Featured
Meet the brains behind Cocoon Maldives
Daniele Lago, Simona Fabini, Tomaso Schiaffino and Gian Luca Innocenzi together with Vito Di Bari, are amongst the most notable designers involved in the formation and establishment of Cocoon Maldives, the first ‘design hotel’ in Maldives.
Cocoon is essentially a collaborative effort between its Managing Director Alessandro Azzola, and Daniele Lago, CEO and Chief Designer of leading Italian design company Lago.
A creative, inventive, and innovative leader, Daniele Lago propelled the success of the Lago brand since its launch. Today, the brand is highly established and recognised worldwide, especially in the furniture sector. The brand even has a strong social media presence, with a following of one and a half million.
Cocoon’s alliance with a design company as niche and notable as Lago is auspicious. Along with the company’s area of expertise, Lago meets the image of Cocoon as a brand that reflects lightness, hospitality and respect for the surrounding environment. Every piece of furniture is specifically selected to align with the company’s concept; suspended beds, washbasins with contemporary draining system, authentic Sicilian hand-painted ceramic tables and swings are part of them.

Complementing the state-of-art furnishing is a light installation by Tomaso Schiaffino, Art Director of Bellaria Design.
Specialising in lighted furniture and unique design products, Bellaria Design’s Tree of Light, which was featured in the Oscar-winning movie ‘The Great Beauty’, is a top-rated innovation of Cocoon. Exclusively designed and made in Italy, the ‘Tree of Light’ has received tremendous attention. Inspired by trees, these innovative light installations are particularly popular amongst guests for Instagram worthy shots.

Responsible for the development of Cocoon from its earliest stages right through to completion is Simona Fabini, Chief Architect of Cocoon.
With 20 years of experience in residential and tourism projects both in Italy and abroad, Fabini steered the development of Cocoon, transforming it into the hotel as we know it today. Fabini is the talent responsible for integrating and harmonising the various elements which constitute Cocoon. Another remarkable work of Fabini is the Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa, an ultra-luxurious five-star property located in the “spice island”.
Another unique feature at Cocoon is the Tree of Wellbeing by MyEquilibra, designed and developed by Gian Luca Innocenzi and Vito Di Bari .
Integrating outdoor workout, technology, art and community, the Tree of Wellbeing is the world’s first outdoor fitness system based on instinctive body movements. Inspired by nature, the Tree of Wellbeing is shaped to emulate an elegant artwork, with fine details, style and technological sophistication apt for Cocoon. Being the first to adopt this innovation, Cocoon is the first hotel in Maldives with a fully-equipped outdoor gym.

