Resort News

Latest news from Maldives resorts: new offers, festive programmes, guest chefs, openings and renovations, with booking deadlines and stay dates.

The Citronelle Club at SO/ Maldives, the beachfront restaurant that hosts the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners
Latest · Families

SO/ Maldives festive season 2026: a beach tree lighting, Christmas Eve on the sand and a New Year's Eve gala at Lazuli Beach Club

SO/ Maldives' festive programme, Lost in Waterworld, runs from 20 December to 8 January: a tree lighting on the beach, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at The Citronelle Club, and a compulsory New Year's Eve gala on the beach.

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The island and jetty of The Halcyon Private Isles in Gaafu Alifu Atoll at sunset
Families

The Halcyon Private Isles' first festive season: Masters of the Isles, a Hoppers chef and New Year fireworks on Firepit Beach

The Halcyon Private Isles marks its first festive season with Masters of the Isles, 18 December to 8 January: guest chefs, a freediver, an Ayurvedic healer and fireworks on New Year's Eve.

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View from a One&Only Reethi Rah Beach Villa to its private beach, sun loungers under a thatched parasol and turquoise water beyond
Families

One&Only Reethi Rah's festive season 2026: tree lighting, Santa on the lagoon and a New Year's Eve gala on Sunrise Beach

One&Only Reethi Rah's festive programme runs from a tree lighting on 20 December to a gala dinner and fireworks on Sunrise Beach on New Year's Eve.

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Rendering of a new Water Villa Suite with Pool at Six Senses Laamu, with its private pool at the edge of the deck over the lagoon
Families

Six Senses Laamu opens 17 new overwater villas, including its first family water villa

Six Senses Laamu has rebuilt 17 overwater villas in four new categories, each with a private pool, open to guests from 6 December 2026. One is its first family water villa.

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Sunset over the lagoon seen from a suite deck at Ayada Maldives, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll

Ayada Maldives this winter: a three-week festive season, Chakra and Reiki at AySpa, and surf season in the south

Ayada Maldives runs its festive programme from 18 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, has added Chakra and Reiki treatments at AySpa, and sits close to the southern surf breaks as surf season starts.

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NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort from the air, the island ringed by white sand in Baa Atoll
Families

NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort's festive season 2026–27: Havana Nights, Pirate Santa and rum aged under the sea

Havana Nights runs at NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort from 21 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with Pirate Santa, a family dive and a tasting of rum aged a year on the seabed.

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Kandolhu Maldives from the air, the small round island inside its reef in North Ari Atoll

Baros has a new General Manager, Kandolhu lines up Michelin-starred chefs for 2027, and Huvafen Fushi joins Forbes Travel Guide

News from three Versa Collection resorts: a new General Manager and a Travel + Leisure ranking at Baros, a refresh and a 2027 guest-chef line-up at Kandolhu, and Forbes Travel Guide for Huvafen Fushi.

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The overwater villa jetty at Niva Velassaru Maldives from the air, over the lagoon in South Malé Atoll
Families

What's new at the Niva resorts: more in the all-inclusive at Kurumba and Velassaru, padel at Dhigali, and new water bungalows at Kuramathi

From 1 November 2026, the all-inclusive minibar at Niva Kurumba and Niva Velassaru includes beer. Dhigali adds padel and guest experts, and Kuramathi has new water bungalows coming in early 2027.

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The overwater villa row at Kandooma Maldives from the air, over the lagoon in South Malé Atoll
Families

Kandooma Maldives drops the Holiday Inn name and finishes its refresh: family pool villas, a fuller all-inclusive and a pirate Christmas

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is now Kandooma Maldives, an independent resort. The refresh is done, with new family pool villas, a broader all-inclusive and a family award.

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Six Senses Laamu in Laamu Atoll from the air at sunset
Families

Six Senses Laamu's festive season 2026–27: themed dinners, ocean sessions and a daily Little VIPs programme

Six Senses Laamu's festive programme runs from 23 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with themed dinners, a different water sport each day and a full children's calendar.

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Lagoon villas on their jetty in late afternoon light at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in Baa Atoll

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu wins two South Asian Travel Awards, with International Men's Day on 19 November

Two South Asian Travel Awards for Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, and a beach football match for International Men's Day on 19 November.

