LATEST NEWS

Six Resorts In The Maldives To Celebrate Culinary Offerings During Baa Atoll Summer Festival 2018

Six luxury resorts located in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll will come together to celebrate the aptly named Baa Atoll Summer Festival 2018 from 20 July – 3 August 2018. This one-of-its-kind festival will be hosted by Soneva Fushi, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Dusit Thani, Amilla Fushi, Vakkaru Maldives and Finolhu and each will showcase its culinary offering to guests on selected nights throughout the festival. Guests visiting other islands for their dinner will be provided with transportation to the designated resort and a set menu, allowing them to taste their way around Baa Atoll.

For more information, visit www.baaatollfestival.com.

 

The Maldives Showcases Its Tourism Offering At The Annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relation Corporation (MMPRC), together with partners from the Maldivian tourism industry, participated at the 25th Annual Arabian Travel Market from 22 – 25 April 2018. The Maldives delegation was led by the Minister of Tourism, H.E. Mr. Moosa Zameer, and accompanied by Acting Managing Director of MMRPC, Mr. Haris Mohamed. A total of 68 companies and over 126 participants travelled to Dubai to attend ATM 2018 and showcase their products.

For more information on the Maldives, visit www.visitmaldives.com.

 

The Maldives Shortlisted As ‘Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination 2018’ At World Spa Awards

The Maldives has been nominated as ‘Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination’ at the 4th Annual Spa Awards 2018, which will be held at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort on 26 October 2018. The Maldives opened the world’s first-ever underwater spa at Huvafen Fushi in 2014 and has since been named as the ‘Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination’ in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Voting for the category is open now and will close on 17 August 2018.

To vote for the Maldives, please visit www.worldspaawards.com.

 

CULINARY NEWS FROM THE MALDIVES

Soneva Fushi Announces The Grand Opening Of Its New Dining Destination: Out Of The Blue

Soneva Fushi has announced the opening of Out of the Blue, its latest dining destination. The two-storey overwater structure houses new dining experiences, from intimate settings of just five diners presided over by world-famous chefs, to large alfresco shared dining areas. Out of the Blue will provide guests with five unique dining outlets, with food inspired by Japanese, Chinese and international cuisine. Out of the Blue will host over 30 world-famous chefs as part of Soneva’s Festival of Colour.

For more information, visit www.soneva.com/soneva-fushi/dining/out-of-the-blue/.

 

Soneva Fushi Welcomes Celebrated Chef Prateek of Masque

Soneva Fushi welcomed Chef Prateek Sadhu from the acclaimed restaurant in Mumbai, Masque, in May 2018. Masque is known for its degustation menus that hinge on the farm-to-table culinary ethos, while keeping sustainability at the forefront. Chef Prateek was hosted at Soneva Fushi from 8 – 14 May 2018 as part of the brand’s year-long Festival of Colour, which will include a line-up of visiting experts, including chefs, authors, wine producers, world-champion free-divers, astronomers, artists, wellness practitioners, tennis coaches and more.

For more information on Soneva’s Festival of Colour, visit www.soneva.com/festivalofcolour.

 

Baros Maldives Appoints New Creative Executive Chef

Baros Island Maldives has welcomed new Creative Executive Chef, Mark Anthony Long to take the lead on the exciting culinary operations on the island. With over 35 years of experience, Mark started his hospitality career in 1983 in the UK and has since travelled around the world including stints in Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, China and India. Chef Mark will be responsible for ensuring the smooth culinary operations of the resorts restaurants – Lighthouse, Cayenne Grill and Lime – as well as the spectacular Destination Dining offerings.

For more information, visit www.baros.com/dining.

 

Feeling Koi Offers Modern Japanese Dining With a Latin Twist at Huvafen Fushi

New to Huvafen Fushi’s culinary experiences is Feeling Koi, a new overwater signature restaurant that offers authentic modern Japanese dining presented with an alluring Latin-influenced twist. Shared dishes are prepared for guests using the finest quality ingredients with a simple, yet exquisite presentation by NOBU trained Chef Jameel. The restaurant brings an informal and laid-back Izakaya-style dining to the Indian Ocean to create intimate moments for two. Inspired by Mark Hehir, CEO & Curator of The Small Maldives Island Co, Feeling Koi is home to the only certified Maldivian Sake Sommelier, on hand to guide guests through a sensory journey discovering the archipelago’s largest collection of fine sakes.

For more information on Feeling Koi, visit www.huvafenfushi.com/feeling-koi.

