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Soneva Fushi opens new overwater dining destination Out of the Blue

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Soneva Fushi has opened Out of the Blue, its latest dining destination.

The two-storey overwater structure houses five brand new dining experiences, from intimate settings of just five diners presided over by world-famous chefs, to large alfresco shared dining areas.

Aerial view of Out of the Blue. PHOTO/ SONEVA

Central to this new dining outlet is the eponymous 50-seater, all-day dining area Out of the Blue, which hosts a number of different kitchens offering international dishes such as pizza, salad, grilled meats and seafood. This space shares a seating area with the Chinese and Modern Japanese Kitchens and lets guests choose between sitting under cover or on the open deck. Here guests will also find So Hot, which includes the Tandoor Oven, Robata Grill, Josper Grill, Pizza Oven and So Chilled, the chocolate and ice-cream parlour. So Fresh is the first overwater organic greenhouse in the Maldives, where guests can hand-pick the ingredients they wish to have in their salad themselves. Soneva Fushi’s cheese room, So Cheesy, is also part of the offerings.

Some of the most famous names in the culinary world will be hosting dinners at Once Upon a Table, only open for dinner. The unusual horseshoe-shaped table seats a mere eight diners for up-close and personal dining experiences with Michelin-starred chefs and chefs from San Pellegrino’s Top 100 list. Included in this lineup are more than 30 of the world’s top chefs. Once Upon a Table has no menu, meaning dinners are always a surprise.

Ounce Upon a Table at Out of the Blue dining destination. PHOTO/ SONEVA

So Hand’s On is the dedicated sushi counter, seating five diners for lunch and dinner. This outlet will see some of the world’s best sushi chefs visiting it throughout the year, notably Chef Kenji Gyoten, who is cooking in August at So Hands On. He is the youngest three Michelin-starred chef in Japan, and one of the four three-starred sushi chefs in the world. During the rest of the year, Chef Akira Koba, a highly-trained sushi chef, will be running the table.

Soneva Fushi opens its first Teppanyaki table with So Bespoke, an open-air restaurant with western views of the Baa atoll. Chef Katushiro To, a famous Teppanyaki chef from Japan, will be grilling and barbecuing year-round for just eight diners, for lunch and dinner.

The Chinese Kitchen will be serving modern Chinese cuisine. The Modern Japanese Kitchen, run by Soneva Fushi’s Chef Nikki, is set to serve delicacies such as modern sashimi, torched wagyu, black cod and other Japanese favourites, all with a contemporary twist. Both of these outlets are open for lunch and come with a wine selection of 250 varieties of magnums, as well as a large selection of sakes and wines by the glass.

Finally, the Bar and Cellar is where guests can choose from the extensive beverage encyclopaedia, that includes a selection of 200 expertly chosen high-end wines by the glass. A wide selection of beers, spirits and cocktails will also be on offer, as well as freshly squeezed juices and specialty teas and coffees. Open all day, every day, the Bar and Cellar seats 30 pax.

The new launch forms part of Soneva’s Festival of Colour, where a different activity is celebrated each month across Soneva’s resorts.

Soneva Fushi’s Out of the Blue is set to further expand upon the resorts already extensive dining options, visiting chefs from around the world will be showcasing their culinary skills and creations for guests year round as part of Soneva’s Festival of Colour.

In February, Soneva launched its first ever year-long campaign known as a ‘Festival of Colour’ to celebrate the diverse array of guest activities and experiences on offer this year. Soneva has confirmed a huge line-up of visiting experts, including chefs, authors, wine producers, world-champion free-divers, astronomers, artists, wellness practitioners, tennis coaches and more at all resorts. Soneva’s Festival of Colour runs from February 2018 – February 2019.

Established in 1995, Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 65 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden amongst dense foliage.

The iconic resort has bagged several international awards for eco-friendly tourism and green initiatives, including the 2017 Green Hotelier Award for the Asia Pacific region and the Sustainable Hotel Award by the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) as well as a spot in the Gold List compiled by Condé Nast Traveler China as the Best Hotel in the Maldives and amongst the best resorts in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.

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THE OZEN COLLECTION to host sixth Bodegas Viñátigo wine master class

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For wine lovers and curious travellers alike, there are few experiences as captivating as discovering a wine with a story. And few stories are as compelling as that of Bodegas Viñátigo a winery born from the volcanic soils of Tenerife, where winemakers have spent over thirty years bringing nearly forgotten grape varieties back to life.

