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Music, Michelin stars to collide at Siyam World Maldives’ first birthday bash
True to form, Indian Ocean iconoclast Siyam World is going big for its first birthday with a four-day fiesta featuring some famous faces from UK music and culinary scene.
Kicking off on 28 October – the day of the resort’s first anniversary – the celebrations begin with a stellar stage show and end with a thrilling Resident Evil-themed Hallowe’en party, via a series of pool parties and a three-day residency by acclaimed Chef Tom Brown of London’s Michelin-starred Cornerstone.
Featuring fire dancers, acrobats and the Maldives’ first self-taught female sand artist; mind-blowing mashups and conceptual covers from ONEVIOLIN; and a floor-filling set from Tinie Tempah’s official tour selector DJ Charlesy, the first night’s festivities will peak with headline sets from platinum-selling British artists Yungen and Tom Zanetti.
Born and raised in Leeds, DJ, music producer, rapper and singer Tom Zanetti is best known for his songs “Darlin’” (2015) and “You Want Me” (2016), which received silver and platinum BFI certifications respectively. Zanetti has since amassed over 20 million streams and 2.2 million monthly Spotify listeners, and recently achieved his first Top 20 chart single as an independent artist with “Didn’t Know”. South London grime artist Yungen first gained recognition for his 2011 F64 freestyle video for SB.TV, and by 2015 had been nominated for Best Newcomer at the MOBO Awards. His biggest hit, “Bestie” featuring Yxng Bane, reached the Top 10 in the UK Singles Chart in October 2017, went platinum in February 2018, and currently has over 55 million streams on YouTube.
Also performing live during the anniversary celebrations, multi-genre artist DJ Charlesy’s trusted reputation as a technically skilled selector with a talent for getting people dancing was established on the London club scene. Best known as the official tour DJ for multi-platinum rapper Tinie Tempah, Charlesy has performed around the globe from Ibiza and Las Vegas to Australia and the UK’s world-famous Wireless, V and Glastonbury Festivals. Boundary-breaking Finnish talent, ONEVIOLIN, meanwhile will astonish guests with his unique concept, conjuring covers of global hits using only sounds from a single violin.
In addition to the gala opening night concert, each of the special guest artists will also perform standalone shows across a four-day programme of festivities and pool parties, culminating in a Resident Evil-themed ‘Umbrella Corporation’ takeover on Hallowe’en, complete with roaming zombies and haunted house. For those who prefer their party on a plate, one of the UK restaurant scene’s most exciting young talents, Chef Tom Brown, will grace the resort’s kitchens for a series of Chef’s Table dinners, elevating the freshest local fish and seafood with the originality and lightness of touch for which his is renowned.
Siyam World is an unapologetically quirky, all-embracing five-star all-inclusive island destination that transcends cultures and borders to offer guests an ever-expanding array of ‘never-seen-before’ experiences – from the Indian Ocean’s biggest floating water park to the Maldives’ first resort horse ranch. The natural 54-hectare island resort boasts an enticing variety of 18 accommodation categories ranging from 89 to 3,000 square metres, from lush Pool Beach Villas, expansive Beach Suites and breath-taking Beach Residences to playful overwater Villas complete with irresistible water slides. An exclusive enclave, The Beach House Collection, also features stunning Grand Water Pavilions and the magnificent Palace. All accommodation types overlook the pristine Maldivian waters, come with direct access to the ocean and feature generously proportioned indoor and outdoor living spaces with private pools.
Book your stay with Siyam World Maldives, and take advantage of their exclusive Anniversary Offer.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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