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Constance’s Maldives resorts defend World’s Best Wine Lists Awards

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Constance Halaveli Maldives and Constance Moofushi Maldive have won World’s Best Wine Lists Awards for another year.

Awarding three stars to Constance Halaveli for the fourth year, judges noted that a great deal of time and thought has been given to the wine list at the resort, where an interesting and fruitful selection of by-the-glass options are available, including Mas Amiel 1975 Maury and Niepoort Colheita 2001, in addition to a plethora of full bottle options divided into various chapters.

A few of the stand-out options in Constance Halaveli’s wine list includes Billecart-Salmon’s single-vineyard Blanc de Noirs Clos St Hilaire 1998, and Deutz Cuvée William Deutz and Blanc de Blancs 1988. Amongst more familiar but equally special prestige cuvées are Dom Pérignon, Roederer Cristal, and Cristal Rosé.

The wine lists embraces classic famous names but also clever and intriguing alternatives that are equally worthy of their place. Top Burgundy growers include Carillon, Lamy, and Roulot, while there is a special section devoted to Sauzet premiers and grands crus. There is good and great red Burgundy, all the way up to the giddy heights of Domaine de la Vougeraie Musigny, and an extensive selection of Lucien Lemoine grands crus, from Clos de la Roche and Clos St-Denis, to Latricières-Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze, and Richebourg. Wines from the Rhône include Château Grillet and a segment dedicated to three different Condrieu cuvées from Georges Vernay.

Overall there’s a strong European influence, France and Italy being the areas of greatest strength: six consecutive vintages of Domaine de la Grange des Pères from Southern France; Right Back classics including legendary Château Beauséjour Duffau Lagarosse 1990; and Super-Tuscans Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Tassinaia, and Tignanello. But there are also exciting representatives from the southern hemisphere, such as Australia’s Shaw + Smith, D’Arenberg, Leeuwin Estate, and Torbreck, and from South Africa five vintages of Eben Sadie’s Palladius and several of his Old Vines Series. To cap off what would be a charming and tranquil gastronomic experience, there is a collection of good sweet wines, including five vintages of Château Gilette Crème de Tête Sauternes back to 1961 and Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance.

Designed to reflect the curved shape of a traditional Maldivian dhoni, Constance Halaveli Maldives is located in the North Male Atoll and is accessible by a 35-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. The resort offers beach and water villas, family villas and a presidential villa, which can include luxurious amenities of private terraces, plunge pools and more.

A range of superb fine wine-and-dining options are available, as the resort features five restaurants and bars, including the Asian and European fusion cuisine of Jing and Jahaz. A variety of traditional Japanese sushi rolls, sashimi and Maoki’s are served up at Kaika Sushi Bar, where guests can dine inside or on the terrace. Meeru provides beach dining for guests, where the remarkably white sand contrasts with the lush green forest of the island, complemented by the aqua blue ocean. During the evening, a selection of fresh seafood and meats from the à la carte menu can be grilled in front of guests, bringing authentic gastronomy to the shoreline.

Meanwhile, Constance’s second property in the Maldives, Constance Moofushi was awarded two stars in the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards for the third year.

Judges stressed that Constance Moofushi’s focus on environmental elements is extended to the wine list as well, where helpful symbols identify organic and biodynamic wines; the former indicates that the wine producer is pursuing sustainability concepts with minor environmental impacts and strict organic principles, while the latter signifies adherence to the ideas of the founding father of biodynamics, Rudolf Steiner.

The wine list identifies a vast selection of sommelier favorites, as well as providing helpful tasting notes on many of the eclectic, well-selected mid-range wines on the list, not only those offered by the glass.

The extensive Sommelier Selection ascends the giddy heights of Champagnes such as Deutz Amour de Deutz, Billecart-Salmon Clos St Hilaire, Cristal, and Salon, or white Burgundies including Lamy St-Aubins, Roulot Meursaults, and Carillon and Sauzet Puligny-Montrachets, including Montrachet itself. The list spans the globe, ensuring that producers both famous and less familiar, grand and boutique, are recognized. Options for rosé, for instance, cover France, New Zealand, and South Africa, in the form of a Côte de Provence Château Barbanau L’instant 2014, Marlborough Ata Rangi Summer 2014, and Marianne Estate 2014 from Western Cape.

“Constance Moofushi Maldives honors wine as one of the most civilized beverages in the world, one that ‘offers a greater range of enjoyment and appreciation than possibly any other purely sensory thing’,” the judges said.

Constance Moofushi, located in the South Ari Atoll and accessible by a 25-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport, strikes the balance between luxury and simplicity, while upholding ecological principles across the resort. A variety of beach, water and senior residences that make up the 110 villas throughout the resort embraces ecological thatched roofing. The interior embodies fresh and contemporary décor with the idyllic backdrop of the aqua lagoons of the Indian Ocean.

Two restaurants and two bars provide multiple options for a unique culinary experience tailored to all age groups. Alizée offers an à la carte menu and is situated only a few meters from the sea on the bleached sand, serving up freshly cooked food from a beach grill in a peaceful and casual atmosphere. Manta restaurant embraces a worldwide cuisine concept, where the main focus is the interaction between chefs and guests as they journey through the international buffet. The sand-floored restaurant extends out over the water, allowing guests to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape’s crystal-clear waters during their meal, adding to the ambiance.

Now in its fifth year, the World’s Best Wine Lists awards by The World of Fine Wine celebrate the importance of a good selection of wine from around the world, and has become as coveted as Michelin star ratings.

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Joos gets juicier: The Standard, Maldives unveils fresh new menu

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Joos Café at The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives is flipping the beach bite game with a sizzling menu makeover that is equal parts delicious, healthy and totally Joos’d up.

