Luxury meets mixology in a two-night extravaganza

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is set to host an exclusive event that will tantalize the taste buds of cocktail connoisseurs. Prepare for an unforgettable journey into the world of mixology as the prestigious Smoke & Bitters takes over The Whale Bar on December 14th and 15th, 2023.

Meet the Maestros: Two of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated mixologists, Don Ranasingh and Himaru Sathsarae, will grace The Whale Bar with their expertise, adding a touch of Sri Lankan warmth and charm to the Maldivian paradise. Their presence is set to elevate the entire experience, making this event a rare and unmissable opportunity for those seeking the pinnacle of cocktail craftsmanship.

Indulge in Exquisite Cocktails: Prepare to embark on a journey of the senses with Smoke & Bitters’ signature creations. The BANANARAMA promises a tropical fusion of Halmilla arrack, smoked wild bee honey, banana peel, falernum, and smoked hellfire bitters—a concoction of pure bliss in every sip. Meanwhile, the MAI CHAI offers a flavorful expedition with a blend of chai rum, triple sec, spiced orgeat, chai syrup, and elemakule tiki bitters—a fusion transporting you to distant realms.

Price and Reservations: Each meticulously crafted cocktail from the Smoke & Bitters repertoire is priced at USD 26++, with a 27.6% service charge and Government Tax applicable. Guests are encouraged to secure their spot for this extraordinary event by contacting their St. Regis Butler, ensuring they don’t miss out on an evening of unparalleled mixology in an enchanting setting.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience Asia’s Top 50 Bar, Smoke & Bitters, in the idyllic surroundings of The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Secure your reservation and be part of an evening where luxury, breathtaking views, and unparalleled mixology converge for a truly unforgettable experience.

Chef David Hemmerle, a leading chef originally from France and now based in Moscow, will be visiting InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort and taking over The Lighthouse restaurant in December.

The Lighthouse has a 360-degree view of the resort and the sparkling Indian Ocean below, offering the finest seasonal ingredients and seafood.

The collaboration with Chef Hemmerle promises to elevate the resort’s culinary experience, providing guests with a diverse range of carefully crafted and delectable dishes that showcase Hemmerle’s culinary skills.

Known for his work in Michelin-rated restaurants in Europe and Asia, Hemmerle has over 30 years of experience in fine dining at the likes of the Four Seasons in Moscow and the Cristal Room Baccarat (Mercury Group), all of which has helped develop a deep understanding of the tastes of metropolitan gourmet cuisine, combined with a rich experience in Michelin-rated restaurants.

Chef Hemmerle will bring the flair and refinement of his homeland’s cuisine to the resort this winter, cooking with creativity & complex techniques and the finest local ingredients.

Rates start from USD 952++ per night in a Water Pool Villa including breakfast for two. For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.

Having built a global reputation for pushing the boundaries of  unique dining experiences to exciting new heights, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is now taking  epicurean adventure to a whole new level — six metres beneath the sea. In what is the first ever truly  immersive dining under water in the Maldives, this exciting new 3D sensory dining event will take a  strictly limited number of diners beneath the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean to the resort’s award winning SEA Underwater Restaurant, where they will be immersed in an enchanting marine world as  they are treated to a memorable feast for the senses with an enthralling “Message in a Bottle” themed  dining. 

Famed for its surreal ocean viewing experience, SEA Underwater Restaurant treats diners to a  uniquely immersive 3D dining experience, with sharks, turtles, and tropical fish swimming by the glass  windows as diners savour gourmet creations paired with fine wines, making every moment a delight  for the senses and providing the perfect setting for the evening’s aquatic adventure. 

The Message in a Bottle experience is not just a dinner but an odyssey of enlightenment, a feast of  the senses, and a call to action for the preservation of our planet’s most precious treasure — the  oceans. Imagine a subaquatic adventure that marries the art of storytelling, the magic of illusion, and  the marvels of cutting-edge 3D technology. Picture an evening of fine cuisine and visual wizardry that  transcends the boundaries of imagination as an intimate gathering of just 16 guests embarks on a  two-hour, six-course journey of entertainment and discovery.  

The evening’s magical adventure begins with a portent of what lies ahead when an Avatar from the  future sends a fairy back to our present time. The fairy brings with her a message in a bottle, a  heartfelt plea to save our oceans and protect our planet. After showing how non-sustainable practices  are slowly destroying the earth, the fairy then goes on to share the simple steps people can take to  reverse the effects and stop the damage. This message of sustainability is reflected throughout the  evening’s entertaining experience, from the storyline and visual effects to the specially prepared  dishes that make up the sumptuous meal. 

As they take in the show playing out all around them, diners are treated to a delicious set of dishes by  Executive Chef Joachim Textor that have been carefully crafted to take them on a journey from the  deep sea to the arctic, and from the beach to the coral reef. Each dish symbolically represents a facet  of ocean conservation, presented in an engaging, entertaining, and magical way in gourmet creations that feature seafood from around the world along with a whole host of special surprises. Rather than  merely passive viewers, taking in the entertainment while enjoying fine cuisine, the diners are fully  immersed in the show as they complete interactive activities that include “playing with your food.”  

Incorporated into the storyline is the recently published reef study, which is the result of extensive  research and a groundbreaking scientific assessment of Anantara Kihavah’s award-winning house  reef, conducted by esteemed marine biologists throughout 2022 and 2023. Aligning with the  underlying theme of the evening, the primary objective of the book is to convey a compelling message  on reef appreciation and conservation. 

Available until March 2024, this extraordinary culinary adventure is priced at USD 450++ for adults  and USD 200++ for kids 8 – 11 years, and available every Wednesday and Saturday night. Bringing  together the thrill of dining in an underwater restaurant on the edge of an award-winning house reef,  the delight of feasting on exquisitely prepared seafood paired with fine wines, and the joy of being  immersed in an epic 3D adventure, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be missed. For more  information or to book, call +960 664 4111, visit us at www.anantara.com/kihavah-maldives or email reservations.maldives@anantara.com.