A heavenly stay at Niyama Private Islands

A few months ago, my partner, our two children and I flew to the Maldives to stay at the Niyama Private Islands. This beautiful hotel located on Dhaalu atoll welcomed us for 11 days and, to put it mildly, we had a waking dream. Spa, swimming pool, tennis courts and cinema but also kids club and extraordinary culinary experiences, all in the heart of an absolutely heavenly island, the Niyama is simply perfect!

After a pleasant flight, a stopover in Dubai before arriving in Male and from there, 45 minutes by seaplane to reach the hotel, we experienced an absolutely perfect welcome. With their palm roofs woven in the traditional style of the region and their wooden architecture, the hotel’s facilities immediately immersed us in a calm and relaxed atmosphere.

Our butler, a young woman, was super available and took care of everything to ensure that our stay went as smoothly as possible. In addition to this really great service, the little things were always taken care of in this hotel, each day bringing its share of touching discoveries that allowed us to make the most of every moment.

The hotel is spread over two islands linked by a small, super cute pontoon that can be taken on foot or by bike. Niyama’s studios, suites and pavilions stretch along the white sandy beach and many of them have their own private swimming pool with ocean views.

We were delighted with our room from the moment we arrived. As a mother of two very small children, I was afraid I had forgotten some essential things for their comfort but everything had been done to ensure that we didn’t lack anything! There were high chairs, a changing table, bibs, a bottle warmer, a cot and even almond milk. This is an important detail as one of my boys is lactose intolerant, this little attention was therefore a real relief and a little extra happiness. We also had the joy of discovering little welcome gifts, so our stay was sure to begin under the best auspices.

The services offered by the hotel also met our expectations. Bicycles are available to move around the island, it is possible to eat in various restaurants, and the leisure facilities for children and adults are legion. In addition to the kids-friendly accessories we found in our room, the Niyama also lends strollers and baby bathtubs to parents, which is another positive point for this establishment that is decidedly dedicated to toddlers and their parents.

If our room was therefore particularly comfortable and pleasant to live in, the rest of the hotel did not demerit. Everything is done to ensure that everyone has a good time, from the youngest who want to exercise to the adults willing to relax.

The Niyama is a real paradise for children. It offers a kids-club supervised by animators who concoct a varied program of activities that change every day. In fact, I have learned that it is the only establishment in the Maldives to have a children’s club for toddlers from 12 months to 12 years old. From board games, reading or manual activities for the youngest and sports sessions or discovering the secrets of the island for teenagers, everything is done to offer children interesting and diversified activities.

Surfing lessons are given for children from the age of 8 and cooking workshops are also held regularly, a good way to introduce the youngest to the gastronomy of the Maldives. Finally, the establishment features a huge vegetable garden open to children! They can stroll there quietly and quench their thirst for knowledge by learning to recognize vegetables and edible plants, in short, it’s a real pleasure.

But don’t worry, adults won’t be short of things to do during their stay either. For example, we used the bicycles available to us on a daily basis to ride around the two islands. Riding in the sun, just a stone’s throw from the sea, to our favourite beach or restaurant was already a real treat in itself. On top of that, the hotel offers the possibility to live exceptional experiences such as sunset cruises or dolphin watching excursions.

We opted for a more sporting activity by going to discover the sea bed. This diving trip was made possible by the baby-club and its super-nannies to whom we entrusted our children during our escapade. Add to that tennis and badminton courts as well as a fitness room and you will have an idea of the leisure potential of this hotel.

Finally, how can we talk about Niyama without mentioning the Spa? It is simply delicious! Hammam, sauna, whirlpools and massages, all facing the ocean, what more could you ask for? It’s a real pleasure to be pampered, alone or with the family because the spa is also open to children, your eyes lost in the immensity of the Indian Ocean.

As far as the gastronomy is concerned, it is no lie to say that Niyama puts the small dishes in the big ones. Between the Asian restaurant nestled in the trees several meters above the ground, the Subsix, which is located under the surface of the water and allows you to observe the underwater fauna while tasting delicious dishes or the Edge, which is accessed by boat and overlooks the ocean, the choices are numerous and the quality is always there.

If you’re still not totally convinced, you can also enjoy three other restaurants with a variety of atmospheres but all of them are great places to eat and offer tasty food. It is also possible to have your meal served directly in your room, ideal for enjoying a good family dinner while watching the sun set over the sea.

Bonus: gastronomy is no exception to the rule, in this area too children are kings as everything is done to satisfy them. The snack bar is certainly the most convincing example of this desire to please them.

If the meals are important, the aperitif is just as important and you can once again choose between two atmospheres to enjoy your cocktail or your cold drink. If you want to see the world from above, go to the rooftop bar, if you prefer to have a drink with your feet in the fine sand, head to the beach bar which also offers small snacks.

We have been truly blessed with these holidays in the Maldives and the Niyama Private Islands has been a big part of it. This hotel, a real pearl lost in the middle of the ocean, a haven of peace par excellence, is in my opinion the ideal place to stay, whether you want to relax on the beach, discover the wonders of nature, have fun with friends, or stay with your family. And why not return there one day?

Thank you, Little Guest!

Aurélie d’Hulst