Who will be the next creative, inspiring and expressing themselves at Cocoon? To quote Daniele Lago, “Never stop designing spaces!”
Cocoon Maldives, located in Ookolhufinolhu Island in the northern Lhaviyani atoll, blends the best of Italian design with the Maldives’ stunning natural beauty. The five-star resort, which officially opened in March, houses 150 villas that are exclusively designed by Lago, one of Italy’s finest design firms.
The resort, accessible by a 40-minute scenic seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, features three restaurants and two bars offering a variety of cuisines from around the world and romantic dining experiences.
The Cube Spa at Cocoon is located in the heart of the island to ensure maximum privacy and intimacy, and offers variety of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments with qualified masseurs from Bali. Adjacent to the spa is the all-new ‘Garden of Eden’ wellness area, which features a jacuzzi, a steam and sauna room, as well as a kneipp pool.
Read our review of Cocoon Maldives here.
Featured
City Iftar experience curated at JEN Maldives by Shangri-La
JEN Maldives by Shangri-La is welcoming the holy month of Ramadan with a series of Iftar evenings at Lime Restaurant, inviting guests to gather in the spirit of reflection, gratitude and togetherness.
Recognising Ramadan as a time that brings families, friends and communities closer, the hotel has curated an Iftar experience designed to go beyond dining. The focus is on creating a welcoming environment where traditions are observed, conversations unfold naturally and shared moments are celebrated around the table.
Located in the heart of Malé, Lime Restaurant provides a warm and contemporary setting suited to a range of gatherings, from colleagues reconnecting after work to families and friends breaking fast together. Each evening reflects the generosity associated with Ramadan, featuring carefully prepared dishes, live cooking stations and a selection of sweet treats that balance traditional flavours with creative touches.
Iftar at JEN Maldives by Shangri-La is shaped by attentive service and thoughtful hospitality. Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere that blends comfort with understated elegance, allowing space for reflection while enjoying a relaxed dining experience. The hotel’s culinary and service teams work closely to ensure consistency, quality and authenticity throughout the season.
Whether for intimate gatherings or larger group celebrations, the venue offers flexibility supported by a culinary programme rooted in care and attention to detail. The Ramadan offering is designed to ensure guests feel at ease while enjoying a distinctive Iftar experience in the capital.
Throughout the holy month, JEN Maldives by Shangri-La invites guests to come together at Lime Restaurant to experience evenings defined by flavour, generosity and meaningful connection, in keeping with the true spirit of Ramadan.
Drink
Provence comes to Maldives with Château Minuty dinner at Milaidhoo Maldives
Milaidhoo Maldives is hosting a wine pairing dinner celebrating Provençal elegance and gastronomy on 4 March 2026 at the resort’s Shoreline Grill. The evening will feature wines from Château Minuty and will be hosted by Sébastien Nore, Global Strategy and Export Director of Château Minuty, offering guests insight into the winery’s heritage and approach to fine winemaking.
Originally from Limousin, France, Nore brings extensive experience in the international beverage industry. His career includes roles with Kronenbourg Wineries and PepsiCo France, followed by senior leadership positions at Diageo and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. He has played a key role in expanding Château Minuty’s global presence and currently oversees the winery’s strategy, sales, communication and marketing, with a focus on innovation and the refined character of Provençal rosé.
During the dinner, guests will enjoy a curated selection of Château Minuty wines, paired with a bespoke menu created by the Shoreline Grill culinary team. The featured wines include:
- Château Minuty M de Minuty Rosé Magnum 1.5L – Artist Edition 2024
- Château Minuty Prestige Rosé 2024
- Château Minuty Rosé et Or 2024
- Château Minuty 281 2024
Beyond this event, the dinner reflects Milaidhoo Maldives’ wider commitment to gastronomy. The resort’s Gourmet Plan is designed for guests with a strong interest in food and wine, offering personalised, multi-course dining experiences throughout their stay. Each menu is crafted to highlight the relationship between carefully selected ingredients and complementary wines, with an emphasis on authenticity and balance.
The Château Minuty dinner marks the fourth wine-focused event hosted by Milaidhoo Maldives this year, underscoring the resort’s ongoing focus on curated culinary experiences. The evening is positioned as a sensory journey, combining refined flavours, thoughtful pairings and a convivial island setting.
Awards
Constance Halaveli and Constance Moofushi earn top scores in 2026 Booking.com awards
Constance Hospitality has been recognised in the 2026 Traveller Review Awards by Booking.com, with its Maldivian resorts achieving some of the highest scores within the group’s portfolio.
In the Maldives, Constance Halaveli Maldives received an outstanding score of 9.8 out of 10, while Constance Moofushi Maldives achieved 9.7. The ratings, based on verified guest reviews, reflect consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service delivery.
Constance Halaveli Maldives, known for its spacious overwater and beachfront villas, personalised service and refined dining concepts, continues to perform strongly among travellers. Constance Moofushi Maldives, positioned as a barefoot chic resort with an all-inclusive concept, also maintains a high guest approval rating, supported by its diving experiences and relaxed island atmosphere.
While the wider Constance portfolio across the Indian Ocean was recognised, the Maldives properties stand out as the group’s highest-rated resorts in the 2026 awards cycle.
Commenting on the recognition, Jean-Jacques Vallet, Chief Executive Officer of Constance Hospitality, stated that the awards reflect the professionalism and commitment of the teams on the ground. He added that guest feedback remains central to maintaining service standards and delivering consistent experiences across the group’s destinations.
The recognition reinforces the position of Constance Halaveli Maldives and Constance Moofushi Maldives as leading performers within the Maldives’ competitive luxury hospitality sector.
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