Featured
Underwater dining reaches ‘Michelin stars’. You & Me Maldives rebrands its underwater restaurant to ‘H2O by chef Andrea Berton’
You & Me Maldives by Cocoon has rebranded its underwater restaurant to ‘H2O by chef Andrea Barton’ and rolled out the new menu crafted by the Michelin starred chef. It’s the first time in the world that an underwater restaurant is branded and supervised by a Michelin starred chef.
It’s worth mentioning: from the stars… to the underwater universe of Raa Atoll in the Maldives. The parable of starred chef Andrea Berton has seen yet another important milestone on 1st April 2021: the management of H2O, the flagship restaurant of You & Me by Cocoon Maldives, the adults-only resort opened just 2 years ago.
“It is with great pleasure and pride that we announce we have signed an agreement with the renowned Chef Andrea Berton who will manage our H20 restaurant. Starting April 1st, the Michelin-starred chef will create a fantastic menu that will delight all our guests” commented Alessandro Azzola, Managing Director of You & Me by Cocoon Maldives.
Berton is also on the same wavelength, explaining: “I am very satisfied with You & Me by Cocoon collaboration, not only for the very high level of quality that the resort offers, from gastronomic to experiential, but also for the unique nature of the H20 restaurant, one of the very few underwater restaurants in the world, the only one in the Raa atoll“.

Berton started working in the kitchen in the 90s, firstly with Gualtiero Marchesi and then with Alain Ducasse. In 2005 he began his collaboration with the Ristorante Trussardi alla Scala where he gained the first Michelin star in 2008 and the second in 2009. In December 2013 decided to open the Ristorante Berton in Milan, where the broth becomes the protagonist of a real tasting menu. In 2014 he was awarded a Michelin star, which was replicated in 2016 just 9 months after the opening of the Ristorante Berton al Lago at the hotel Il Sereno on Como Lake.
A partnership between Andrea Berton and You & Me, which joins another Italian excellence in the resort: the leading made-in-Italy design company Lago, which bears the signature of H2O furniture with the unmistakable Air MadeTerraneo suspended tables, in hand-painted ceramic. Lago has also shaped in its own image Cocoon Maldives, the first design hotel in the Maldives.
The arrival of Berton’s star-studded cuisine at You & Me is just the icing on the cake of a season full of success for the new-born resort which, just a few months after its opening, has already made its mark on the market thanks to its unique features.

A favourite destination for honeymooners, You & Me stands out in the tourist offer as one of the unique adults-only resort in the Maldives as being the first entirely à la carte island: through the innovative dine-around concept, guests have the opportunity to choose between different restaurants, from breakfast to dinner. There is no shortage of bubbles: thanks to the partnership with Veuve Clicquot, You & Me is in fact a real Bubbles Island.
The rustic-chic style, the undisputed natural beauty of the lagoon and the rich marine life that can be reached by swimming… simply do the rest! Love is in the air
Awards
RAAYA by Atmosphere wins Best Family Resort in Maldives at Travel Time Awards 2025
RAAYA by Atmosphere has received its latest recognition at the Travel Time Awards, held in Moscow in August 2026, where the island resort was named “The Best Family Resort in the Maldives 2025”.
The award marks RAAYA’s second consecutive recognition from Travel Time, following its win as “Opening of the Year 2024”.
The recognition reflects the resort’s growing presence in the Russian travel market and its approach to family holidays in the Maldives, with a focus on shared experiences, exploration and activities designed for guests across generations.
Located on a private island in Raa Atoll, RAAYA is centred around the fictional story of Seb, a shipwrecked artist and adventurer whose narrative is incorporated throughout the resort experience. Guests can take part in island exploration, creative activities and ocean-based experiences, alongside family-oriented facilities and a range of dining options under The RAAYA Plan™.
The award was also presented during a visit to the resort by Russian film actress Katerina Shpitsa, known for productions including “Metro”, “The Crew” and “Poddubny”. During her stay, Shpitsa presented the Travel Time Awards 2025 accolade to RAAYA by Atmosphere General Manager Mario Stanic.
“Receiving this recognition for a second consecutive year is a proud moment for everyone at RAAYA,” Stanic said. “Winning the Travel Time Award 2025 for Best Family Resort is a wonderful recognition of what we stand for — bringing families together through shared experiences and lasting memories within a backdrop of a tropical island paradise.
