Niyama Private Islands Maldives

One of the best resorts 😍😍😍😍😍

We’ve just returned from an incredible stay at Niyama Private Islands and, while the island itself is absolutely breathtaking, it’s the people who really make this place so special.

From the moment we arrived, the welcome was amazing. Ammi, our Thakuru, looked after us so warmly and immediately made us feel at home. Arriving on the island itself is genuinely jaw-dropping — it’s one of those places that somehow looks even better in real life than it does in the photos.

One of the first people we met was Hussain, and he was exceptional throughout our entire stay. Fantastic cocktails, amazing coffees, always smiling and always looking after us. He really is a gem and a huge credit to Niyama.

Pritesh ,Rivat and Ronson at Dune and Epicure were another massive part of our holiday. They were simply brilliant. They remembered our kids’ names, our drinks, our orders, what time we usually appeared — half the time they seemed to know what we wanted before we even asked! They made every day feel personal and effortless, and we genuinely miss seeing them at the pool bar.

We also have to mention Dipendra at Surf Shack — quite possibly the coolest guy on the island! We absolutely loved our chats and laughs with him. He has such a naturally happy, positive demeanour and was always a pleasure to see. He’s one of those people who instantly puts you in a good mood and definitely added something special to our stay.

The Indonesian ladies who looked after us at breakfast each morning were phenomenal as well. They always remembered us, always made such an effort, and somehow managed to find us a lovely table every morning. That kind of service sounds like a small thing, but over the course of a holiday it makes such a difference.

A very special mention has to go to Ali, one of the Assistant Food & Beverage Managers. Ali helped make our stay incredibly memorable. He was fantastic with our kids, so friendly, warm and accommodating, and by the end of the holiday we genuinely felt as though we had built up a friendship with him. He is an absolute asset to the resort.

And then there is Steven, the Food & Beverage Director. He is the consummate professional and genuinely one of the best people I have ever encountered in a role like his. He was warm, friendly and engaging not just with us, but with everyone around the resort. You can see how much he cares about the guest experience and how much respect the team has for him. He really feels like a pillar of the property, and I honestly don’t think the place would operate in quite the same way without him.

Housekeeping were brilliant throughout as well, and there are honestly far too many members of staff to mention individually. Across the whole resort, the service level was phenomenal.

The island itself is stunning, the food was excellent, and the marine life was another huge highlight. Swimming with turtles and seeing so much reef life in such beautiful surroundings was something we’ll never forget.

But above everything else, Niyama’s greatest strength is its people. They turn an already spectacular island into somewhere that feels genuinely special.

We left missing the place, but probably even more so missing the people — particularly the guys at Dune and Epicure — and we really hope we get the chance to come back and see everyone again soon.

An unforgettable stay and a very easy five stars.

Our family of four (two kids 8 and 10) visited in August 2026 for our 15th anniversary. After visiting 51 countries, I can honestly say this Maldives resort stands out as the best resort experience we’ve ever had.

From the moment we arrived, everything was exceptional. The accommodations were absolutely beautiful, luxurious, spacious, and surrounded by the kind of breathtaking scenery that makes the Maldives feel almost unreal. I’m in awe of the pictures and videos we took.

The food was outstanding, with an incredible variety and quality throughout our stay. Every meal felt like part of the experience rather than just another meal.

But what truly separated this resort from the others was the customer service. The staff were genuinely attentive, warm, and welcoming. They anticipated our needs, remembered the little details, and consistently went above and beyond to make our stay special. They made our kids feel like superstars.

We’ve traveled to 51 countries and experienced some incredible hotels and resorts along the way. This one has officially set a new standard for us.

Beautiful accommodations. Incredible food. World class service. Unforgettable experience.

Without a doubt, the best resort we’ve visited in 51 countries, and we can’t wait to return.