As a small leading luxury Maldives resort, Baros offers a choice of tastefully-designed Beach and Water Villas. With every Beach Villa of classic elegance, set in lush vegetation, and secluded Water Villas, many with private pools, Baros is one of the most romantic resorts in the Maldives, the perfect honeymoon getaway. Inspired by Maldivian traditions of heartfelt hospitality, Baros is a tropical island dream come true, with fine cuisine, a garden spa, a gym, an overwater swimming pool, individualised excursions and underwater experiences.
Drink
Baros Maldives introduces unique sandbank pop-up restaurant

Baros Maldives has introduced a new and unique pop-up à la carte restaurant on a sandbank, creating an unforgettable Maldivian experience for its guests.
In an announcement, Baros said guests are taken to the sandbank on a speedboat to be greeted with a glass of champagne in time to watch a magnificent sunset. Although this is a temporary “pop-up” event on a sandbank, it is presented and run as a gourmet dining experience typical of a fine restaurant, with exemplary attention to detail and guests’ requirements, it added.
“Pop up restaurants have appeared in city streets, wilderness parks and now, for the first time, on a secluded sandbank in the Indian Ocean. Dining on a sandbank under the stars as the sea gently laps the sand, a soft breeze cools the evening, lanterns flicker and chefs create gastronomic treats in the open air, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” the announcement read.
Baros said seven chefs are on hand to prepare guests’ choices from the a la carte menu of a Maldivian, Mediterranean or tandoori seafood platter for two, or a mixed grill platter of foie gras, beef, lamb and chicken. A salad bar, and a sushi and sashimi station are also setup on the sandbank, while a selection of premium wines from the cellar of the resort’s renowned Lighthouse Restaurant is available from the sandbank sommelier; all complemented with classic table service provided by attentive waiters, it added.
According to Baros, the first pop-up restaurant on the sandbank in March was such a success that it has now become a regular event, depending on guest demand and weather conditions. Guests have commented that they like the combination of being served gourmet cuisine under the stars in the simple setting of the sandbank, because this creates an unforgettable, pure Maldivian island experience, the resort said.
The evening begins at 5pm with a short cruise to the sandbank in time for sunset. Dinner is served as the stars start to twinkle in the night sky with the elegant event continuing in a leisurely fashion until the boat ride back to the resort at 9pm.
This unique pop-up restaurant is open to all guests of Baros, but reservations have to be made in advance as numbers are limited. The entire evening, including boat ride there and back, a glass of champagne, a delicious selection of salads and Japanese fare, a choice of platters and an enticing selection of desserts is from US$200 to US$250 per person (excluding beverages, service charge and taxes) according to the platter chosen.
Baros is a small coral island in the Indian Ocean ringed by a sandy beach and a living house-reef, just 25 minutes by speedboat from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport. It is an award-winning boutique resort renowned for discreet, personalised service excellence.
Drink
Dare to taste with W Maldives at Island Alchemy Ft. Beckaly Franks

This July, W Maldives—The Original Wavemaker—dials up the flavor and the flair as award-winning mixologist, Beckaly Franks touches down in the Maldives for a one-of-a-kind takeover. As part of the resort’s Island Alchemy series—a bold celebration of global mixology talent— Franks brings her trailblazing energy, genre-defying cocktails, and unapologetically original spirit to heart of the Indian Ocean for an experience that’s equal parts spectacle and substance.
Known for turning heads and rewriting the rules, Beckaly Franks is no stranger to shaking things up. From co-founding the iconic The Pontiac in Hong Kong—featured on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for seven straight years—to launching the Hungry Ghost group and buzzy venues like Call Me AL and ARTIFACT, Franks has long been a driving force behind Asia’s cocktail renaissance. In 2023, she became the second woman to win the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, a recognition for her fearless creativity, inclusive ethos, and magnetic presence behind the bar.
“At the heart of every great cocktail is a story—and this one’s set on a postcard-perfect island,” said Franks. “W Maldives has this incredible energy that mirrors what I love about mixology: it’s immersive, unexpected, and made for people who want to feel something. I can’t wait to have my world collide with the destination.”
At W Maldives, she is bringing it all. The collaboration kicks off with two exclusive guest shifts at SIP on 24 and 25 July, where Franks will serve up a mix of her iconic signature and bespoke creations crafted just for the island. Think sun-drenched flavors, unexpected textures and bold spirits made to match the lagoon views. On 27 July, the experience moves to the resort’s noon-to-moon social hub, WET Deck, for an elevated daytime poolside revelry—an atmospheric day of sensory storytelling, boundary-pushing cocktails, and barefoot glamor under the vibrant Maldivian sky.

