Featured
Minor Hotels reopens five Maldives resorts
Minor Hotels has announced the reopening of its portfolio of five island resorts in the Maldives.
Having closed their doors back in April due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the properties are once again welcoming guests, introducing a range of new facilities and experiences as well as enhancements to ensure the health and wellbeing of all guests.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas welcomed their first guests on September 27.
The world-class resort in Baa atoll is offering a ‘Best of Maldives’ six-night stay reopening package which includes three once-in-a-lifetime adventures; snorkelling with manta rays, stargazing at the only over-water observatory in the Maldives and fine dining at SEA, one of the world’s few underwater restaurants.
Anantara Kihavah reopened with brand-new Beach Pool and Over Water Pool Residences and a new-look Anantara Spa, while across the resort’s portfolio of restaurants and private in-villa dining, guests can expect a renewed focus on nutritious options.
Anantara Dhigu and Veli, Naladhu Private Island
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort and Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, in addition to sister resorts, Naladhu Private Island and Niyama Private Islands, reopened their doors on October 1.
Located in the South Male Atoll, a short speedboat ride from Male, Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort and Naladhu Private Island form a cluster of three hotels.
They reopened with new offerings including the opportunity to buy out a private island for a day. Surrounded by white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, Gulhifushi is the epitome of an island paradise and guests can now enjoy the tropical island all for themselves for a day.
Additional new experiences include nurse shark snorkelling for families and a floating spa treatment.
Niyama Private Islands
Niyama Private Islands reopened its two islands in the Dhaalu atoll – Play and Chill – with their laid-back vibe and big island feel with space in abundance.
Niyama is one of the only luxury resorts in the Maldives with surfable waves and reopens during the midst of the surfing season with an exclusive surf event.
From October 12-18 the resort hosts Lost Surfboards shaper Matt Biolos, along with several big-name surfers. The resort offers a range of active pursuits around the islands or on the water, in addition to Drift Spa and a multitude of dining options including on the beach, in the treetops and underwater.
Minor Hotels’ highest priority is to maintain a safe and secure environment for guests and team members across all properties. Guests can feel safe in the knowledge that all five Maldives resorts are in line with World Health Organisation and local health authority regulations.
The resorts have also implemented Anantara’s “Stay With Peace of Mind” programme, which includes enhanced levels of sanitation and disinfection throughout the resorts, in-room hygiene kits, the introduction of a Guest Guardian team member, whose role includes ensuring all health and sanitation standards are adhered to, in addition to on-going training for staff.
Upon arrival to Velana International Airport in Male, guests are escorted by the resorts’ airport welcome hosts to either a seaplane lounge manned by partner airline Manta Air, or to the speedboat to transfer directly to the resort, with social distancing protocols adhered to at all times.
Complying with Covid-19 protection standards, guest luggage will be handled throughout its journey by a dedicated handler and sanitised at every stage.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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