Connect with us

Featured

From swimming with whale sharks to writing workshops: English author Imogen Edwards-Jones shares her love for Maldives

Published

on

For a scuba diving enthusiast, Maldives is undoubtedly an underwater paradise!

Known internationally as one of the world’s best scuba diving destinations, the Maldives has an abundance of dive sites with one thrilling dive opportunity after another. The islands of the Maldives have consistently warm waters with outstanding visibility throughout the year, and consist of exhilarating dive sites such as vibrant thilas, exciting channels, coral-filled overhangs and fascinating wrecks.

And like many others, renowned English author Imogen Edwards-Jones first arrived in the Maldives some 25 years ago, hoping to catch a glimpse of those breath-taking underwater sceneries.

“I was quite adventurous. I had been to Madagascar, Bali and Sri Lanka. And someone suggested the Maldives. I was very keen on scuba diving and this is one of the best places in the world for scuba diving,” Imogen recalls her first visit to the Maldives during which she stayed at Fesdu Fun Island (now Fun Island Resort and Spa).

Since then, Imogen and her family has returned to the Maldives on several occasions, staying at different resorts across the archipelago, including Taj Exotica Resort and Spa Maldives, One&Only Reethi Rah, and the latest being the LUX* South Ari Atoll.

LUX* South Ari Atoll. PHOTO/ LUX*

It was at LUX* South Ari Atoll in 2013 that she came across whale sharks for the first time. It was, as Imogen described it, almost a religious experience.

“Everyone had already left the boat with their snorkels and I was late because my son was crying. By the time we hit the water, everyone else had gone miles away. So it was just me and this beautiful creature. And I swam with it for about five minutes. I looked in the eye, which was sort of like the ‘soul of the world’,” she says.

And for her nine-year-old daughter, the holiday at LUX* South Ari Atoll proved to be a learning experience too. She was introduced to the resort’s marine biology programme, and learned all about marine conservation and sustainability from its resident marine biologist. Now, she is an eco-warrior!

“[LUX* South Ari Atoll is] very blessed with its natural environment. Some islands in the Maldives are small and you might get an anxious feeling. But here, it feels like you’ve the freedom. There’s a lot to do, especially for children,” Imogen describes the island of Dhidhoofinolhu in South Ari Atoll.

Imogen with her kids during their first visit to LUX* South Ari Atoll in 2013. PHOTO/ IMOGEN

But perhaps the most interesting aspect of Imogen’s love for the Maldives is how one of her bestselling books, Beach Babylon was inspired by her many trips to the island nation. The book explores the lengths to which employees at island resorts like those in the Maldives go to in order to make others’ holiday possible.

“The Maldives is the epicentre of the can-do service philosophy. The idea that you could’ve caviar sent from somewhere or belly dancers and fire dancers all flown in here, to the middle of nowhere. That I find fascinating,” Imogen says.

“Having done Hotel and Air Babylon before, what’s perfect about this is that it was a great opportunity to look at a small community from a different perspective. Island life is fascinating because somebody’s paradise can also be someone else’s hell. These island resorts are a microcosm of the rest of the world because they’ve characters and nationalities from all over the world: Filipinos in the spa, Dutchmen teaching tennis, French chefs, Italian pizza makers and English doing the admin work. It was like putting the rest of the world under a microscope.”

Imogen, who authored the Sunday Times best sellers Hotel Babylon, Air Babylon, Fashion Babylon, Beach Babylon and Pop Babylon, is back at LUX* South Ari Atoll this week.

This time, she hosted a writing workshop and a meet and greet series of events for the guests. In her workshop on bestseller writing, she shared her secrets on how she got into the business, how she stayed there, how she has written everything from columns in Arena Magazine to the worldwide hit Hotel Babylon, and working on Belgravia with Julian Fellowes. She also advised on how to get started on your story, how to pace it properly, how to structure it, how to develop character and, hopefully, how to end up selling over a million books.

“This is my first writing workshop in an island resort. I’m very excited,” Imogen says.

Imogen autographs a copy of her book, Beach Babylon during her last visit to LUX* South Ari Atoll. PHOTO/ LUX*

For the British author, one week in the Maldives is just not enough! As she leaves the island paradise after another week of fun, diving and whale sharks, she has just one message for everyone who has had plans to come to the Maldives: “Get your arse on the plane and hurry up!”

