Niyama Private Islands Maldives

my holiday was simply unforgettable! I left delighted! Of course I want to say thank you to all the staff especially our thakur Imti! From the moment we arrived he was always ready to help us in any situation. His friendliness and advice were very helpful and contributed to a wonderful holiday! I would also like to express my gratitude The housekeeping team (Edda, Muneer, & Bakuru) kept our villas clean The spa therapists (May, Tirtha, Desak& Esther) provided truly rejuvenating treatments. The level of attention to details was absolutely amazing! Arun and Gill (IV Nurse) and Dr. Hassan provided outstanding medical care when needed, ensuring our peace of mind. Yulia, Isar, and Yagu provided seamless buggy assistance. Beyond the core services, the entire team went above and beyond. Toha (artist), Shaiban, and Charaka (Movie under the stars) created truly unforgettable experiences. Lasse (surf), Felippe (tennis), Iku (snap photography), and Kaique (surf photography) were all professional and made our activities incredibly enjoyable. I enjoyed diving/surfing/tennis lessons which were fantastic! The diving team (David, Natalia, Achyuth, & Aneel), Musif (flyboard), and the excursions team (Dot, Endheri, & Pablo) provided exceptional experiences on and in the water! The culinary team was equally impressive: Rahman (Teppanyaki chef), Sasha and Dewa (Epicure), Faaiz, Kaisa, and Ann (Tribal), Mita and Adi (Nest), Ayu (Blu), Shaffaf (Subsix), and Imran (Coconut Guru) all delivered delicious and memorable dining experiences!!! Thank you all very much

Our Niyama Private Islands stay was perfect! Imthy (Thakuru) provided exceptional butler service, anticipating our needs with a warm smile. Edda, Muneer, & Bakuru (housekeeping) kept our villa immaculate. Shaiban, & Charaka (movies) created unforgettable experiences under the stars, as Iku (photography) and Dot, Endheri, & Pablo (excursions) were exceptional. Rahman (Teppanyaki), Sasha & Dewa (Epicure), Faaiz, Kaisa & Ann (Tribal), Mita & Adi (Nest), Ayu (Blu), Shaffaf (Subsix), and Imran (Coconut BOSS) provided amazing experience! Every team member demonstrated exceptional commitment and warmth. We were here at HOME! Beyond all expectations! Highly recommended!

First time to Niyama and we were blown away! From the second you arrive in Male, they have staff that completely take care of you right through to the end of your holiday! The greatest place we have travelled to so far, and for the first time ever, we had a really hard time leaving. We’ll be back for sure and highly recommend this fabulous place!!! The staff including Melissa, Boni, Sanju, Mita, Nate and Luis (surf guys) all made this an unforgettable holiday!

We have been to the Maldives now three times and stayed at five star resorts each time - all with a similar configuration for the room as we are a family of four and have always had a beach villa. The cost of going to Niyama was significantly higher than they other two resorts we have stayed at. The five star experience is similar no matter where you go in the Maldives and all resorts will charge you extra for your activities - but I found that Niyama charged us far more. The food credit of USD 70 per person was somehow discounted on the bill and it was not really explained why. Also, there is a service fee on each bill but then they also ask for tip. All in all, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I will not be back to this resort when coming to the Maldives. All that said, money aside, the experience and the staff service was on par with my other two experiences. My advice is to shop around and really evaluate what is included in the pricing and what is not.

