Featured
Escape to paradise this Eid at Taj Exotica Resort Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives, the award-winning resort located on the Emboodhu Finolhu Island, once known as the ‘Three Coconut Island’ and one of the largest lagoons in the world, welcomes guests to celebrate Eid Al Fitr at the postcard-perfect getaway.
The resort is a convenient 20-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, offering 64 luxurious and lavish sea view villas and suites for guests to relax and luxuriate in this long weekend.
Surrounded by crystal blue waters and covered with lush tropical flora, the resort offers endless ways for travellers to escape to a safe haven away from home.
With novel comforts invested and stringent safety standards perfected, the Taj Group of Hotels have redefined their services and hospitality at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa.
The resort is fully equipped with highly trained staff, best practices and high-grade protective equipment and disinfectants to ensure the safety and comfort of guests.
In addition, technology has been implemented across multiple guest points and processes including check-in, check-out, non-invasive thermal screening, dining and digital payments to ensure seamless yet personalised experiences.
Guests are invited to explore the picturesque resort with the Suite Saver package, with 25 per cent off accommodation in any of the hotel’s expansive suites. This includes the majestic one-bedroom and two-bedroom ocean and beach suites, each with awe-inspiring vistas, a personalised butler service and an indulgent spa treatment of choice at the renowned Jiva Grande Spa.
For those wishing to stay longer, the International Getaway package offers guests the opportunity to sink into deeper relaxation with daily breakfast and dinner at the all-day dining restaurant 24 Degrees on stays of three nights or more.
Both packages include complimentary return speedboat airport transfers as well as complimentary access to the gym, non-motorised sports, and snorkelling equipment.
During their stay, guests can sip leisurely on cocktails at the Equator Bar, indulge in the freshest of seafood at Deep End, choose from the extensive menu at 24 Degrees or simply yet luxuriously enjoy sumptuous in-room and private dining experiences in the comfort of their own room.
Completing the Maldivian experience, guests can unwind with memorable activities including rejuvenating spa experiences, kids activities, seaplane tours, water sports and scuba diving courses providing ultimate relaxation for the whole family.
Middle East travellers booking either package over Eid al-Fitr will be treated to special amenities including a homemade baklava and traditional sweet platter gifted upon arrival.
The hotel also offers interactive Eid activities over the holiday period with highlights including poolside sundae making, an authentic Maldivian sunset cruise around the lagoon and a snorkelling safari.
Travellers are assured of convenience when flying in, with the Maldives government implementing several measures to make the island destination a welcome retreat.
For more information and bookings, please visit www.tajhotels.com or contact: +960 4006000, +960 3317530 or sales.maldives@tajhotels.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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