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Gili Lankanfushi appoints Aldo Cadau as Executive Chef

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Gili Lankanfushi has appointed Aldo Cadau as the resort’s new Executive Chef.

Chef Aldo joins the Gili Lankanfushi team in an exciting phase of the island’s gastronomic journey, as he spearheads developments in the resort’s restaurants, news of which will be announced in Spring 2018.

Chef Aldo will oversee operations of the Main Restaurant and Gili Lankanfushi’s other dining destinations, By The Sea — a Japanese fine-dining restaurant specialising in exquisite sushi, Fini Foni — a poolside ice cream parlour and the Overwater Bar, in addition to destination dining experiences and in-room villa dining.

In addition to running the resort’s restaurants, Chef Aldo will be in charge of the island’s imaginative evening dining experiences, including Passage through India and Mediterranean Spice Souk, as well as the Gili Tasting Journey, a unique experiential introduction to the Gili Wine and Dine offering.

Hailing from Sardinia, Chef Aldo’s culinary passion started in his mother’s kitchen, helping her make fresh pasta, pastries and bread. His father reared pigs and sheep and taught him how to make prosciutto sausages and cheese, instilling the importance of food’s provenance from a very early age.

Inspired by his upbringing, Chef Aldo continued his culinary journey and trained at the Hotel Institute in Arzachena, Italy. From there, he quickly moved up the ranks in some of the world’s finest restaurants from Hotel Cervo, Restaurant La Mola, Baia-Blu and Aqua in his homeland, and subsequently trained at Four Seasons Hotel Milan, Italy.

From Italy, he went further afield to Japan, the UK and Russia, followed by his first two years in the Maldives at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.

After his first stint in the Maldives, he travelled to the Middle East for two years, working at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Qatar and assisting with the opening of the Four Seasons Hotel in Saint Petersburg and Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi.

Prior to joining Gili Lankanfushi, Chef Aldo was Executive Chef at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi (now rebranded as Dhevanafushi Maldives Luxury Resort Managed By AccorHotels) in the Maldives.

Bringing a wealth of international influences and impeccable standards of service to Gili Lankanfushi, Chef Aldo looks forward to introducing sand oven cooking techniques to the island, the first of its kind in the Maldives, inspired by the subterranean cooking techniques he learnt in the Middle East. Chef Aldo will also continue to develop Gili Lankanfushi’s impressive Organic Vegetable Garden, one of the largest in the Maldives, to expand the raw, vegan and vegetarian options available for guests.

“Having worked with Aldo previously, I am very excited for him to bring his wonderful culinary –talent and culture to the island. He has an intrinsic respect for food and ingredients while being a natural creative, always delivering memorable dining experiences for his guests. We look forward to working with him to grow Gili Lankanfushi’s reputation as one of the Maldives finest gourmet destinations,” David Stepetic, General Manager of Gili Lankanfushi, was quoted in an announcement, as saying.

Set on the private island of Lankanfushi in the North Male Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villa accommodations, where ultimate privacy can be found. This luxury resort is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport.

At Gili Lankanfushi, an idyllic personal hideaway is one of 45 spacious, rustic overwater villas crafted from natural wood and glass. A palette of sparkling blues paints the horizon, the ocean stretching to infinity wherever on the island. The open design, with indoor and outdoor living space, allows guests the freedom to be themselves, the sound of the sea and warm breeze soothing all senses.

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.

Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.

The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.

Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.

The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.

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JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia

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JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.

The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.

Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.

The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.

Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.

Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.

Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.

Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.

JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.

The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.

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Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

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Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.

Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.

Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.

As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.

Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.

The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.

Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.

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