And LUX* South Ari Atoll may just be the ideal choice for your Maldives holiday, be it your honeymoon, a romantic getaway or even just a family vacation.

Beach at LUX* South Ari Atoll. PHOTO/ LUX*

Cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane flight away from the main Velana International Airport, making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resorts in the Maldives.

With 187 private villas dotted at the water’s edge along four kilometres of powder fine beach or perched on stilts above a crystal clear lagoon, these spacious pavilions and villas bring an entirely original vibe of coastal, beach house chic to the Maldives.

A Lagoon Pavillion at LUX* South Ari Atoll. PHOTO/ LUX*

Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX*, and at LUX* South Ari Atoll, there is authentic South East Asian street food in the Maldives’ only over-the-water gourmet night market and world-class Chinese cuisine at East, along with the Japanese restaurant Umami, which offers live teppanyaki and dazzling selection of sakés.

While the resort has a PADI-certified dive centre, two infinity pools, a floodlit tennis court, a fitness centre and a renowned spa which hosts a wellness concierge and a menu of indulgent treatments, what sets the property apart from its neighbours are surprises, or better known as #ReasonstogoLUX. Designed to create lasting memories for guests, these ‘reasons’ can range from island-roasted coffee in Café LUX* to impromptu movie screenings at cinema paradise and the chance to hang your wishes on the Tree of Wishes.

Drink

The Nautilus Maldives hosts Gregor Zimmermann for three-day Easter gastronomic programme

Published

on

At The Nautilus Maldives, time is guided by personal rhythm and creativity is free from constraint. From 3 to 5 April 2026, the ultra-luxury private island resort will welcome Gregor Zimmermann, Switzerland’s State Chef and Executive Chef of the Bellevue Palace in Bern, for an intimate Easter culinary residency that brings Alpine heritage to the shores of the Indian Ocean.

During the three-day residency, guests will be invited to take part in a series of unhurried and immersive dining experiences. Two exclusive gourmet evenings at Zeytoun will feature tasting menus that create a refined dialogue between the flavours of the Swiss Alps and Maldivian produce. The programme also includes a Chocolate Masterclass, offering an interactive introduction to Switzerland’s celebrated chocolate-making traditions, where Zimmermann will share techniques, cultural heritage and the artistry behind the craft, allowing guests to create and enjoy their own confections.

The residency will extend into the island’s Easter celebrations, with Zimmermann’s creations appearing as special canapés during Nautilus Rising at the Naiboli Beach pop-up. These moments will serve as a prelude to the festive programme, blending culinary artistry with the relaxed rhythm of island life.

A member of the prestigious Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, the international association of chefs serving heads of state, Zimmermann is the trusted culinary custodian for visiting presidents, royalty and official delegations in Switzerland. His career includes cooking for figures such as President Emmanuel Macron and members of European royal families. In recognition of his contribution to gastronomy and his commitment to excellence, he was awarded the Officier du Mérite Agricole by the French President.

Zimmermann’s cuisine is defined by clarity, restraint and emotion. Rather than adhering to a fixed signature style, his cooking reflects stories of origin, landscape and memory, weaving Swiss Alpine traditions with global influences in a technically precise yet expressive approach. He has described his work as a continuous reinterpretation of rustic Swiss recipes, while remaining faithful to their roots.

Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives, said that Zimmermann’s residency reflects the resort’s commitment to artistic freedom and authenticity. He noted that the Masters for Masters series invites respected global talents to create without boundaries in an environment shaped by individuality and unhurried living.

Set within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Easter residency at The Nautilus will bring together Swiss craftsmanship and Maldivian serenity in a celebration of purity, artistry and cultural exchange. The programme is designed to offer guests moments shaped by mastery, experienced entirely on their own terms.

Continue Reading

Featured

St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort curates timeless Valentine’s experiences with IVAR Jewellery

Published

on

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has unveiled an intimate celebration of love through an exclusive collaboration with IVAR Jewellery, bringing together craftsmanship, emotion, and timeless romance in a refined island setting. Rooted in shared values of artistry and enduring beauty, the partnership invites guests to experience love as something continuous, evolving, and deeply personal.

