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.
Cooking
Malaa – The Maldivian Café: NH Kuda Rah’s new culinary jewel

NH Maldives Kuda Rah has announced the launch of its newest food and beverage outlet, Malaa – The Maldivian Café. Now open to guests, the café offers a taste of authentic Maldivian cuisine alongside interactive Maldivian cooking classes.
Guests staying at NH Maldives Kuda Rah can delve into the country’s rich culinary traditions with guidance from award-winning Executive Chef Farish Mukhthar. With over 22 years of experience in the hospitality and culinary industries across five-star and ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives, Chef Farish brings a deep-rooted passion and refined expertise to the resort. Trained under renowned European celebrity chefs, he has earned a strong reputation for his culinary artistry.
The café focuses exclusively on authentic Maldivian dishes, using locally sourced ingredients from nearby islands as well as the chef’s own garden within the resort. Cooking classes offer guests the opportunity to prepare classic Maldivian dishes, such as curry and local salads, under the guidance of Chef Farish—culminating in a delicious homemade lunch.
As fish (both fresh and smoked) is the staple of the Maldivian diet, it is often prepared with coconut and rice or roshi (Maldivian flatbread). Other traditional ingredients include breadfruit and sweet potato—versatile and starchy staples that feature in a wide range of local dishes. The cuisine is often boldly spiced, with the fiery Scotch bonnet chilli, locally known as githeyo mirus, playing a central role. This essential chilli, along with herbs grown organically in the resort’s garden, imparts a distinctive heat and fruity flavour to many Maldivian dishes.
While many resorts in the Maldives offer a wide array of international cuisine—ranging from Italian and Japanese to French and Indian—the opportunity to savour authentic local flavours can be one of the most memorable aspects of travel. Malaa – The Maldivian Café provides a unique and immersive dining experience for those curious about Maldivian culinary heritage and the fascinating stories behind its traditional ingredients.
This initiative is part of NH Hotels & Resorts’ broader effort to connect guests with meaningful local experiences through its Live Local programme, under the Minor DISCOVERY loyalty scheme. The programme is designed to offer curated, immersive activities and authentic cultural encounters, allowing guests to engage more deeply with their destination.
Featured
Madifushi Private Island makes impact at ILTM Asia Pacific 2025

Madifushi Private Island has announced its successful participation in the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Asia Pacific 2025, which took place from 30 June to 3 July at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.
ILTM Asia Pacific is an exclusive, invitation-only luxury travel event, recognised for bringing together the world’s foremost luxury travel advisors, high-end hospitality brands, and experience curators. The event serves as a key platform for forging meaningful connections and crafting bespoke itineraries for high-net-worth individuals across the Asia Pacific region.
As Madifushi Private Island continues to position itself at the pinnacle of luxury, its presence at this esteemed event offered a strategic opportunity to present the resort’s distinctive offerings to a targeted audience of industry professionals and media. Delegates at ILTM engaged in pre-scheduled one-to-one appointments, networking sessions, and educational forums with some of the most influential figures in the luxury travel sector.
Ali Shakir, Group General Manager of MIC Group, commented, “Our participation in ILTM Asia Pacific reflects our commitment to sustained growth and excellence within the luxury travel sphere. This platform enables us to connect with the right partners to attract discerning travellers to Madifushi, ensuring that our brand repositioning truly reflects our luxury potential.”
Ibrahim Inad, Commercial Director of MIC Group, added, “It was an honour to represent Madifushi Private Island at ILTM Asia Pacific this year. Being among prestigious luxury brands and esteemed advisors reaffirmed our dedication to redefining the Maldivian luxury experience, while upholding authentic hospitality and personalised service.”
Throughout the event, Madifushi Private Island showcased its tailored experiences, bespoke services, refined culinary offerings, and unspoilt natural surroundings — all of which resonate with the evolving preferences of the luxury traveller in the Asia Pacific region.
Participation in ILTM Asia Pacific 2025 represents a key milestone in Madifushi Private Island’s journey to broaden its presence within the global luxury travel arena. The resort aims to foster strong partnerships with leading travel advisors and agencies, welcoming a new wave of discerning visitors to the Maldives.
Located in the tranquil Meemu Atoll, Madifushi Private Island is an elegant retreat offering carefully curated luxury experiences rooted in authentic Maldivian hospitality. Set amidst the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the island is a sanctuary for those in search of serenity, bespoke services, and transformative moments.
Action
Jesse Mendes to ride at 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing showdown

Brazilian surf icon Jesse Mendes has been confirmed as one of the competitors for the 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. A former contender on the Championship Tour and winner of the 2018 Triple Crown of Surfing, Mendes is set to bring his trademark power, fluid style, and love of alternative boards to the prestigious event held at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.
Mendes expressed his excitement at the invitation, recalling a moment with fellow Brazilian surfer Adriano de Souza, who had previously received his own call-up to the event. Mendes recounted how de Souza had eagerly accepted the invitation on the spot, not wanting to give Four Seasons a chance to reconsider—a testament to the event’s reputation among professional surfers. Now, Mendes is preparing for his own turn in the lineup and is eager for what lies ahead.
The Surfing Champions Trophy is renowned for its distinctive format, inviting six elite surfers to compete on single fin, twin fin, and thruster (tri-fin) boards across three rounds, before a grand final in which they choose their preferred board to battle for the title. With heats staggered by age and a handpicked field of legends, the event offers a blend of competitive intensity and playful camaraderie, set against the backdrop of some of the world’s most perfect waves.
At 31, Mendes built his competitive career on his dynamic rail work and comfort in heavy barrels. Since stepping back from the professional circuit, he has turned his attention to the more expressive side of surfing, favouring twin fins and riding boards shaped by Album Surfboards. He shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming twin fin division and revealed that he has been collaborating with shaper Matt Parker—who has crafted boards for past Surfing Champions Trophy competitors Josh Kerr and Coco Ho—to prepare for the contest. Confident in Parker’s expertise, Mendes joked that his only job now is to surf.
Beyond the waves, Mendes is also looking forward to the full experience at Kuda Huraa. Having visited the Maldives before, he is relishing the opportunity to return and surf pristine waves in an intimate and relaxed competition format. He spoke warmly of the luxury offered by Four Seasons, especially the prospect of long surf sessions followed by world-class dining with his wife on a secluded island paradise.
The Surfing Champions Trophy is as celebrated for its setting as for its surfing. From the flawless right-handers of nearby Sultans to the lush tropical charm of Kuda Huraa, the event offers an unforgettable experience for both participants and guests. Those staying at the resort during the tournament can watch the action up close from luxury surf vessels anchored at the lineup.
With Jesse Mendes and Craig Anderson now confirmed, anticipation is mounting for this year’s showdown. Three additional international invitees and one Maldivian wildcard are set to be announced soon.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is also inviting guests to embrace the spirit of surfing with the Surf’s Up package. Combining expert coaching from Tropicsurf professionals with guided surf excursions to iconic local breaks, the package offers a complete surf lifestyle experience. Guests can enjoy daily yoga sessions, a soothing massage at The Island Spa, breakfast each morning, round-trip speedboat transfers, and premium surf equipment—all from the comfort of the resort’s idyllic island setting.
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