News
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Iru Veli set for spectacular celebration in honour of The Lunar New Year 2024

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and Sun Siyam Iru Veli Maldives are set to host striking a celebration to honour the Year of the Dragon for this year’s Lunar New Year, promising an immersive experience filled with captivating cultural performances, delectable culinary delights, and insta-worthy decorations.
Welcoming the Year of the Dragon from 09th – 11th February 2024, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is set to showcase a captivating performance by the renowned Sichuan Opera Face Changing and Fire Spit Act, promising a blend of traditional Chinese artistry and contemporary flair. The celebration will also feature the harmonious tunes of Chinese singer and flute player, Zhu Jiayun, who is set to entertain the audience with his soulful renditions.
The festivities at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi will begin with will an exclusive Gala Dinner on the beach, offering a delectable feast priced at USD 160 per person. Guests can indulge in a culinary extravaganza under the stars, complemented by the rhythmic tunes of the resort’s live band. The evening will culminate in a mesmerizing fireworks display, creating a magical atmosphere to usher in the Lunar New Year.
Adding an extra touch of luck to the festivities, the Lucky Money Man is set to make a special appearance at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, spreading good fortune and positive energy. This traditional figure symbolises prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture and is believed to bring good luck to those who encounter him.
Meanwhile, Sun Siyam Iru Veli will celebrate the Year of the Dragon with an engaging immersion into Chinese culture and tradition. The resort will boast captivating decorations where guests can capture moments, creating an ambiance that transports them to the heart of China. Additionally, on the 11th of February, guests at Sun Siyam Iru Veli can revel in a one-night-only performance by Chinese singer and flute player Zhu Jiayun, offering a unique opportunity to experience the magic of Chinese music and culture.
As part of the festivities, both Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and Sun Siyam Iru Veli will broadcast a live stream of the Chinese New Year celebrations from CCTV China the official broadcasting network in China. A large screen setup will allow guests to witness the vibrant festivities from the mainland and the iconic countdown to the New Year, creating a connection with the heart of the celebration in real-time.
“At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, we believe in creating unforgettable moments for our guests. The Chinese New Year celebration is a perfect opportunity to embrace the joy of togetherness and embark on a journey of cultural exploration. Join us as we welcome the Year of the Dragon in this idyllic paradise,” said Masdhooq Saeed, General Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Veli.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Year of the Dragon with a spectacular celebration at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. Our guests can look forward to an immersive experience that not only showcases the rich tradition of Chinese culture but also offers a feast for the senses with delectable cuisine, mesmerising performances, and breathtaking views,” said Abdulla Atham, Resort Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.
Awards
Maldives’ leading all-Inclusive resort for 2025: Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives has once again been crowned Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025 at the prestigious World Travel Awards—a testament to the resort’s legacy of excellence and its standout Platinum Plan, which continues to set the benchmark for all-inclusive luxury in the Maldives.
Located in the heart of South Ari Atoll, Lily Beach offers easy access to the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA)—a hotspot for whale shark sightings and one of the best diving and snorkelling regions in the Maldives. The island’s very own vibrant 360 house reef offers direct snorkelling access, giving guests the opportunity to witness rich marine life just steps from their villas.
The Platinum Plan at Lily Beach covers far more than meals—it delivers a complete, indulgent experience tailored for couples and families alike. Highlights include dining across four unique restaurants:
- Lily Maa – International gourmet buffets with live cooking stations
- Tamarind – Elegant à la carte Indian-Thai fusion cuisine overwater
- Teppanyaki at AQVA – Interactive Japanese dining with lagoon views
- Les Turquoise d’Aqua – Exclusive fine dining with curated wine pairings
Additionally, Lily Beach is also the recipient of the Wine Spectator Award 2024. The resorts wine- cellar features an impressive selection of over 80 premium wines from around the world.
Lily Beach also includes unlimited cocktails, spirits, champagnes, and specialty coffees served at Vibes Bar and AQVA Bar.
This unique Platinum Plan also includes 3 excursions for guests, from Corla Garden Snorkelling, A sunset cruise, and Big Game Fishing or Local Island visit. Guests can also enjoy daily evening entertainment on the island, such as Live music, cultural shows, and DJ nights.
The resort’s unique over-water spa, Tamara Spa offers daily yoga sessions, gym, and holistic wellness programs while the Turtle Kids’ Club offers fun and educational activities for younger guests. And lasly, guests can choose from non-motorised and motorised options including jet skiing and paddleboarding.
With luxurious beachfront and overwater villas, personalised service, and one of the Maldives’ most robust all-inclusive offerings, Lily Beach continues to be the go-to destination for hassle-free luxury travel. The resort’s proximity to whale shark hotspots, its incredible house reef, and its culinary excellence set it apart year after year.
This win at the World Travel Awards 2025 reaffirms Lily Beach’s position as a leader in the Maldives hospitality sector.
Cooking
Gourmet pizza takes centre stage at COLOURS OF OBLU with Chef Marco Piccini

