News
Marriott Bonvoy invites guests to celebrate International Day of Yoga in Maldives

This year, Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of resorts in the Maldives commemorate the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21 under the theme “Yoga for Self and Society.” This global event highlights yoga’s transformative power, fostering harmony between mind and body, and promoting holistic well-being.
Guests are invited to join the global celebration of International Day of Yoga and discover the profound benefits of yoga for mind, body, and community through curated activities designed to raise awareness of yoga’s numerous advantages amidst the beauty of the Maldives.
At The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, the resort’s design, inspired by the Indian Ocean and azure lagoon, sets the stage for transformative wellness practices. The Mystique Garden, enveloped in lush greenery and tropical blooms, hosts sunrise yoga sessions six days a week, where guests face eastward to greet the invigorating dawn around 7am. Led by the resort’s skilled yoga instructor, the sessions cater to varying skill levels. Guests will experience increased flexibility, strength, and balance, fostering a sense of well-being that extends beyond their stay.
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa invites guests to discover the rejuvenating power of aqua yoga at Pool 18, starting at 6:15 pm. This invigorating practice combines the strength of yoga with the soothing embrace of water, offering a transformative experience to connect body, mind, and soul through traditional yoga exercises tailored for the aquatic environment. Guests will enjoy the benefits of deep breathing, stretching, and relaxation techniques, enhanced by the unique properties of gravity, buoyancy, and hydrostatic pressure.
Guests at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa can embrace the tranquil beauty of Thilamaafushi Island with a truly immersive Sunset Yoga experience starting at 5:30pm at Riviera Beach. Under the expert guidance of its Spa & Recreation Manager, Paniraj Shetty, guests will be led through a series of simple, full-body movements designed to harmonize one’s breath with their body. The session will combine breathing techniques with meditation principles, guiding guests into a flow of poses that culminates in profound relaxation amidst nature’s stunning backdrop.
Experience holistic wellness at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort with a Hatha Yoga session at the Yoga Pavilion from 6am to 6:45am. Led by the resort’s in-house certified yoga trainer, Santosh, Hatha Yoga emphasizes mastering the physical body and activating chakras for spiritual and physical wellness, including disease prevention. Suitable for all levels, each session is personalised to meet the individual needs of guests, guiding them towards spiritual and physical elevation.
At Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, guests can experience relaxation, harmony, and enhanced well-being through personalised yoga classes, guided meditations, and mindfulness exercises on the private island of Furanafushi. On this occasion, the resort’s in-house wellness expert, Dr. Abhilash (Abhi) SC, will lead three activities to enrich guests’ wellness journey: Sunrise Meditation at the Yoga Pavilion, Aqua Yoga at the Main Pool, and Sunset Yoga at the Sunset Deck on Third Island.
Marriott Bonvoy members can seamlessly earn and redeem their points on stays and experiences at the resorts. To know more about the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of resorts in Maldives click here.
Featured
Save big on paradise: Sun Siyam Resorts’ limited-time Black Friday offers

Sun Siyam Resorts has announced the launch of its highly anticipated annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, offering exclusive rates across its properties in the Maldives. The promotion is valid for bookings made between 1 November and 1 December 2025.
This limited-time opportunity allows travellers to experience the Maldives at special discounted rates, with unique offers tailored to each resort in the group.
Guests can enjoy up to 45% off on Siyam World’s 24-hour WOW! All-Inclusive package. The offer includes a complimentary floating breakfast and villa upgrade, subject to availability, alongside the resort’s wide range of experiences and activities.
At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, guests can enjoy free or half-price seaplane transfers, floating breakfasts, two-for-one spa treatments, and signature excursions such as dolphin cruises and snorkelling tours. Families benefit further, with children under 12 staying and dining free of charge.
Travellers can save up to 30% on all villas and receive a complimentary seaplane transfer for one guest on stays of four nights or more at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. Additional perks include complimentary water sports for children, spa upgrades, and early check-in or late check-out subject to availability. Children under 16 stay and dine free.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef offers complimentary seaplane transfers, a 60-minute couple’s spa treatment, and floating breakfasts. Children under 12 stay free, with further benefits including dinner dine-around options, early check-in, and special honeymoon amenities.
Guests can enjoy up to 50% off round-trip speedboat transfers, or free transfers for stays of five nights or more in pool villas at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. The offer also includes a floating breakfast, 25% off spa treatments, 30% off à la carte dining, and additional discounts on water sports and diving.
Travellers are encouraged to secure their island getaway before 1 December 2025, as these offers are available for a limited period only.
Celebration
Experience Diwali in paradise with Villa Nautica’s beachside celebrations

