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3 weeks of magical adventure: Festive highlights at JW Marriott Maldives Resort

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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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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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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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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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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.

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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

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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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