Placing unique customer experiences at the heart of its brand identity, COLOURS OF OBLU values fun and relaxation on holiday as much as the indulgence and entertainment found across its portfolio of four stunning resorts.
In line with the vibrant spirit of the OBLU guest experience, the resorts, part of Atmosphere Core, have announced a forthcoming collaboration with renowned Italian pizza chef Marco Piccini. From 22 September to 3 October, Chef Marco will bring his distinctive blend of tradition and craftsmanship to the Maldives through a series of pop-up pizza dining events and more.
Chef Marco, CEO of ‘Mako Pizza’, is far more than a pizza maker. Specialising in live show cooking and exclusive event catering, he is celebrated for creating bespoke culinary experiences using organic dough, long fermentation methods, and premium flours. Each event he curates is a performance in itself, blending flavour, artistry, and storytelling.
This will mark Chef Marco’s debut in the Maldives. Atmosphere Core’s Vice President of Food & Beverage, Anupam Banerjee, expressed the brand’s enthusiasm, noting that the team constantly seeks artisanal culinary experiences that entertain as much as they please the palate. He highlighted Chef Marco’s commitment to the origins and quality of each ingredient, and his passion for sharing the history of his country’s national dish, emphasising that great pizza begins with the dough.
On a whirlwind tour of North Malé Atoll, Chef Marco will host a series of pop-up pizza dining events and speciality Chef’s Menu concepts, beginning at OBLU NATURE Helengeli, continuing to OBLU SELECT Sangeli, and concluding at the couples-only OBLU SELECT Lobigili. During his visit, he will work closely with the resorts’ culinary teams, providing them with a rare opportunity to master the art of traditional pizza-making. Guests will also be invited to join interactive sessions, learning to create handcrafted pizzas from scratch.
Raised in Sovigliana-Vinci with roots in Grosseto and Empoli, Chef Marco inherited his love for cooking from his mother, Mara. He studied culinary arts at the Enriques Institute in Castelfiorentino and gained experience in acclaimed restaurants including Borgo Allegro, Castelfalfi Resort, and Milan’s Michelin-starred JOIA.
In 2019, his collaboration with chef Fabrizio Marino—another celebrated Italian chef who works with Atmosphere Core—led to the opening of Pizza Del Popolo, San Miniato’s first vegetarian bakery-pizzeria, dedicated to organic, locally sourced produce and authentic regional flavours.
For Chef Marco, pizza is a passion that comes from the soul, more an art form than a simple culinary process. Having showcased his craft across Europe, he sees the Maldives as an extraordinary new destination for his events. He expressed his excitement at sharing his expertise with guests and kitchen teams, while also learning from the island chefs about their own specialities and local cuisine.
Featured
Le Méridien Maldives hosts SSI’s ambitious global training video production

In August 2025, SSI, the world’s leading business-based dive training agency, embarked on an ambitious multi-week video shoot at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa in partnership with Sub Oceanic Maldives. The large-scale production will deliver a series of updated, high-quality training videos, lifestyle visuals and brand content to be shared with divers and dive professionals across the globe. More than a filming project, the initiative represents a strategic alliance between luxury hospitality, elite dive training and professional media production, with the aim of promoting diversity in the diving community and elevating how dive education is delivered worldwide.
Situated in the pristine Lhaviyani Atoll, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa offers an eco-conscious island sanctuary surrounded by 50 world-class dive sites. Its vibrant reefs and diverse marine life made it the ideal choice for SSI’s latest production. The partnership also reflects a shared commitment to marine education and exceptional guest experiences. General Manager Thomas Schult expressed pride in hosting the project, noting the resort’s thriving reef ecosystem as a perfect setting for professional dive content and for guests seeking to explore the underwater world.
Le Méridien’s alignment with SSI’s values of ocean conservation, marine education and engaging dive programmes strengthened its appeal as a partner. Guests are able to immerse themselves in the marine environment through curated diving and snorkelling activities offered by Sub Oceanic Maldives, the on-site SSI Training Center.
At the heart of the collaboration is Sub Oceanic Maldives, known for its professionalism, expertise and enriching guest experiences. The team has been instrumental in coordinating logistics, selecting locations, managing safety and assisting with underwater filming. Head of Operations Florian Gansl spoke warmly of the project, joking that the abundance of turtles on the resort’s house reef might frequently wander into shots. Two Sub Oceanic instructors, Alejandro Embid Ruiz de Conejo and Chun-Ping “Pyng” Lin, are also featured in the production, bringing local insight and technical expertise to the screen.
Earlier this year, SSI held a global casting call for instructors worldwide, receiving an overwhelming response. Six professionals were selected for their diving expertise, skill in demonstrating techniques and ability to inspire others while representing diverse ages, backgrounds and genders. The cast includes Alejandro Embid (Spain), Kornel Toth (Hungary), Gordos Mateo Gojunco (Philippines), Sita Angela Jaekel (Indonesia), Chun-Ping “Pyng” Lin (Taiwan) and Jacinta Kimani (Kenya), each bringing unique experience and cultural perspective to the project.
The shoot focuses on three main content areas: detailed skill demonstration videos to enhance SSI’s training materials, authentic diving footage showcasing the Maldives’ reefs and marine life, and lifestyle content capturing the complete dive travel experience, from preparation to post-dive relaxation. Behind-the-scenes moments are also being documented for future release, offering a glimpse into the teamwork, planning and passion behind the production.
More than a visual refresh, this initiative forms part of SSI’s long-term strategy to modernise dive education and provide its global professional network with engaging, up-to-date resources. The partnership between SSI, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa and Sub Oceanic Maldives exemplifies how world-class training, hospitality and dive operations can combine to promote eco-conscious travel, marine education and inspiring storytelling, encouraging the next generation of divers.
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