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Soneva Fushi Opens the First Art and Glass Studio in the Maldives

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Soneva Glass Studio

Maldives.net.mv – The first glass studio in the Maldives has opened at Soneva Fushi, the award-winning luxury resort located in the Baa Atoll, where guests can watch world-renowned glass artists create objects of art, and learn the art of glass blowing. The state-of-the-art facility also includes a retail boutique and art gallery, which are designed as platforms to exhibit the work of the Maldivian and international glass artists.

The facility uses only waste glass materials used at Soneva resorts and other resorts in the Maldives. It is estimated that more than five tonnes of glass waste is produced by resorts in the Baa Atoll alone, every month.

“The idea behind this project is turn the glass into something that is much more beautiful and valuable than it was in its previous state,” said Sonu Shivdasani, Founder and CEO of Soneva.

“This is something we have wanted to do for many years, so we are very excited that the project has come to fruition. We believe that small tweaks to our business model can make a big difference. For instance, we see ‘waste’ as an asset rather than a liability. In fact, around 80% of our waste at Soneva Fushi is reused; a figure of which we are very proud,” he added.

Soneva Glass StudioSoneva Glass Studio

Soneva soon plans to offer unique and fun experiences to the resort guests in the form of special courses, art exhibitions, and interactive events. Several glass exhibitions will be held every year in collaboration with a rotating programme of visiting artists, the first of which will be announced soon. Guests will also have the opportunity to see world-renowned artists at work, buy beautiful pieces of art and also learn how to blow glass.

The studio will produce items used at the resort’s restaurants, as well as elements for the architectural design at new and existing Soneva resorts and private residences. Each of Soneva’s restaurants will also get its own signature lines of custom-made plates, bowls and glasses. All products will reflect the company’s signature design style.

“We are creating beautiful and functional products as well as rare pieces of art. We are also hoping that this facility will stimulate the Maldivian art scene, as we aim to both nurture the talents of Maldivian artists and provide a platform for them to get recognition,” said Kevin Christison, Soneva’s Curator of Art.
“Although we have just opened, visitors to the island have been very fascinated by the glass facility. Some of the guests have already had some glass-blowing training and have returned home with personally-designed pieces of art,” Christison concluded.

The Studio opened in August 2015; however tours of the glass studio and glass-blowing lessons will be available to guests at Soneva Fushi on request only from October 2015 onwards.

Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 57 spacious, multi-bedroom luxury beach front villas that are hidden among dense foliage for ultimate privacy. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday personal butlers who know what you want before you want it. For more information about Soneva visit www.soneva.com

Love

Experience an island of endless firsts at Kandima Maldives

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Kandima Maldives invites you to celebrate love in all its beautiful forms this February 2025, set against a backdrop of azure waters and swaying palm trees. Step beyond the ordinary and immerse yourself in a world of exciting adventures and delightful surprises with the Kandima’s “An Island of Endless Firsts” Valentine’s Day programme. Whether it’s romantic love, cherished friendships, or self-love, discover endless ways to connect, explore, and craft unforgettable memories in this refreshingly playful paradise.

Rev up the romance and fuel your love story at Fast Track, Kandima’s thrilling new entertainment attraction. Experience love in the fast lane as you and your partner race head-to-head on the ocean-front karting track in an unforgettable challenge. The exclusive Valentine’s Combo treats you to 30 minutes of high-speed excitement, topped off with a playful photo session to capture your shared joy and laughter. For couples with a competitive streak, the Couple Karting Mini Grand Prix on Valentine’s Day is your chance to win a complimentary 10-minute karting session. Get ready to race, laugh, and fall in love all over again!

For couples craving a secluded, Kandima’s own Lover’s Island Castaway Retreat, where you and your partner can enjoy a secluded private island with a sun-drenched beach all to yourselves. Indulge in a chilled bottle of bubbly and a fresh fruit basket as you soak in the romance of this idyllic hideaway. For those seeking adventure, Kandima offers captivating marine explorations, including a sunset cruise. Choose between a lively group experience or the intimacy of a private yacht, complete with a curated selection of delicious drinks and canapés. As the sun dips below the horizon, keep an eye out for the magical encounters with turtles, dolphins, and other fascinating marine life.

