Nova Maldives will welcome the festive season with The Garden Within, a thoughtfully curated programme taking place from 19 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

Inspired by Nova’s enduring spirit of connection, the festive programme brings together meaningful celebrations, restorative wellbeing, creative expression and shared experiences designed to feel warm, effortless and good for the soul, each one threaded with presence and the pleasure of feeling completely at home. From barefoot days and unhurried moments to joyful gatherings, the programme invites guests to reconnect with themselves, with others and with the natural beauty of island life.

Island Festivities at Twilight

The Magic of Christmas brings the island’s community together beneath twinkling lights for the Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Claus’ arrival, setting the tone for a season of celebration.On Christmas Day, the celebrations continue with the storytelling, music and craft of the Grand Holhuashi, a tradition dating back to the seafaring villages of old Maldives, when communities gathered at day’s end to mark the moment together. As the year draws to a close, cocktail parties and gala dinners carry guests into New Year’s Eve, culminating in a spectacular firework display at midnight to welcome in the new year.

Throughout the season, live performances from resident bands Supremacy and The Kabans, fire shows on the beach, tiki nights at Wink, and an intimate Shisha & Cigar Lounge keep the island’s evenings alive with rhythm.

Wellness Inspired by the Cosmos

To tend to what’s within, EsKape Spa will welcome guests with limited-time rituals that encourage wellbeing during the festive season, including Reikilogy, blending Reiki with foot reflexology, and Abhyanga, a traditional Ayurvedic warm oil massage making use of rhythmic movements to bring about relaxation.

Beneath a canopy of stars, a quieter sensual invitation unfolds at the Soma Nāda Sound Journey, where soothing vibrations draw guests inward to sit with stillness and reflection beneath the Cold Moon of Christmas Eve. Visitors can also craft their own herbal potli in the Arogya Potli Workshop, held on Sunday mornings throughout the period, gathering fragrant herbs and spices into a small hand-tied pouch to bring a piece of Nova’s garden home.

Harvest from the Sea

Every evening, the treasures of the ocean garden make their way onto the table. In the day, leisurely Dim Sum & Sushi light bites keep peckishness at bay, while aspiring cooks at Soul Kitchen can trade recipes for hands-on secrets in the Truly Maldivian Flavours workshop. By night, diners can choose between two special menus at Mizu, Nova’s overwater restaurant: the Japanese feast Nova Sora Umi: Blooming Ocean, inspired by the collision of sky and sea (offered daily); and the six-course Umi no Sachi: Bountiful Harvest of the Sea, which lays out the ocean’s finest, course by course (offered on Christmas and New Year’s Eve).

Beyond the table, couples can opt for a beachside feast of grilled lobster and sparkling wine beneath the stars at a more private corner, or sail out to a sandbank to enjoy Prosecco and canapés on a Castaway experience, far from any menu, where candlelight, the tide and each other’s company are all that’s on offer.

Explore the Underwater Garden

For ocean-lovers, Whale Shark Snorkelling and Manta Quest outings offer front-row seats to South Ari Atoll’s gentle giants and manta ray’s silent ballet, while beginner-friendly scuba tours welcome first-timers into the deep. To encourage travellers to give back to the ocean, guests can participate in reef clean-ups, and become a patron in the resort’s Coral Garden Sponsorship, where they’ll be able to plant a coral frame of their own under Nova’s marine team’s guidance.

“The Garden Within reflects something Nova has always stood for – meaningful connection that honours presence and wellbeing,” says Abdulla Aboobakuru, General Manager of Nova Maldives. “Festive season here is a planting season. Through moments spent moving, resting and creating together, we hope every guests leave feeling they have grown closer to themselves, their loved ones, and the world around them, returning home with space within them for something new to grow.”

Travellers can let their soul take root at Nova this festive season, with villas sleeping up to three people from £457 per night on Full Board when booked direct at www.nova-maldives.com.

Arriving at JA Manafaru is like entering another realm of luxury. This enviable destination gives new meaning to the notion of an idyllic island escape, and now, the property has unveiled its extraordinary new Three Bedroom Royal Beach Residence, setting a new benchmark for intimate island experiences in the Maldives. Boasting unmatched space, privacy, and personalised service, the residence combines expansive beachfront living with world-class amenities and the resort’s signature warm hospitality. Offering a rare sense of seclusion in one of the Indian Ocean’s most breathtaking settings, it is an elevated way to enjoy the Maldives in complete comfort and style.

Situated in the pristine Haa Alifu Atoll, JA Manafaru is a secluded island sanctuary where powder-white sands meet crystal-clear lagoons and vibrant coral reefs. The resort’s natural beauty, serene setting, and deeply immersive guest experiences are supported by exceptional facilities including multiple dining venues, a renowned spa sanctuary, and a collection of beachfront and overwater villas. With a focus on wellbeing, adventure, and cultural connection, it is a true escape into island life, where each day unfolds at a gentler, more meaningful pace.

Adding to the resort’s allure, the new Three Bedroom Royal Beach Residence is the largest of its kind in the Maldives, spanning an impressive 5,800 sqm, making it a fully private sanctuary for up to six adults, three children, and two infants. Every detail has been carefully considered, including the expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, the European super king beds, and the elegant lounge areas that open directly onto the island’s natural beauty. A dedicated Thakuru service ensures every stay is entirely personalised, offering intuitive hospitality tailored to each guest’s preferences.