“We are proud to create experiences that resonate with Russian families and families from around the world, offering a place to connect, discover and create memories together. We thank the awards team, our partners and our guests for their continued trust and support.”
The award adds to the international recognition received by RAAYA by Atmosphere since the resort opened in July 2024. The property has positioned its offering around experiential hospitality, design, family-focused programming and its castaway-inspired narrative.
RAAYA features 167 beach and overwater villas, a collection of dining venues and a range of land and ocean activities within its Raa Atoll setting.
With two Travel Time Awards in consecutive years, the resort continues to develop its position within the family travel segment in the Maldives.
Cooking
International Chefs’ Day: Kabita Singh to cook live at Sun Siyam Olhuveli
Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives will welcome award-winning food creator Kabita Singh, the personality behind Kabita’s Kitchen, for a special culinary residency in October to mark International Chefs’ Day on 20 October 2026.
Known for making everyday Indian cooking accessible to a wide audience, Singh will move from her digital kitchen to the Maldives, joining the resort’s culinary team for a live cooking experience created for guests.
The collaboration will bring together Singh’s approach to Indian cuisine — centred on familiar flavours, accessible recipes and an increasing focus on wholesome cooking — with Sun Siyam’s Plant Based Bliss philosophy, which promotes the nutritional and holistic benefits of plant-forward dining.
As part of the International Chefs’ Day celebrations, Singh will cook alongside Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary team during a live session in front of resort guests. The experience will feature a specially curated selection of vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious dishes developed in collaboration with the resort’s chefs and inspired by Singh’s own cooking philosophy.
Guests will have the opportunity to watch Singh prepare the dishes, learn about the techniques and stories behind them, and sample her interpretation of plant-forward Indian cuisine in a Maldivian island setting.
Kabita’s Kitchen has grown from a home-cooking channel into one of India’s most widely followed food platforms, with approximately 14.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Singh has built her audience through content ranging from regional favourites and vegetarian staples to festive dishes, street-food classics and everyday family recipes.
Her influence within India’s food and digital content sector was recognised at the inaugural National Creators Award in 2024, where she received the Best Creator in Food Category award, presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We are really excited to welcome Kabita to Olhuveli and bring a taste of Kabita’s Kitchen to the Maldives,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
“Food is such an important part of the way people connect, and this is about bringing our guests closer to the experience, watching Kabita cook, discovering the flavours and stories behind her dishes, and of course tasting them together. Her fresh, approachable style is a great match for our Plant Based Bliss philosophy, and celebrating International Chefs’ Day together with our own culinary team makes it even more special. We want dining at Olhuveli to be fun, social and full of moments that guests remember long after they leave the island.”
Located in South Malé Atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection. The resort combines beach experiences, dining, entertainment, wellness and other activities within its broader island offering.
Awards
TTM Awards 2026 names You & Me Maldives Best Adults-Only Resort
You & Me Maldives has been named Best Adults-Only Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s positioning, guest experiences and continued focus on adults-only hospitality in the Maldives.
The award was presented during the TTM Awards & Gala 2026, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 August 2026, marking the conclusion of the 10th edition of TTM Maldives. The annual awards recognise achievements, innovation and contributions across the Maldivian tourism industry.
Located in Raa Atoll, You & Me Maldives has established itself as an adults-only retreat catering to couples, honeymooners, friends and solo travellers seeking privacy and tranquillity.
The resort combines its island setting with accommodation, personalised service and experiences centred on romance, wellness, gastronomy and exploration, creating an intimate environment designed specifically for adult travellers.
The recognition comes as You & Me Maldives marks seven years of operations and welcoming guests from around the world.
“As we celebrate this important milestone, we are deeply grateful to our loyal guests, partners, and dedicated team members who have been part of this journey,” said Mohamed Imthiyaz, General Manager of You & Me Maldives.
“These seven years represent not only growth and success, but countless love stories, memories, and unforgettable experiences created on our island. Receiving the ‘Best Adults-Only Resort’ award at the TTM Awards is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the passion and dedication of our entire team.”
The Best Adults-Only Resort award further strengthens You & Me Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality sector, recognising its focus on combining an adults-only concept with personalised service and island experiences.
Looking ahead, You & Me Maldives plans to continue developing its concept and guest experience through new activities, offerings and services, while maintaining its focus on the adults-only luxury segment in the Maldives.
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