Featured
Family getaway in paradise at Le Méridien Maldives Resort
Your loved ones know all your stories, so why not create some new ones this season at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa? The glamorous resort has made enhancements to some of their villas this summer creating the perfect environment for a family reunion or getaway with friends for an elusive celebration in the Maldives.
With the addition of pools in the resorts Three-Bedroom Thilamaafushi villa as well as 12 new overwater villas with pools Le Méridien Maldives provides an incredible range of choice for all kinds of groups wanting to celebrate and create extraordinary memories together. All accommodations are designed with the brand’s mid-century aesthetic and European heritage in mind, retaining a distinctly Maldivian ethos.
Nestled within a discreet island alcove, Thilamaafushi Villa is ideally suited for families and groups in search of a secluded hideaway. Swaying palm trees provide privacy around the villa, whilst fresh ocean breezes flow through the villa’s three bedrooms, three bathrooms, expansive living spaces, and alfresco living spaces.
Each villa features a large walk-in wardrobe, Malin + Goetz bath amenities, iron & ironing board, a safe, well-stocked mini-bar, tea making facilities, Illy Espresso machine, LCD TV, and high-speed WiFi internet. Natural light floods through floor-to-ceiling glass, into the ocean-facing bed and private bathroom. Refreshing ocean breezes and ocean vistas are framed with sun loungers, sundeck, overwater hammock or private pool, making it the perfect haven to soak in the extraordinary Maldivian sunset.

For groups of different sizes, the resort also offers Two-Bedroom Overwater Villa with pool. Tucked away at the end of the east and west jetties, the ocean is always in view from the two sundecks; one complete with an infinity pool and the other featuring a hammock suspended overwater. Designed for families, the villa features two king beds, an interior interconnecting door, two ocean facing bathrooms and a well-appointed living room.
United by art, industrial design, and renewable materials, our villas are ideal for families. The resort also offers a boutique lifestyle space with an ocean-facing fitness studio and yoga pavilion, as well as an interactive creative arts studio for guests to stay balanced and inspired during their stay.
Families and groups of friends can explore a curated menu of expeditions that include garden-to-table cooking classes, nature safaris, coral regeneration, and other educational marine excursions, in-line with the eco-conscious values of the resort. Guests can also arrange expeditions to the resort’s wholly owned private island, Bodu Finolhu to experience the spirit of the island which puts emphasis on peace and harmony.
Villas can be booked in conjunction with the year-round all-inclusive package, perfect for amplifying any celebration, offering indulgence and simplicity in equal measure. They say your best friends are the people you can do anything and nothing with and still have the best time. You can make it an even greater time at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa.
For further information or to make a reservation, please visit www.lemeridien-maldives.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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