Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has announced the launch of ‘Eco-licious: Fresh & Healthy Eats,’ a new garden-to-table dining experience that combines culinary delight with environmental consciousness.

This innovative pop-up venue nestled within a vibrant garden setting, invites guests on an inspired journey of sustainable gastronomy every Monday from 6:30PM. With an offering that extends beyond fresh greens and herbs to include locally-sourced seafood and fishes, Eco-licious reflects the ethos of Travel with Purpose by Hilton. An affirmation of the resort’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and increasing social impact in the near future.

“Each dish we present embodies the relationship between the earth’s bounty and our culinary artistry,” says Dwayne Krisko, Culinary Director of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. “Growing up in a family farm, I understand the profound connection between soil and plate. This launch isn’t just about showcasing exquisite flavours; it’s about returning to our roots, honouring local agriculture, and celebrating the simplicity of ingredients transformed into culinary wonders. I’m thrilled to invite our guests to a table where every meal is a journey” he adds.

The experience begins with a visit to the banana plantation at Rangali-Finolhu Island, where guests enjoy the tangible aspects of the resort’s sustainable food sourcing. Guests are then escorted to the state-of-the-art hydroponic garden, where they will discover a diverse array of vegetation and are invited to select their own herbs, with the culinary experts providing knowledgeable assistance throughout the process. The menu showcases the best of the Maldives, which includes seared local tuna with Kunamanda nuts and curried local lobster. The dining experience concludes on a sweet note with caramelised local banana, leaving guests with a heart full of memories and renewed understanding to sustainability.

The gastronomic adventure is offered at US$270 per person, with an additional option for wine enthusiasts to select from a range of curated vintages.

Eco-licious goes beyond the pleasure of dining; it embodies Conrad Maldives Rangali Island’s dedication to crafting extraordinary experiences that harmonize luxury with ecological responsibility. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island invites you to a unique evening where each course is a pledge to protect and enhance the pristine beauty of our island home.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 22 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.

For more information or to book your experience, please visit www.conradmaldives.com or email mlehi.experiences@conradhotels.com or contact +960 6680629.

LUX* South Ari Atoll, the award -winning resort of The Lux Collective and one of the largest resorts in the Maldives, has unveiled its newest accommodation – Romantic Beach Pool Villas.

Luxury meets elegance at LUX* South Ari Atoll. Thatched-roof beach bungalows and villas perched over the Maldivian waters create a stylish seaside haven. Ten one-bedroom Romantic Beach Pool Villas of 136m2 offer direct access to the beach and lagoon along with private swimming pools set in lush gardens. Ideal for couples and small families, they feature their own secluded beach spot and an infinity pool overlooking the panoramic ocean. Tropical indoor-outdoor bathrooms each with spacious bathtub elevate the island chic style of the villas.

The villas feature master bedrooms facing the ocean made to start every morning with a breathtaking view. The signature LUX* South Ari Atoll colour palette with the abundance of warm whites ensures the room captures maximum natural light. Designed in an elegant minimalistic style, the interiors feature soothing tones and natural materials chosen to ‘blend in’ with the environment.

To make every stay in the Romantic Beach Pool Villa truly extraordinary, the resort team has curated a collection of private experiences. A bikini lunch served in the pool, a dedicated in -villa mixology experience and an exclusive cinema screening on the beach await the guests. The new villas are available for bookings from 1 December 2023.

Voted The Best Resorts In The World for Indian Ocean 2022 by Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, LUX* South Ari Atoll features a variety of activities full of fun and modern soul including bicycle rides along the jetty, swimming alongside whale sharks, dining at any of the eight restaurants for a culinary adventure and partaking in marine conservation. Its LUX* ME Spa offers curated wellness journeys.

To book the all-new Romantic Beach Pool Villa stay at LUX* South Ari Atoll, visit www.luxresorts.com, email the resort at stay@luxmaldivesresort.com, or call +960 668 0901.

Maldivian freediver Umair Badheeu has achieved a new national record with a dive to a depth of 62 meters in the bi-fin category. His accomplishment was made possible with the support of Kaimoo Resorts and Hotels, a key sponsor and advocate for Umair’s pursuit of excellence in freediving.

Competing among 14 international participants, Umair’s performance not only secured a new national record but also surpassed his previous bi-fin category record of 60 meters by a margin of two meters.

Reflecting on the challenges of transitioning from his training in Egypt to competing in the Philippines, Umair said: “Adapting to reduced buoyancy due to warmer waters and encountering jellyfish were part of the new environment.”

This marks the third national record Umair has achieved. He previously set two national records of 62 and 64 meters in the free immersion category of free diving at the Andrea Zuccari World Cup held in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in October. Free immersion freediving is a discipline that requires divers to descend and ascend pulling a rope.

Umair’s switch from training in free immersion in Egypt to the bi-fin category for this tournament demonstrated his adaptability: “It felt like shifting gears, utilising distinct techniques, and returning to a more familiar discipline. This dive marks a confident depth for me, focusing not just on depth but also on refining dive times for a more enjoyable experience,” he remarked.

“Kaimoo’s support has been instrumental, offering me the freedom to train. This support has allowed me to focus on honing my skills and achieving new heights in my freediving,” Umair added.

“Umair’s third record-breaking dive this year is a testament to his exceptional skill and determination. Kaimoo is thrilled to continue supporting Umair’s journey in the world of freediving. His achievements inspire us, and we congratulate him on this impressive feat, looking for-ward to his continued success,” said Mohamed Manih Ahmed, Kaimoo’s Managing Director.

With this record-breaking achievement, Umair now looks forward to a period of rest before gearing up for the upcoming freediving season.

Kaimoo Resorts and Hotels is a leading tourism company in the Maldives that manages five properties across the country. In addition to Embudu Village and Summer Island Maldives, Kaimoo also operates Equator Village in Addu Atoll, and the Mookai Hotel and Mookai Suites in Male’.