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JA Mafanaru creates collaborative menu with Michelin-starred Chef Da Dong

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JA Manafaru has announced a collaboration with China’s most renowned chef Da Dong to create a signature culinary experience for its guests.

Admired for his innovation of modern Chinese cuisine, Chef Da Dong founded Da Dong Roast Duck in Beijing more than 30 years ago and it has since expanded to nine locations around Beijing. Two of his Shanghai restaurants have Michelin stars.

Chef Da Dong spent several weeks in JA Manafaru exploring the potential of combining Maldivian flavours and ingredients with his distinctive Chinese cooking styles and techniques. The result is a menu combining both local ingredients and his signature dishes – a uniquely memorable dining experience.

The collaborative menu is offered at JA Manafaru’s award-winning overwater White Orchid restaurant, which offers Asian fusion cuisine that takes your taste buds on a journey across Asia with an exotic mix of Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai specialty dishes.

The collaboration between JA Manafaru and Chef Da Dong is part of a new group-wide push by JA Resorts & Hotels — one of Dubai’s longest-serving homegrown hospitality brands — to build on its excellent culinary offerings, with the opening of 10 new restaurants in 2019 alongside four collaborations with international chefs of Michelin star acclaim.

JA Resorts & Hotels cites their food and beverage vision as creating community-focused restaurants providing one-of-a-kind experiences that energise everyone, with an enthusiastic welcome, exceptional service, awesome food, killer tunes and an unforgettable time, resulting in profitable restaurants.

“Our fundamental belief is that the Food & Beverage outlets of any hotel are what provide the character and energy of the property. These restaurants can define the personality of the hotel, if they are attractive and exciting to the local community. We are on a journey to creating unique and memorable F&B outlets for our consumers,” Rob Cunningham, newly appointed Vice President of Food & Beverage at JA Resorts & Hotels, was quoted in a statement, as saying.

Situated on the northern tip of Haa Alifu atoll, a picturesque 75-minute seaplane flight away from Velana International Airport, the luxurious JA Manafaru beckons adventurous groups to its island paradise and chilled summer scene. Travellers can snorkel through Manafaru island’s stunning shallow reef and the gram-worthy azure blue ocean whilst spotting an array of exotic sea life including Triggerfish, Angelfish, Unicornfish, Eagle Ray, Moorish Idol, Butterflyfish, Clownfish, Stingrays and Blacktip Sharks. Super adventurers can even try night snorkelling and experience a whole new world of wonder.

Food lovers can try deep-sea fishing in a secluded tropical island setting on a traditional Maldivian boat, before indulging the taste buds and dining on your day’s catch in Ocean Grill, which features palm trees and idyllic blue-sky views. For a day of relaxation and laidback vibes, explorers can set sail on a castaway adventure to an uninhibited picture-perfect island. Known as one of the most serene islands in the Maldives, Medhafushi is just a short 10-minute trip away and offers a deserted island setting for picnics and dinners that will create unforgettable memories.

Featuring a stunning selection of beach bungalows and water villas equipped with their own private pool, the tropical paradise has everything adventure aficionados desire, including bicycles to explore the island, scuba diving, water sports, tennis, beach volleyball, plus seven world-class restaurants. Step into your best summer yet at JA Manafaru, Maldives – the perfect escape from city life!

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Westin Maldives Miriandhoo introduces Family Fun Summer package

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The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, aimed at families seeking longer island stays built around shared activities and rest. The offer is available for booking from 15 April to 15 June 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights for travel through to 20 December 2026.

Located within Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is positioning the offer around family wellness, marine experiences and time spent together in a natural island setting. Seasonal snorkelling with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay remains one of the area’s key attractions, while the resort’s collection of beach and overwater villas is designed to accommodate families looking for space and flexibility during their stay.

For larger families and groups, the resort also offers the two-bedroom Heavenly Beach Residence, which includes a living room, kitchen and dining area intended to support longer and more relaxed island stays.

