What is happening at Waldorf Astoria Maldives this Christmas?
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has planned a festive season for all ages, built around Christmas and New Year. It runs from mid-December into early January, so the celebrations carry on well past Christmas Day. Beyond the parties, the resort will also offer special menus, children’s activities, and a wellness programme. The resort sits on Ithaafushi Island in South Malé Atoll.
What are the key Christmas and New Year dates?
The calendar opens with a tree lighting and closes with a celebration dinner. Here is how it unfolds:
- 16 December: first, families gather for a Christmas tree lighting at Peacock Alley.
- 24 December: guests dress up for a Christmas Eve gala in the Festive Pavilion, with a buffet and live acts.
- 26 December: six resort chefs cook a six-course Chef’s Table at The Rock, with wine pairings and live music.
- 31 December: dinner and entertainment lead up to a midnight countdown and fireworks over the Indian Ocean.
- 1 January: guests can start 2027 slowly, with breakfast at Peacock Alley and brunch at Tasting Table.
- 6 January: the season finally closes with A Celebration of Festive Heritage, a dinner with live performances.
What will guests eat over the holidays?
Food, of course, takes centre stage. For instance, Zuma sits over the water and will serve a festive Japanese tasting menu. The menu features Wagyu sirloin, Oscietra caviar and grilled king crab. Li Long, meanwhile, will offer off-menu Chinese dishes for the season.
Up in the treetops, Terra seats diners in bamboo pods. Over the holidays, it will add a Lobster Night and a Latour wine dinner. Elsewhere, Boduberu drummers will set the beat for Maldivian cuisine. The Ledge will host barbecues, and Nava will serve festive brunches. Amber, the resort’s sunset lounge, will also pair oysters with Champagne. Mirror Pool, for its part, will host an international gourmet market.
What is there for families?
Children can try gingerbread decorating, festive crafts and junior chef sessions. Santa Claus will also stop by. The whole family can enjoy films under the stars, beach games, and light-hearted festive contests.
The ocean is part of the fun, too. Guests can join guided snorkelling, diving trips, sunset cruises and dolphin encounters. Back on land, meanwhile, there will be tennis and padel clinics. Children will also have their own tennis camp with LUX Tennis.
Also Read: Nova Maldives festive season: Simple guide to The Garden Within
What wellness experiences are on offer?
The festive wellness programme features two practitioners. First, Shree, a visiting wellness practitioner, will offer sessions from 20 December to 20 January. They will cover sound therapy, energy healing and chakra balancing, including Himalayan sound bath meditations and harmony sessions for couples.
Meanwhile, Dr Syed Afzal, who practises traditional Chinese medicine, will join from 15 December to 15 January. He will tailor each treatment, drawing on acupuncture, meditation, body alignment and energy work. Notably, both date ranges extend beyond the main festive calendar.
Seasonal spa rituals will also be on offer. They include the Tides Signature Sleep Ritual, which combines a full-body massage with facial and head treatments. Another is the 24K Golden Experience, which pairs a gold-infused facial with a foot massage.
Also Read: Bugatti Residences Miami is introducing a private world
What is Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi like?
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has villas on the beach, on the reef and over the water. Each one also has its own plunge pool and hammock bed. The food ranges from seven-course menus at Terra to Japanese dishes at Zuma and Australian barbecue at The Ledge. It also has an aqua wellness centre. It also offers Ithaafushi Private Island, which the resort calls the largest in the Maldives. The island hosts up to 18 guests.
How can UAE travellers book a festive stay at Waldorf Astoria Maldives?
According to the resort, Reef Villa nightly rates start at USD 2,650. Ithaafushi Private Island, by contrast, starts from USD 95,000 a night. Before booking on the resort’s website, UAE travellers can check rates for their dates and activity prices. After landing at Velana International Airport, guests reach the resort by yacht in about 45 minutes.
