Niyama Private Islands Maldives has just pulled back the curtain on its THIS IS NIYAMA transformation, and it’s not a minor refresh. Think fully refurbished villas and facilities, heightened levels of luxury, and new experiences that throw guests straight into the beauty of the Maldives. The vibe is all about freedom: an invitation to live life on your own terms, unscripted and unbound.
Since its unveiling in 2012, Niyama has been the playful one in the Maldivian lineup, leaning into bold, slightly mischievous energy. Now, it’s upping the ante. Effortless luxury is layered with the avant-garde, the surreal, and the truly one-of-a-kind, as the resort’s twin islands, Play and Chill, see their villas, restaurants, and leisure spaces evolve with an energy that feels distinctly, and confidently, Niyama.
Villas, Rewritten: Light, Airy, and Tech-Savvy
Niyama’s accommodation has undergone a full aesthetic rethink. A lighter palette sets the stage for all-new furnishings, high-design comfort, and sleek technology, while expanded interiors carve out more space to stretch, unwind, and actually reconnect.
On the sand, the beach villas lean into their role as spacious private playgrounds. They now glow with the colours of sunset, wrapping guests in warm tones from the moment they walk in. High-tech toys are tucked in everywhere, espresso, popcorn, and entertainment are all just a button away, so you never have to leave that lounger if you don’t want to.
Out over the lagoon, the overwater villas swirl in blues and turquoise as sky and ocean blur into a single horizon line. Days fall into the rhythm of the tide, with regular sightings of maakanaa, reef sharks, and the resident sea turtle that calls the waters below home.
Across both villa types, the indoors and outdoors are designed to flow into one another. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open directly onto the beach or a private sundeck, and outdoor bathing brings that quintessential Maldives moment front and centre. Guests drift between spaces—bed to deck to beach, completely free to roam at will.
Eating and Drinking: From the Jungle Canopy to Six Metres Below Sea Level
The culinary side of Niyama has evolved just as dramatically, with experiences that play out in the treetops, on the beach, and beneath the waves.
Perched in the jungle canopy, Nest is the resort’s avant-garde restaurant, a place where teppanyaki sizzles meet the spice and brightness of Southeast Asia. The space has been redesigned and relandscaped so the jungle wraps around you; as dusk hits, the wild, lush surroundings come alive with the faint glow of lights and the calls of birds.
Six metres below the ocean’s surface, Subsix reveals what’s billed as the world’s first underwater Nikkei tasting experience. Here, a five-course menu is staged against a surreal backdrop of corals dappled by sunlight, with reef sharks and sea turtles circling above. It’s less “dinner with a view” and more “immersed in the reef,” without ever getting wet.
Back on the sand, Dune channels the ultimate beach chill. By day, it’s all about chic lounging by the pool, anchored by a new menu that showcases the fire of the Maldives. As the afternoon slips into evening, cocktails and shisha take over, carrying guests through to sunset.
Then there’s the Surf Shack, tucked on the very western tip of Play and now expanded. It’s a hideaway built for golden hour: the roar of the surf, a DJ spinning laidback beats, the warmth of rum in hand, and a crowd of fellow free spirits. When all of those collide, the result is pure magic.
An Active Island Life, Exactly How You Want It
At Niyama, the daily agenda is entirely up to the guest. Every moment can be turned up or dialled down, depending on the mood.
For surfers, the property offers a rare flex in the Maldives: world-class waves breaking right on shore, with a left-hander, a pro in residence, and surf safaris that chase epic swells across the surrounding waters. It’s positioned as the Maldives’ most luxurious way to surf, no roughing it required.
The new marine centre shifts the focus below the surface, with hands-on conservation activities that invite guests to engage more deeply with the environment they’re escaping to. Led by the resident marine biologist, it’s a way to leave a meaningful mark on one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Younger travellers get their own version of adventure. The kids’ club has evolved with the addition of a splash park nestled in a jungle clearing, plus a climbing wall, slides, and trampolines. Daily schedules are stacked: snorkelling and sailing with dolphins, followed by gourmet lunches and mini-spa treatments in between.
Across Play and Chill, the THIS IS NIYAMA transformation reframes the resort as a place where luxury isn’t prescriptive. Instead, it hands the script over to the guest, whether that means chasing waves at dawn, lingering over an underwater tasting menu, or simply doing absolutely nothing at all.