The new à la carte lineup serves fresh cravings like the Turkey Club House – a slow-roasted turkey sando stacked with crispy turkey bacon, ripe tomato, Swiss cheese and the signature maple mayo, wrapped in artisan schiacciata flatbread or a soft tortilla. It’s the classic clubhouse, but cooler. The new Kale & Quinoa Bowl, meanwhile, is a plant-based nutritional powerhouse – gluten-free, vegan and deeply satisfying. Massaged kale, fluffy quinoa, creamy avocado, crunchy edamame, seasonal berries and a zesty citrus dressing give it all a sparkle.

And because balance is everything, Joos Café is also throwing its burger-shaped hat in the ring: the new signature Butcher’s Burger is entering the Hard Rock Cafe’s Annual World Burger Competition in Malé. It is stacked high with a juicy Angus patty flame-grilled and lacquered in rich teriyaki sauce, crispy onion rings, homemade bilimbi hot sauce, fried egg, beef bacon and tangy pickles. Smoky, spicy, sweet, crispy, creamy, it’s giving everything and then some.

Nanda, Executive Chef at The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, said: “The new Joos Café menu is a love letter to feel-good food. We’ve taken familiar favorites and given them a bold island twist—big flavors, real ingredients, and that signature Joos energy. Whether it’s the Butcher’s Burger that’s making waves or the Kale & Quinoa Bowl that hits the reset button, every dish is crafted to nourish and excite. It’s food that fuels your vibe—whatever time of day you drop in.”

Slide into the all-day Joos café for coffee, pastries, wraps, salads and the kind of lazy breakfasts that spill into lunch. Everything comes tableside or poolside (your call).

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La Scolca’s Chiara Soldati to host winemaker dinner at Conrad Maldives

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has announced an exclusive Winemaker Dinner featuring Chiara Soldati, CEO of La Scolca and one of the most prominent figures in the Italian wine world. The event will take place on 10th August, 2025, at the resort’s iconic underground Wine Cellar, offering an unforgettable evening of heritage, flavor, and elegance.

Celebrating over a century of winemaking excellence, Chiara Soldati represents the fourth generation of the Soldati family to lead La Scolca, Italy’s esteemed wine estate in Gavi, Piedmont. Guests will be treated to a multi-course tasting menu curated to complement La Scolca’s finest vintages.

Dishes on the menu include refined creations such as pan-seared rainbow trout with saffron bisque, herbs-crusted beef tenderloin, and mulled wine poached pears, each paired with exceptional wines personally selected and presented by Chiara Soldati herself.

Held in the Maldives’ first and only underground wine cellar, this intimate dinner is an opportunity for wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs to engage with a legendary winemaker in an exclusive island setting.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 24 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.

For more information or to book your experience, please visit www.conradmaldives.com or email mlehi.experiences@conradhotels.com or contact +960 6680629.

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Huvafen Fushi to host iconic 17-course omakase by Japan’s Chef Setsuo Funahashi

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Huvafen Fushi, the iconic resort in the Maldives, is set to host an exclusive one-night culinary residency with the renowned two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Nikaku.

On Monday, 11 August 2025, Huvafen Fushi’s overwater restaurant RAW will welcome celebrated Chef Setsuo Funahashi for a 17-course omakase dinner – a traditional Japanese dining experience where the chef selects each dish. This special evening will offer a rare insight into the world of authentic Edomae sushi, a style developed during Japan’s Edo period in the 1700s. Originally created as a method to preserve fish caught in Tokyo Bay before the advent of refrigeration, Edomae sushi involves techniques such as curing with vinegar or salt, simmering, and marinating in sauces.

Chef Funahashi, a third-generation sushi master and the owner of Nikaku in Kitakyushu, is widely respected for his dedication to traditional Japanese methods. He sources the freshest fish from the Kanmon Straits, which separate the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. For this occasion at Huvafen Fushi, every ingredient will be flown in directly from Japan to guarantee the highest standards of quality and authenticity.

Nikaku, which translates as “a pair of cranes” – a symbol of lasting prosperity – stands as a tribute to the enduring craftsmanship of Japanese cuisine. Chef Funahashi continues a two-century legacy, employing techniques such as hontegaeshi for forming nigiri, and refining the anbai – the precise balance of salt and vinegar in sushi rice. Each course will be presented with meticulous attention to detail, offering guests an experience where each dish becomes a work of art.

The evening’s dining will be highly exclusive, with two intimate seatings limited to eight guests per session. A curated selection of premium champagne, fine white wines, and exceptional sake will be available to complement the nuanced flavours of the omakase menu.

This exceptional collaboration exemplifies Huvafen Fushi’s commitment to delivering sophisticated, world-class culinary experiences. It is a celebration of two refined traditions – the serene luxury of the Maldives and the disciplined precision of Japanese cuisine – coming together for an unforgettable night of gastronomic artistry.

Dining at Huvafen Fushi has long been regarded as an elevated affair, with each venue offering distinctive culinary expressions against a backdrop of unspoiled natural beauty. Among them, SALT is considered one of the finest restaurants in the Maldives, blending elegant Japanese flavours with Latin flair in a relaxed Izakaya-style setting poised above the ocean. Designed for sharing and pairing with drinks, its offerings are best enjoyed as the sun sets over the water.

For a more health-conscious alternative, RAW presents a 100% organic, raw food menu in a bistro-inspired format, featuring fresh ingredients sourced from the chef’s own garden and served alongside energising juices. With panoramic views of the sea, RAW offers a tranquil yet refined setting – making it the perfect stage for Chef Funahashi’s rare residency.

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