Featured
Soneva announces summer programme with exciting line-up of rare experiences
Soneva has announced a spectacular programme for Summer 2021 across its award-winning resorts in the Maldives.
Running throughout July and August, guests of all ages at Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri can get into the holiday spirit with one-of-a-kind experiences, dine on exceptional cuisine with Michelin-starred chefs, and meet acclaimed visiting experts through the ongoing Soneva Stars calendar.
Soneva Fushi
Diners can enjoy exquisite Michelin-starred cuisine from a line-up of acclaimed guest chefs at Soneva Fushi over the summer months.
French chef Stéphanie Le Quellec, known for her meticulous yet accessible cuisine at Paris’ two-Michelin-starred La Scene, will be hosting an exclusive series of dinners at Once Upon a Table from July 1-15.
Award-winning Heiko Nieder, from the Dolder Grand’s two-Michelin-starred The Restaurant, will be at Soneva Fushi from July 21-30.
Mark Lundgaard, Head Chef and Director at Copenhagen’s famed Kong Hans Kælder Restaurant, is at the resort from July 17 to August 10.
And Paco Morales, the two-Michelin-starred chef at the forefront of Andalusian cuisine, will be at Soneva Fushi from August 12-23.
Other mouth-watering culinary experiences include a Thali Dinner at Down to Earth, showmanship at the sizzling So Bespoke teppanyaki table, and a gastronomic journey of discovery through the resort’s organic gardens at Shades of Green.
Glass artists Cheyenne Malcolm and Ben Sharp will be in residence at Soneva Art and Glass, the Maldives’ only hot glass studio, until August 26.
As well as witnessing the artists’ incredible creations, which will be showcased in the gallery, guests will also be able to try glassblowing for themselves.
In the realm of wellness, Tathata Kobayashi, a renowned Tai Chi Chuan teacher, will be sharing his extensive knowledge from August 20 to September 10. Son of Tai Chi pioneers, Petra and Toyo Kobayashi, he has practiced across Europe for more than two decades.
Those who want to reconnect with the natural world can join a Conscious Experience – which offers an insight into Soneva’s sustainable philosophy.
They include a Slow Life Journey around the resort’s organic gardens and Eco Centro waste-to-wealth centre, and sustainable hook-and-line fishing with a family of local fishermen.
Guests can also swim with majestic Manta Rays in the nearby Hanifaru Bay – home to one of the world’s largest manta populations that form huge feeding chains and barrel-roll through the water, it is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Young Sonevians will be entertained for every moment of the holidays, with fun, enriching summer camps for children and teens, and mentoring and complimentary activities from Oppidan Education.
Younger guests can take part in treasure hunts, get active in a mini-Olympics, learn how to identify turtles, sail to the sandbank and so much more.
Teens, meanwhile, are invited to learn about conservation and the environment, take a trip to a local island, discover how to cook tasty Maldivian snacks, and end their stay with a disco at The Den.
The new Soneva Academy enables older children to learn during their summer stay.
The modular courses take children and teens aged 12+ from ‘junior’ to ‘expert’, and cover a range of fascinating topics, including the Night Skies, Zero Waste and Plastic Pollution, Marine Life of the Maldives, Mosquitoes and Disease, and the Adventure of the Corbin, a quest across the seas in the wake of an ancient galleon.
View the Soneva Fushi Summer Programme here.
Soneva Jani
Michelin-starred chef Stéphanie Le Quellec will also be hosting dinners at Soneva Jani’s So Engaging chef’s table between July 1 and 15. With places for just five guests, this intimate venue offers a front-row seat to the action in the open kitchen.
Later in the month, Heiko Nieder will be at Soneva Jani from July 21-30. Considered one of Switzerland’s finest chefs, he is known for his precision and intricate flavour combinations.
Paco Morales, who honed his skills at the legendary El Bulli and Mugaritz before opening the two-Michelin-starred Noor in Cordoba, will be at Soneva Jani from August 12 to 23.
Guests can also experience the personalised Guess Who’s Cooking dining concept – prepared by a mystery chef and served in a secret location, the menu is tailored to their exact tastes.
The Director’s Cut by Chef Nikki serves Japanese contemporary cuisine while guests watch a classic film at the open-air Cinema Paradiso.
And at So Starstruck, the Maldives’ only overwater telescope, diners can explore the heavens with the resident astronomer.
Throughout August, each day at Soneva Jani begins with complimentary yoga or meditation on the beach or a revitalising session at the island jungle gym.
