This Chinese National Day holiday, Alila  Kothaifaru Maldives invites all guests to embrace the natural rhythm of island life in the serene surroundings of Raa Atoll. From 1 to 7 October 2026, the resort will  celebrate the season with a thoughtfully curated programme of dining and cultural  experiences, complemented by its Half Board Special and the privacy of its signature Overwater Pool Villas. 

Set within a naturally lush island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the resort offers the  freedom to experience the holiday entirely at one’s own pace. Days might begin with  breakfast overlooking the sea, continue with time in the lagoon or a quiet afternoon  beside a private pool, and end over dinner beneath tropical skies. The setting itself has earned  international recognition for its distinctive design and visual  appeal. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives  was named among Trip.com’s Asia  100 – Instagrammable Hotels in  both 2025 and 2026, while Trip.com’s 2026 ranking of Instagrammable Hotels in the Maldives places the resort at No. 3. Overwater Living, the Alila Way. For travellers dreaming of the quintessential Maldives experience, the resort's Overwater Pool Villas extend above the lagoon with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. 

The Lagoon Overwater Pool Villa, Ocean Overwater Pool Villa and Sunset Overwater  Pool Villa each offer 125 square metres of contemporary indoor-outdoor living, with a  private pool and the water always within sight. Whether waking to the changing  colours of the lagoon or watching the sun descend from the privacy of the villa, the  experience places the landscape at the centre of the stay. 

For larger families and multi-generational groups, the resort also offers spacious multi bedroom accommodation, including the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa and Boduge Residence, allowing extended families and friends to stay together while retaining their own sense of space. 

“Golden Week is an occasion to come together, and we wanted the celebration on  the island to feel both familiar and distinctly Alila. Guests can gather over steamed  local reef fish with ginger and scallion, share the warmth of a hot pot evening, learn the art of dumpling making with Chef Amrit, or slow down over tea masterclasses and  pairing rituals with Dilmah Tea. These experiences bring the spirit of the celebration  into the rhythm of island life, while giving families and friends the freedom to enjoy  their time together in their own way,” says Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila  Kothaifaru Maldives. 

A Celebration Around the Table  

Dining takes a central place in the celebrations, with a programme created especially  for the week. 

The programme begins on 1 October with a Dumpling Making Class with Chef Amrit,  followed on 2 October by Flavors of the Golden Week, featuring steamed local reef  fish with ginger and scallion. The weekend brings convivial Flavors of the East Hot Pot  Nights, while Chinese-Flavored BBQ Skewer Night at Yakitori Bar adds another 

celebratory evening on 6 October. The programme culminates on 7 October with the  Golden Week “Seasalt Night” Buffet Dinner. 

Throughout the week, guests can also discover a series of tea experiences presented  in collaboration with Dilmah Tea, including Tea Mini-Classes exploring wellness and  health tips, Tea Masterclasses and Tastings, and evening Tea-Pairing Rituals — introducing a quieter ritual to the island celebrations. 

Half Board, with the Freedom to Explore  

Adding ease and flexibility to the stay, the resort's Half Board Special brings breakfast  and dinner into the rhythm of each day while leaving guests free to explore Alila  Kothaifaru Maldives' wider culinary landscape. 

The plan includes daily breakfast at Seasalt and dinner at Seasalt, Pibati, Yakitori Bar  or Umami, served as a three-course à la carte menu, excluding Teppanyaki. Guests  wishing to dine at another venue receive a USD 75 food credit, applicable at  participating experiences including Teppanyaki, The Shack and Dining Experiences,  subject to availability. Premium and signature items may carry an additional charge. 

This flexibility means no two evenings need feel the same: dinner might unfold over  Japanese flavours at Umami, around the table at Seasalt, or somewhere entirely more  secluded at The Shack, the resort's private sand cay.

The Half Board Special is complemented by a collection of Alila Hospitalities, including  welcome amenities, Spa Alila wellness activities, complimentary use of snorkelling  equipment, daily poolside refreshments and access to Play Alila, the 24-hour Fitness  Centre and Library. In-room reusable water bottles, Alila Living bath amenities, Villa  Host service and resort-wide Wi-Fi are also included. 

Island Days, Made Personal  

Beyond the celebrations, the island invites guests to find their own rhythm. Snorkelling  and diving reveal the marine environment of Raa Atoll, while Play Alila, outdoor games  and padel tennis offer easy ways for families to spend time together. 

For something slower, Spa Alila and island wellness experiences create space to reset,  while Alila Moments connect guests more closely with Maldivian culture, nature and  local traditions. 

The programme has deliberately been designed with room for spontaneity.  Complimentary experiences are woven between the culinary events, including  dumpling making and scheduled tea activities, allowing guests to participate as much  — or as little — as they wish. Selected activities require advance reservations, while  dine-around credit is applicable to certain dining experiences.

An Island Celebration, Shaped Around You  

From overwater mornings and private-pool afternoons to dumpling making, tea rituals  and dinners overlooking the Indian Ocean, the week celebrates a simple luxury: time  together, with the freedom to choose how it is spent. 

For more information or to plan a Golden Week escape, visit www.alilakothaifarumaldives.com or follow @alilamaldives on Instagram to discover  the overwater villas, curated dining, island experiences and moments of connection awaiting at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.