Drink
Six-resort dining experience, Baa Atoll Summer Festival 2018 wraps up
Six resorts, all located in the central Baa atoll, have successfully completed a joint promotional event to promote the atoll as a single destination.
Soneva Fushi, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Dusit Thani Maldives, Amilla Fushi, Finolhu Maldives and Vakkaru Maldives joined hands to celebrate the summer holidays with a bang in Baa atoll, calling it the “Baa Atoll Summer Festival 2018”.

The first ever and one-of-its-kind festival was held from July 20 to August 3, bringing the best each resort had to offer in the dining scene. Guests from each resort had the opportunity to experience the varied cuisines Baa atoll had to offer as a destination, on dedicated nights. That gave them a taste of the creativity and service of their resort of choice, with a chance to explore other islands during their stay.
The Baa Atoll Summer Festival officially launched on July 20, with a cocktail event in each of the resorts where the teams celebrated with their guests the opening night. From the following day, each resort welcomed the guests from other resorts with a special set menu for dinner in their featured dining restaurant, for two consecutive weeks on a designated night.
That gave the resort the opportunity to showcase its dining scene to the guests of the resort itself and those visiting from the other islands for dinner. Transportation was organised by the respective resort to the featured resort on a daily basis.
If the guests wanted to repeat their experience in a specific resort, then special arrangements were made to accommodate the same. Each resort presented a set menu for USD 120++ per person on food, with a special menu for kids. The price of the menu in each featured restaurant remained the same. That was compiled with an aim to create an experience for the guests as the talented chefs unveiled their dishes.

The Baa Atoll Summer Festival closing ceremony brought the teams and guests together in celebration, on a sandbank for a Catamaran Regatta competition on August 3.
“This destination dining concept allowed us to tantalise the taste buds of our guests in all participating resorts and make Baa atoll location in Maldives a ‘must visit’ atoll during summer,” Mark Hehir, the CEO and Curator at The Small Maldives Island Co. (TSMIC) said, during the closing ceremony.
“With this first ever event, Baa atoll destination has created a benchmark for itself. We hope to recreate this success next year with more participants and at a grander scale.”

Baa atoll, the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, is currently home to a number of resorts, including those run by world-renowned brands.
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.
Located just 30 minutes by seaplane from the main Velana International Airport, Amilla Fushi offers a choice of 59 Houses that sit gracefully over crystal clear waters, nestled amongst lush tree tops or hugging the shores of pristine white sand. Additionally, eight spectacular four to eight-bedroom Beach Residences ideally suited to large families, groups of friends and VVIPs seeking the ultimate in space and privacy are also available.
Just 30 minutes by speedboat from sister resort Amilla, Finolhu is a stylish and eclectic retreat with a buzzy bon-vivant vibe and a refreshing, retro-inspired burst of fun for the region. Bringing toes-in-the-sand relaxation to fun-loving beach-erati alongside the best DJs, live acts and most fabulously chic parties in the Maldives. Finolhu’s 125 villas come on the ocean, the lagoon or by the beach, with or without pool in either one or two bedroom options being the ultimate island experience for chic couples, fun-loving families and gatherings of friends alike.
Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre wonderland of pristine tropical beauty. Exotic jungle greenery is flanked by immaculate white beaches and one of the Maldives’ largest natural lagoons.
Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll — the Maldives’ first ever UNESCO biosphere reserve — Dusit Thani Maldives blends gracious Thai hospitality with the unparalleled luxury setting of the Maldives. This luxury island resort comprises 95 villas encircled by white sandy beaches, a stunning 360 degree house reef and a turquoise lagoon. With a unique combination of beach and lagoon accommodation, Dusit Thani Maldives provides an unmatched luxurious escape for all travellers.
A secluded tropical island resort blessed with timeless ocean views, white sandy beaches and nurtured by nature, Vakkaru offers guests a holistic approach to unassuming luxury and unforgettable experiences. Whether travelling on a romantic break or with family and friends, the resort offers a superlative choice of accommodation types, including family rooms. Each of the 125 beach and overwater villas and suites have a natural aesthetic and sense of privacy.
Drink
Milaidhoo Maldives celebrates International Men’s Day with ‘Gentlemen & Cocktails’
Milaidhoo Maldives will mark International Men’s Day with a cocktail-making competition for male guests, as the resort celebrates its tenth anniversary this November.
The occasion will also recognise the contributions of the men involved in the resort’s development and operations over the past decade. Since its establishment, Milaidhoo has maintained a focus on Maldivian hospitality and cultural traditions, with its original vision continuing to influence the guest experience.
As part of the celebrations, the resort will host Gentlemen & Cocktails, an interactive cocktail-making challenge at Compass Pool Bar.
The event will begin with a workshop led by the bar’s bartenders, who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of cocktail preparation. Following the workshop, participants will compete to create their own signature cocktails using a selection of ingredients.
Each participant will receive a black box containing secret ingredients, which must be incorporated into their creation. They will also be required to select an additional herb, vegetable or aromatic ingredient from the resort’s Chef’s Garden.
Participants will have a limited amount of time to prepare their cocktails, with their partners serving as judges. The creations will be assessed based on flavour, presentation and originality.
The winning cocktail will be featured as the Cocktail of the Day at Compass Pool Bar for one week. The winning couple will also be entitled to unlimited servings of their creation for the remainder of their stay.
The International Men’s Day celebrations form part of Milaidhoo Maldives’ tenth anniversary year, recognising the people who have contributed to the resort’s development and its approach to hospitality.
Through the cocktail-making competition, the resort aims to provide guests with an interactive experience while commemorating International Men’s Day.
Drink
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll partners with RED Bar for mixology takeover
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort has announced a three-night bar takeover in collaboration with RED Bar, New Delhi, from 25 to 27 November 2026, featuring mixologist Virender Singh.
Titled The Craft of the Cocktail, the collaboration will bring RED Bar’s approach to mixology to three venues across the resort, offering guests a series of cocktail experiences in different island settings.
Located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, RED Bar is recognised for its approach to contemporary cocktail creation, incorporating a range of ingredients, flavours and techniques. The venue was featured on the 2025 list of India’s 30 Best Bars and has participated in guest shifts and bar takeovers internationally.

