Featured
Mindful travel with LUX* South Ari Atoll: 5 ways to make tropical holiday truly meaningful
From yoga and meditation sessions to unique Extraordinary Experiences, this renowned resort of The Lux Collective – LUX* South Ari Atoll knows how to turn a couple getaway, a family vacation, or a solo retreat into a life-changing adventure.
Stop and enjoy the breeze
Landing in secluded tropics amidst the Indian Ocean is a perfect opportunity to slow down. Take a deep breath. Sink the toes in the warm white sand. Enjoy a bike ride along LUX* South Ari Atoll’s 1.8 kilometers long island with lush gardens. Look up to watch the sun streaming through the palm leaves. Guests can sip signature cocktails during the sunset Aperitivo hour, as the sky turns rosé. The starry Maldivian nights are the best for indulging dinners on the beach or open-air movie at the Cinema Paradiso.
Detox all the way
Away from the noise and stress of city life, this is a well-deserved “me” time. Switch off the phone and switch on the detox mode. Guests can start the day with an invigorating yoga class or an energising workout at the island’s well-equipped fitness centre. Visit the LUX* ME Spa for a personalised wellness advice and be pampered with a massage, facial, or a salon treatment. De-stress at the tennis court before taking a dip in the ocean. For ultimate zen with a Maldivian twist, couples can book a private yoga and sound healing Extraordinary Experience – onboard a dhoni traditional wooden boat amidst the waves at the Golden Hour. With self-care opportunities at every step of the holiday, LUX* South Ari Atoll is the ideal place to let go and recharge.
Mind what you eat
Eight restaurants and five bars of LUX* South Ari Atoll is where guests learn that food can also be a meaningful journey. Discover the variety of cuisines and flavours. Wake up to a healthy breakfast served fresh at the table or on a floating tray in your private pool. LUX* signature Keen On Green cuisine features plant-based and vegan specials in every restaurant, while ICI parlour serves homemade guilt-free ice cream right on the beach. Guests who wish to take a deep dive into culinary knowledge can book a wine-tasting or a bubbly and oysters pairing class and even a private Maldivian cooking class with the resort’s Master Chef.
Reconnect with each other
Be it travelling solo or with a companion, every hour at LUX* South Ari Atoll is a socialising opportunity. Guests can spend a meaningful time together with the beloved ones or meet some new friends. Morning boat trips gather ocean lovers for exciting snorkelling and whale shark discovery outings. Wellness group classes are for those looking to get fit together. A variety of experiences, from coffee art at LUX* Café, visiting a local island for a shopping tour, and jet ski ocean safari to a sunset dhoni cruise, the island’s Jungle Gym, water sports and diving centres, and the sea-facing Wanderlust Library await.
Appreciate the Nature
Located in the Marine Protected Area, LUX* South Ari Atoll gives a chance not only to see the vibrant underwater world but also to contribute to the ecosystem’s wellbeing. Coral planting classes invite everyone to engage in protecting coral reefs. Junk Art studio is the place where trash turns into treasure during the weekly craft classes. The reusable LUX* Bamboo Cup from Café LUX* is a great souvenir of this mindful holiday. Additionally, even a wedding is a zero-waste experience on this magnificent island, awarded multiple times as the Most Sustainable Wedding Resort in South Asia. With mindful approach to travel at its core, all guests are encouraged to join in the efforts to preserve and protect the beauty of the Maldives.
To learn more about unique travel experiences at LUX* South Ari Atoll and to book your stay, visit www.luxresorts.com, email the resort at stay@luxmaldivesresort.com, or call +960 668 0901.
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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