Featured

Carpe Diem partners with Loliware to bring world’s first biodegradable, edible straw to Maldives

Published

8 years ago

May 10, 2018

Carpe Diem Maldives has partnered with Loliware to bring the world’s first biodegradable and edible straw to the Maldives.

It is widely claimed there are enough plastic straws to wrap around the Earth’s circumference 2.5 times each day. Because they are so small, most straws are not recycled and usually end up in landfills and waterways, where they linger indefinitely, harming wildlife, and marring the natural beauty.

Made to disappear and designed to have the same functionality expected of a plastic straw, Lolistraw will last for up to eight hours in a beverage and will have a shelf life of up to 24 months. When you are done sipping your drink, you can eat the straw or compost it.

The founders of LOLIWARE and the straw’s designers, Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker, have coined the term “hyper-compostable” to convey that all of their products, including Lolistraw, will break down at the same rate as food waste in compost or in the natural environment, such as a waterway.

The Maldives is surrounded 99 percent by ocean, straddles the equator and is home to some of the world’s most precious coral reefs and marine life. Considerations towards protecting the environment are a key influencer in all business decisions for Carpe Diem Maldives.

“In 10 years of operating our dive safari cruises across The Maldives, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our waste footprint. For example, we’ve never had one-time use bottles on our boats, each guest receives a durable plastic water bottle that they take home with them,” explains Agnes van Linden, Assistant Managing Director of Carpe Diem Maldives.

“When we were looking last year for new sustainable solutions to bring to our upcoming resort, I came across the Lolistraw project on Kickstarter. The management team and I carefully researched all the information and we all knew it was a winner. We had to seize the day and the opportunity, like our company name, while at the same time supporting this great innovation get off the ground.”

Carpe Diem’s Carpe Vita in Raa atoll. PHOTO/ CARPE DIEM

Carpe Diem Maldives is just one of two main Lolistraw Launch Partners from the Kickstarter project, with close to 1000 other smaller donation supporters.

“Our world needs a radically new approach to our daily consumption of single-use plastics which too often go to landfill or pollute oceans. Our solutions transform disposables into ‘’plant fuel’ through composting, or ‘human fuel’ through consumption,” observed LOLIWARE Co-Founder Leigh Ann Tucker.

Made from a new seaweed-based material, the initial texture is like plastic, but can be made with a flavour or with added nutrients. On Carpe Diem Cruises and at the upcoming resort, the chosen lime flavour will add to the experience when sipping a cocktail, a simple glass of water or a refreshing coconut juice.

“It transforms while you’re using it to where you can actually bite into it afterward and eat it,” Leigh Ann Tucker noted.

“But when you first pick it up and put it into your drink, it’s going to feel like a plastic straw.”

For those who do not want to eat the straw, it is also compostable and marine degradable. Unlike another material often used for compostable utensils–PLA, which is often made from corn starch–Loliware breaks down easily, so it can be composted in a home system rather than requiring industrial composting equipment. If the seaweed-based straw happens to end up in the ocean, it will dissolve, which is excellent news for the pristine waters of the Maldives, and any unassuming hungry marine life that might swimming by.

“We’re not telling the consumer, hey, you can’t have your straw. We’re providing them a solution to the plastic straw crisis while also giving them a fun experience on top of that. It’s not about the consumer sacrificing anymore, it’s about the consumer having fun and being sustainable at the same time. There are some bioplastics that just break down into smaller pieces, whereas Lolistraw is designed to literally disappear,” says Chelsea Briganti.

The lime-flavoured Lolistraws will available in August on all three Carpe Diem Cruises offering seven and 10 day dive safaris while staying on the luxury liveaboard vessels, as well as at the 115-pool villa Carpe Diem Beach Resort and Spa when it opens in September this year.

Since 2008, the award-winning hospitality group Carpe Diem Maldives has been operating luxury dive and surf liveaboard cruises, sharing the beauty of the Maldivian waters with adventurous travellers. Carpe Diem is the only liveaboard operator in the Maldives to offer diving adventures with a team of all-Maldivian dive masters.

With the expansion into resorts, Carpe Diem Maldives becomes the only hospitality brand in the country to offer year-round liveaboard cruises that can be combined with a resort stay.

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Awards

Condé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts

Published

6 days ago

October 7, 2026

m@ldives

.Here Baa Atoll, a private island retreat in the Maldives, has been named the No. 6 Resort in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts, destinations, airlines and other travel experiences based on votes submitted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

The recognition places .Here Baa Atoll among the highest-ranked resorts in the Indian Ocean and comes during a milestone year for the property.

Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences spread across two natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere.

Somewhere features seven three- and four-bedroom residences extending from the beach towards the lagoon and designed for families and groups travelling together. Each residence offers indoor and outdoor living spaces, multiple pools, private dining and personalised Roohu service. Guests are transferred directly to their residence by private speedboat, avoiding a conventional lobby and check-in process.

Condé Nast Traveler has previously highlighted the resort for its emphasis on privacy, its beach-to-lagoon residences and its discreet approach to luxury.

The resort experience also includes Nowhere Private Island, which is reserved exclusively for a single group at a time. The island features a five-bedroom Presidential Residence and a three-bedroom Lagoon Residence, providing eight bedrooms and 3,329 square metres of private living space, supported by dedicated service and individually curated experiences.

