The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi resort marks Christmas with lobster, Krug and Indian Ocean fireworks

From 15 December 2026 to 15 January 2027, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi rolls out a month of festivities planned day by day, from the lighting of the tree to a Krug dinner. The 117-villa resort in South Malé Atoll lines up two gala dinners, a table bringing together six of its chefs and fireworks over the Indian Ocean on the evening of 31 December.

☰Contents

1. A month of festivities, 15 December to 15 January
2. Lobster, caviar and wagyu: the seasonal tables
3. On 26 December, six chefs at a single table
4. Two galas and fireworks over the Indian Ocean
5. Gongs, acupuncture and a gold facial at the spa
6. Gingerbread and whale sharks for families
7. 117 villas on three islands, from €3,282 a night

A month of festivities, 15 December to 15 January

The programme fits into a 22-page official brochure, opened by a word from general manager TJ Joulak. It all begins on 16 December at 7pm, when the tree is lit in Peacock Alley, the resort’s lounge, during an evening designed for families. Here are the key dates.

Lobster, caviar and wagyu: the seasonal tables

Throughout the month, two restaurants change their menus. At Zuma, a set sharing menu brings together Oscietra caviar and green tea blinis, sushi and sashimi, grilled king crab with ponzu butter and lime, then Japanese wagyu sirloin. Li Long, the Chinese restaurant, serves off-menu Cantonese roast duck with caviar and wok-fried lobster in a Hakka chilli sauce, alongside a drinks list reserved for the season.

Lobster features again and again. On 22 December, Tasting Table’s Fisherman’s Night puts Maldivian lobster, king crab, tiger prawns, reef fish and octopus on the grill, with a lobster bisque. On 25, 27 and 28 December, Terra serves its Lobster Night: Maldivian lobster tartare with Oscietra caviar, butter-poached Canadian lobster, charcoal-grilled Breton lobster, a lobster trio, then a pear and vanilla dessert. On 23 and 30 December, Amber pours oysters and Champagne as the sun goes down.

On 26 December, six chefs at a single table

The Ithaafushi Chef’s Table brings together six of the resort’s chefs, from Terra, The Ledge, Li Long, Glow, Zuma and the pastry kitchen. Guests meet at 7pm at The Rock for Champagne and canapés, followed by a six-course menu with wine pairings, to live music.

Terra, the restaurant with nests perched in the trees, then hosts two dinners devoted to a single house. On 2 January, a “One Label” dinner showcases Château Latour, pairings included, with a live duo. On 9 January, a Krug dinner, Champagne pairings included, celebrates Terra’s status as a Krug Ambassade, a title awarded by the Champagne house Krug.

Two galas and fireworks over the Indian Ocean

The Festive Pavillion hosts the two flagship evenings, from 8pm. On 24 December, the Christmas Eve gala pairs a buffet with live shows; on 31 December, the New Year’s Eve gala moves from dinner to show, countdown and fireworks over the Indian Ocean. On 6 January, “A Celebration of Festive Heritage” extends the season with a dinner and a performance by an artist whose name has not been revealed.

Between the galas, the mood stays festive: brunch with a band and DJ at Nava, a tapas night by executive chef Xavier at Glow, a wood-fired barbecue from The Ledge on the beach, and a Maldivian evening on 29 December to the sound of boduberu, the archipelago’s large traditional drums. The resort does not publish prices for these dinners: the brochure only states that prices are in dollars, plus a 10% service charge and 17% local tax.

Gongs, acupuncture and a gold facial at the spa

The Waldorf Astoria Spa, with its overwater treatment villas, welcomes two guest practitioners. From 20 December to 20 January, Shree offers Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, energy treatments and a Himalayan sound bath. From 15 December to 15 January, Dr Syed Afzal, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and acupuncturist, brings more than 24 years of experience in Canada, India and China.

Throughout December, the Festive Wellness Escape combines two treatments of 105 minutes each: the Tides Signature Sleep Ritual, designed for sleep, and the 24K Golden Experience, a 24-carat gold facial followed by a foot massage.

Gingerbread and whale sharks for families

Children have their own schedule: workshops making Christmas cards, gingerbread houses, candles and decorations, junior chef classes, and a tennis and padel camp with LUX Tennis. Father Christmas also stops by the island, and a cinema is set up under the stars.

Out at sea, the resort organises dives, night snorkelling and excursions in search of dolphins, whale sharks and nurse sharks, with no guaranteed sightings. Sunset cruises round off the programme.

117 villas on three islands, from €3,282 a night

Opened in 2019, the resort has 117 pool villas, on the beach, on the reef or over the water, spread across three connected islands, plus the private island of Ithaafushi. On 28 October 2026, a King Overwater Villa with Pool was listed from €3,282 for the night of 20 to 21 December for two adults, taxes and fees included. The Reef Villas, the entry-level category, were sold out that night, and no single-night stays were available on 27 and 31 December.

The resort features in our selection of the best hotels in the Maldives. For more festive escapes far from home, see the programme at the Raffles Udaipur resort in India, and the Waldorf Astoria brand in Morocco with the Waldorf Astoria Rabat-Salé hotel.