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Soneva to host exclusive wine events with world-renowned wine critic Jancis Robinson

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Casual wine lovers and fanatics will not want to miss their chance to further broaden their knowledge of grapes and vintages with Jancis Robinson, the highly-acclaimed and influential wine writer, critic and expert.

Soneva has announced that Robinson will be hosting a number of events at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in Maldives from March 28 to April 3. These events will include wine tastings, wine pairing dinners and organic wine discussions.

On September 4, she will also be hosting an exclusive wine tasting event in London for Soneva enthusiasts.

At Soneva Fushi, guests can take part in a biodynamic wine tasting at Out of the Blue on March 29, and on March 30, she will host a wine dinner and Talker’s Table at Down to Earth.

While at Soneva Jani, on April 2, she will host a wine dinner and Talker’s Table at So Imaginative.

Later in the year, on September 4, Soneva will be inviting Soneva repeaters who are small wine makers to an event where they can present their wines to her and a small group of other Soneva enthusiasts. The event will be a casual evening of gourmet canapés and fine wine, to be held in London.

In 2018, Robinson was voted the world’s most influential wine critic in polls in the United States, France and internationally, even though she prefers the term wine writer.

Robinson began her storied career in December 1975 as the assistant editor of the British magazine Wine & Spirit. Today, she writes daily for JancisRobinson.com, voted the first ever Wine Website of the Year in the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards 2010. Wine aficionados can read her stories and reviews each week in the Financial Times.

She is founder editor of The Oxford Wine Companion, co-author of The World Atlas of Wine with Hugh Johnson (8th edition just out), and the co-author of Wine Grapes – A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours. The 24-Hour Wine Expert, published in 2017, is a practical and accessible guide to the essentials of wine that anyone with an interest in wine should read.

Now, she travels the world conducting wine events and as a wine judge.

In 1984, Jancis was the first person outside of the wine industry to pass the Master of Wine exams. In 2003, she was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen, on whose cellar she currently advises.

In just one week in April 2016, she was presented with three international awards: France’s Officier du Mérite Agricole, the German VDP’s highest honour and her fourth James Beard Award in the US.

She recently launched, with young British designer Richard Brendon, one ideal wine glass designed to make the most of all wines and champagnes.

Soneva’s cellars are the ideal backdrop for these wine events, boasting some of the most interesting collections for island resorts, including artisanal vintages as well as biodynamic and organic wines. Soneva Fushi alone has more than 200 premium magnums of wine, all of which are available by the glass.

Soneva’s newest Tastemakers video series has an episode dedicated to the resorts’ Sommeliers and their mission to pair wines with moments, occasions and locations.

Soneva currently runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, and luxury yacht, Soneva in Aqua. The world-leading luxury resort operator also operates Soneva Kiri resort in Thailand.

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 amongst dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Eight new one- and two-bedroom Water Retreats, perched above the turquoise depths of the Indian Ocean, are scheduled to open to guests by May. 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.

Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.

Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.

Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.

Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.

Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.

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The Nautilus Maldives’ unscripted dining: A revolution in ultra-luxury hospitality

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Luxury travel is moving beyond service—it’s moving toward liberation. The Nautilus Maldives pioneers culinary freedom and is the world’s first resort without meal times, where chefs co-create indulgence with guests, anything, anytime, anywhere.

A Pioneer of schedule-free, personality-driven dining

The Nautilus is not just another luxury resort in the Maldives; it is rewriting the rules of fine dining. Its “Unscripted Dining” concept makes it the most liberated, guest-centric culinary experience in the world.

The Nautilus’s Chefs Are Always In

Unlike traditional luxury resorts, dining at The Nautilus isn’t bound by restaurant hours, menus or venues. Chefs serve as co-creators of indulgence, working with guests to turn moods, whims, or even Instagram posts into one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Haute cuisine at 2 a.m., ramen by the beach at sunset, or a Michelin-style degustation menu on a private sandbank — The Nautilus chefs deliver, as at The Nautilus, the kitchen never closes. For jet-lagged travellers, this means ultimate convenience and comfort: breakfast at dusk, dinner at dawn, or spontaneous midnight feasts.

Why Plan a Meal When You Can Invent It?

Culinary freedom defines The Nautilus. Guests aren’t simply dining – they are designing their own experience in real time. From lobster benedict in bed at midnight to cocktail-paired tasting menus under the stars, everything is on the table – literally. It’s a rejection of routine and predictability, elevating emotional dining as the new luxury. Guests are invited to experience food as emotional expression, with each dish crafted in the moment and shaped by imagination.

An Island Without Meal Times – Radical Hospitality for the Ultra-Individual

The Nautilus rebels against hospitality norms: no schedules, no restrictions, no compromises.

Its philosophy embodies the future of ultra-luxury hospitality: total guest freedom, spontaneity, and personalised indulgence.