Take your love to new heights with Kandima’s Romantic Fly-Away aerial experience at Aquaholics. Soar together on a mesmerising parasailing adventure during the golden sunset hour, from 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM. As you ascend, marvel at the Maldives’ stunning lagoons below, bathed in vibrant hues as the sun dips into the horizon.

As night falls, cosy up for a Movie Under the Stars, complete with a chilled bottle of bubbly and cupid-mix popcorn. For couples not ready to call it a night, Forbidden Bar Beach’s DJ-spun Afterparty will keep the sparks flying till midnight. Don’t forget to join the Valentine’s 3D Hand Casting workshop before you leave. Craft a unique ornament of you and your partner’s intertwined hands, an adorable keepsake for your unforgettable Kandima experience to take home.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Picture-Perfect Picnic by Aroma Lake, where a camera-ready hamper awaits. Filled with Prosecco, savoury snacks, and delightful goodies. Sip on thematic Cupid’s Cocktails throughout the day at Breeze Bar &

Beach Club or, surprise your partner with a heart-shaped Red Velvet cake and speciality coffee at Aroma and Deli, a limited-time item on the menu.

As the evening unfolds, indulge in a fiery Valentine’s BBQ at Zest Beach, where romance meets culinary delight. Savour a delectable set menu under a starlit sky, beginning with fresh oysters and a pre-dinner cocktail, complemented by a bottle of Prosecco with a gourmet dining experience, all with spectacular sea views as the perfect backdrop.

End your day with ultimate pampering at EsKape Spa’s Romantic Retreat, a luxurious 120-minute journey designed for couples. Begin with a soothing signature foot ritual, followed by a full-body massage and rejuvenating Indian head massage that dissolves deep tension and stress. Immerse yourself in a fresh coconut body polish and tropical flower bath, complete with sparkling wine for the perfect toast to love and future adventures. Surprise your loved one with an immersive in-room romantic set up complete with a personalised message. With just 48 hours’ notice, Kandima’s Krew can transform your bed with a blanket of rose petals, or completely transform your villa into a lover’s haven with bespoke top-to-toe villa décor.

At Kandima, love isn’t limited to February. With the LuvPerk offering, celebrate Birthdays, anniversaries, or romantic getaways of three and seven nights up. Delight your loved one with special touches like a sumptuous floating breakfast served on your private deck or a magical candlelit dinner on the beach. Whether it’s February or any time of the year, Kandima is where love gets playful, adventurous, and endlessly exciting. Come for the thrills, stay for the feels!

Have a look at the detailed Valentines programme here: An Island of endless firsts.

Lead-in rates for a stay at Kandima in February 2025 start from $300/night++ for a Studio and from $515/night++ for a Beach Villa, book direct online for extra savings and discounts on water sports, excursions, spa and many tailored options as per your travel needs.

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Drink

Atmosphere Core partners with Italy’s award-winning Prosecco Bottega

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Atmosphere Core, a leading figure in the hospitality industry, has announced a unique collaboration with award-winning Italian lifestyle winery Bottega SpA. A 4th generation family estate which first started producing grappa in the 17th century, Bottega presents an enviable portfolio of wines and liqueurs, made world-famous by its iconic GOLD Prosecco DOC.

Driven by shared core values of quality, authenticity, distinctive design, and all-encompassing service styles, this innovative partnership is set to inspire a new wave of wine hospitality in the Maldives. On top of direct product shipments from the Bottega estates for the supply of wines solely to its 9 private-island resorts, Atmosphere Core will also introduce South Asia’s first Bottega Prosecco Bar, a concept created by Sandro Bottega himself to enhance and share Italy’s great wine, genuine food and convivial lifestyle, offering travellers from around the globe a taste of true Italian sparkling life in highly fashionable environments.

Testimony to the quality and popularity of Bottega labels, the family’s estates have won more than 450 awards and accolades with their products now available in over 160 countries worldwide. In 2022, IWRS reported Bottega’s GOLD Prosecco DOC as the top-selling sparkling wine in the Duty-Free channel world-wide.