At the heart of the residence lies an exclusive beachfront experience unlike any other. Guests can enjoy their own exclusive stretch of sand, complete with refreshing pools, sun-drenched terraces, and shaded cabanas that flow majestically into the oceanfront. Thoughtful additions, including a volleyball net for leisurely afternoons by the sea and a private bar designed for sunset gatherings and evening entertainment, are all set against uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

A complete intimate retreat, the residence also features a dedicated spa pavilion with a sauna and steam room, built for wellness at any time of day. Multiple indoor and outdoor dining areas provide the perfect setting for shared meals, while dedicated bicycles allow guests to explore the island at their own pace. With complimentary WiFi and premium in-villa amenities throughout, every element has been curated to deliver absolute privacy, effortless comfort and a heightened sense of island living.

Promising a stay like no other, the Three Bedroom Royal Beach Residence at JA Manafaru offers a truly distinctive way to experience the Maldives. Book your stay now to discover a world where space, serenity, and personalised luxury come together in perfect harmony.

Maldives Private Residence Escape

For guests seeking an extended island retreat, JA Manafaru’s Maldives Private Residence Escape is an exceptional opportunity to experience the resort’s spacious two and three-bedroom private residences with added privileges designed to elevate every moment. Combining the comfort of a private home with the personalised service and world-class amenities of a luxury island resort, and surrounded by uninterrupted ocean views, guests can enjoy the generous indoor and outdoor living spaces, incredible infinity pools, and the freedom to experience the Maldives at their own pace during a five night stay.

Each stay is enhanced by a dedicated personal butler, ensuring a seamless and highly personalised experience throughout, alongside a complimentary CIP airport meet-and-greet service, allowing guests to bypass standard immigration and baggage collection queues for a smoother, more effortless arrival and departure. Guests can also enjoy an intimate stargazing session and movie under the stars, available exclusively for bookings made via the official booking link on the JA Manafaru website, allowing them to further soak up the beauty of this stunning destination.

Spend time exploring the island by bicycle, enjoying curated marine and cultural experiences, or simply unwinding in complete privacy. Thoughtful touches, including a bottle of bubbly and fruit basket on arrival, daily turn-down amenities, complimentary laundry services, and priority restaurant reservations, add further convenience, while complimentary seaplane transfers ensure everything is covered from arrival to departure.

When: Available for stays until December 23^rd

Offer Inclusions:

• 30% savings on stays for JA DISCOVERY members
• Accommodation in a two or three-bedroom private residence
• Private outdoor infinity pool
• Bottle of bubbly and fruit basket on arrival
• Personal butler throughout the stay
• Complimentary seaplane transfers
• Complimentary airport meet-and-greet service
• Personalised bicycles
• Daily amenities during turn-down service
• Complimentary laundry service for up to 50 garments per stay
• Priority restaurant reservations

Terms & Conditions:

• Valid for stays of five nights or more
• Subject to availability at the time of booking
• JA DISCOVERY member savings apply where applicable
• Additional terms and conditions may apply

For reservations and more information, please click here.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives invites guests to discover the island as a dining destination, where distinct culinary concepts, thoughtful cuisine and extraordinary settings come together. From Japanese precision, Italian craft and the coastal flavours of the Middle East and Mediterranean to barefoot dining on a secluded sand cay and intimate meals in a private pool villa, each experience offers a different way to taste the island.

Across the resort, menus draw on local catch delivered by neighbouring fishermen, island-grown herbs, and fresh fruits and vegetables sourced weekly from a nearby producer, supporting local agriculture while reducing food miles. The resort’s multicultural culinary team also brings diverse perspectives to the table, with chefs and service teams trained to accommodate evolving dietary preferences and requirements, including vegan, keto, allergies and food intolerances.

Beyond the restaurants, The Shack, reached by a five-minute speedboat journey, offers picnics, sunset barbecues and bespoke twilight dinners on a secluded sand cay. Every Thursday, the Shack Flair Sundowner adds crafted cocktails and flair bartending against the colours of the Maldivian sunset.

“Our dining experiences are most memorable when the setting, menu and service come together seamlessly. We let the island inspire experiences that feel deeply personal, while reflecting how we care for our destination through supporting nearby producers, using more local ingredients and creating meaningful connections with place,” said Thomas Weber, General Manager.

Private dining extends this philosophy further. Floating Breakfast and Floating Lunch with Champagne bring indulgence to the privacy of a villa, while beach and villa settings can be transformed for proposals, family celebrations, barbecues and chef-led tastings, with menus personalised around individual tastes and dietary needs.

“Our culinary approach is about creating a sense of place through every plate. By incorporating locally sourced produce alongside local seafood and island-grown ingredients, we support the community while reducing the distance ingredients travel. With our diverse culinary team and continued training, we can also thoughtfully adapt menus for vegan and keto preferences, allergies, intolerances and other dietary requirements without compromising flavour, quality or creativity,” said Frank Wackerhagen, Executive Chef.

“The expectations of today’s guests are constantly evolving, and our role is to evolve with them. Our chefs and service teams welcome guests from different cultures and backgrounds, each with their own preferences and dietary needs. Our teams are trained to understand these requirements and adapt each experience thoughtfully, ensuring guests never feel they are compromising on flavour, quality or choice,” said Danilo Paolella, Director of Food & Beverage.

Together, the resort’s restaurants, destination dining settings and private experiences give guests the freedom to dine differently throughout their stay, from breakfast overlooking the water and leisurely island lunches to sundowners and dinners beneath the Maldivian sky.
Selected experiences require advance reservation and are subject to weather, tide and operational conditions.

For more information or to discover the resort’s dining experiences, visit www.alilakothaifarumaldives.com.