Leading the collaboration will be Virender Singh, who has eight years of experience in beverage creation. His approach to mixology focuses on ingredient combinations, flavour pairings and experimentation with cocktail-making techniques.
“At JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, we believe that exceptional experiences are shaped by creativity, craftsmanship, and a sense of discovery,” said Arup Chakraborty, Director of Food & Beverage.
“This collaboration offers our guests the opportunity to experience RED Bar’s approach to cocktails across three distinctive settings on the island. We look forward to welcoming Virender Singh and sharing these experiences with our guests.”
The takeover will take place across three evenings, beginning at Nikkei Bar, where guests can sample signature cocktails at the resort’s overwater bar while overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The second evening will be hosted at JW Garden, featuring a garden-to-glass concept incorporating fresh ingredients and tropical flavours.
The collaboration will conclude at Wahoo Bar, where the cocktail experience will move to a beachfront setting.
The event forms part of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort’s efforts to introduce international culinary and beverage talent to the Maldives through guest collaborations and dining experiences.
Drink
Rare vintages meet island luxury: Glenelly Estate takes over RAAYA and VARU by Atmosphere
Stellenbosch’s finest wines arrive in the Maldives this December 2026 at RAAYA by Atmosphere and VARU by Atmosphere. Both private island resorts within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts portfolio will welcome Glenelly Estate for an exclusive celebration of wine and culinary discovery from 4 to 10 December 2026. Designed to honour the visionary legacy of Glenelly’s 101-year-old founder, May‐Éliane de Lencquesaing, the week-long journey seamlessly weaves her French winemaking heritage with South African terroir through rare vintages, artful pairings, and warm island hospitality.
Hosting these exclusive gatherings is Nina-Mari Bruwer from Glenelly Estate. With over 18 years of winemaking artistry, Nina-Mari brings a deep passion for the stories woven into every vintage. “It is wonderful to return to the Maldives and share Glenelly’s story through its wines,” says Nina-Marie of Glenelly Wine Estate. “Each experience reveals a different side of the estate, from elegant pairings at the table to relaxed, open-air moments that capture the spirit of Stellenbosch.”

RAAYA by Atmosphere
The festivities launch at RAAYA by Atmosphere on 4 December with La Vita Stellenbosch at The Village, an indulgent evening celebrating the vibrant flavours and elegant heritage of the Cape Winelands. On 5 December, the setting shifts to the lush greenery of Seb’s Farm for Garden to Glass – Glenelly Unplugged, an intimate open-air gathering where farm-to-table dining meets fine wine and barefoot island ease. The RAAYA celebration reaches its crescendo on 6 December at AMPERS&ND with Sunset: The Glenelly Golden Hour, where live stations, canapés, and wine come together as the island slips into dusk.

VARU by Atmosphere
The spotlight then moves to VARU by Atmosphere on 8 December, where KAAGÉ & The Cape pairs rich South African winemaking with authentic local traditions during a memorable dinner at the resort’s signature venue. On 9 December, NÜ presents NÜances of the Cape, a dinner exploring the balance, texture, and layered personality of Glenelly’s wines. The visit concludes at Bay Rouge Bar with The Cape Extravaganza, a lively evening of live stations and canapés that offers a fitting farewell to Glenelly’s Maldivian journey.

Reflecting on the milestone, Rohit Salunke, Assistant Director of Wines at Atmosphere Core, shares, “Glenelly’s wines have a remarkable sense of place. Across these six experiences, guests will discover how naturally they complement different cuisines while expressing the distinctive character of Stellenbosch. Marking Atmosphere Core’s 117th wine event in the Maldives, this fourth collaboration reflects our commitment to authentic wine encounters. We look forward to welcoming Nina-Mari Bruwer to our shores and continuing this valued partnership, following the warm hospitality extended to our resort sommeliers in February 2026, when they visited Glenelly’s Stellenbosch winery to experience the harvest of Lady May’s 2026 vintage first-hand.”

This exclusive wine journey is complimentary for in-house guests on the RAAYA Plan™ and VARU Plan™ (with prior reservation). Book your stay at atmospherehotelsandresorts.com to discover the elegance of Glenelly Estate, one exceptional pairing and one memorable island evening at a time.
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