We stayed at Niyama Private Islands in February 2025 and while it’s taken us some time to sit down and write this, trust us – this is a review we’ve been meaning to share since we returned! Life threw a whirlwind of house moves and renovations our way, but not a day passed where we didn’t think back fondly on our time in paradise. We are big believers in sharing honest, helpful reviews – and there is nothing more satisfying than writing one as heartfelt and glowing as this. This was our first time in the Maldives – and what a first time it was! If you plan to visit the Maldives at least once in your life, this is the place to do it. Unparalleled service, attention to detail, and an incredible team. By the end of our stay, we were genuinely sad to leave. A massive thank you to Melissa Fungai – our guardian angel of the trip – who coordinated the most magical and flawless proposal for us after months of planning with my (now) fiancé. It was a dream: a sandbank proposal with nothing but the two of us, a parasol, a gourmet lunch, and that endless Maldivian horizon. It was surreal, untouched, secluded… like a dream sequence from a movie. I still can’t believe I got to experience it. We swam together for the first time in the ocean as an engaged couple, and when we returned to the island – a surprise dinner on the beach awaited us. It was a grilled seafood platter at sundown… absolutely unforgettable. Everything went seamlessly thanks to Melissa – we will carry this memory for the rest of our lives. The second biggest shoutout goes to Abhi, the hotel’s brilliant chef. Not only is he a culinary artist, but a genuinely kind and generous person. One night, after learning we had missed the Indian cuisine evening, he invited us back and personally prepared the most delicious chicken tikka masala and naan we’ve had since our travels to India. We were stunned – the attention, the quality, the warmth – it was overwhelming in the best possible way. He remembered our favorites, welcomed us like old friends, and delighted us with more local Indian dishes in the following days. Just writing this makes me hungry again! To Sangu, our waiter at Dune – thank you for the warm conversations, your impeccable service, and for always making us smile. We wish you the very best and send early congratulations for your own wedding proposal back in Sri Lanka! To Esther, the Ayurveda therapist, thank you for introducing me to the Shirodhara oil massage – it was my first time and truly magical. And Gusti – thank you for going the extra mile and gifting me ginger, lemon, and the healing leaves from your tea blend. I’ve already brewed it at home. This kind of generosity stays with you. Also, a special thanks to: Pritesh (Epicure restaurant) for his attentive and kind service. Redy (Dune bar) for surprising me by speaking Italian and always being upbeat. Deva, the hostess at Epicure, for always making it possible for us to sit outside and for intuitively knowing what we’d wish before we even voiced it. This island stay was truly unparalleled. Yes, the Maldives is famous for being paradise – but Niyama exceeds expectations. When you combine that natural beauty with this level of professionalism and care, and then add a once-in-a-lifetime proposal… well, it’s simply beyond perfect. Villa Notes We stayed in Villa #4, which is close to the main buffet restaurant, bars, and reception. Normally we would avoid being so centrally located, but here’s the magic of Niyama: even in a well-placed villa, privacy reigns. The room and beach setting felt deeply secluded. In fact, “crowded” is a word that doesn’t apply to this island at all. Having walked both islands extensively, I can share some helpful observations: Villa 4 and nearby beach: The sand is full of shells, so not the smoothest, but the water is lovely. There is a bit more current and gentle waves here. Rooms 2-48 side: The sand is powdery and pristine – like walking on flour – and the water is incredibly clear and calm. This is also where the sunsets shine best, and where special dinners on the sand are hosted. Drawback: Seaplanes land close to this villa side and can be loud (approx. every 1–3 hours) but stop after 3pm. Snorkeling tips: The area around rooms 26–27 had the most vibrant reef life and color. The waters between rooms 139–110 (connecting the two islands) are also good, though the sand is less walkable. Best beach water: Likely around rooms 29–48 (Beach Family Water Villas), close to the spa. Calmest waters and smoothest sand. Restaurants Epicure Buffet: The best buffet we’ve ever experienced. As an Italian, I have high standards, and this place wowed us with quality, presentation, and freshness. Nest: A dream for any treehouse lover! Asian cuisine in a canopy setting with connected bridges – magical atmosphere and divine food. Very romantic. Tribal: African restaurant with bold decoration and large portions. Perfect for adventurous eaters! Try the game meats – so be ready to share if you're not super hungry. Spa & Grounds The spa is a must. The garden and surroundings are gorgeous, and the therapists were exceptional. The overall island vibe is pure tranquility. Most villas offer beachfront access where you can be completely alone. If your everyday life is noisy or fast-paced, this is pure healing. That said, if you’re looking for sunbeds in public areas, they are limited, so head out early. But honestly, you may not even need them – we barely left our own beachside area! Extras & Tips: Activities are not included. We did the whale shark excursion – which is not private despite the name. It’s private transport, but everyone gathers in the same spot. It gets very crowded. Think Piccadilly Circus… but in snorkel gear. We were lucky to have 30–40 uninterrupted seconds before the swarm arrived. Swimming is against the current, so good fitness helps! We also saw manta rays – breathtaking! The drop-off reef experience was incredible – like a scene out of Finding Nemo! Lounge & Travel Tips The lounge before your seaplane is separate from the main airport – make arrangements to return there if you plan to explore Male before a late flight. Bring flip-flops for the airport showers. The seaplane takes about 45 minutes and you may have a bit of a wait – not exactly hop-on-hop-off. Shell Souvenirs We took two shells home from the sandbank where we got engaged. We asked at security – they said it was absolutely fine. It meant the world to take a piece of that special moment with us. In Summary Niyama is not just a hotel. It’s a sanctuary. It’s a place where every detail is thoughtful, every person goes above and beyond, and the experience carves a memory that lasts forever. We’ll be back – and we hope this review helps fellow travelers make the most informed and joy-filled decision to visit. Don’t hesitate – just go.