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Three Michelin-starred Chef Kenji Gyoten to return to Soneva Fushi five times in 2019-2020

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Soneva is set to welcome back Japan’s youngest three-starred Chef Kenji Gyoten to Soneva Fushi in Maldives four times this year and once in 2020.

As part of the world-leading luxury resort operator’s Festival of Colour, which runs from February 2018 to December 2019, Chef Gyoten will be at Soneva Fushi from March 25 to April 1, from April 27 to May 6, from August 13 to 24 and from November 10 to 17, and from January 31 to February 16, 2020.

During his time at Soneva Fushi, Chef Gyoten will be at So Hands On, Soneva Fushi’s sushi counter located in the overwater dining destination Out of the Blue. It seats just five diners and is said by some to offer the best sushi outside of Japan. The countertop is made from Hinoki, a Japanese pine that is commonly used for sushi counters, that has been polished with sake. The concept behind So Hands On is to create an intimate dining experience presided over by some of the world’s best sushi chefs for lovers of Japanese cuisine

Chef Gyoten was born in 1982 in the Yamaguchi Prefecture and was influenced by his grandfather, a sushi chef, into becoming a sushi chef himself. After working underneath his mentors in Tokyo, the chef opened Sushi Gyoten in Fukuoka at the age of 26, and has received three Michelin stars in three consecutive years since 2014.

Chef Kenji is known for using the hontegaeshi (hand flip) technique of Endomae nigiri to prepare his bite-sized sushi – a technique that is rarely seen these days. At Sushi Gyoten, the chef uses rice that has been sourced from a region in Kyushu, where there are extreme temperature differences between night and day for its unique flavour. He sources his seafood both locally and from the renowned Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo to ensure he only serves the very best.

In February 2018, Soneva launched its first ever two year-long campaign known as the 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 freedivers, astronomers, artists, wellness practitioners, tennis coaches and more at all its resorts.

In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.

Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.

Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options. In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.

If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. No pretensions either.

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Huvafen Fushi introduces soulful stays for rest, reconnection and renewal

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Huvafen Fushi has unveiled a soul-stirring escape created for women who appreciate the power of pause. Whether bringing together a close circle of friends or seeking cherished solitude, this retreat has been designed to smooth the edges and awaken the spirit. Behind closed doors lies the quiet seclusion of Huvafen’s renowned two- and three-bedroom Pavilions, where privacy is paramount, barefoot elegance is assured, and time moves to a rhythm entirely one’s own.

There is little need to leave – unless by choice. Mornings may begin with floating breakfasts on the deck, sunrise yoga by the sea, or tranquil hours drifting in a private pool. With personal butlers, customised mini bars, private coral garden snorkelling, and candlelit feasts, every detail encourages guests to soften, settle, and reconnect with themselves.

Accommodation options include:

  • Two Bedroom Ocean Pavilion with Pool – Overwater and sunset-facing, this private retreat sleeps up to six and features a unique indoor–outdoor pool that opens directly into the sea, ideal for dusk dips and long, starlit evenings.
  • Two Bedroom Lagoon Pavilion with Pool – Bathed in morning light, this sunrise-facing pavilion offers an uninterrupted view of the lagoon. With space for six, a vast sundeck, and serene water vistas, it invites both connection and clarity.
  • Three Bedroom Beach Pavilion with Pool – Positioned directly on the beach and facing the sunset, this expansive hideaway sleeps up to nine. Ocean views, a private pool, and generous indoor and outdoor living areas make it ideal for multigenerational escapes or milestone celebrations.
  • Two Bedroom Beach House with Pool – A private sanctuary on the sand, this beach house accommodates up to six. Guests can unwind in their own pool, take in panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, and embrace a slower pace of life.

This is a stay for long conversations and easy silences, for secrets shared over cocktails, for saltwater swims that soothe, for laughter, solo sunrises, and the rare luxury of simply being oneself. Whether with friends, family, or alone, it is not merely a getaway – it is a return to one’s own tide. 

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas unveils magical holiday celebrations

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This festive season, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas will offer guests a journey of connection, wonder and celebration, inspired by the four natural elements: earth, water, fire and air. A series of thoughtfully curated experiences will capture the spirit of the season and the beauty of the island, creating a magical escape for both couples and families.

