The festive season takes on a different rhythm in the Maldives, where celebration unfolds between ocean, shore and the distinctive character of each island. This year, five Marriott International luxury resorts are approaching the holidays through different lenses, from contemporary art and marine discovery to Maldivian heritage, wellness and lively celebrations. Together, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, W Maldives and JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa offer contrasting ways for families, couples and friends to spend the season together.

At The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, festive programming brings French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet’s colorful work to the island, while nearby JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll focuses on family time, wellness and lagoon adventures. Farther into the archipelago, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort celebrates its 10th anniversary through the island’s ecological zones and Maldivian fishing and seafaring heritage. W Maldives takes a more energetic approach with music, nightlife and access to its house reef and private island, while JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa in Shaviyani Atoll combines spacious villas, marine experiences, family programming and evening performances. The journeys themselves, whether by speedboat or seaplane, become part of the transition from Malé into a slower island world.

The Curated Take: What makes the Maldives particularly compelling for the festive season is the ability to choose the atmosphere rather than simply the setting. One island can turn the holidays into an art-filled escape, another into a multigenerational gathering, another into a celebration of local ecology and heritage. The common thread is time together, with the ocean providing the backdrop and each island supplying its own interpretation of what a holiday escape can be.