The Readers’ Choice Award follows several other recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll during 2026. The resort was included in the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026, with the publication highlighting its residences and design. It has also received international recognition for its architecture and design, alongside creative collaborators Kulör Group, Muza Lab and Topo Design Studio.

Elina Adiyan, Resident Manager of .Here Baa Atoll, said: “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler so early in our journey is incredibly meaningful. .Here was created around a simple idea: to give guests extraordinary space, genuine privacy and the freedom to experience the Maldives entirely on their own terms. This recognition belongs equally to our team, whose care and dedication bring that vision to life every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us.”

The latest recognition adds to .Here Baa Atoll’s growing international profile within the luxury travel sector, with the resort positioning privacy, spacious accommodation, design and personalised service at the centre of its guest experience.

Awards

Reethi Faru Resort celebrates culinary team’s success at Hotel Asia and FHAM

Published

1 week ago

October 5, 2026

m@ldives

Reethi Faru Resort has announced three medal wins by members of its culinary team at the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge and the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge.

At the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Chef Rohit Kabdal received a Gold Medal in the Decorated Cake category, recognising his work in cake design, presentation and technical execution.

Chef Abhishek Sharma also represented Reethi Faru Resort at the competition, earning a Bronze Medal in the Hot Cooking Fish category.

At the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge, Chef Mayank Bijalwan secured a Silver Medal in the Dress the Cake category, adding a third medal to the resort’s recent culinary achievements.

The results highlight the range of skills within Reethi Faru Resort’s culinary team, spanning pastry, cake presentation and hot kitchen techniques.

According to the resort, participation in professional culinary competitions provides its chefs with opportunities to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and test their abilities alongside other industry professionals.

The achievements also form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s wider focus on dining and guest experience, with its culinary team involved across the resort’s restaurants and food and beverage offerings.

Reethi Faru Resort congratulated Kabdal, Bijalwan and Sharma on their respective achievements, describing the results as recognition of their commitment, technical ability and creativity.

The three medals add to the resort’s recent culinary accolades and reflect its continued emphasis on professional development within its kitchen team.

Cruising

Ifuru Island Maldives unveils ‘Echoes of the Ocean and Stars’ festive programme

Published

1 week ago

October 5, 2026

m@ldives

Ifuru Island Maldives will celebrate the 2026 festive season with “Echoes of the Ocean and Stars”, an immersive Christmas and New Year programme running from 21 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.

Inspired by the natural beauty of the Maldivian ocean, the night sky and the festive season, the theme will bring together marine and celestial elements across the resort’s décor, entertainment, dining, activities and guest experiences.

At the centre of the concept is the idea that the ocean carries memories, while the stars represent dreams and new beginnings. Rather than presenting the festive season as a series of standalone events, Ifuru Island plans to create a connected journey spanning Christmas, New Year and Orthodox Christmas.

The visual identity of “Echoes of the Ocean and Stars” will combine an underwater-inspired world with celestial elements. Bioluminescent-inspired colours, reef motifs and glowing details will be paired with stars, constellations and moonlit features throughout the resort.

The colour palette will include deep ocean blue and midnight navy alongside pearl white, silver, soft turquoise, pink and purple, with accents of celestial gold. Coral forms, waves, shells and reef-inspired features will be combined with stars and festive details, giving traditional Christmas elements an interpretation inspired by Ifuru Island’s natural surroundings.

The concept will extend beyond decorations to dining, entertainment, activities, uniforms, signage and festive communications.

The resort said the theme is also intended to reflect the emotions associated with the festive period. The ocean represents peace, connection and possibility, while the stars symbolise hope, dreams, guidance and new beginnings.

The festive journey will begin on 21 December and continue through 10 January, encompassing Christmas, New Year and Orthodox Christmas celebrations.

Christmas Eve on 24 December will feature festive dining and entertainment, while Christmas Day on 25 December will centre on family celebrations and relaxed island experiences.

On 31 December, Ifuru Island will mark New Year’s Eve with the main celebration of the festive period, before welcoming 2027 on New Year’s Day with activities centred around the island setting and surrounding ocean.

Celebrations will continue from 1 to 10 January during the Orthodox festive period, including Orthodox Christmas.

According to the resort, the broader concept is intended to connect the entire guest experience, with the island’s natural environment forming part of the festive setting. The ocean will provide inspiration during the day, while the night sky will shape the atmosphere after sunset.

Dining experiences, entertainment and activities will each form part of the wider “Echoes of the Ocean and Stars” narrative, giving guests different experiences throughout their stay while maintaining a consistent creative theme.

The programme is designed for guests travelling with family, friends or loved ones, with Ifuru Island aiming to combine its natural surroundings with festive celebrations and shared experiences.

The full festive programme, including entertainment, activities, culinary experiences and special events, will be announced separately.

“Echoes of the Ocean and Stars” will run at Ifuru Island Maldives from 21 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. Christmas Eve will be marked on 24 December, Christmas Day on 25 December, New Year’s Eve on 31 December, New Year’s Day on 1 January and the Orthodox festive period from 1 to 10 January 2027.