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
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi hosts Flor de Caña mixology event with Dinesh Mondkar
The Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series recently hosted a mixology event at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort, featuring Dinesh Mondkar, Flor de Caña’s brand ambassador for India.
The event gave guests an opportunity to explore a selection of rum cocktails while learning more about the craftsmanship and heritage behind the Flor de Caña brand. Set against a sunset backdrop over the ocean, the session combined cocktail-making techniques, brand storytelling and a relaxed island setting.
Guests were introduced to a range of cocktails that highlighted bold flavours and the versatility of rum in contemporary mixology. The evening also offered insight into the methods and presentation behind premium cocktail service, adding an interactive element to the experience.
The event formed part of the resort’s ongoing Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series, which continues to bring recognised figures from the international spirits industry to the Maldives. Through the series, the resort aims to expand its food and beverage offering with curated events that connect guests with global brands and industry expertise.
Such experiences are designed to complement the wider guest programme by combining destination dining and beverage concepts with the setting of the Maldives, while offering visitors a more immersive way to engage with the resort’s hospitality offerings.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru marks reopening of upgraded futsal ground
Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.
The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.
The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.
Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.
Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.
Featured
World Art Day inspires new Graffiti Club at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has launched the Graffiti Club to mark World Art Day, introducing a team-led initiative focused on artistic expression, collaboration and storytelling through art.
The resort said the initiative brings together more than 18 team members from across different departments, reflecting a shared interest in creativity. As part of the project, selected back-of-house spaces have been turned into canvases, transforming staff areas into spaces for artistic work.
Inspired by the natural environment of the Maldives and the Maamunagau lagoon, the first set of artworks features marine life such as manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles. The resort said the designs reflect the biodiversity of the destination and its connection to the surrounding ocean. Additional artwork is also being developed as the project continues.
InterContinental Maldives said the initiative is rooted in its brand culture and service philosophy, Inspire Incredible, and is intended to support creativity, collaboration and self-expression among team members.
Renuka Gupta, cluster director of learning and development, said creativity exists in every individual, regardless of role or background. She said the initiative was created to provide team members with a space to express themselves, connect with colleagues and contribute to the environment in which they work each day.
The resort said the Graffiti Club forms part of its wider approach to workplace culture, with a focus on creativity, wellbeing and personal expression alongside the guest experience.
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