Christmas celebrations will begin with the lighting of the island tree and Santa’s arrival in true Kihavah style. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, guests will enjoy beachfront feasts, sunset cocktails and joyful family gatherings.

Younger guests will be treated to a host of festive activities, from gingerbread house decorating to a children’s pirate cruise exploring local islands, as well as a friendly wall-climbing challenge.

As the year draws to a close, New Year’s Eve will invite guests to celebrate beneath the stars with cosmic-themed cocktails by the sea, followed by a Gala Dinner featuring world-class cuisine, live cooking stations and vibrant entertainment, culminating in a spectacular countdown under the Maldivian night sky.

On 7 January, Orthodox Christmas will be marked with a serene celebration inspired by the element of water, offering oceanfront dining, soulful live music and moments of quiet reflection.

Throughout the festive period, guests will also be able to enjoy signature experiences such as a sunset wine tasting on a private sandbank and a five-course coral-aged wine dinner at SEA, the world’s only underwater wine cellar. Complementing these will be grounding island activities, rejuvenating wellness rituals and culinary delights, all designed to reconnect guests with nature, loved ones and themselves.

With its breathtaking setting, newly reimagined Beach Pool Villas and exceptional holiday programme, Anantara Kihavah promises an unforgettable seasonal celebration in luxury and style.

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Gourmet pizza takes centre stage at COLOURS OF OBLU with Chef Marco Piccini

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Placing unique customer experiences at the heart of its brand identity, COLOURS OF OBLU values fun and relaxation on holiday as much as the indulgence and entertainment found across its portfolio of four stunning resorts.

In line with the vibrant spirit of the OBLU guest experience, the resorts, part of Atmosphere Core, have announced a forthcoming collaboration with renowned Italian pizza chef Marco Piccini. From 22 September to 3 October, Chef Marco will bring his distinctive blend of tradition and craftsmanship to the Maldives through a series of pop-up pizza dining events and more.

Chef Marco, CEO of ‘Mako Pizza’, is far more than a pizza maker. Specialising in live show cooking and exclusive event catering, he is celebrated for creating bespoke culinary experiences using organic dough, long fermentation methods, and premium flours. Each event he curates is a performance in itself, blending flavour, artistry, and storytelling.

This will mark Chef Marco’s debut in the Maldives. Atmosphere Core’s Vice President of Food & Beverage, Anupam Banerjee, expressed the brand’s enthusiasm, noting that the team constantly seeks artisanal culinary experiences that entertain as much as they please the palate. He highlighted Chef Marco’s commitment to the origins and quality of each ingredient, and his passion for sharing the history of his country’s national dish, emphasising that great pizza begins with the dough.

On a whirlwind tour of North Malé Atoll, Chef Marco will host a series of pop-up pizza dining events and speciality Chef’s Menu concepts, beginning at OBLU NATURE Helengeli, continuing to OBLU SELECT Sangeli, and concluding at the couples-only OBLU SELECT Lobigili. During his visit, he will work closely with the resorts’ culinary teams, providing them with a rare opportunity to master the art of traditional pizza-making. Guests will also be invited to join interactive sessions, learning to create handcrafted pizzas from scratch.

Raised in Sovigliana-Vinci with roots in Grosseto and Empoli, Chef Marco inherited his love for cooking from his mother, Mara. He studied culinary arts at the Enriques Institute in Castelfiorentino and gained experience in acclaimed restaurants including Borgo Allegro, Castelfalfi Resort, and Milan’s Michelin-starred JOIA.

In 2019, his collaboration with chef Fabrizio Marino—another celebrated Italian chef who works with Atmosphere Core—led to the opening of Pizza Del Popolo, San Miniato’s first vegetarian bakery-pizzeria, dedicated to organic, locally sourced produce and authentic regional flavours.

For Chef Marco, pizza is a passion that comes from the soul, more an art form than a simple culinary process. Having showcased his craft across Europe, he sees the Maldives as an extraordinary new destination for his events. He expressed his excitement at sharing his expertise with guests and kitchen teams, while also learning from the island chefs about their own specialities and local cuisine.

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