Featured
Soneva Jani introduces mobility-friendly overwater villa
Soneva Jani, the award-winning resort in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll, has introduced a mobility-friendly Water Reserve to its portfolio of luxurious private villas.
Specially designed for guests using wheelchairs and mobility aids, the two-bedroom overwater villa was launched as part of Chapter Two, a new era for the resort that includes 27 new Water Reserves, new dining destinations and a new Wellness Centre.
The vast, 772 sqm (8,309 sqft) Two Bedroom Water Reserve has a maximum occupancy of four adults and two children.
Found at the start of the winding Chapter Two jetty on the southern tip of the island, it is positioned towards the sunrise, making the most of the uninterrupted views towards the horizon.
The spacious, open-plan living space on the ground floor ensures ease of movement for wheelchair users, flowing seamlessly between the light-filled communal living areas.
On request, the large TV lounge can be converted into a wheelchair-friendly bedroom, featuring a specially designed en-suite bathroom, shower and toilet with rails and grab bars.
Also on the ground floor is the master bedroom suite, which features an adjacent children’s room, a retractable roof to see the stars, and an open-air bathroom with a tub overlooking the lagoon.
Upstairs, there is an additional bedroom suite, with its own dressing room, en-suite bathroom, dining sala and specious roof terrace.
The elegant, understated interiors celebrate the stunning natural setting. Floor-to-ceiling windows command panoramic ocean vistas, reclaimed driftwood is repurposed into sculptural centrepieces, and playful glass portholes dotted across the villa floor peer directly into the turquoise lagoon below.
A wheelchair-friendly ramp allows easy access to the villa’s spectacular outdoor living space.
The sweeping terrace features a large, freshwater swimming pool and steps down into the lagoon. Loungers, sunken seating, a swing seat and catamaran nets offer a selection of comfortable spots to while away the day, while the design of the villa roof overhang provides ample shade from the Maldivian sunshine.
All guests staying in a Chapter Two Water Reserve or Island Reserve at Soneva Jani are invited to experience Soneva Unlimited. This indulgent offering enables them to enjoy everything the resort has to offer, within the price of their Chapter Two villa.
This includes unlimited drinks and dining at all Soneva Jani restaurants and In-villa Dining (including with visiting Michelin-starred chefs), unlimited spa treatments, massages and wellness therapies (including with visiting practitioners), and limitless experiences, including diving.
Also included is a personal Barefoot Butler, daily laundry service, daily replenishment of the in-villa minibar and pantry, and complimentary shared transfers between Malé International Airport and Soneva Jani.
Soneva Jani presents a collection of island sanctuaries and overwater villas set within a lagoon of crystal-clear waters, fringed by pristine beaches and blanketed in lush tropical greenery.
Fifty-one overwater villas on the Retreat and Reserve Jetties are complete with a private pool and a retractable roof to stargaze from the master bedroom, while many have slides into the water below.
Stay in a Water or Island Reserve to discover all dining, experiences, spa and more with Soneva Unlimited.
Three island villas are nestled in the island foliage, steps from the sandy beach.
Dine on a variety of cuisines, ranging from plant-based fine dining and beach barbecues to elaborate romantic escapades. You can indulge in culinary adventures such as dining around the lagoon, castaway picnics, garden lunches and cooking classes.
Explore the glimmering galaxies from the observatory or enjoy water sports, scuba diving, spa and Ayurveda therapies at the Wellness Centre, or dolphin cruises.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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