Central to the collaboration is IVAR’s Infinity Collection, inspired by the circle as a symbol with no beginning and no end. Each piece reflects a quiet and enduring expression of love, designed to preserve fleeting moments in lasting form. The collection speaks to intimacy, connection, and the promise of forever, offering jewellery that is both meaningful and timeless.

IVAR’s creations draw on the rich traditions of Indian craftsmanship, reinterpreted through a contemporary design approach. Crafted by skilled artisans using time-honoured techniques, each piece balances heritage with modern elegance. Designed for daily wear and long-term appreciation, the jewellery is intended to accompany life’s most significant milestones and be treasured across generations.

Inspired by this philosophy, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has curated a series of romantic experiences that reflect the elegance and symbolism of the Infinity Collection. At Iridium Spa, couples are invited to enjoy a Romantic Spa Escape, an immersive sensory journey infused with rose geranium and rose quartz. Each treatment is designed to restore balance, deepen connection, and create moments of calm intimacy that extend beyond the spa.

As evening approaches, romance continues with Valentine’s dining experiences set beneath open skies and framed by the island’s natural beauty. Soft lighting, refined menus, and an unhurried atmosphere encourage couples to linger, connect, and celebrate togetherness. Every detail is composed to honour shared moments and the quiet luxury of presence.

For couples preparing to begin their next chapter, IVAR’s Solitaire Collection offers a classic expression of commitment. Defined by diamonds of exceptional brilliance and clarity, each piece reflects the purity of the promise it represents. Set within the surroundings of The St. Regis Maldives, weddings become personal celebrations where elegance, emotion, and artistry come together.

Through this collaboration, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and IVAR Jewellery invite guests to experience a love that is both effortless and profound, fleeting yet enduring, creating memories inspired by the infinite symbol that lies at the heart of the partnership.

Continue Reading

Featured

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives launches March flash offer with savings of up to 80%

Published

on

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has announced a limited-time flash offer inviting travellers to experience the Maldives in March, one of the destination’s most favourable months, with savings of up to 80 per cent when booking direct. The promotion is available across all four Cinnamon resorts in the Maldives and combines discounted rates with added island experiences, allowing guests to enjoy the destination during a period of ideal weather conditions.

The offer is open for bookings from 23 January to 2 February 2026, for stays between 1 March and 31 March 2026, using the promotional code MARCH26.

Guests booking under the offer can look forward to a range of experiences, including diving and snorkelling excursions with opportunities to encounter manta rays, reef sharks and sea turtles. On land, activities include island hopping, sunset fishing trips, Balinese spa treatments and four-course beachfront dinners. Guests staying a minimum of three nights are also eligible to receive resort credits of up to USD 150, providing additional value during their stay.

At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, guests booking direct may select any two island experiences, or enjoy up to all available benefits once per stay depending on their GHA DISCOVERY membership tier, along with USD 100 in resort credits for stays of three nights or more. Available experiences include a beach dinner, a Balinese massage, a swim and snorkel excursion, and a local island visit.

At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, guests may select any two island experiences, or enjoy up to all benefits once per stay depending on their GHA DISCOVERY membership tier, together with USD 150 in resort credits for qualifying stays. Available options include a beach dinner, a spa treatment, island hopping and dolphin watching.

At Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, guests may select any two island experiences, or enjoy up to all benefits once per stay depending on their GHA DISCOVERY membership tier, along with USD 100 in resort credits for stays of three nights or more. Experiences include sunset fishing, island hopping, a bottle of sparkling wine and a kayaking experience.

At Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, guests booking direct may select any two island experiences, or enjoy up to all benefits once per stay depending on their GHA DISCOVERY membership tier, together with USD 100 in resort credits for qualifying stays. Available experiences include a beach dinner, a Balinese massage, sunset fishing and a dolphin safari.

Under the GHA DISCOVERY membership programme, Silver tier members may select two benefits, Gold tier members may select three benefits, and Platinum tier members are entitled to all listed benefits once per stay.

In addition, GHA DISCOVERY members who book direct are eligible for further privileges, including the ability to earn and redeem DISCOVERY Dollars, potential room upgrades up to suite category, and early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability and membership tier.

Available for a limited time, the flash offer is designed to encourage travellers to visit the Maldives in March, when weather conditions are favourable and island experiences are at their most appealing.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.