This Golden Week, Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, two of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection retreats in the Maldives, invite guests to celebrate one of the year’s most anticipated holiday periods with seven days of island experiences centred around togetherness, gastronomy, wellbeing and discovery.

From 1 to 7 October 2026, both resorts will bring their own character to the occasion, combining thoughtful Chinese-inspired touches with the warmth, natural beauty and sense of place that define a Sun Siyam escape. From sharing memorable meals and slowing down at the spa to discovering the Indian Ocean together, couples, families and friends can experience Golden Week at their own pace.

Golden Week at Sun Siyam Iru Veli

At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Golden Week is shaped around time well spent together, with gastronomy and shared experiences at the heart of the programme.

Chinese-inspired flavours and hotpot experiences bring a familiar taste of the occasion to the island, while lantern-lit evenings by the beach combine dining with live entertainment and the sound of the Indian Ocean. Maldivian touches are woven throughout the week, adding a strong sense of place and allowing guests to experience the destination alongside the celebration.

Beyond the table, the programme creates plenty of opportunities to slow down, reconnect and explore. Ocean Spa brings a restorative element to the week with a special herbal rejuvenation offer, while younger guests can enjoy playful cultural activities at Turtle Kidz Club.

For those looking for adventure, the waters surrounding Dhaalu Atoll offer another side to Golden Week. Guests can set out in search of whale sharks, discover the underwater world through scuba diving, or take to the lagoon with flyboarding and extended Jet Car rides.

Whether spent exploring beneath the surface or simply enjoying time together by the ocean, the week is designed to leave guests the freedom to experience the island in their own way.

For more information and to view the detailed programme of Sun Siyam Iru Veli, please visit the resort’s website.

Golden Week at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef

At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, Golden Week takes on a spirited ocean-inspired character, bringing together vibrant dining, family experiences, wellbeing and aquatic adventure.

The culinary journey moves from dedicated Chinese live-cooking stations to seafood barbecues beside the Indian Ocean. For a distinctly Maldivian experience, Golden Catch & Grill invites guests to head out onto the water, catch their own fish and enjoy it freshly prepared in traditional island style.

The celebration continues beyond the dining table. The Spa offers restorative wellness rituals for guests looking to slow down, while Island Movie Magic brings families together for cinema by the sea.

Out on the water, family dive journeys, guided Seabob experiences, introductory scuba excursions and the snorkelling adventures offer different ways to discover the surrounding marine world. As the day draws to a close, Golden Hour Jet Car rides bring an exhilarating finish to the afternoon against the colours of the Maldivian sunset.

For more information and to view the detailed programme of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, please visit the resort’s website.

Two Islands, Two Ways to Celebrate

While Iru Veli and Vilu Reef each bring their own personality to Golden Week, both reflect the spirit of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection: intimate island escapes where experiences feel personal, days unfold naturally and the Maldives remains at the heart of every stay.

From sharing a hotpot beside the ocean and discovering Maldivian flavours to exploring tropical reefs or simply watching the sunset together, the programmes are designed around what matters most during Golden Week, having the time and space to reconnect with the people who matter.

Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa is set to welcome guests to a season of dining, family celebrations and island experiences, with a programme of events taking place from September through October.

The season begins with the Japanese Cocktail & Dining Experience on 26 September, featuring a six-course dinner inspired by the flavours of Japan and Peru. Guests can look forward to dishes including yellowfin tuna tartare, robata-grilled octopus, butter-poached lobster and slow-braised beef short rib, finished with a refreshing citrus dessert.

The dinner will be accompanied by cocktails created by award-winning Japanese bartender Norihiko Furuse, known for his creative and sustainable approach to mixology, bringing together Japanese spirits, seasonal fruits, local herbs and botanical ingredients.

On 3 October, Kuredhivaru will bring a taste of Germany to the Maldives with its annual Oktoberfest Celebration. Guests can enjoy Bavarian favourites including roast pork knuckle, beef goulash, German sausages, BBQ pork ribs and freshly baked pretzels, followed by classic desserts such as apple strudel, Black Forest cake and Bavarian cream. Live music and games will add to the festive atmosphere.

The celebrations continue with Halloween at Kuredhivaru from 30 to31 October, bringing two days of family-friendly activities, including Kids Club experiences, costume creations, the Rising Star Halloween Fashion Show, pumpkin carving, themed games, creative workshops and deliciously Halloween-inspired dining, and a few surprises lurking around every corner.

From the tiniest trick-or-treaters to grown-ups ready to join the fun, it’s Halloween island- style, full of imagination, laughter, sparkle and just the right amount of spooky!

With a mix of culinary experiences and seasonal celebrations, Kuredhivaru’s upcoming programme offers guests different ways to enjoy the island throughout the season.

For reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 656 3000.

Transformative luxury retreat Patina Maldives, Fari Islands unveils a new stage of The Perpetual Journey, its ongoing programme of art, culture, wellness and conscious dining experiences. Highlights from August to November include acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Shezad Dawood’s inaugural Patina Art Residency, a junior football camp led by FC Bayern Munich coach Jonas Caryot and a three-day Diwali celebration bringing together chef Atul Kochhar, mixologist Giancarlo Mancino and DJ Sakré.