 

Kandolhu Maldives Increases Its Restaurant-To-Room Ratio With A New Mexican Street Food Dining Experience

Kandolhu Maldives has announced the opening of its fifth restaurant, Ata-Roa. Serving up authentic, simple and light Mexican and Peruvian street food with classic and unique takes, the mouth-watering menu at Ata-Roa was created by Executive Chef Mickaël Farina. Located on the Noovilu Sports jetty, the new restaurant will be opened daily (except on Wednesdays) from 12pm – 4pm and offer guests meals made with the finest ingredients and local produce. The design and branding of Ata-Roa draws inspiration from the joyful “Day of the Dead” Mexican festivities, and the ancient Peruvian Nazca Lines. The space will also be used as a pop-up location for various food-related events, including Spanish wine and Basque pintxo nights.

For more information, visit www.kandolhu.com.

 

PARTNER NEWS 

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Announces Construction Of First-Of-Its-Kind Undersea Residence

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has announced the submersion of what is believed to be the world’s first undersea residence, which will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018. The result of a significant $15 million USD investment, this revolutionary concept will transform the Maldives experience for travellers who want to be truly immersed within the natural beauty of the Indian Ocean. As the first international hotel brand to enter the Maldivian market 20 years ago and home to the world’s first undersea restaurant, Ithaa, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island continues to pioneer and innovate with the groundbreaking introduction of the undersea residence.

For more information, visit www.conradmaldives.com.

 

JOALI Maldives to Open in Late 2018

Set on the isolated castaway island of Muravandhoo in the unspoilt Raa Atoll, one of the largest and deepest in the world, the resort of JOALI is set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2018. Located just 45-minutes from Malé by seaplane, JOALI will offer guests 73 elegant beach and water villas and residences with high ceilings, marble and copper detailing and ethnic patterns as well as curated in-room libraries. Dotted throughout will be works of immersive art by celebrated young designers including Misha Kahn, many using recycled materials, with guests able to try their hand at creating their own artworks at the Art Studio. JOALI offers four fusion restaurants from around the globe and even a liquid nitrogen ice cream corner. Total relaxation comes in the form of an indulgent wellbeing programme by renowned ESPA, while guests can also choose Maldivian cookery classes at Her Kitchen, destination dining from a private sandbank to an art immersive treehouse, snorkelling, diving and watersports.

For more information, visit www.joali.com.

 

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa To Open in November 2018

Set to open on the northern Maldivian island of Vagaru in the Shaviyani Atoll, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa will be a 55-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport. The 61-villa property will provide guests with a private pool with every villa, a treetop restaurant, an expansive wine cellar, a house reef rich in marine life, a Kid’s Club by JW and Spa by JW. Guests will have a choice between five villa categories ranging from 234sqm to 638sqm, all of which come with private pools and wooden decks. There will be 29 secluded one- and two-bedroom beach villas nestled amongst the island’s greenery, each with its own private beach area.

For more information, visit www.marriott.co.uk.

 

Aitken Spence Hotels To Launch First ‘Heritance’ Property In The Maldives This Winter: Heritance Aarah

Aitken Spence Hotels is set to launch its first ‘Heritance’ property in the Maldives, with the introduction of Heritance Aarah in winter 2018. The property, located on an island in Raa Atoll and just 40 minutes from Malé International Airport, will operate as an all-inclusive resort and will include 26 intimate luxury duplex Ocean Suites, 56 Ocean Villas and 68 villas on land. The resort will offer guests six dining outlets and three bars, including an exclusive space for Ocean Suite guests and an open-air rooftop venue. Heritance Aarah will also include a dive and water sports centre, a kids’ club and a spa with six treatment rooms set over the lagoon.

For more information, visit www.heritancehotels.com/aarah.

 

Sun Aqua Iru Veli Resort To Open In August 2018

The five-star Sun Aqua Iru Veli Resort will open its doors in August this year and will offer 125 luxurious beach and over water villas, each with their own private swimming pool. Sun Aqua Iru Veli is located just 40 minutes by seaplane from Malé on its own lagoon on Aluvifushi Island situated in the South Nilandhe Atoll. The villas blend in perfectly with the beautiful natural surroundings and are decorated in a fusion of tropical and modern island style.

For more information, visit www.iru-veli.com.

 

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Launches New Overwater Observatory & Bar, SKY

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has unveiled the new SKY, the Maldives’ only overwater observatory combined with a luxury cocktail bar, a resident story-telling Sky Guru and housing the most powerful telescope in the Indian Ocean. Situated in a prime location in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, the luxury five-star resort has long been renowned as ideal destination to explore the underwater world of the stunning Indian Ocean. The observatory’s SKY Guru, Ali Shameen, will share secrets of the stars and constellations through his extraordinary storytelling with guests and thanks to minimal light pollution, visitors to SKY will be greeted by striking vistas of the planets and moons.

