News
Discover enchanted elements, golden grandeur festive celebrations at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

This festive season, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is inviting guests to experience the natural splendour of the island with a dash of crafted glamour that culminates in a golden themed New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner as part of the resort’s Enchanted Elements and Golden Grandeur holiday programme. From couples and families to groups of friends, a festive world of wining, dining, fun and games awaits at the luxury island resort.
The festive flame is ignited on Wednesday, December 20 with the Grand Christmas Tree Lighting and Family Cocktail event at Manzaru Restaurant, where the resort’s younger guests are invited to help decorate the tree before the lights are turned on to mark the official beginning of the seasonal festivities. To get the seasonal spirit flowing, the evening includes live entertainment, pass-around canapes, and a choice of cocktails.
For those who enjoyed the cocktail party, there is an opportunity to unleash their inner mixologist at the Shake n’ Stir Cocktail Class set amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Nala Orchid Garden on December 21, while the younger guests get another chance to join in the seasonal fun on December 22 with the Festive Coconut Hunt and Painting activities at Thiththi Boli Kids Club.
The countdown to Christmas is ramped up on December 24 with the Christmas Eve Cocktail Party, featuring festive cocktails, canapes and live music on the beach before the action moves to Manzaru Restaurant for Enchanted Elements Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner.
Christmas Day gets underway with Santa at SEA, when the big man makes a surprise appearance at the windows of the resort’s underwater restaurant to bring some festive cheer with a tropical twist. After a Christmas Champagne Brunch by the poolside, it’s the moment that everyone has been waiting for when Santa makes his grand entrance as he steps onto the sun-kissed shores with a flourish of holiday magic.
As Santa’s footsteps in the sand gradually fade, it’s time to step up the countdown to New Year. A Full Moon Party at Sky Bar on December 27 is followed by a Manzaru Pool Party the next day and a Sunset Cocktail Soiree on Kihavah Beach on December 29.
Then, on New Year’s Eve, the party mood really starts to bubble, beginning with Beachside Cocktails and live music before guests are invited to experience the crafted glamour of a sumptuous Golden Grandeur Gala Dinner where exquisite cuisine is combined with captivating entertainment. As the clock approaches midnight, the New Year’s Eve party gets into full swing on Kihavah Beach, culminating in a breathtaking fireworks display against the mesmerising backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Guests then have the chance to start the New Year in the right way with an indulgent New Year’s Day Brunch in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.
Throughout the festive period, guests will also have the chance to participate in a variety of sporting games and activities, including the Kihavah Island Marathon on December 26, when the energetic embark on an extraordinary journey of endurance and breathtaking scenery along the island’s picturesque routes. Other sporty activities include a Tennis Tournament, Beach Volleyball and a Guests Vs. Staff Football Match.
Guests can also head out to the water with Ocean Whisperer Yacht charters or Luxury Spa Cruises and there is also a full menu of spa treatments and Festive Wellness Workshops for guests to enjoy on land.
In addition to a wide choice of fun and creative activities available every day for young guests at Thiththi Boli Kids Club, the Beach Family Fun activity creates unforgettable family moments on the beach. The numerous arts and crafts activities available during the festive period include the traditional Maldivian Lacquer Workshop.
To book a stay or for more information or to make a booking, please call +960 664 4111 or visit www.anantara.com/kihavah-maldives or email reservations.maldives@anantara.com.
Cooking
The Nautilus Maldives’ unscripted dining: A revolution in ultra-luxury hospitality

Luxury travel is moving beyond service—it’s moving toward liberation. The Nautilus Maldives pioneers culinary freedom and is the world’s first resort without meal times, where chefs co-create indulgence with guests, anything, anytime, anywhere.
A Pioneer of schedule-free, personality-driven dining
The Nautilus is not just another luxury resort in the Maldives; it is rewriting the rules of fine dining. Its “Unscripted Dining” concept makes it the most liberated, guest-centric culinary experience in the world.

The Nautilus’s Chefs Are Always In
Unlike traditional luxury resorts, dining at The Nautilus isn’t bound by restaurant hours, menus or venues. Chefs serve as co-creators of indulgence, working with guests to turn moods, whims, or even Instagram posts into one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Haute cuisine at 2 a.m., ramen by the beach at sunset, or a Michelin-style degustation menu on a private sandbank — The Nautilus chefs deliver, as at The Nautilus, the kitchen never closes. For jet-lagged travellers, this means ultimate convenience and comfort: breakfast at dusk, dinner at dawn, or spontaneous midnight feasts.

Why Plan a Meal When You Can Invent It?
Culinary freedom defines The Nautilus. Guests aren’t simply dining – they are designing their own experience in real time. From lobster benedict in bed at midnight to cocktail-paired tasting menus under the stars, everything is on the table – literally. It’s a rejection of routine and predictability, elevating emotional dining as the new luxury. Guests are invited to experience food as emotional expression, with each dish crafted in the moment and shaped by imagination.

An Island Without Meal Times – Radical Hospitality for the Ultra-Individual
The Nautilus rebels against hospitality norms: no schedules, no restrictions, no compromises.
Its philosophy embodies the future of ultra-luxury hospitality: total guest freedom, spontaneity, and personalised indulgence.

A Shared Vision of Culinary Freedom
“True luxury is freedom,” says Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus. “Our Unscripted Dining concept is a direct reflection of that belief. By removing the limits of time and menus, we invite our guests to experience food not as routine, but as a deeply personal journey of indulgence and expression. Today’s ultra-luxury travellers seek authenticity and individuality above all else. The Nautilus leads this shift, offering a radical departure from scripted hospitality. Every meal becomes a story co-created with the guest, a promise of spontaneity and soulful connection.”
To find out more about The Nautilus visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com.
Entertainment
Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.
The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.
On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.
As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.
The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.
Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.
News
A quiet force for sustainability: Island produce at Ayada Maldives

Set within the vibrant Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Ayada Maldives continues to set itself apart, not just as a destination for discerning travellers, but as a resort committed to responsible luxury. Beyond the palm-fringed villas and crystal-clear lagoons, there is a quiet but powerful movement taking place behind the scenes: one that embraces island farming, sustainable operations, and meaningful community partnerships.
At the heart of this vision is Ayada’s flourishing “Secret Garden”, an expansive green haven where herbs, vegetables, and tropical fruits are grown using eco-conscious techniques. From fragrant basil and lemongrass to nutrient-rich leafy greens, the garden supplies the resort’s kitchens with hyper-local ingredients, ensuring that guests experience fresh, flavourful dishes that reflect the richness of the Maldives.

The resort also works hand-in-hand with farmers from nearby islands, offering support and guidance in organic farming practices, composting, and water-efficient growing methods. This collaboration not only enhances the culinary offering at Ayada but also strengthens local island economies and food security across the region.
Sustainability at Ayada is holistic. Energy is managed with precision, wastewater is treated and repurposed for irrigation, and organic kitchen waste is composted. Even the design of villas takes inspiration from natural Maldivian architecture, using locally sourced materials to blend seamlessly with the island’s surroundings.
What sets Ayada apart is the seamless integration of sustainability with the guest experience. Whether strolling through the garden, enjoying a farm-to-table meal, or simply knowing that their stay supports environmental stewardship, guests walk away with more than memories, they become part of a broader story of conservation and care.
In a world where sustainability is becoming essential, Ayada Maldives continues to lead with purpose, proving that true luxury can and should leave a lighter footprint.
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