A Shared Vision of Culinary Freedom

“True luxury is freedom,” says Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus. “Our Unscripted Dining concept is a direct reflection of that belief. By removing the limits of time and menus, we invite our guests to experience food not as routine, but as a deeply personal journey of indulgence and expression. Today’s ultra-luxury travellers seek authenticity and individuality above all else. The Nautilus leads this shift, offering a radical departure from scripted hospitality. Every meal becomes a story co-created with the guest, a promise of spontaneity and soulful connection.”

To find out more about The Nautilus visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com

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Dining at Ayada Maldives: A culinary journey in paradise

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At Ayada Maldives, dining transcends the ordinary, offering a symphony of global flavours in breathtaking settings. With eight distinct dining outlets, each presenting a unique culinary experience, the resort caters to every taste, from fine dining to beachside meals. Sourcing organic produce from its own garden and local farms, Ayada ensures authenticity and quality in every dish.

Magu: A World of Flavours

Magu, the resort’s main restaurant, is a culinary cornerstone open for breakfast and dinner. It features a generous international buffet with daily changing themes, including Far Eastern, Maldivian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Chef’s Special. Set amidst lush greenery diners can enjoy meals under the stars or in an air-conditioned pavilion, blending elegance with global tastes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available daily.

Kai: Far Eastern Flavours in a Tropical Retreat

An exquisite range of Far Eastern and Asian delicacies awaits at Kai; a hidden gem nestled in tropical greenery. Open for dinner, the menu features an extensive sushi and sashimi selection made from fresh local seafood, alongside classic dishes from China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The serene setting makes it ideal for a memorable evening immersed in authentic Asian cuisine.

Mizu: Teppanyaki Dining by the Ocean

Mizu offers an intimate teppanyaki dining experience, where chefs prepare fresh seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes live on a hot iron griddle. With top-quality ingredients, an extensive sake and wine list, and a location between the ocean and tropical jungle, Mizu is open for dinner and promises a vibrant, interactive culinary experience.

Zero Degree: Poolside Culinary Bliss

Zero Degree Restaurant and Bar offers a relaxed yet vibrant poolside dining experience for lunch and dinner. Its diverse menu spans international dishes, from crisp salads to European, Asian, and Middle Eastern specialities. Guests can dine barefoot in the water, under a thatched roof, in poolside cabanas, or on sunbeds, soaking up the Maldivian sun in laid-back style.

Ocean Breeze: Over-Water Elegance

Ocean Breeze brings modern European cuisine to an elegant over-water setting, open for lunch and dinner. The seasonal menu includes grilled seafood, homemade pasta, and premium steaks. Its sophisticated location and panoramic ocean views make it a standout destination for refined yet relaxed dining.

Ottoman Lounge: Traditional Turkish Indulgence

This unique lounge celebrates Turkish heritage, offering authentic Turkish teas and coffee served in traditional silverware. Inspired by Ottoman cafés, guests can relax on low seating and savour a cultural experience that pays homage to the rich flavours and customs of Turkey.

Île de Joie: A Luxurious Cheese and Wine Escape

Nestled over the lagoon, Île de Joie is an intimate open-air bar featuring fine wines, curated cheeses, chocolates, and cigars. This “Island of Joy” invites connoisseurs to indulge in a tranquil setting, perfect for sunset sipping and gourmet grazing.

Sea Salt: Beachfront Barbecue under the Stars

Held every Tuesday and Friday on Zero Degree beach, Sea Salt is a must-try beach BBQ offering freshly grilled meats and seafood. With your feet in the sand, stars above, and a mesmerizing fire show, it captures the spirit of a tropical feast in one unforgettable setting.

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Canareef Resort brings Oktoberfest to Maldives this Autumn

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From 20 September to 20 October 2025, Canareef Resort Maldives will host an Oktoberfest celebration each evening on Dhoni Beach. The event is set to bring the authentic flavours of Germany to the Maldives, enhanced by the island’s tropical setting.

Guests will be able to enjoy live German food counters offering traditional dishes, paired with a curated selection of German beers. Prepared by the resort’s chefs, the menu is designed to reflect Bavarian culinary traditions in a relaxed beachside atmosphere.

Entertainment will feature a mix of live bands and DJs, creating a lively setting where guests can dance or unwind by the sea. On selected evenings, entertainment will also be held in the resort bar, providing a variety of options to suit different preferences.

While access to Oktoberfest is complimentary for in-house guests, those on all-inclusive packages will be subject to a cover charge. The arrangement ensures a premium experience with quality food and entertainment throughout the festivities.

By combining German cultural traditions with Maldivian island leisure, Canareef’s Oktoberfest offers guests an immersive opportunity to celebrate with good food, music, and the spirit of Oktoberfest beneath the stars.

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