Featured
Hideaway Beach crowned Maldives’ best luxury hideaway resort
Situated in one of the largest natural islands around, Hideaway has been titled ‘Best Luxury Hideaway Resort’ in the Maldives.
The very apt recognition has been awarded by acclaimed awarding body Luxury Lifestyle Awards, whose goal is to promote and celebrate the best luxury goods and services all around the world.
Luxurious space, privacy
As the award implies, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa will always live up to its name because space and privacy are built into the very essence of this natural paradise.
Pristine, untouched, and picturesque, this five-star resort is a scenic 50-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride. This distance is the key to a natural solitude.
Only 10 per cent of the island is occupied by land & over-water villas and outlets, while the rest remains untouched, enveloped by the tropical ecosystem.
Social distancing is not a novel concept but rather comes inherently with a 3.5 km long beach and spacious accommodation options.
With some of the largest beachfront villas in the country and assured privacy from other guests, Hideaway offers absolute escapism to those who seek it as they enjoy their own piece of heaven on Earth.
The space provided by this jungle-like garden resort comes paired with a wide selection of room options. 101 villas are spread over land and water offering a choice of 9 different categories for guests who are spoiled for choice when deciding on their unique trademark Maldives experience.
Luxurious safety, wellness
Ensuring and elevating the health and wellbeing of guests during arrival, stay, and departure is another point of excellence that makes Hideaway stand out among the pack.
Hideaway strives to create an environment where one can relax and enjoy their time in luxury and privacy– the perfect hideaway from all the worries of the outside world.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the unique challenges it poses, the resort has remained vigilant and implemented procedures so that guests can safely sit back, relax, and enjoy their well-deserved retreat, free of any stress.
Staff are trained on disinfection techniques and best practices, and the island itself with all its glorious space helps naturally promote social distancing.
Each guest receives more than enough of the island to get safely lost and find themselves before leaving their personal getaway.
Luxurious service
The resort’s uncompromising attentiveness to its guests, coupled with a range of leisure activities, makes it the ultimate experience for a tranquil honeymoon, family getaway, or vacation with friends.
From the front office to the kitchen, and from the water sports to the spa, staff at Hideaway are always on top of guests needs. Whether arranging special requests, customising excursions, or organising events, the Hideaway team works hard to exceed expectations.
As an extra add-on or as part of the all-inclusive White Platinum Plan, guests will be treated to their very own personal butler, always at their disposal. Butlers know the resort like the back of their hand and will advise on how to get the maximum value out of any vacation.
The impeccable natural beauty and size of the island paired with exquisite service culture of the resort were key contributors to this achievement.
“This perfectly splendid award recognises Hideaway’s unique offering as a luxury resort together in tandem with the unique experience of the humongous island itself that sets it apart from other novel hospitality experiences across the world,” Resident Manager Christophe Adam said.
“We are delighted that they have distinguished Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa and the hard work done by the resort team even in the toughest of periods that the industry is going through.”
Luxurious hideaway
Experience the quintessential Maldivian big island adventure and rest, relax, and rejuvenate in the tropical Maldives with Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa as your getaway to bliss.
Take it easy just for a bit while in the paradisical island that is Hideaway and take time to heal your body and mind at the Hideaway Spa while having the space physically and mentally to get into a better headspace.
After the last year, and even just the complexities of everyday life, such an escape is surely warranted.
There is something for everyone, with multiple dining options and meal plans. Come and experience a luxurious island hideaway escape that we know you need and want.
To check out the unforgettable holiday experience that awaits your arrival at Hideaway, please visit the resort’s official website.
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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