Featured
The Nautilus beckons lovers to create own ultra-private romantic interlude for two in Maldives this Valentine’s Day
Nestled in the spellbinding UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll in the Indian Ocean, The Nautilus is an ultra-luxury bohemian hideaway that shines as an idyllic backdrop for the dreamiest of romantic escapes.
Cosy and intimate with just 26 private ocean and beach houses and residences, anytime, anywhere, and as you please are the guiding principles of The Nautilus, allowing couples to design exactly how they would like to spend their time during a romantic getaway. It is a safe haven of pure relaxation and liberating indulgence for those who wish to retreat from the world and bask in a sweet Maldivian rendezvous for two.

At The Nautilus, time stands still. Gone are the rigid restrictions of daily living. There are no rules or schedules to go by. Instead, your personal House Master (a dedicated, meticulously trained professional private butler) co-creates with guests highly bespoke experiences catered to their every whim, and to their own natural rhythm.
Among those bespoke experiences, couples may dine in truly magical places – on a secluded sandbank with millions of stars shining overhead, on one’s private patch of beach, on a luxury yacht with champagne and live music while sailing the Indian Ocean, or with a lovely floating breakfast in their house’s private infinity pool.

While guests of The Nautilus are able to craft their own menu should they desire it, The Nautilus’ veteran Executive Chef Michael Pataran has created some inspired specialty dishes to make the most romantic time of the year all the more unforgettable including: local spiny lobster-filled beet “culurgiones” dumpling with celeriac, saffron, oyster foam, shaved bottarga, fennel pollen and toasted egg yolk; for the beef lovers, Kagoshima beef A5 striploin tartare with imperial caviar, shaved black truffles and 62°quail egg; and for those craving something bold and hearty, a roasted lamb loin with foie gras, roasted beet and crimini in rosemary puff pastry with bittersweet chocolate-amarena cherry reduction. To end the meal, a canvas of passions will be served: peanut caramel praline, mango passionfruit-vanilla compote, milk chocolate mousse, raspberry sorbet, white chocolate powder, raspberry air and orange tulip-liquor bon bons.

Days can be as relaxed or action-packed as one chooses at The Nautilus. Such culinary joys as a chocolate truffle masterclass with the pastry chefs, a fresh pasta-making class, wine tastings, shared aphrodisiac cocktail concoctions, oyster and champagne indulgences, and ultra-romantic sunset cocktails at Naiboli are all in the offering. Live musical entertainment will regale every precious moment as couples bask in their romance around the island and beyond.
If free-spirited adventures are more the lovers’ cup of tea, myriad options in diving and watersports, inter-island excursions, big game fishing and skydiving are sure to forge the bonds of love ever deeper.
Indulgent and revitalising treatments featuring chocolate and cocoa may be enjoyed at Solasta Spa after a full day of activities. The Derma Drop TDA Facial is highly recommended for radiantly beautiful skin, from the inside out. TDA also offers a non-invasive holistic treatment ranging from facial and hair treatments, to a variety of body treatments. The active ingredient deposits formed during the session allow regenerative therapy, giving maximum deep care for the skin. Guests who are inclined to interactive spa experiences, can join Acroyoga (a physical practice that combines yoga and acrobatics) sessions, under the guidance of Solasta Spa’s resident yogis.

This Valentine’s season, create a world of your own making at The Nautilus.
The Nautilus’ Moments of Togetherness romantic package starts at USD3,016 per night before taxes and is inclusive of such experiences as spa retreats, cinema under the stars, guided house reef snorkelling, a private yoga session and a private cocktail experience in the comfort of home, amongst other benefits. It is bookable via https://www.thenautilusmaldives.com/offer/moments-of-togetherness.
Get to know The Nautilus at www.thenautilusmaldives.com, and on film. For reservations or enquiries, please contact hello@thenautilusmaldives.com or begin crafting a world of your own making by booking direct at www.thenautilusmaldives.com or call +960 660 00 00.
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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