Sommelier Extraordinaire Aleksandr Nakonechnyi Joins the Niyama Dream Team

Passionate sommelier Aleksandr Nakonechnyi joins the F&B team at Niyama Private Islands Maldives for a thrilling new chapter, as the entire resort experience is reimagined and its wining and dining made more tantalising than ever.

Niyama Private Islands an award-winning luxury playground, it’s two lush islands giving you an abundance of choices to Chill or Play. Joining the team that brings dreams to life there is sommelier Aleksandr Nakonechnyi, passionate and knowledgeable about his craft.

Aleksandr began his hospitality career as a bartender at the Kempinski Grand Hotel Gelendzhik on the Black Sea. His wanderlust then took him to the captivating beauty of St. Petersburg, then across the seas to barefoot luxury Sonevi Jani in the Maldives.

In 2021, Aleksandr joined the Minor Hotels family as Wine Guru at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, overseeing the vast collection at the world’s first underwater wine cellar, SEA. It was also here that he led the resort’s Dom Perignon underwater ageing project, sinking prized bottles into the reef for over a year to allow the champagnes to gain distinct notes of seaweed and minerals, then hosting tasting sessions for guests surrounded by the allure of the ocean itself.

Now joining the team at sister resort Niyama, Aleksandr brings with him passion and a bold vision. At Edge, the overwater signature restaurant and multi-year recipient of the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, surrounded by nothing but open water, he reintroduces dinners with refined wine and champagne pairings that mirror the horizon – crisp and luminous. Beneath the waves at Subsix, the resort’s iconic underwater venue, the Nikkei-inspired tasting menu is complemented by his champagne and sake pairings that elevate each course into a multisensory journey. In the jungle at Tribal, bold, structured wines complement dry-aged meats - each pairing crafted to enhance depth, smokiness and character. Finally, high above in the treetops at Nest, lighter expressions take centre stage, with delicate wines and sake selections harmonising effortlessly with avant-garde Asian flavours.

“Aleksandr is a rare find, and we are so excited to have him join us, to charm our guests with his passion and infectious enthusiasm”, says General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives, Hafidh Al Busaidy. “As Niyama continues to evolve, he will play an invaluable role in creating even more intriguing wining and dining experiences”.

For more information or reservations, call +960 676 22 22 or email reservations@niyama.com

About Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Two islands. Double the temptation. At Niyama Private Islands Maldives, you are free to roam, exploring lush jungle, hidden coves and brilliant blue lagoon where sea turtles come to bask. Choose your vibe, Play or Chill, then let loose and simply be.

At Play: Dine in the treetops, surf the waves breaking right on shore, and dive some of the most beautiful waters on earth. Families, meanwhile, enjoying sprawling villas and the Maldives’ most exciting kids’ club.

At Chill: Days by the pool, floating on water, culinary temptations everywhere, and sunset cocktails half a kilometre out to sea…Chill is where time stands still, complete with the serenity of wellness at Drift by Niyama.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives has been named among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean every year since 2017 in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Niyama Private Island Maldives is a Minor Hotels brand and recognises its guests through one unified loyalty programme, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.

Discover our world at minorhotels.com and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with more than 640 hotels, resorts and branded residences in operation and committed development across 63 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its hotel brands including Anantara, Elewana Collection, The Wolseley Hotels, Tivoli, Minor Reserve Collection, NH Collection, nhow, Avani, Colbert Collection, NH, Oaks, and iStay, as well as a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences, and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners.

Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognises its guests through one unified loyalty programme, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.

Discover our world at minorhotels.com and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.