This November, that story arrives once again in the Maldives, as THE OZEN COLLECTION hosts the sixth annual Bodegas Viñátigo Wine Master Class, a rare and immersive journey through the flavours, traditions, and artistry of the Canary Islands.

The journey begins at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO from 23rd to 25th November with The Submerged Cellar Soirée at M6m, the iconic underwater restaurant six metres beneath the lagoon, with the experimental underwater aged wines as welcome drink and a curated menu celebrating land and sea is thoughtfully paired with the expressive wines of Tenerife. The exploration continues across the resort’s signature dining venues, each offering a distinct perspective on the Bodegas Viñátigo collection. At Sea, Salt & Soy, the bold flavours of Pan-Asian cuisine meet the nuanced elegance of Canarian wines at TRADITION PEKING, creating a symphony of taste and texture. The experience culminates with Brunch with Shakespeare, a refined and poetic conclusion to the Maadhoo chapter, where wine, food, and storytelling converge beneath the Maldivian sun.

“Our wines from Tenerife’s volcanic soil to the pristine shores of the Maldives has been an extraordinary experience,” shares Juan Jesús Méndez. “Our collaboration with THE OZEN COLLECTION has allowed us to share these remarkable wines with a global audience. The continued enthusiasm from our guests encourages us to create even more expressions of our wines.”

The vinous voyage continues at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI from 27th to 29th November, where curated dinners and tastings explore the artistry of the wines through innovative culinary collaborations. The journey begins with The Sand Cellar Soirée at ORIGINꓱ, a contemporary dining experience that pairs the depth of volcanic wines with modern gastronomic artistry. A Pan-Asian dinner at Sand, Smoke & Soy brings together two distinctive culinary traditions in a creative dialogue, exploring the harmony between bold island flavours and the heritage of the Canary Islands. The experience culminates with Sunset with Shakespeare, an intimate beachside wine pairing offering guests the rare opportunity to engage directly with the Bodegas Viñátigo wine makers, connect with the passion and heritage behind each vintage, and toast to an unforgettable journey.

“Canary wine is a story of land, tradition, and connection. My journey with Bodegas Viñátigo has taken me to the annual harvest in Tenerife recently, where I witnessed the care and precision that shape every vintage. That experience brought a new level of detail and understanding to our collaboration, reinforcing our commitment to bringing guests not just a wine, but a sense of place. This partnership has enriched our offering and deepened our dedication to authentic, terroir-driven experiences,” said Rohit Salunke, Assistant Director of Wines at Atmosphere Core, said about his experience with the wine makers.

Since 2021, THE OZEN COLLECTION and Bodegas Viñátigo have shared a commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and the art of winemaking. Each year, this exclusive collaboration brings the rare volcanic wines of Tenerife to the shores of the Maldives, offering guests an intimate glimpse into the heritage and passion behind every vintage. Over the years, the programme has evolved into a signature event on the Maldivian luxury calendar, a celebration of terroir, tradition, and the enduring bond between two island cultures.

As part of the resort’s all-encompassing RESERVE™ Plan and INDULGENCE™ Plan, this once-a-year experience invites guests to indulge in an extraordinary celebration of wine, cuisine, and island beauty. With limited spaces and a programme designed to enchant both connoisseurs and newcomers alike, we encourage you to reserve your place and raise a glass to the artistry of land, sea, and timeless craft.

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Finolhu welcomes New Zealand’s Sato Wines for two exclusive dining experiences

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Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, will welcome the distinctive wines of Central Otago, New Zealand, for two intimate Sato Wine Dinners this September, bringing together expressive winemaking and the resort’s award-winning culinary creativity in two of its signature dining settings.

Taking place on 23 September at Kanusan and 27 September at Crab Shack, the evenings will invite guests to discover a curated selection of Sato wines, each thoughtfully paired with a specially crafted menu by Finolhu’s culinary team. Designed to complement the individual character of every pour, the menus will create a journey through flavour, provenance and craftsmanship against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.