The Perpetual Journey is Patina’s evolving programme of experiences designed to inspire couples, families and solo travellers to embrace connection, growth, wellbeing and nourishment at their own pace through collaborations with global and local guest talent.

Aishath Shuaila – Art Gallery Malé Collaboration, 22 September – 10 October

Developed in partnership with Art Gallery Malé, the rolling creators in residence programme at Patina Maldives’ Fari Art Atelier provides an ongoing international platform for contemporary Maldivian artists.

Following the success of Ahmed Khaleel’s residency in June and Hassan Najih’s residency in July, Patina Maldives will collaborate with Aishath Shuaila as part of its commitment to nurturing and showcasing local talent. Rather than simply displaying her paintings, the Fari Art Atelier will become Aishath’s working studio during the residency, allowing guests to encounter her work and creative process through an open-studio format, alongside workshops and informal exchanges.

Drawing on her love for nature and background in sustainable development, Aishath’s signature style uses vivid colours and bold brushstrokes to represent the patterns and textures found in the natural world. The resulting works encourage viewers to better understand and appreciate Maldivian flora and fauna.

Patina Art Residency: Shezad Dawood, 18 October – 8 November

Winner of the inaugural Patina Art Residency, London-based multidisciplinary artist Shezad Dawoodwill undertake extended fieldwork at Patina Maldives, deepening his practice that connects art, science and environmental advocacy. With more than a decade spent in dialogue with marine biologists and environmentalist, Shezad will take this time to explore the island’s environment and marine ecology to create a piece of work shaped by the 2025 Theme, Fluid Worlds, which invites artists to examine how boundaries shift and change, whether between cultures, ideas or elements.

Bayern Munich Football Camp, 25 – 29 October

Designed for young players aged six to 17, this exclusive camp takes place across five days with FC Bayern Munich’s Coach Jonas Caryot, blending expert coaching, small-group sessions, and up to five hours of focused training every day. With two days reserved for rest, the camp offers participants a rare opportunity to refine their football skills in the island’s serene setting.

Yakido by Yardbird Hong Kong, 6 – 10 October

Hong Kong-based modern izakaya and bar Yardbird brings its travelling Yakido concept to Brasa for two nights alongside a week of pop-ups and collaborations, including ALWAYS FRIENDS BY ALWAYS JOY on October 8; a pop- up at Veli Bar with Max Levy’s pizza project, MR. IKO; and a series of strength and mobility movement sessions led by Lindsay Jang.

Moments of Connection: Diwali

Chef Atul Kochhar, 7 – 9 November

Widely recognised as a pioneering figure in Indian fine dining, Atul Kochhar is the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, receiving his first at Tamarind in 2001 and a second at Benares in 2007. With over 30 years in the culinary world, he brings a contemporary expression of India’s regional cuisine through bold flavours, refined technique and premium ingredients. For Diwali, Kochhar brings the culinary identity of Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, his acclaimed London restaurant, to Helios, presenting a special menu that reinterprets his signature contemporary Indian cuisine for the Maldivian setting.

Giancarlo Mancino

Internationally renowned bartender and the creative mind behind SeiBellissimi, a luxury sparkling bottled cocktail line, Giancarlo Mancino returns to Patina Maldives with a series of guest shifts and cocktail experiences.

Sakré

Bangalore-based producer, DJ and sound artist Sakré brings his genre-blurring approach to electronic music to Patina Maldives during Diwali. Drawing on ambient textures, lo-fi beats and South Indian cinematic influences, his immersive soundscapes offer a contemporary interpretation of India’s evolving music culture.

Patina Resonance: Visiting Practitioners

Jasmin Küster – Holistic Bodywork, 14 September – 14 October

Jasmin is a holistic therapist and aquatic bodyworker whose practice brings together Water Therapy, Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage, fascia-focused Somatic Bodywork and other specialised treatments to encourage deep relaxation, release tension and restore balance between body, mind and emotions. Her approach focuses on deep relaxation, release and greater connection with the body, with each experience adapted to the individual.

Minako Saito – Japanese Wellness Innovator and Founder of Platinum Ritual Series, 15 October – 15 November

Minako Saito specialises in Japanese thermal therapy and women’s wellness counselling. She is the founder of the Platinum Ritual Series, a holistic treatment collection designed to calm the nervous system, encourage deep relaxation and restore inner balance. Each ritual combines gentle, deep-reaching warmth with therapeutic techniques to support harmony between body and mind. Guests can choose between rituals promoting relaxation and restorative sleep, a neuro-relaxing facial ritual, or women’s wellness-focused rituals that support hormonal balance, nervous system regulation, pelvic wellbeing and hip mobility.

Thalia Jones – Breathwork Practitioner and Holistic Therapist, 15 December – 15 January 2027

Thalia Jones returns to Patina Maldives, working with guests on personal transformation with her rounded approach that integrates the mind, body and soul. Through guided breathwork and holistic therapies, Thalia creates space for guests to pause, reconnect and develop a greater awareness of body and breath.

To book, email reservations.maldives@patinahotels.com, tel. +960 4000555, or visit patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islands.