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A thatched villa roof among the palms at Coco Bodu Hithi in North Malé Atoll, seen from the turquoise shallows offshore

Coco Bodu Hithi named the Indian Ocean's Most Romantic Resort for a third year

Coco Bodu Hithi has won the World Travel Awards' Indian Ocean's Most Romantic Resort title for the third year running.

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The water villas at Six Senses Kanuhura in Lhaviyani Atoll from the air at sunrise
Families

Six Senses Kanuhura's festive season 2026–27: turtle safaris, guest chefs and a Neverland Christmas

Six Senses Kanuhura's festive programme runs from 21 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, with guest-chef dinners, turtle safaris and a full kids' club calendar.

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A One&Only Reethi Rah Beach Villa with Pool, bedroom doors folded back onto the private infinity pool and a thatched sun shade

One&Only Reethi Rah keeps its Forbes five stars and begins refreshing selected villas

One&Only Reethi Rah and its spa both hold five-star ratings from Forbes Travel Guide, the resort for a sixth year running. The resort is also refreshing selected villas.

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A family building a sand turtle on the beach at Noku Maldives in Noonu Atoll
Families

Noku Maldives adds complimentary experiences: a local island visit, themed dinners and teepees for children

Noku Maldives in Noonu Atoll now includes a local island visit, the Kurum-Bar coconut cart, themed dinner nights at Palms and teepee tents for children at no extra charge for guests on half board or above.

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A Water Pool Villa at Milaidhoo Maldives, a curved blue pool on the deck above the turquoise shallows of Baa Atoll

Milaidhoo Maldives is in Tripadvisor's top 1% of hotels worldwide for 2026

Milaidhoo Maldives in Baa Atoll has been named in Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards 2026, which places it among the top 1% of hotels worldwide on guest reviews.

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Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives from the air, a row of pitched-roof beach villas behind white sand in North Malé Atoll
Families

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives launches Chuk Chuk, a free family train around the island

Kuda Villingili, 30 minutes from Velana by speedboat, now runs Chuk Chuk, a complimentary daily train journey around the island for children and their families.

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Water villas at Emerald Maldives from the air, thatched roofs and deck pools above a bright turquoise lagoon in Raa Atoll

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa wins eight titles at the 2026 World Luxury Awards

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa in Raa Atoll won eight titles at the 2026 World Luxury Awards, two of them global: for the resort's Presidential Suite and for South American cuisine at Amazònico.

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Emerald Faarufushi from the air, the water villas curving out along the edge of the reef in Raa Atoll

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa wins six titles at the 2026 World Luxury Awards

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa in Raa Atoll won six titles at the 2026 World Luxury Awards: three for the resort and three for its Mediterraneo restaurant.

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Aragu, the signature restaurant at Velaa Private Island in Noonu Atoll, seen from outside

Velaa Private Island this December: padel with Sofía Araújo and a 13th-anniversary night with Becky Hill

Velaa Private Island in Noonu Atoll welcomes padel professional Sofía Araújo for private lessons from 16 to 21 December 2026, and marks its 13th anniversary on 20 December with a live performance by Becky Hill.

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Beach villas at The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives from above, a curved row of red roofs and pools along the beach

The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives is getting a refresh: new villa interiors, a Chef's Table and a Castaway Bar on Baby Island

From Q4 2026, The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives in Raa Atoll is refreshing its beach and overwater villas, adding a Chef's Table, a Castaway Bar on Baby Island, a teen lounge, a spa circuit and its first pickleball court.

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Loungers and white parasols on the sand outside a thatched pavilion at LUX* South Ari Atoll

LUX* South Ari Atoll's festive season 2026–27: Christmas around the world and New Year on Senses Beach

LUX* South Ari Atoll has published its Christmas and New Year programme, built around a "travel the world without leaving the island" theme, and a festive offer for stays from 20 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, bookable until 15 November.

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Water villas at Grand Park Kodhipparu in North Malé Atoll standing over the reef edge, each with a blue plunge pool on its deck

Grand Park Kodhipparu: year-end packages for Indian travellers, now bookable until 31 January 2027

Grand Park Kodhipparu in North Malé Atoll has extended the booking window on its year-end packages for travellers from India to 31 January 2027, with lower extra-person and extra-night charges and a new two-night package for November.

