Featured
Soneva launches next phase of VR videos
Luxury hospitality pioneer Soneva has launched its next phase of Virtual Reality (VR) videos, sharing its inspiring experiences at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives with audiences around the world. A curated experience with discovery at its heart, Soneva’s latest series of VR videos champions its pioneering SLOW LIFE ethos and celebrates the beautiful Maldives Baa and Noonu atolls.
Using a VR headset or downloaded from YouTube, the immersive videos offer a journey of discovery around the sights and sounds of Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, with 360-degree navigation offering a unique, first-hand perspective of the rare experiences, expansive villas and stunning setting in the Maldives’ archipelago. The new videos focus on a number of key areas, which include:
Soneva Villa Ownership in the Maldives: The first and only scheme that offers real estate to foreign buyers in the Maldives, with all appropriate controls and compliance in place. Soneva’s portfolio of luxury property for sale includes expansive private villas at both Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll and Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll.
Ocean Adventures at Soneva Jani: The playful escapism of Soneva Jani’s luxurious lagoon makes the resort irresistible to experience seekers. Guests can enjoy a range of complimentary non-motorised water sports, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling at the house reef. Or experience the ocean with complete freedom with the latest motorised tech, including eSurfboards and Flyboards. As the sun starts to set, guests can enjoy an out-of-this-world experience watching playful dolphins in Maldives’ deeper waters.
Dining Destinations at Soneva Fushi: Eleven dining destinations offer a tempting array of cuisines alongside Michelin-starred guest chefs through the Soneva Stars calendar. Each experience is in tune with nature’s rhythm and uses fresh vegetables and herbs from the resort’s organic gardens and sustainably caught fish from the waters surrounding the island. Guests can also visit the Bar and Wine Cellar, with more than 500 varieties curated from some of the world’s top wineries, or indulge at the complimentary chocolate, ice cream and cheese and charcuterie parlours.
Dining Destinations at Soneva Jani: The culinary experiences at Soneva Jani are as diverse as they are memorable. Eleven dining concepts, both at The Gathering and around the island, present gourmet menus across a variety of cultures and cuisines alongside Michelin-starred guest chefs through the Soneva Stars calendar. In addition to the delightful dining venues, guests can enjoy culinary adventures such as private dining around the lagoon, a deserted island castaway picnic, organic garden lunches and cooking classes. Guests can also indulge at the complimentary chocolate, ice cream and cheese and charcuterie parlours.
Soneva Unlimited at Soneva Jani: All guests staying in any Soneva Jani Chapter Two Reserve can truly indulge with Soneva Unlimited, which is included in the villa price. Guests can experience every facet of Soneva Jani to their hearts’ desire, including unlimited fine dining and wines, Soneva Soul wellness treatments, signature experiences and more.
Soneva Soul at Soneva Jani: Surrounded by the majesty of nature, Soneva Soul’s three-level Island Spa complex at Soneva Jani is linked by raised walkways that wind among the trees. Complementing the existing Over-water Spa at The Gathering, it includes open-air treatment rooms, consultation suites, integrative medicine rooms, a state-of-the-art gym and juice bar. A yoga pavilion and meditation platform also sit high above the tree line, offering 360-degree views across the turquoise private lagoon.
Renowned as a pioneer in the hospitality sector, Soneva has achieved a raft of industry firsts since the launch of Soneva Fushi in 1995: from opening some of the first spas in resorts in Asia, redefining the water villa and its commitment to existing in harmony with its natural environment, to its complimentary ice cream and chocolate parlours, open-air bathrooms, observatories, and private cinemas at each of its resorts.
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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