Founded in 2009 by husband-and-wife winemakers Yoshiaki and Kyoko Sato, Sato Wines is a boutique producer based in Central Otago, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated wine regions. Following careers in international banking in Tokyo and London, the couple pursued their passion for winemaking, studying viticulture and oenology and gaining valuable winemaking experience across several countries before establishing their own vineyard in Central Otago.

At the heart of Sato is a philosophy centred on organic and biodynamic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, allowing the character of the grapes, vineyard and vintage to take centre stage. Today, their wines have developed a devoted international following for their purity, finesse and distinctive expression of Central Otago.

The collaboration finds a natural home at Finolhu, where gastronomy is an integral part of the island experience. From relaxed barefoot dining along its famous two-kilometre sandbank to refined overwater cuisine, each of the resort’s restaurants brings together its own culinary identity, atmosphere and sense of place.

The first Sato Wine Dinner on 23 September will unfold at Kanusan, Finolhu’s award-winning overwater fine-dining restaurant, where classical and contemporary Japanese influences provide a contrasting setting for the second specially curated Sato pairing menu.

On 27 September, the experience moves to Crab Shack, Finolhu’s laid-back, toes-in-the-sand dining destination at the end of the sandbank. Surrounded by the lagoon and the relaxed rhythm of island life, the setting will provide an informal yet memorable backdrop for the evening’s wine and food pairings.

The dinners follow Finolhu’s recent recognition as one of the Best Culinary Resorts at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, celebrating the resort’s commitment to making gastronomy an essential part of the guest journey. From thoughtfully developed menus and international influences to distinctive settings shaped by the surrounding Maldivian landscape, Finolhu continues to approach dining as an experience that extends far beyond the plate.

The Sato Wine Dinners add another chapter to this culinary story, offering guests an opportunity to discover one of Central Otago’s distinctive boutique producers while experiencing Finolhu’s creativity through two very different island dining experiences.

For more information and reservations, visit finolhu.com.

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The Enigma Mansion brings Vietnamese mixology to JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll

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JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort welcomes an exceptional celebration of Vietnamese cocktail craftsmanship from September 17 – 19, as The Enigma Mansion brings its distinctive approach to modern mixology to the shores of the Maldives.

Recognised among Asia’s 50 Best Bars, The Enigma Mansion has been redefining the cocktail experience since 2022, blending Vietnam’s rich regional flavours with contemporary techniques and an unwavering commitment to hospitality. The bar ranked No. 93 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list, alongside recognition from Top 500 Bars and Tatler Vietnam.

Leading the experience is Bien Ngoc Vu, known as Will — Co-Founder and General Manager of The Enigma Mansion. An award-winning bartender, entrepreneur, and beverage innovator, Will was crowned World Class Vietnam Champion in 2021 and is a multiple-time national bartending champion. His approach to cocktail craft is rooted in creativity, regional ingredients, and advanced techniques, helping shape the evolving cocktail culture of Vietnam while establishing The Enigma Mansion as a destination for innovative beverage experiences.

Joining Will is Jason Le Quang Truong, Head Bartender at The Enigma Mansion and a Saigon-based bartender celebrated for his inventive approach to modern mixology. At the heart of the bar’s beverage program, Jason brings together regional ingredients, refined presentation, contemporary techniques, and thoughtful flavour development to create distinctive cocktails that reflect the character of Vietnam.

Guests are invited to join this exclusive three-day showcase, where each evening reveals a new dimension of Vietnamese cocktail artistry. At Nikkei Bar, golden hour comes alive with an exclusive sunset activation and uniquely crafted cocktails that spark connection. The next evening unfolds in JW Garden, where freshly picked ingredients from the resort garden transform into refined creations. The finale at Wahoo Bar offers an elegant beachfront setting, where tropical cocktails meet a breathtaking horizon for a serene close to the experience.

“We are delighted to welcome The Enigma Mansion to JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort. This collaboration reflects our commitment to curating exceptional beverage experiences that celebrate global craftsmanship,” said Arup Chakraborty, Director of Food & Beverage.“By bringing inventive cocktails to our signature venues, guests will experience not only creativity and innovation but also the artistry and passion that define world–class hospitality in the Maldives.”

This partnership invites guests to discover the artistry behind each pour through a distinctly contemporary lens. From the precision of modern techniques to the richness of regional ingredients, every cocktail becomes an expression of place, craftsmanship, and discovery.

For more information, please visit the resort’s official website.

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