News
Top Venetian glassmaker first artist to feature at Soneva Fushi’s new glass studio
Maldives.net.mv – Artist extraordinaire and master Venetian glassblower, Lino Tagliapietra, was the first artist to feature at the recently opened Glass Studio at Soneva Fushi last year from December 15-27.
Widely acknowledged as the best glass artist in the world, guests at the luxury resort got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch Maestro Tagliapietra create unique art pieces, learn the art of glass-blowing, and also purchase his fantastic creations.
Born on the Italian island of Murano, famed for its hand-blown artisanal glassware since the 13th century, Tagliapietra was apprenticed to master glassmaker Archimede Seguso at the age of 12, and by 21 had already earned the title of maestro himself. In 1979, he moved to the United States to teach at the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, which also marked the beginning of his international career and collaborations with other prominent glass artists.
His stunning work, celebrated for its complexity, elegance, and visual poetry has earned him numerous awards such as the Glass Art Society Lifetime Achievement Award, election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has been exhibited at top galleries around the world, including the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery, Washington DC, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Victoria & Albert Museum, London and the Tokyo National Modern Art, as well as at the Venice Biennale.
Tagliapietra’s collaboration is just the beginning of Soneva Fushi’s plans to offer unique and rare experiences to their guests in the form of special courses and interactive events such as glass-blowing workshops. Several glass exhibitions are scheduled to be held every year in conjunction with a rotating programme of visiting artists. The Venetian maestro was followed by another well-known glass artist Dr Sunny Wang in February this year.
Born in Taiwan and educated in Australia, Wang, who is the Assistant Professor of Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University, contemplates the meaning of life through her colourful glass sculptures.
From March 13 to April 5, the Glass Studio will feature another internationally renowned artist, American Howard Ben Tré, who will create a series of works at the resort.
A pioneer in the use of cast glass as a sculptural medium, Ben Tre has won critical acclaim for his unique sculptures and large-scale works of art for public and private spaces. His works have been included in more than 101 museums and public collections worldwide, among them the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution; the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Nice, among others.
Among his public commissions are the award-winning installation of fountains and seating created for Post Office Square Park in Boston; the plaza and sculpture for BankBoston’s headquarters in downtown Providence; a sited sculpture for the plaza at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence; and an interactive fountain for the hall of the newly renovated Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston.
“We are also hoping that our 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.
“So far visitors to the island have been very fascinated by the glass facility and some of them have already had some glass-blowing training and have returned home with personally-designed pieces of art,” Christison concluded.
Soneva’s studio, which opened its doors in September last year year, was conceptualised as a state-of-the-art facility for resort guests to watch world-renowned glass artists create objects of art, and learn the art of glass blowing. It also includes a retail boutique and art gallery, designed to showcase the work of 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 the resorts in the Baa Atoll alone produce more than five tonnes of glass waste, every month. “The idea behind this project is to 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.
Ifuru Island Maldives is welcoming Dr Shakkeel AM as a Visiting Wellness Practitioner, marking a step in the resort’s plans to develop a curated Visiting Practitioner programme.
Dr Shakkeel, a CIDESCO-certified naturopath and acupuncturist, will be in residence at the resort from 28 January to 30 March. The residency forms part of Ifuru Island Maldives’ strategy to introduce rotating international wellness specialists and expand its holistic wellbeing offering.
With more than ten years of experience in luxury wellness hospitality across the Maldives, India and Bahrain, Dr Shakkeel brings a personalised and integrative approach to wellbeing. His practice is influenced by classical Ayurveda and modern therapeutic methods, drawing inspiration from his grandfather, an Ayurvedic healer.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences and advanced acupuncture training from the Jing Well Academy. Each guest programme begins with a comprehensive consultation, including Tridosha assessment, tongue diagnosis and pulse analysis, to tailor treatments to individual needs.
During his residency, guests will have access to a range of therapies, including therapeutic and cosmetic acupuncture, Kalari Marma therapy, sleep-enhancing treatments, detoxification programmes, posture alignment therapy, immersive Ayurvedic rituals, restorative bodywork and guided meditation sessions.
Ifuru Island Maldives said the residency supports its long-term plan to establish a rotating Visiting Practitioner programme, aimed at offering guests access to internationally experienced wellness experts and structured, results-driven wellness journeys.
Guests will be able to begin their experience with a complimentary Ayurveda or wellness consultation during the residency period.
This February, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives invites guests to welcome Lunar New Year 2026 with a vibrant island celebration honouring the Year of the Fire Horse. Running from 16 to 21 February, the programme blends festive dining, restorative wellness, and family-friendly fun set against the breathtaking natural beauty and stunning sunsets of the Maldives.
In Chinese culture, the Horse symbolises energy, confidence, freedom and forward momentum, qualities intensified by the Fire element, which represents passion, renewal and bold new beginnings. At Kandooma, this spirit comes to life through a thoughtfully prepared celebration that balances relaxation with movement, and time-honoured traditions with the freedom of a private island escape.