There are also massage workshops and a range of summer spa therapies, including a pampering Mother and Daughter Spa Package, which includes a 50-minute massage.
Those looking for an ocean adventure can join a knee-boarding lesson, try an e-surfboard or learn to soar over the waves on a flyboard. Or they can take a sunset cruise with a glass of Champagne to watch dolphins frolicking in the water.
The renowned UK mentoring firm, Oppidan Education, will be helping young guests at Soneva Jani continue their education outside of the classroom. Its experienced mentors inspire children to take ownership of their learning, helping them succeed both in academia and in life.
Oppidan will be hosting one-to-one tutoring and mentoring sessions, as well as running a fun programme of complimentary activities at The Den.
Older children and teens aged 12+ can also join the new Soneva Academy to learn during their stay.
The expert-led, modular courses invite children to dive into an underwater world with Marine Life of the Maldives, explore the constellations with the resident astronomer through The Night Sky in the Maldives, and embark on a three-night ocean quest that follows in the footsteps of ancient sailors on The Adventure of the Corbin.
With its pristine island location, many of the unique, family-friendly experiences at Soneva Jani focus on ocean conservation.
Guests are invited to help the marine team as they nurture new corals on North Beach, and can also attend a thought-provoking lecture at the Marine Biology Centre.
They can also join the resident marine biologist for a guided snorkelling tour of the thriving house reef or the underwater ecosystems around the Noonu Atoll.
View the Soneva Jani Summer Programme here.
Soneva is a pioneering family of hospitality properties, offering holistic encounters in luxurious and inspiring environments – from world class resorts to outstanding natural locations.
Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva in Aqua in the Maldives, and Soneva Kiri in Thailand rebuke the traditional concept of luxury and instead promise the luxury of time, purity and solitude. Every day, guests are encouraged to discover sandy feet, inspired minds and full hearts.
Combining luxury with a conscientious approach to sustainability and the environment, and proactively changing the nature of hospitality, it delivers intuitive service and meaningful experiences to the guests.
Drink
The Nautilus Maldives hosts Gregor Zimmermann for three-day Easter gastronomic programme
At The Nautilus Maldives, time is guided by personal rhythm and creativity is free from constraint. From 3 to 5 April 2026, the ultra-luxury private island resort will welcome Gregor Zimmermann, Switzerland’s State Chef and Executive Chef of the Bellevue Palace in Bern, for an intimate Easter culinary residency that brings Alpine heritage to the shores of the Indian Ocean.
During the three-day residency, guests will be invited to take part in a series of unhurried and immersive dining experiences. Two exclusive gourmet evenings at Zeytoun will feature tasting menus that create a refined dialogue between the flavours of the Swiss Alps and Maldivian produce. The programme also includes a Chocolate Masterclass, offering an interactive introduction to Switzerland’s celebrated chocolate-making traditions, where Zimmermann will share techniques, cultural heritage and the artistry behind the craft, allowing guests to create and enjoy their own confections.
The residency will extend into the island’s Easter celebrations, with Zimmermann’s creations appearing as special canapés during Nautilus Rising at the Naiboli Beach pop-up. These moments will serve as a prelude to the festive programme, blending culinary artistry with the relaxed rhythm of island life.
A member of the prestigious Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, the international association of chefs serving heads of state, Zimmermann is the trusted culinary custodian for visiting presidents, royalty and official delegations in Switzerland. His career includes cooking for figures such as President Emmanuel Macron and members of European royal families. In recognition of his contribution to gastronomy and his commitment to excellence, he was awarded the Officier du Mérite Agricole by the French President.
Zimmermann’s cuisine is defined by clarity, restraint and emotion. Rather than adhering to a fixed signature style, his cooking reflects stories of origin, landscape and memory, weaving Swiss Alpine traditions with global influences in a technically precise yet expressive approach. He has described his work as a continuous reinterpretation of rustic Swiss recipes, while remaining faithful to their roots.
Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives, said that Zimmermann’s residency reflects the resort’s commitment to artistic freedom and authenticity. He noted that the Masters for Masters series invites respected global talents to create without boundaries in an environment shaped by individuality and unhurried living.
Set within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Easter residency at The Nautilus will bring together Swiss craftsmanship and Maldivian serenity in a celebration of purity, artistry and cultural exchange. The programme is designed to offer guests moments shaped by mastery, experienced entirely on their own terms.
