Featured
Amilla Maldives lives up to reputation as ‘Island of Surprises’ this Valentine’s Day
Music truly is the food of love at Amilla Maldives this Valentine’s Day.
The Baa Atoll resort has lined up three consecutive nights of entertainment and celebrations, beginning on February 12 and building up to the big night on February 14. Featuring live performances, dancing, sumptuous food and private starlit experiences, every night brings new surprises.
Building up to Valentine’s Day, couples can plant a tree in the Mystique Garden to celebrate their relationship, let their creative passions flow at a ‘sip and paint’ guided painting session with wine, or watch a romantic movie at the open-air Secret Cinema on either the 12th or 13th.
Amilla’s new Executive Chef Andrew Smith has also designed a very special new sensory experience. Some like it hot, some like it melted, some like it fruity and some — well, some just like it!
The Amilla Chocolate Journey — taking place in Amilla’s dedicated Chocolate Room — guides couples on an exploration of the island’s exquisite handmade chocolates. These delectable concoctions are matched with champagne, wine and port to complement their flavour and tantalise the tastebuds.
A perfect ‘afternoon delight’ to get guests in the mood for a romantic dinner. As a symbol of love and passion, it seems perfect timing to launch the new chocolate experience for Valentine’s Day, but it will be an ongoing part of the resort’s colourful happenings and activities.
‘Valentine’s Day Date Night’ on the 14th begins with a cocktail party on the beach with champagne, bespoke cocktails and canapes, as the sun sets over the glittering ocean.
Guests’ love messages to each other will be written in the sand surrounding them. Dancers and a traditional Maldivian ‘bodu beru’ (‘big drum’) band will provide entrancing performances.
Then each couple departs for a private ‘Dine by Design’ dinner. The private dining experiences feature a delectable three-course set menu. A cushion-filled nook hollowed out on the beach, surrounded by lanterns. A candlelit private table in the main pool’s sunken island.
A special meal at Amilla’s overwater signature restaurant or rustic Italian brasserie. These are just four of a total of six romantic locations to choose from. A live band will be performing on the main beach, under the stars.
Dinner is followed by an after-party on the beach. Guests can dance the night away to DJ beats under the glow of lanterns, sparkling lights and the bright equatorial stars.
Alternatively, one couple can seize the opportunity to pull out all the stops for the Premium Valentine’s Day Package on the 14th. This includes a glass of champagne, private four-course wine-paired meal on the beach, private ‘Amilla Chocolate Journey’, private cinema screening and romantic turndown service.
With so many opportunities for couples to delight and treat each other this Valentine’s Day, Amilla is living up to its reputation as ‘An Island of Surprises’.
The resort is renowned for its constant evolution, ingenuity, playfulness and innovations, from its new Maldivian traditional medicine-inspired spa treatments to ‘glamping’ in a bubble pod under the stars.
For more information about the resort and bookings, please email sales@amilla.mv or visit www.amilla.com.
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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