For more information, visit www.skykihavahmaldives.com.

 

Finolhu Celebrates Global Wellness Day With Free Yoga Marathon

Finolhu will celebrate Global Wellness Day on 9 June 2018 with five complimentary wellness-inspired classes for guests. The ‘yoga marathon’ will begin with a serene sunrise session of yoga with resident trainer, Shinto, and additional classes include a Master UFC GYM trainer, a strength and endurance class, an Aerial Yoga session, and a Sunset Yoga class on the Sun Bank.

For more information, visit www.finolhu.com/bring-it-on.

 

Huvafen Fushi Unveils The Playpen, The Grand Beach Pavilion

Huvafen Fushi has revealed The PlayPen, The Grand Beach Pavilion. The PlayPen is a unique concept in the Maldives that weaves fluid New York loft-style living spaces with a nostalgic neo-Parisian penchant for vintage pieces and a collection of handpicked furniture. Exclusively available for couples, the two-storey, 445sqm accommodation pavilion is an alluring offering for travellers searching for a dreamscape.

For more information, visit www.huvafenfushi.com/the-playpen.

 

Embrace The Power Of One At Mirihi Island, Maldives

Following its success in 2017, Mirihi Island, Maldives is reintroducing a Solo Travel Offer from 20 May – 30 September 2018. With solo travel booming, this stunning island retreat is harnessing the trend by removing the single supplements on rooms and offering solo guests complimentary yoga six days a week, to help guests relax and unwind in this stunning and natural setting. 

For more information, visit www.mirihi.com.

 

Oil Aboard the Coconut Express at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort

This April, the Navasana Spa at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort celebrated one year of producing its own coconut oil on the island. The spa’s coconut oil is all-natural and made by the spa’s therapists who hand press it from the naturally fallen mature coconuts around the island. The oil is then used in an increasing number of treatments at the resort’s spa and is also available for guests to purchase for $18 per 100ml bottle.

For more information, visit www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/maldives.

 

PACKAGES

Save Up To 30% With A Full-Board Stay At Anantara Kihavah, From £3,799 Per Person

Inspiring Travel Company is offering a saving of up to 30% on accommodation rates plus a complimentary upgrade to full board at Anantara Kihavah in the Maldives. Prices start from £3,799 per person based on two adults sharing a Beach Pool Villa for seven nights on a full board basis including economy class flights and seaplane transfers. This offer is valid for travel completed between 9 April – 30 September 2018 and represents a saving of up to £1,735 per person. To book, call 01244 355527 or visit www.inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk.

 

Carpe Diem Maldives Launches A Super Summer Sale, With 10% Saving

The Maldives’ monsoon season brings plankton to the waters and with it, a feeding frenzy for megafauna and pelagic animals of the underwater kingdom. For divers looking to make the most of this, Carpe Diem’s Carpe Vita cruise is offering 10% savings from July to September on dive safaris with four dives a day, including nitrox. The seven-day cruises from July to end of September also include three meals per day and begin from approximately £1,542 ($2,088) per person. For more information or to book, visit www.carpediemmaldives.com.

 

Mirihi Island, Maldives, Introduces a ‘One Child Stays Free’ Family Offering for Summer

Mirihi Island, Maldives, will offer a new ‘One Child Stays Free’ family offering this summer. The exclusive family offering will be available for stays between 20 May – 8 September 2018, where one child under 12 years old will stay free of charge in the same accommodation as their parents. Nightly rates start from £670 per villa, half-board, based on two adults and one child sharing. All rates are subject to 10% service charge and 12% GST. Return seaplane transfers to Mirihi Island from Male are priced at £376 per person, with a 50% discount given to children under 12 years old. For more information or to book, visit www.mirihi.com.

 

All-Inclusive Package At Amari Havodda Maldives from £397 Per Night

Amari Havodda Maldives is currently offering an All-Inclusive package for £397 per night double occupancy in an Overwater Villa. The All-Inclusive package includes meals at Amaya Food Gallery; a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, beer, wine, liquors and soft drinks at Thari Bar, Amaya Food Gallery and Ember Robatayaki; A Guided House Reef Snorkelling Tour including equipment; sunrise and sunset yoga sessions; and free use of the resort’s fitness centre, multipurpose court and beach volleyball court. Price is valid for stays until 31 October 2018 and must be booked by 31 July 2018. For more information or to book, visit www.amari.com/havodda-maldives.

 

For further information on the Maldives, visit www.visitmaldives.com.