Commenting on the new collaboration with Bottega, Atmosphere Core Group Managing Director, Salil Panigrahi, stated, “We are committed to providing the best possible guest experiences, and meticulously curate the culinary journeys within our resorts to offer the highest quality of authentic food and beverage concepts, so our guests can return home with life-long memories. We can only achieve this by collaborating with the most dynamic wine producers in the world, and our announcement to partner with Bottega SpA in 2025 is a landmark moment for our company. I wish to personally thank Mr Sandro Bottega for granting Atmosphere Core this opportunity which goes beyond the presence of his labels in our resorts, but also provides us with an exciting platform to explore new immersive lifestyle hospitality concepts”.

With the intent set firmly on growing wine culture, Atmosphere Core regularly hosts partner winemakers and winery owners at its Maldives resorts to lead exclusive and immersive masterclasses for guests, while reciprocating this exchange with wine partners sponsoring resort colleagues to travel and visit their vineyards across the world.

Sandro Bottega, President and CEO of Bottega SpA, comments, “I’m proud to start a partnership with such a prestigious hospitality group as Atmosphere Core. Our main aim is to bring the Italian oenological culture to South Asia. Maldives is a luxury destination, that embraces the same values of quality and elegance of our flagship product: Bottega GOLD Prosecco DOC. Furthermore, we hope to also introduce our Bottega 0 Rosé and White, both without alcohol, they offer the same consumption rituality of the sparkling wines, respecting teetotallers and all those who, for any reason, choose to be cautious in their consumption of alcohol. I’m also excited of the opportunity to open a branded Bottega Prosecco Bar, that will represent an ambassador for Italian cuisine in the islands”.

Wine enthusiasts, global travellers, and valued partners can look forward to a year-round calendar of enriching and immersive wine-focused experiences that embody Atmosphere Core’s commitment to exceptional hospitality and authentic storytelling, fostering genuine connections between guests and partner wineries from 1er Cru Champagne, Stellenbosch, Galicia, the Canary Islands and now Italy.

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Love

Root your love story at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives

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Planting a tree is more than just placing roots in the earth—it’s a promise of growth, a symbol of nurturing bonds, and a gesture that carries hope for the future. At Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, guests are invited to make this timeless act part of their most treasured moments. Whether celebrating a proposal, renewing vows, or marking a special milestone, planting a palm tree at the resort transforms these personal celebrations into a meaningful contribution to the island’s ecosystem.

A guest at the resort recently found the experience profoundly personal: “planting a palm tree here felt like rooting a part of our love story in paradise. Every time we think of our tree, we’ll remember this beautiful place and the promise of a greener future.”

The initiative is more than just a sentimental experience but a call to action. As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, the Maldives faces mounting challenges from rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Palm trees, with their deep root systems, play a crucial role in stabilising the soil and protecting shorelines, making them essential in safeguarding the islands for future generations.

This ethos aligns seamlessly with the Maldives’ national “5 Million Trees Planting Programme,” launched on World Environment Day 2024. With over 450,936 trees already planted as of December 2024, the programme reflects the nation’s dedication to combating climate change.

At the heart of this initiative is Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to sustainability through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. The palm tree planting activity at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives is not merely an offering for guests but a conscious effort to educate and involve them in the preservation of the Maldives’ delicate ecosystem.

Rajeeva Rajapakse, General Manager of Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, expressed the importance of this initiative: “We want every guest to feel connected—not just to our island but to the values we stand for. When they plant a tree here, they aren’t just creating a memory; they’re joining us in shaping a more sustainable future for the Maldives.”

This unique opportunity allows guests to leave more than footprints in the sand. Every tree planted is a story, a contribution, and a step towards making tourism more responsible. It’s a chance to take home the knowledge that even small actions—like planting a palm tree—can ripple out into a lasting impact.

So, whether you’re celebrating love, life, or simply the joy of being in paradise, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives offers a way to turn your moments into legacies. Root your story here, and let it grow for years to come.

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