News
Vikas Kumar appointed as F&B Director at W Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – W Retreat & Spa – Maldives has announced the appointment of its new Food and Beverage Director, Vikas Kumar.
Kumar started his hospitality career at Ananda in the Himalayas in India as Food and Beverage Supervisor in 2000 shortly after his graduation from the Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology in Kovalam, India. In late 2003, he headed the Intercontinental The Grand Goa as Food and Beverage Supervisor before moving to Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces in Mumbai as Assistant Restaurant Manager in 2004. He joined Novotel Hyderabad & Hyderabad International Convention Centre in 2006 as Event Service Manager before being promoted Banquet Manager and Assistant Food and Beverage Manager two years later. Kumar’s Starwood journey started in 2009 at the Westin Hyderabad Mindspace as the Outlets Manager. He moved to Sheraton Bangalore at Brigade Gateway as Food and Beverage Manager in 2010 before holding the title of Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at Sheraton Dammam Hotel and Towers in 2013. Most recently, he served as the Food and Beverage Manager at Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park in Bellandur, India.
In his spare time, Vikas enjoys scuba diving and will likely spend his day off exploring the beauty of the underwater world around the Resort and the neighboring islands.
Only 25 minutes from the Malé International Airport, W Retreat & Spa – Maldives is a newly restyled luxury tropical playground in the Indian Ocean perfect for relaxing, playing, and recharging for whatever comes next.
The Resort features 78 private retreats and suites, including 28 Wonderful Beach Oasis, 25 Spectacular Ocean Oasis, 21 Fabulous Lagoon Oasis, 3 WOW Ocean Escape and 1 Extreme WOW Ocean Haven (the W brand’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite).
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi showcases mixology collaboration during Easter programme
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort hosted a two-day Behind the Bar experience as part of its Easter programme, bringing together contemporary mixology and craft-led guest experiences.
The event featured collaborations with Modernhaus, led by Bar Manager Upay Aldi, and The Cocktail Club, represented by Co-Founder Mirwansyah Bule, both from Indonesia. Over two evenings, guests were invited to engage with the bartenders’ techniques, flavour profiles and creative processes, with Modernhaus recognised among Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
The programme included a curated selection of cocktails prepared using ingredients such as cempaka-infused whisky, hibiscus ginger maple, wasabi spirit, jasmine peach, coconut chai milk, salted tamarind, yuzu whey, salted fino sherry, sake gomme, guava vodka, Thai tea liqueur and malic. The offerings reflected a combination of tropical elements and contemporary mixology methods.
The first evening took place at Kata, the resort’s Japanese-fusion restaurant, where the experience was set against sunset views over the lagoon. The second evening was held at Raha Market in a beachside setting, offering a more informal atmosphere while maintaining the focus on crafted cocktails.
The event formed part of Sirru Fen Fushi’s ongoing programming, which centres on curated guest experiences and collaborations with international talent in food and beverage.
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