Villa Nautica is set to celebrate Diwali with a vibrant programme that combines colour, craft and coastal charm in a private island setting. The resort’s schedule of experiences invites guests to take part in festive activities throughout their stay, blending traditional customs with a contemporary beachside flair. Highlights include poolside rangoli, children’s craft sessions, henna artistry, a shoreline feast, and lively Bollywood-inspired entertainment after sunset. All activities are designed to be drop-in, allowing families and couples to enjoy the festivities at their own pace.
Conveniently located just 20 minutes from Velana International Airport by direct speedboat transfer, Villa Nautica offers an easy arrival experience suited to both short getaways and longer holidays.
Food plays an integral role in the celebrations, with a festive spread inspired by regional Indian flavours. Guests can expect approachable options for all ages alongside opportunities to sample new dishes, served in a relaxed, oceanfront atmosphere.
Families are well catered for, with spacious accommodation choices such as the Two Bedroom Beach Villa with Two Pools and the Two Bedroom Ocean Suite with Pool, both offering proximity to the lagoon and ample space for relaxation. Younger guests can take part in creative sessions at the Wavy Navy Kids Club, including guided card-making and lantern-crafting workshops.
As evening falls, the island transforms with glowing lanterns, live beach entertainment, and a finale featuring popular Bollywood hits — creating a warm and welcoming way to mark the Festival of Lights in the Maldives.
Guests can also take advantage of Villa Resorts’ Winter Offer, which provides 20 percent off stays, combining festive celebration with seasonal value for couples, families, and friends planning a Diwali escape.
News
Universal Resorts transforms into VERSA, unveiling NIVA as cornerstone of international growth strategy

Universal Enterprises, parent company of Universal Resorts, which pioneered Maldivian hospitality over 50 years ago, on Monday announced the rebranding of its hotel management arm to VERSA Hospitality and simultaneously launched its new hospitality lifestyle brand, NIVA Hotels & Resorts.
This strategic shift transforms the independent family business from a respected and largely B2B-focused resort owner and operator into a globally recognised, consumer-centric hospitality brand designed for future growth into international markets.
Ahmed Umar Maniku, Managing Director of Universal Enterprises, said: “For over five decades, we’ve operated our iconic Maldives resorts very successfully and worked closely with our tour operating partners, pioneering the very concept of Maldivian resort life. We had a bold vision to share this extraordinary destination with the world, starting with the opening of Kurumba, the first resort in the Maldives, in 1972, and going on to create world-renowned resorts such as Baros, Kuramathi, Huvafen Fushi, Velassaru, Milaidhoo and Labriz. Now, as the global travel landscape evolves, it’s time for the group to step out, building brand recognition with our guests, partners and the wider industry. VERSA isn’t merely a new name; it’s a strategic repositioning to unlock the full potential of our resort portfolio and position the company for our future growth ambitions.”
This announcement coincides with the appointment of Visha Mahir, a second-generation member of the founding family and board director of Universal Enterprises, as Chief Executive Officer of VERSA Hospitality. Visha has held a number of senior leadership positions within Universal Enterprises for the past two decades, most recently as Chief Operating Officer of Universal Resorts.
Visha Mahir, CEO of VERSA, added: “It’s a privilege and genuine honour to step into this role and lead our family business into this new chapter. Our story is woven into the very fabric of this island nation. Yes, we’re recognised as innovators in Maldivian luxury hospitality, but more importantly, we’ve built our reputation on authenticity and a deep connection to our home. Our aim at VERSA is to respect that precious past, ensuring that as we expand, our heritage and heartfelt service remain at the core of everything we do.”
NIVA: the cornerstone of VERSA’s new growth strategy
The creation of NIVA is central to the group’s transformation. As the new lifestyle-led hospitality brand, NIVA is positioned to be the company’s key vehicle for growth and market relevance.
Coined from the words ‘nourish’ and ‘viva’, NIVA reflects a new era of travel where emotional fulfilment takes precedence over status. It speaks to a new generation of travellers seeking genuine, unforced experiences, where the freedom to simply be nourishes life.
NIVA will unite six of Universal’s Indian Ocean properties, including the historic Kurumba in the Maldives and new destinations in the Seychelles, under one philosophy: to bring lightness back to travel. Rather than chasing curated perfection, NIVA will create spaces that allow for unplanned, unforced and unforgettable moments.
“The launch of NIVA is crucial to our evolution. It provides the common thread that links our key properties, ensuring that no matter the location, our guests instantly recognise our core values and feel confident in the consistent level of warm and authentic service they can expect. The creation of NIVA will help us scale our unique philosophy into new markets and the brand will be the engine of our international expansion strategy,” added Mahir.
The VERSA portfolio and vision
VERSA Hospitality is at the helm of the new structure, guiding the group’s direction and ambitions. The name, drawn from the word Universal, symbolises evolution: the ability to reveal new dimensions of destinations and chart a new course with a sense of timeless quality, while remaining firmly rooted in the company’s rich heritage.
The VERSA portfolio will be defined by two distinct yet complementary divisions: NIVA, a lifestyle-led hospitality brand, and a collection of iconic standalone destinations.
NIVA Hotels & Resorts
A new lifestyle-led brand, focused on giving guests cohesive, effortless and authentic experiences, will start with a portfolio of six resorts in the Maldives and Seychelles:
- Niva Kurumba (Maldives)
- Niva Velassaru (Maldives)
- Niva Kuramathi (Maldives)
- Niva Dhigali (Maldives)
- Niva Labriz (Seychelles)
- Niva Aria (Seychelles) – opening in 2026
THE VERSA COLLECTION – Unique and independent properties
This is a collection of distinct and acclaimed standalone destinations that Versa continues to curate, celebrating their individual characters and histories. The collection includes iconic Maldives resorts such as Baros, Milaidhoo, Huvafen Fushi and Kandolhu, and over time will expand to include more properties worldwide.
“When we created the business, it was never just about resorts; it was always about places: what they could become and what they could mean to someone,” said Mahir.
“The name VERSA captures this idea of transformation: islands became destinations, journeys became memories and moments became part of someone’s story. From the Maldives to the wider world, Versa will continue to reveal the true character of every place in our care, sharing it with the generosity that defines our hospitality.”
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