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3 weeks of magical adventure: Festive highlights at JW Marriott Maldives Resort
This festive season, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa had brought guests to magical adventure to craft memorable togetherness at year end. Fulfilling experiences from themed nights, extravagant dining, wellness sessions, fun activities for littles ones to entertainment and more, there was lots to look forward to this festive season. The resort curated three weeks of festive extravaganza for guests of all ages. Here are the highlights.
Around the World
The resort kicked off the season with “Around the World” night featuring an eclectic collection of sensational culinary delights. From the Indo-Pacific coast to the Mediterranean coast to South Africa, guests indulged their taste buds on a world tour.
Lobsters & Champagne
The resort’s Executive Chef Bir Yadav combined the finest Champagnes paired with an exquisite buffet including live station with yellow fin tuna, Maldivian lobsters and endless seafood. A sumptuous buffet was served along with a live performance that took the guests to a true gastronomic adventure.
Boduberu – Maldivian NightOne of the most authentic ways to immerse ourselves in the Maldivian culture is by discovering the traditional musical performance of boduberu. Guests experienced a unique Maldivian night with a delicious buffet of local dishes, accompanied by traditional boduberu drums and native songs. Under a starry night, or the boduberu team flashed an unparalleled energy and allowed guests to connect to the Maldivian music.
Christmas Eve – Santa’s Hunt and Gala Dinner
From arriving on a jet-ski to gifting presents, Santa Claus made it special for the little guests – there was a twinkle in their eyes and a vibrant holiday cheer all around. The end of the day was filled with live entertainment throughout the night and a range of delicious dishes crafted by the culinary team.
New Year’s Eve – Pirates of the Indian Ocean
Inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean Saga, the resort took guests to a journey like no other. Unique and paired with infinite Ocean views, all guests embarked on a voyage with the emblematic characters of the saga including Captain Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones and Elizabeth Swann.
This night of wonder promised guests a magical atmosphere, surrounded by pirates all over the island, with celebrations and entertainment, as well as a sumptuous feast to lead guests to ring in 2023.
Zaika
This Indian night was not to be missed if you are an adventurous gourmet or if you consider Indian delicacies as the comfort of home. The resort’s Indian chefs crafted an abundant culinary extravaganza around the flavours and colours of India. Guests were greeted by hosts wearing beautiful saris, while the entire venue was dressed in colours that embody the vibrant culture of India.
For further information and reservations, please visit: Luxury Resorts in Shaviyani Atoll, Maldives | JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
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Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Featured
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
Awards
Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
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