Festive dining sits at the heart of the celebrations. Guests are invited to share in a Prosperity Yu Sheng (Lo Hei) experience, where fresh fish, vibrant shredded vegetables and condiments are tossed together to invite abundance, unity and good fortune. Traditionally, the higher the toss, the greater the luck. Interactive Hot Pot evenings at The Asian Kitchen on the beach include the Yu Sheng set, a choice of two savoury broths, fresh vegetables, chewy noodles, premium Angus beef slices, juicy Tiger prawns, pork belly and an assortment of tasty fish balls. (US$99++ per person available 16-21 February except 19 February). Seafood lovers will be delighted with the Seafood Fiesta at The Asian Kitchen on 19 February where an indulgent spread will welcome guests, including fresh sushi and sashimi, sand lobster, Norwegian salmon and more. Meat lovers are catered for too, with a choice of grass-fed beef sirloin, succulent lamb cutlets, roasted Beijing Duck, crispy pork belly and more. (US$99++ per person).
The Lunar New Year also invites renewal and reflection. Throughout the week (16-21 February), guests can unwind with special offers on spa rituals focused on balance and gentle rejuvenation. Refresh the skin and spirit with the Kandooma Spa’s Express Facial using SUNDARI skincare products (US$45, normally $70). Rejuvenate the body with a gentle Full-body Exfoliation (US$40, normally US$80). Beyond signature treatments at Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, a programme of wellness and movement activities encourages reconnection and vitality, including sunrise and sunset yoga, ‘Float & Flow’ SUP yoga, and the immersive new ‘Salt & Sound’ healing sessions, ensuring you begin the year feeling refreshed and aligned.
Designed as a family-friendly celebration, Lunar New Year at Kandooma offers added value with IHG’s Kids Eat & Stay Free (for up to two children under 13). On Lunar New Year’s Day, 17 February, younger guests are welcomed at Kandoo Kids’ Club for hands-on festivities including wishing tree creations, red-envelope treasure hunts, crafts and festive games, creating fun memories for the whole family.
Surrounded by turquoise waters, vibrant marine life and white-sand beaches fringed with palms, guests are free to shape their celebration their own way. For some, the New Year begins with adventure: snorkelling, jet-ski safaris, scuba diving and ocean excursions. For others, it’s about slowing down and simple pleasures: spa time, hammock lounging with a good book, or a refreshing swim in crystal-clear waters.
Accommodation options cater to couples and families alike, from lush garden villas and beachfront villas to the resort’s popular two-storey beach houses. Among the most sought-after are the spacious overwater villas featuring a signature hammock suspended above the lagoon and direct ladder access into the water below, presenting an array of opportunities for the perfect selfie.
Throughout the festive period, guests are supported by Chinese-language menus and the resort’s multilingual team, with Mandarin-speaking colleagues available to ensure comfort, ease and a seamless stay.
Welcome Lunar New Year 2026 at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, where island beauty, meaningful traditions and fun for all ages come together to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse. The resort’s Lunar New Year programme is available here. For getaways to the Maldives please contact your travel agent or visit www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com.
Love doesn’t arrive loudly at SO/ Maldives, it drifts in with the tide, glows at sunset, and lingers long after the last note of music fades. This Valentine’s Day, the island invites couples to slow down, lean in, and write their own love story in paradise with Rosé All the Way, an intimate beachfront celebration at Lazuli Beach on 14 February 2026.
As the sky blushes pink and the lagoon mirrors the stars, Lazuli Beach transforms into a romantic sanctuary. Soft candlelight flickers, a soulful live band sets the rhythm of the evening, and the gentle sound of waves becomes part of the melody. Here, time feels suspended just two hearts, one island, and a moment that belongs only to you.
Couples are treated to a thoughtfully curated four-course dining experience, paired with a bottle of rosé champagne, designed to be savoured slowly, sip by sip, course by course. Every detail is intentional, every moment effortless romance without rules, elegance without pretense.
Celebrate love starting on The Citronee Club Beach with Rosé All the Way, an exclusive Valentine’s Day dining experience:
- USD 380++ per couple for Bed & Breakfast guests
- USD 240++ per couple for Half Board, Full Board and All Inclusive guests
Valentine’s Day is not confined to a single setting it’s a feeling that can unfold anywhere. From quiet moments on your private villa deck to laughter by the pool or barefoot walks along the shore, the island becomes a canvas for love, painted in your own style.
And for those who dream beyond the expected, romance takes on new dimensions. Drift across the lagoon aboard a traditional Maldivian dhoni, or descend beneath the surface for an underwater celebration, where silence speaks louder than words and love knows no boundaries.
This Valentine’s Day, forget the clichés. Follow the feeling. Paint your story in paradise Rosé All the Way, only at SO/ Maldives.
For more information or to book your perfect festive getaway, please visit so-maldives.com or contact so.maldives.reservations@so-hotels.com.
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