience centred around artisanal brick-oven pizzas and contemporary light dishes. Its striking emerald-and-sage terrazzo pizza oven serves as the visual anchor of the venue, glowing subtly in natural light as chefs prepare fresh creations throughout the day.
Muted olive and white tiles, moss-toned upholstery, and dark timber seating create a coastal trattoria feel, while maintaining a distinctly Maldivian beach ambience — toes in the sand, ocean breeze drifting through the space, and a focus on simple, well-crafted comfort food.
Reflecting on the creative direction, Lee McNichol, Co-founder of Studio Sixty7, noted that the aim was to craft spaces that feel like a gentle exhale — warm, textured, softly lit, and subtly inspired by European coastal landscapes. Co-founder Jose Rivero added that the intention was to build venues that feel lived-in and soulful, where guests naturally settle into the experience rather than simply dine or watch a performance.
Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli, commented: “Our vision for Dream Island was to create a place where guests immediately feel the rhythm of island life — relaxed, social, and full of positive energy. Milano, Olive Bar, and Crust & Flame each offer something distinct, yet together they form a cohesive atmosphere that encourages connection and enjoyment. It is Olhuveli at its most effortless and playful.”
With the launch of these venues, Dream Island evolves into a dynamic culinary and social destination where design, flavour, and ambience come together seamlessly. This development reflects Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s continued journey toward contemporary lifestyle hospitality, grounded in the warmth and authenticity of Maldivian service.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli now offers more than twenty restaurants and bars across its islands, ensuring an ever-diverse dining landscape shaped by creativity, global influence, and the joy of island living.
Featured
Spring reawakens: Sirru Fen Fushi showcases Maldives at its calmest
Sirru Fen Fushi, a soulful island retreat in the Shaviyani Atoll and a distinguished member of The Leading Hotels of the World, has announced the launch of its Spring Reawakens 2026 campaign. Centred on the season’s exceptional natural conditions, the initiative invites guests to experience the Maldives at its calmest, clearest, and most inspiring time of year.
Each spring, the lagoon surrounding Sirru Fen Fushi becomes remarkably still, bathed in soft seasonal light, while the resort’s nine-kilometre house reef grows particularly vibrant with young coral and flourishing marine life. These conditions create some of the best opportunities of the year for snorkelling, diving, and stargazing.
The Spring Reawakens campaign is tailored to guests who feel most connected to the resort’s nature-centred and purpose-driven identity. It appeals to Nature-Led Explorers seeking immersion and clarity, Experience Seekers looking for meaningful encounters, and Quiet Luxury Travellers who value privacy, tranquillity, and refined simplicity. Boutique family groups—gently addressed within this campaign—will particularly appreciate the calm lagoon and the learning experiences offered through the Sustainability Lab. Spring provides the ideal emotional setting for all guest types: a moment to pause, breathe, and rediscover the beauty of the natural world.
Guests booking the Spring Reawakens offer will receive breakfast and dinner, one curated seasonal experience per stay, a Sustainability Lab workshop, and early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. Signature experiences include sunrise paddling on still waters, guided Coralarium discovery sessions, sunset sailing, art and nature walks, and nature-inspired wellness rituals.
The resort’s pioneering Sustainability Lab—dedicated to plastic upcycling and coral propagation—anchors the campaign’s emphasis on purpose, circularity, and renewal.
Leaders Club members of The Leading Hotels of the World will enjoy added privileges during the campaign, including a private introduction with the resort’s marine biologist and a 30-minute Spring Wellness Ritual when booking any spa treatment.
“Spring at Sirru Fen Fushi is when the island reveals its true soul. The lagoon settles into calm clarity, the reef comes alive with renewed energy, and each sunrise feels like a gentle fresh start. It is one of the most beautiful times for our guests to reconnect—whether with nature, loved ones, or themselves. Spring Reawakens is an invitation to slow down and experience the island in a deeper, more meaningful way,” said Gerhard Stutz, General Manager at Sirru Fen Fushi.
Booking & Stay Details:
- Booking window: 8 December 2025 – 31 January 2026
- Stay window: 1 March – 31 May 2026
- Rates: From USD 750
- Eligible villa categories: Beach Sunrise, Beach Sunset, Deluxe Beach Sunrise, Deluxe Beach Sunset, Water Sunrise, Grand Water Sunset Villas
With its immersive privacy, nature-focused design, and thoughtful service, Sirru Fen Fushi offers a soulful Maldivian experience rooted in clarity, connection, and natural beauty. Spring Reawakens 2026 presents travellers and media with a powerful seasonal perspective on the Maldives—celebrating renewal and the restorative force of the natural world.
Entertainment
New Year’s Eve Gala at JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La to feature live performance by Nasooh
JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La is preparing to host a vibrant New Year’s Eve Gala Night on 31 December 2025, inviting guests to welcome 2026 with an evening of fine dining, live entertainment, and festive celebration.
The event will be headlined by Mohamed Nasooh, one of the Maldives’ emerging musical talents whose voice has earned national recognition. Nasooh first rose to prominence as a former vocalist of the popular band 2ofus, which represented the Maldives internationally and achieved notable success as the 2nd Runner-Up at the Battle of the Bands International. His growing popularity on TikTok, combined with his expressive vocal performances, has made him a well-loved figure among audiences of all ages.
Guests attending the New Year’s Eve Gala Night can look forward to a memorable live performance from Nasooh, who will bring his distinctive vocal style and stage presence to the celebration as the country ushers in a new year.
Adding to the excitement, the evening will also include a special grand prize, with details set to be announced soon. The announcement has already generated anticipation and is expected to be a highlight of the event.
The Gala Night will offer an elegant dining experience and a festive atmosphere, providing an inviting setting for families, couples, and friends wishing to celebrate the start of 2026 in style. The full programme and menu will be shared in the coming days.
JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La welcomes guests to join this exceptional evening—an occasion filled with music, flavour, and celebration marking the arrival of the new year.
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