Featured
Oaga Art Resort officially opens this New Year 2023
Aanlheoa! Oaga Art Resort has opened up for the world during this new year of 2023, singing a welcome song that is their very own. A contemporary brand driven by a Maldivian team, Oaga as a concept revolves around the philosophy of organic community growth. The art resort focuses on elevating the collective story of the Maldive islands with a platform especially made to cater for local artists and craftsmen while embracing the tranquility offered by the surrounding sun, sand and beaches. Oaga Art Resort redefines the Maldivian experience with a never before seen merger of the Maldivian traditional lifestyle with the contemporary.
The resort’s new year 2023 celebration showcased a transition from the traditional ways of the forefathers to the contemporary street style which Oaga encompasses. The celebration was two-fold as they officially announced their homegrown brand to the world, inviting everyone to partake in this unique concept where there is sure to be at least one experience which would appeal to everyone.
Their greatest all-inclusive plan is testament to this, which includes experiences such as Creative Expression (art) classes, Take Notes (music) sessions, Thashibari In-Villa Dining, floating meal, choices of excursions, motorised watersports and the list goes on.
Part of the all-inclusive plan, their main restaurant, Kaa Kada, takes inspiration from the ultimate comfort of food served on a busy street. Watch the chefs behind the counter as they prepare the a la carte’ meals and enjoy it in a humble and cosy island setting.

A first of its kind, their specialty restaurant, Samaasaa, weaves together interactive literature with a fine dining experience, currently opening with the folk tales of the Maldives. Journey through Chef Zuzu’s five course meal which tells age old tales of lore depicting star-crossed lovers or mythical beasts.
Hoba Spa, their very own holistic wellness brand, offers the essence of Maldivian healing traditions passed down from generations, reimagined completely to cater to the modern day spa experience. The time tested remedial ingredients offer nostalgia which is sure to awaken the senses and ground you to these Maldivian soils. Their ‘Atharuge’ offers curated treatments using locally sourced and handmade oils which can be customised to your liking.
The villas on the island are inspired by the most beloved folktales in the history of Maldives. The Haruge Beach Villa with Private Pool invites you to dive into brightly coloured murals depicting the legend of the two lovers – Dhon Hiyala aa’i Alifulhu – full of splendour, magic, and wild creatures from the deep blue sea.
Inspired by the story of ‘Khalid and Sitti’; the Veyoge Gallery Pool Villas are fashioned after the home where these lovers spent their nights. The spaces are designed to make guests feel stimulated and safe, enhanced from the outside by an invisible mirrored exterior that recalls the magic of Khalid and Sitti’s legend.
The main bar and pool, Raa Baa boasts of the largest hand-painted mural pool in the Maldives, designed and painted by the resort’s Rahvehi resident creatives. The resort has also incorporated the visions of many local artists in other design aspects such as their furniture and walls. There are over 300 hand-painted murals to spot on the island, ranging from walls, pools, tables, chairs and even sign posts.
Oaga Art Resort caters as an authentic Maldivian product with small doses of artistic experiences and learning experiences of Maldivian history and culture. One of their main focus as CSR is to have a platform to promote local talents and give back to the local cottage industries.
Situated in North Malé Atoll, Oaga Art Resort is 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport. A small island with 60 villas with beach and over water options, 4 dining venues and a spa inspired by Maldivian traditional healing practices, Oaga Art Resort’s artistic and creative spaces offer an immersive experience curated by local and visiting artists, and craftsmen from the Maldives.
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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