The resort says the guest experience can be shaped around both activity and downtime, supported by Westin’s Sleep Well concept and Heavenly Bed. Children have access to the Westin Family Kids Club, which includes a children’s pool and pirate ship, while parents can make use of Heavenly Spa by Westin.

Away from the villa, the resort is also promoting shared family experiences through Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy activities focused on the culture and environment of Baa Atoll. These include traditional lacquer craft workshops, visits to local islands and guided marine activities in surrounding waters.

The Family Fun Summer package includes three meals per day, with children under 12 dining free of charge. It also includes a one-time dolphin cruise for two adults and two children, a 30-minute photography session with one printed photo, and a USD 150 resort credit.

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Reethi Faru Resort recognised in four categories at 2026 Haute Grandeur Awards

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Reethi Faru Resort has been recognised at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, receiving honours in four categories: Best Beach Villa in Indian Ocean, Best Pool Villa in Indian Ocean, Best Eco-Friendly Resort in Maldives, and Best Sustainable Hotel in Maldives.

The awards recognise performance across villa accommodation and environmentally focused hospitality, reflecting the resort’s emphasis on guest experience alongside sustainability and environmental stewardship.

According to the resort, the recognition supports its positioning within the Maldives market as a property that combines natural surroundings, accommodation standards and responsible hospitality practices.

Located on Filaidhoo in Raa Atoll, Reethi Faru Resort features 145 villas, including beachfront and overwater accommodation designed in a style that combines Maldivian elements with contemporary comfort.

The resort’s food and beverage offering includes six restaurants and six bars, while its leisure facilities cover watersports, diving, yoga, spa treatments and fitness activities. Surrounded by coral reefs, the resort also offers guests access to marine-based experiences in the Indian Ocean.

Sustainability remains a central part of the resort’s operations, with initiatives that include coral reef restoration and guest experiences linked to environmental awareness.

Through its recognition at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, Reethi Faru Resort has added to its profile as a Maldives resort with a focus on both accommodation standards and sustainability.

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli launches Coral Frame Adoption programme on Earth Day

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To mark Earth Day, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, part of the Lifestyle Collection within the House of Siyam, launched its new marine conservation initiative, the Adopt A Coral Frame experience, during a morning event held on 22 April at Milano Beach on Dream Island.

The initiative forms part of the resort’s wider marine conservation efforts and is designed to give guests a direct way to engage with coral restoration while supporting the protection of the surrounding reef ecosystem.

During the launch, guests were introduced to the coral restoration process through a hands-on experience that explained how new coral growth can be supported through frame-based planting. Under the programme, guests are invited to select and adopt a coral frame, attach healthy coral fragments to it, and take part in placing it within the lagoon to help form a new reef structure.

The process begins with the collection of healthy coral fragments under the guidance of the resort’s marine biologist. These fragments are then secured to specially designed coral frames and placed in selected areas within the resort’s coral garden, where conditions are intended to support growth and marine biodiversity. Guests who adopt a frame will also receive updates on its progress, including photographs shared every six months.

The resort said the programme is intended to make coral conservation more accessible to guests while also highlighting the role of reefs in supporting marine life, protecting coastlines and maintaining ocean ecosystems.

Chaminda Upul, Group Sustainability Manager for Sun Siyam, said the initiative was designed to give guests an opportunity to contribute in a direct way.

“Earth Day is a reminder that even the smallest actions can shape something far greater,” he said. “With Adopt-A-Coral Frame, we wanted to create an experience where our guests can leave a positive mark on the ocean. It’s simple, it’s meaningful, and it stays with you.”

Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli, said the resort wanted to create an experience that combines guest participation with long-term environmental value.

“At Olhuveli, we believe the best experiences are the ones that stay with you long after you leave. Adopt-A-Coral is our way of inviting guests to be part of something lasting, while caring for the natural beauty that makes this place so special,” he said.

Part of the proceeds from each coral adoption will go towards Sun Siyam Care, the group’s sustainability platform, supporting marine conservation and reef restoration efforts.

Through the launch of Adopt A Coral Frame, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is combining guest experience with reef restoration, reflecting a wider focus on environmental engagement within its island operations.

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