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Deluxe Water Pool Villa at ananea Madivaru Maldives in North Ari Atoll, a raised overwater villa with an infinity pool above turquoise water

ananea Madivaru Maldives: two offers for November and December 2026 stays, bookable until 15 November

ananea Madivaru Maldives in North Ari Atoll has extended two offers, on its Deluxe Water Pool Villas and Residences and on the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa, for stays from 1 November to late December 2026, bookable until 15 November.

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Sunset from a villa pool at Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa in Raa Atoll, loungers and cushions at the water's edge

Festive season 2026–27 at Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa and Amilla Maldives

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa in Raa Atoll and Amilla Maldives in Baa Atoll have announced their Christmas and New Year programmes, running from 22 December 2026 into the first week of January 2027.

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Fushifaru Maldives from the air, the island and its lagoon in Lhaviyani Atoll

Fushifaru Maldives ranked No. 4 in the Indian Ocean in Condé Nast Traveller's Readers' Choice Awards 2026

Fushifaru Maldives in Lhaviyani Atoll has been ranked fourth among the Top 20 Resorts in the Indian Ocean in Condé Nast Traveller's Readers' Choice Awards 2026.

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Aragu, the signature restaurant at Velaa Private Island in Noonu Atoll, seen from outside

Velaa Private Island: Gastronomy Month 2026, with guest chefs at Aragu from 6 to 18 November

Velaa Private Island in Noonu Atoll hosts Gastronomy Month this November: two four-hands dinners with visiting chefs and a Billecart-Salmon Champagne dinner at Aragu, between 6 and 18 November 2026.

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Kandima Maldives in Dhaalu Atoll from the air, white studio blocks and pools set back from turquoise shallows

Kandima Maldives festive season 2026–27: Lucy Bronze and Ona Batlle, Dustin Brown's tennis cup and the Showtime Fairground

Kandima's festive season runs from 20 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, with footballers Lucy Bronze and Ona Batlle, daily tennis with Dustin Brown and a Showtime Fairground week from 26 December.

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A Beach Pool Villa at Amilla Maldives from directly above, its long pool set among thick tropical trees beside the beach

Amilla Maldives has a new General Manager: Marc Reader

Marc Reader, who ran Finolhu from 2016 to 2023, is now General Manager of Amilla Maldives in Baa Atoll.

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Grand Park Kodhipparu in North Malé Atoll from the air, a long curve of overwater villas reaching out from the wooded island over the reef

Grand Park Kodhipparu's festive season 2026–27: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Midnight in White and Orthodox Christmas

Grand Park Kodhipparu's full festive calendar runs from 22 November 2026 to 7 January 2027, with a daily children's programme, a white-dress New Year's Eve and fireworks over the lagoon.

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A Beach Pool Villa at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas in Baa Atoll at sunset, loungers beside the pool with the sala lit alongside

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas: half board and seaplane transfers included for Indian passport holders until 19 December 2026

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas in Baa Atoll has an offer for Indian passport holders: half board and return seaplane transfers for two on stays to 19 December 2026, booked by 15 November.

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A guest swimming in a private villa pool at Kandima Maldives, another standing in the doorway behind

Kandima Maldives this October: PlaySpace date nights, active island days and a November tennis week

Couple bowling, karaoke and VR at PlaySpace, workouts and yoga, floating breakfasts, and tennis coaching with Ashley Neaves from 6 to 15 November at Kandima Maldives.

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Overwater villas at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi from directly above, thatched roofs and small deck pools along a timber walkway over the reef.

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi can now be booked as a private island

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi in South Ari Atoll can now be reserved in full for one group, for weddings, family celebrations and company retreats.

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Niva Kurumba Maldives from the air, the island in deep blue ocean, North Malé Atoll

Festive season 2026–27 at Niva Kurumba Maldives: gala dinners, a circus New Year and a daily kids' club

Niva Kurumba Maldives runs its festive programme from 21 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, with Christmas and New Year's Eve gala dinners and daily activities for children.

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A couple dining on the sand at sunset at Cocoon Maldives in Lhaviyani Atoll

India package extended to 20 December 2026 at Cocoon Maldives, You & Me Maldives and Joy Island

The Cocoon Collection has extended its India package at all three of its resorts, with thali lunches, Indian chefs and extras, for stays to 20 December 2026.

