Featured
5 reasons why Maldives checks all your 2022 getaway list
Far stretched white sandy beaches flanking the turquoise blue Indian Ocean, stilted waterside villas, a romantic candlelit dinner against the sounds of the sea – Maldives is all about luxury and a tryst with nature.
With more than a thousand splendid islands and the 26 coral atolls brimming with marine life, be it a dive into the unfathomable sea or sprawling across the sun-lounger on the powdery sand, the reasons to visit Maldives are unending. And if the beauty and charm of the Maldives by itself weren’t enough to get one packing, these resorts from Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio in the Maldives are reasons why 2022 should be the year you check Maldives off the bucket-list!
One-island-one-resort
After a prolonged stretch of time at home, with restrictions on movement and travel, one can break-away and say hello to the sunny side of life at the naturally social-distanced nation of picturesque islands.
Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of resorts in the Maldives, ranging from the luxurious JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa and W Maldives, to the five-star Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, all lend themselves seamlessly to provide the mental comfort of a safe haven, following the one-island-one-resort concept in this secluded haven, surrounded by the endless blue of the Indian Ocean.

Take Your Pick of Seaside Solitude
A stylish tropical retreat, the Duplex Beach Pool 2-Bedroom Villas at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa are bright and airy inside, colored in beachy hues and accented with lighting inspired by the beguiling coral that surrounds the atoll. The Duplex Overwater Pool 1-Bedroom Villas are the ideal option for smaller families or couples seeking to mark a special occasion with a remarkable stay.
W Maldives invites guests on a journey to a playful two-storey beach resort escape, while enjoying a lap of luxury at the one-of-a-kind two bedroom WOW Ocean Haven and the breath-taking WOW Ocean Escape. Both suite categories boast of the most exceptional 5-star experiences that set these over water villas apart from others in the most daring of ways.
At The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, the generously sized Two-Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool is popular for its beachfront location and ocean views. The private deck and plunge pool serves as a secluded ground for children to enjoy the outdoors whilst guests can relax from the comfort of the suite.
For those who prefer brief travel, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa serves as an idyllic sanctuary featuring effortless elegance in relaxing spaces. The resort offers a wide range of rooms, from understated deluxe rooms to charming cottages, boastful villas, and indulging water bungalows and suites.

A Whole New World
W Maldives sits above one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. The heart-shaped luxury playground is home to hundreds of species of marine life ready to be explored. Accessible from anywhere on the resort, one can jump in with snorkeling gear at any time and have the adventure of a lifetime by swimming with reef sharks and turtles just outside their villas, an experience they will never forget.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo resort, located in Baa Atoll, the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, offers guests the chance to get up-close-and-personal with manta rays at the world’s largest natural manta feeding destination. Guests have the rare opportunity to snorkel with the gentle giants at the protected site of Hanifaru Bay just 18 kilometres from the resort, which can attract more than 100 rays around the time of the full moon, between June to October. Up to seven species of turtles can also be found nesting along the island’s pristine sandy beaches and may, at times, include threatened and critically endangered species such as the green turtle, hawksbill turtle and leatherback turtle.

Gastronomical Delights
With each resort offering a unique setting and a wide array of destination dining experiences curated based on cuisines, locations and occasions, one can prepare to sink their feet into pristine sand and relish a romantic private barbecue dinner on the beach, or enjoy a family movie night under the stars by the ocean or even sail out and escape on a boat for sunset cocktails.
At JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, eclectic dining experiences are offered throughout the resort’s five dining venues, three full service bars, a wine room, which boasts of an impressive collection of 1,200 labels and private beach dinners. Another unique and culturally significant experience offered at the resort includes a private ‘Malafaaiy Dinner’ served on a stunning beach location where signature Maldivian dishes are carried to the table along with local drummers, singing, dancing and clapping to native songs, guests are also invited to join in the fun.
Apart from six creative gourmet dining venues and lounge bars, the Destination Dining options at W Maldives range from a private dinner at the beach or coral terrace and barbecue dinners with a private chef, to experiences aboard the yacht, ESCAPE, or at Gaathafushi, a private castaway island that’s just a stone’s throw away from the resort.
Family First
Traveling with children is now even easier with the FAMiLY BY JW™ Little Griffins Kids Club at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa where children can enjoy 100 exciting activities. Families can partake in activities such as FAMiLY Pizza Making, Scavenger Hunt & Treasure Opening, Hide & Seek, Movie Nights at the Pirate Ship, and many more such weekly activities, which feature both indoor and outdoor options.
Family vacation goals are all about creating memories and the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa makes them easier than ever with the paradise island’s own Sheraton Side by Side Family Programme. Activities such as Adopt a Coral invite guests to include a purpose in their travels by joining a coral conservation tour where a coral fragment planting activity helps to restore the reef habitat. After the fun and interactive experience, the resort’s marine biologist places them in the water so they can have their growth monitored. Kids then get a coral frame tagged with a unique serial number that is displayed on the dedicated website so they can follow its’ progress.