Featured
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort curates timeless Valentine’s experiences with IVAR Jewellery
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has unveiled an intimate celebration of love through an exclusive collaboration with IVAR Jewellery, bringing together craftsmanship, emotion, and timeless romance in a refined island setting. Rooted in shared values of artistry and enduring beauty, the partnership invites guests to experience love as something continuous, evolving, and deeply personal.
Central to the collaboration is IVAR’s Infinity Collection, inspired by the circle as a symbol with no beginning and no end. Each piece reflects a quiet and enduring expression of love, designed to preserve fleeting moments in lasting form. The collection speaks to intimacy, connection, and the promise of forever, offering jewellery that is both meaningful and timeless.
IVAR’s creations draw on the rich traditions of Indian craftsmanship, reinterpreted through a contemporary design approach. Crafted by skilled artisans using time-honoured techniques, each piece balances heritage with modern elegance. Designed for daily wear and long-term appreciation, the jewellery is intended to accompany life’s most significant milestones and be treasured across generations.
Inspired by this philosophy, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has curated a series of romantic experiences that reflect the elegance and symbolism of the Infinity Collection. At Iridium Spa, couples are invited to enjoy a Romantic Spa Escape, an immersive sensory journey infused with rose geranium and rose quartz. Each treatment is designed to restore balance, deepen connection, and create moments of calm intimacy that extend beyond the spa.
As evening approaches, romance continues with Valentine’s dining experiences set beneath open skies and framed by the island’s natural beauty. Soft lighting, refined menus, and an unhurried atmosphere encourage couples to linger, connect, and celebrate togetherness. Every detail is composed to honour shared moments and the quiet luxury of presence.
For couples preparing to begin their next chapter, IVAR’s Solitaire Collection offers a classic expression of commitment. Defined by diamonds of exceptional brilliance and clarity, each piece reflects the purity of the promise it represents. Set within the surroundings of The St. Regis Maldives, weddings become personal celebrations where elegance, emotion, and artistry come together.
Through this collaboration, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and IVAR Jewellery invite guests to experience a love that is both effortless and profound, fleeting yet enduring, creating memories inspired by the infinite symbol that lies at the heart of the partnership.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives launches March flash offer with savings of up to 80%
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has announced a limited-time flash offer inviting travellers to experience the Maldives in March, one of the destination’s most favourable months, with savings of up to 80 per cent when booking direct. The promotion is available across all four Cinnamon resorts in the Maldives and combines discounted rates with added island experiences, allowing guests to enjoy the destination during a period of ideal weather conditions.
The offer is open for bookings from 23 January to 2 February 2026, for stays between 1 March and 31 March 2026, using the promotional code MARCH26.
Guests booking under the offer can look forward to a range of experiences, including diving and snorkelling excursions with opportunities to encounter manta rays, reef sharks and sea turtles. On land, activities include island hopping, sunset fishing trips, Balinese spa treatments and four-course beachfront dinners. Guests staying a minimum of three nights are also eligible to receive resort credits of up to USD 150, providing additional value during their stay.
At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, guests booking direct may select any two island experiences, or enjoy up to all available benefits once per stay depending on their GHA DISCOVERY membership tier, along with USD 100 in resort credits for stays of three nights or more. Available experiences include a beach dinner, a Balinese massage, a swim and snorkel excursion, and a local island visit.
At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, guests may select any two island experiences, or enjoy up to all benefits once per stay depending on their GHA DISCOVERY membership tier, together with USD 150 in resort credits for qualifying stays. Available options include a beach dinner, a spa treatment, island hopping and dolphin watching.
At Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, guests may select any two island experiences, or enjoy up to all benefits once per stay depending on their GHA DISCOVERY membership tier, along with USD 100 in resort credits for stays of three nights or more. Experiences include sunset fishing, island hopping, a bottle of sparkling wine and a kayaking experience.
At Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, guests booking direct may select any two island experiences, or enjoy up to all benefits once per stay depending on their GHA DISCOVERY membership tier, together with USD 100 in resort credits for qualifying stays. Available experiences include a beach dinner, a Balinese massage, sunset fishing and a dolphin safari.
Under the GHA DISCOVERY membership programme, Silver tier members may select two benefits, Gold tier members may select three benefits, and Platinum tier members are entitled to all listed benefits once per stay.
In addition, GHA DISCOVERY members who book direct are eligible for further privileges, including the ability to earn and redeem DISCOVERY Dollars, potential room upgrades up to suite category, and early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability and membership tier.
Available for a limited time, the flash offer is designed to encourage travellers to visit the Maldives in March, when weather conditions are favourable and island experiences are at their most appealing.
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