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Lagoon villas fanned out along their walkway over bright turquoise shallows at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu: Roots & Tides festive season and three October dates

A Maldivian heritage festive programme from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, three October events, and a festive offer that must be booked by 15 October 2026.

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The ocean villas at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa from the air, Gaafu Alifu Atoll

New offers at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Malahini Kuda Bandos

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has a new all-inclusive offer for stays to September 2027, and Malahini Kuda Bandos has offers for bookings made by 31 October 2026.

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A beach villa at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort in Shaviyani Atoll at dusk, warm light inside and a pool reflecting the gable

Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort: festive and early-2027 offers, plus Michelin-starred dinners in October

Book by 31 October for the festive offer, or stay between 11 January and 30 April 2027 for a reduced rate with half board included. Chef Karim Khouani also cooks two dinners at Azure on 28 and 30 October.

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Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa in Raa Atoll from the air, beach villas and their pools tucked behind the sand and the reef drop-off

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa named Maldives' Leading Luxury Villa Resort for 2026

The Raa Atoll resort has won Maldives' Leading Luxury Villa Resort at the World Travel Awards for the sixth year running.

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Aerial view of a One&Only Reethi Rah Grand Water Villa with Pool on stilts above the turquoise lagoon in North Malé Atoll, its infinity pool running the length of the deck

Offers running now at One&Only Reethi Rah, Noku Maldives, Oaga Art Resort, Bandos Maldives and V Villas Maldives at Mirihi

Five Maldives resorts have offers running this season. Here are the booking deadlines, the stay dates and what each one adds.

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A Pool Water Villa at Grand Park Kodhipparu in North Malé Atoll at sunset, its pool and loungers facing the sea

Festive season 2026–27 at Grand Park Kodhipparu, Coco Bodu Hithi, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Niva Dhigali Maldives

Four more resorts have shared their Christmas and New Year plans for 2026–27, including a first Thanksgiving at Grand Park Kodhipparu.

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OZEN RESERVE Bolifushi from the air, thatched water villas branching off a jetty over the turquoise lagoon

Festive season 2026–27 at the OZEN, Atmosphere and OBLU resorts

Each resort in the group has its own festive theme this year. Here is how they differ and who each one suits.

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Past updates

The deck of Ba'theli by the Reef at Milaidhoo Maldives at dusk, a candlelit table under the thatched roof beside the water
Finished

Milaidhoo Maldives welcomes Chef Laurence Tan of Singapore's JAG for two October evenings

A cooking class on 16 October and a 16-seat, five-course dinner on 17 October with Chef Laurence Tan of Singapore's Michelin-starred JAG at Milaidhoo Maldives.

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Ayada Maldives seen from the air, the wooded island ringed by reef with two curved lines of overwater villas, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll
Finished

Ayada Maldives turns 15 this October, with Halloween on the island and a festive programme on the way

Ayada Maldives in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll marks 15 years on 30 October, with a Halloween show this month and a Christmas and New Year programme to follow.

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Meyyafushi Maldives from the air, the island, its beach and the overwater villas in Lhaviyani Atoll
Finished

Fushifaru Maldives turns nine, Meyyafushi Maldives turns one

Anniversary celebrations, a Michelin-starred chef at the underwater restaurant, a daily wine evening and Halloween on both islands.

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Sunset from a villa deck at Coco Bodu Hithi in North Malé Atoll, the sun's track reflected down the length of the pool
Finished

Coco Bodu Hithi in October 2026: International Chefs' Day and Halloween After Dark

Two October dates at Coco Bodu Hithi, plus a festive-season offer that must be booked by 15 October 2026.

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A guest on the villa deck at Amilla Maldives watching a pink sunset over the lagoon
Finished

Amilla Maldives in October 2026: visiting wellness practitioners, Halloween and a nature award

Two visiting practitioners, a children's Halloween trail and a Best Nature Resort award at Amilla Maldives this October.

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Ba'theli by the Reef at Milaidhoo Maldives, a timber-vaulted overwater dining room with a glass floor panel looking down onto the lagoon
Finished

Milaidhoo Maldives: Ba'theli by the Reef closed for October 2026

Milaidhoo's signature restaurant closes from 1 to 31 October 2026 for maintenance.

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