“This is more than a bar takeover—it’s a meeting of minds, a celebration of mastery, and a moment to connect with the spirit of W Maldives,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “We are proud to welcome Beckaly as part of our Island Alchemy series and continue offering our guests experiences that are anything but ordinary.”
Part island escape, part liquid installation, this collaboration is more than a moment—it is a statement. Island Alchemy is W Maldives signature mixology program designed to spotlight innovators, connectors, and tastemakers who bring something original to the table. With Beckaly Franks at the helm, this edition serves as both a toast to women redefining the global bar scene and a bold glimpse into the future of mixology—where craft and character collide in all the right ways.
Guests looking to stir things up in paradise can book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast spread and three-course dinner as well as return seaplane transfer from Male, and get exclusive benefits. Book your stay now and raise the bar on your next escape via this link or contact reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Drink
Cellar of quiet distinction: Vakkaru Reserve wins fifth Wine Spectator Award

At Vakkaru Maldives, wine isn’t merely served — it is curated, conversed with, and quietly revered. This has led to the resort’s European wine cellar, Vakkaru Reserve, being awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the fifth year — the only resort in the Maldives to have done so.
Vakkaru Reserve, an intimate, striking space at the heart of the island, houses 620 labels selected with care by Head Sommelier Retheesh Kakkareth Mohanan and Assistant Sommelier Vasantha Kumar Nadarajah. Some stars in the collection favour narrative as much as provenance: a Château Cheval Blanc Premier Grand Cru Classé A trio from 1983, 1985 and 1990; Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2009; Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blanc Brut 2002 and Château Pavie 1982, each one a vignette of a time and place, waiting to be uncorked.
“Our intention with Vakkaru Reserve has never been to impress with excess,” says Teddy Susanto Wiryawan, General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives. “Instead, it’s about assembling a collection that invites reflection, wines that linger in the mind as much as on the palate. This fifth award is not a milestone, but a reminder to keep listening to winemakers, regions, and the guests who come here seeking something they can’t find elsewhere.”
In a setting where time is allowed to stretch and the pace remains unhurried, the wine experience is naturally immersive. Vakkaru’s cellar hosts guided tastings, bespoke pairings, and a distinctive offering — a Wine & Chocolate Pairing Experience, where artisanal chocolates crafted in-house are paired with wine labels in unexpected harmony. Think Yuzu and Matcha Bonbon with Sauvignon Blanc, or an Espresso Bonbon set against a Tawny Port, delicious, deliberate acts of indulgence.
Vakkaru Reserve remains a quiet benchmark for those who appreciate depth over display. In this place of timelessness, let your wine journey stand less on ceremony, and more on memory and discovery.
Drink
Sommeliers and hospitality leaders to gather at Ifuru Island for exclusive Liquid Tasting Event

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced the upcoming Raa Atoll Liquid Tasting, an exclusive gathering of sommeliers, F&B professionals, and hospitality leaders scheduled for 26 June 2025. This distinguished event is being presented in collaboration with The Liquid Concept, a premium beverage platform celebrated for its concept-driven approach to wine and spirits curation across the Indian Ocean region.
Established in 2021, The Liquid Concept delivers a comprehensive 360-degree beverage experience. Its portfolio includes fine wines, artisanal spirits, grower and grand marque Champagnes, vermouths, low- and no-alcohol alternatives, and innovative beverage solutions designed for hospitality and lifestyle destinations. The platform’s mission is to transform the beverage experience through purposeful curation, sustainable innovation, and immersive storytelling.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ifuru Island, the tasting event will feature over 40 exceptional wine labels sourced from around the world. These selections, drawn from The Liquid Concept’s intentionally curated portfolio, invite attendees on a sensory exploration of diverse terroirs, winemaking philosophies, and compelling narratives.
Enhancing the tasting experience, guests will be treated to a specially crafted three-course menu, thoughtfully designed to complement and elevate the wine pairings. This harmonious fusion of food and beverage aims to showcase the artistry of hospitality and refined palate engagement.
As part of a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, Ifuru Island and The Liquid Concept will also introduce the Bermar Wine & Champagne Preservation System during the event. This advanced technology enables the preservation of opened wines and champagnes, offering resorts a smart, eco-conscious solution to minimise waste and improve wine-by-the-glass service.
The Raa Atoll Liquid Tasting is an invitation-only event, poised to become a signature occasion that reflects Ifuru Island’s dedication to elevating the culinary and beverage scene in the Maldives.
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