To know more about the Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio of resorts in Maldives click here.
Action
Nova Maldives to host PADI AWARE Week this September
Nova Maldives will renew its partnership with PADI this September to co-host Project AWARE Week from 16 to 20 September 2026.
Organised by the resort’s marine team, the programme will give guests, from first-time snorkellers to experienced divers, opportunities to combine marine wildlife observation with practical conservation activities. The initiative is intended to turn time spent in the ocean into an educational experience while encouraging greater awareness of marine conservation.
This year’s AWARE Week coincides with PADI’s 60th anniversary and Nova Maldives’ fourth year of operation in South Ari Atoll. Now in its eighth global edition, PADI AWARE Week has developed into a citizen science movement within the diving community and has helped rescue more than 41,000 entangled marine animals to date.
Through its continued participation, Nova Maldives aims to encourage guests to become ocean advocates and remain engaged with marine conservation beyond their stay.
Guests staying at Nova during AWARE Week will be able to participate in a programme designed for different levels of ocean experience. Activities will include:
- Ocean immersion and storytelling: Sessions inspired by Blue Planet and other ocean documentaries, highlighting the diversity and vulnerability of marine life.
- Dive Against Debris: Underwater clean-up dives in the resort’s lagoon, during which participants will remove plastic and other waste before recording the findings in PADI AWARE’s global database.
- Whale shark snorkelling: Guided encounters that will allow guests to swim alongside whale sharks in the open waters of South Ari Atoll.
- Manta ray and turtle-spotting excursions: Guided boat trips to feeding and nesting areas where manta rays and turtles can be observed in their natural habitats.
- Coral restoration workshops: Practical sessions introducing guests to coral planting and the resort’s ongoing reef regeneration work.
“Some of the most meaningful work happens when you show up year after year. Four years into Nova’s story, we’ve learned that the health of the reef tells us a great deal about the impact we’re making, and that the guests who choose to return aren’t just here for the view,” said Abdulla Aboobakuru, General Manager of Nova Maldives.
“They’re here because Nova reflects something they already care about, including care for the ocean, a sense of community and a more thoughtful way of experiencing the places we visit. That’s what we hope Nova can inspire in new and returning guests alike: less a destination, more a calling.”
The resort’s marine conservation work continues throughout the year. Its coral nursery contains a growing collection of metal frames holding individually secured coral fragments, which are later transplanted onto the house reef. Guests are regularly invited to participate in the planting process, while the marine team monitors the young coral colonies as they develop.
Nova Maldives also maintains partnerships with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme and Manta Trust. The resort is accredited as a Responsible Manta Tourism Operator, with the partnerships supporting its year-round approach to marine conservation.
Awards
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef secures Best House Reef title at TTM Awards
Renowned for its marine life and underwater experiences, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection, has been named Best House Reef at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026.
The award recognises the resort’s marine environment, which is accessible directly from its beaches and overwater villas. The annual TTM Awards and Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers from across the archipelago to recognise achievements within the Maldivian hospitality industry.
The island’s coral reef is home to marine species including resident sea turtles, reef sharks, tropical fish and eagle rays. Guests can explore the reef through guided excursions led by the resort’s resident marine experts, customised scuba-diving experiences and coral restoration initiatives designed to support the long-term preservation of the marine environment.
“Our reef is the living soul of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, shaping every visitor’s journey from the moment they step into our turquoise lagoon,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager. “To be named the Maldives’ Best House Reef is an immense honour, strengthening our commitment to nurturing this remarkable marine sanctuary so our guests can keep discovering its quiet magic beneath the surface.”
Travellers seeking underwater experiences can book directly with the resort to access exclusive benefits and guided marine excursions.
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.
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