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You & Me by Cocoon Maldives celebrates grand opening
You & Me by Cocoon Maldives has celebrated its grand opening.
A special function attended by tourism minister Ali Waheed was held Saturday evening at the resort, which began welcoming guests early last month. The function featured performances by international artists.
“We are thrilled to announce the official opening of our five-star Raa atoll property. It’s been exactly two years since we opened Cocoon Maldives in Lhaviyani atoll and we are very proud to unveil this newest addition to our family,” Alex Azzola, Managing Director of parent company Cocoon Investments, said.
You & Me by Cocoon is an adults-only island with a natural-chic ambiance made especially for lovers. Here, you can devote yourself to your significant other in complete privacy.
Positioned as an achingly elegant, rustic-chic resort that exclusively caters to guests aged 16 and above, You & Me Maldives by Cocoon has 111 villas — of which 97 are overwater — and six superb dining outlets scattered around the island, each highlighting the resort’s unique views, flavours and features. The resort features five restaurants, offering Japanese fine dining and authentic Italian dishes in an elegant and rustic environment.
The resort’s solely a la carte culinary spots embody the romantic essence of the island and guests can dine at any four of You & Me’s restaurants. Be whisked off to South Italy at Trattoria La Pasta and enjoy the locale’s flavours and sounds. Have a taste of Asia at the Rising Sun Teppanyaki and try its delicious fare hot off the plate. Visit Green Carpet if you’re in a beach-going mood and dine in the shade of tall palms. At night, stroll down to the beach and delight in the offerings of The Sand, the main restaurant that oozes elegance and romance.
You & Me by Cocoon has partnered with prestigious champagne house Veuve Clicquot, allowing guests to experience the high-life the moment when they set foot on the island. To help guests look their best, the resort has also teamed up with Elisabeth Arden Pro, bringing the iconic New York skin-care brand all the way to the Maldives.
But it gets even better!
Six-metres under water, almost half a kilometre away from the pearly shores of the island is the resort’s greatest gift – H2O, the world’s best underwater restaurant, conceived by world-renowned designer Daniele Lago. With room for 26 guests, H2O’s seventy-four feet acrylic glass exterior is made to mesmerise. Nestled in a lush coral garden six metres below the sea, this enchanting restaurant draws all manner of marine life to delight viewers. Don’t miss a chance to dine in this one-of-a-kind setting and share a spellbinding seascape with your beloved.
“… a big thank you to everybody who helped realise our dream of an extraordinary romantic hideaway in Raa Atoll,” Alex said.
The second resort owned and managed by Cocoon Investments, You & Me by Cocoon is located in the secluded northern atoll of Raa, and is accessible by a 45-minute scenic seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. Alternatively, guests can take a domestic flight to the Ifuru domestic airport in Raa atoll, followed by a 20-minute speedboat ride to the resort.
Cocoon Investments opened its first resort, Cocoon Maldives in March 2017.
Cocoon Maldives, located in Ookolhufinolhu Island in the northern Lhaviyani atoll and accessible by a 40-minute scenic seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, blends the best of Italian design with the Maldives’ stunning natural beauty. The five-star resort houses 150 villas that are exclusively designed by Lago, one of Italy’s finest design firms.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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