Featured
Maldivian feast at Milaidhoo Island Maldives’ Ba’theli restaurant
Guests staying at Milaidhoo can experience a true Maldivian feast, inspired by dishes of the Spice Route with authentic island cuisine found only at Milaidhoo’s iconic restaurant, Ba’theli by the Reef.
Embark on a journey back in time by enjoying Malafaaiy, a traditional Maldivian feast.
In Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives, Malafaaiy means a feast shared and eaten with family and close friends on special occasions and for celebrations. The feast is served on handcrafted, lacquered wooden dishes, part of the living heritage of the Maldives.
The Malafaaiy consists of several small items from savoury to sweet delights, served on a banana leaf in the lacquered dish. Traditionally, Malafaaiy includes a Maldivian Chicken Curry, Papadum, Garudhiya (a clear fish broth), Roshi (Maldivian flat bread), Fiyaa Satani (onion sambal), Valhomas Mashuni (smoked tuna), plain rice with Moringa omelette, fried egg cutlet, Bajiya and Masroshi (Maldivian short eats with tuna).
The main feature of the feast is Kukulhu Riha, the Maldivian Chicken Curry. This is cooked Ba’theli style with local seasonings, island spices and coconut milk, creating a balanced taste and flavour sensation.
The tuna broth, Garudhiya, is a Maldivian staple, eaten with rice or Roshi. It is a broth of freshly cooked tuna with onions, curry leaves, Pandan leaves and chilli.
Valhomas Mashuni is the most popular delicacy of Maldivian cuisine. Usually served for breakfast, it is a must have for any Maldivian Malafaaiy. It’s a simple dish made from dried smoked tuna, fresh grated coconut, sliced onions, lime juice and Maldivian chilli, served with Maldivian flat bread.
There are more flavours to discover in the Milaidhoo Malafaaiy. It is presented in the most incredible setting of three ba’thelis, the wooden boats that sailed the ancient spice route, which appear to be floating by the reef in the Milaidhoo lagoon.
Ba’theli by the Reef is the first restaurant in the world that specialises in contemporary Maldivian cuisine featuring gourmet dishes of inspired island cuisine from the Maldivian Spice Route.
Guests dine on the ‘deck’ of the restaurant set on a boat in the lagoon underneath starry night skies or indoor in air-conditioned comfort where you can watch the sea-life below through glass floors.
Ba’theli restaurant is open for dinner only and Ba’theli Lounge is open from sunset until late, serving contemporary pre- and post-dinner cocktail creations.
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of The World, Milaidhoo Island Maldives is a pristine island paradise proudly rooted in local island traditions.
The boutique luxury resort features 50 contemporary Maldivian style pool villas, custom- made and made for comfort designed by a renowned Maldivian architect.
Every guest is assigned an Island Host to help create meaningful experiences and cater to their every need.
Activities include over-water spa treatments, sunrise yoga classes and snorkelling excursions to view the incredible house reef.
Dining is a highlight with Milaidhoo being home to three world-class restaurants, including Ba’theli. This unique Maldivian restaurant reflects the heritage of the islands and is built in the shape of three traditional boats on pillars over the lagoon. The restaurant’s innovative and delicious meals are steeped in Maldivian tradition, with each dish inspired by favourites of the ancient maritime Spice Route.
Milaidhoo is the authentic Maldives, a resort of reinvented luxury, where guests feel they belong, experiencing barefoot informality within the natural and lush setting of a tropical island.
As an adult only resort, Milaidhoo is known for its romance and destination dining offerings – any dream can become a reality, from sunset dolphin cruises to sailing to a deserted sandbank for a private beach picnic.
For reservations or more information, please visit www.milaidhoo.com and or call the reservations team on +960 660 0484 or email reservations@milaidhoo.com. Rates for two guests per villa including half board start from $1,535 per night (plus service charge and taxes).
Celebration
Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort awarded Green Globe certification
Reethi Faru Resort has received Green Globe certification, recognising its compliance with international standards for sustainable tourism.
The certification reflects the resort’s stated commitment to responsible hospitality, with a focus on environmental management, social responsibility and operational practices across the property.
Green Globe certification is awarded following an assessment based on established sustainability criteria and verified through independent third-party audits. The standard reviews performance in areas including environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation, community engagement and sustainable operations.
With the certification, Reethi Faru Resort joins a group of hospitality operators worldwide that have met Green Globe’s sustainability requirements and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improvement in tourism practices.
In a statement, the management of Reethi Faru Resort said the recognition reflects the resort’s continued focus on preserving the natural environment of the Maldives while maintaining the guest experience. The management added that sustainability forms part of the resort’s daily operations.
The Green Globe standard includes more than 40 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, providing a framework for assessing sustainability performance in the hospitality sector.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks loyalty week with member and staff recognition
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is marking IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, a group-wide initiative recognising IHG One Rewards members and the employees who contribute to guest experiences across the brand.
The observance will take place from 11 to 17 May 2026 and is aligned with IHG’s wider theme of “bringing loyalty to life”, focusing on guest recognition and service-led engagement.
As the Maldives’ first all-Club InterContinental resort, InterContinental Maldives is using the occasion to highlight its emphasis on personalised service and guest recognition. During the week, the resort will present a series of experiences and gestures intended to acknowledge IHG One Rewards members through tailored hospitality touches.
A central feature of the programme will be “Member Moments”, which are designed to reflect guest preferences, milestones and individual travel experiences. These will include personalised welcome arrangements, selected in-room amenities, culinary offerings and family-focused gestures.
The resort will also use the week to recognise its employees, whose service contributes to guest loyalty and repeat visits. Under its “Inspire Incredible” service culture, InterContinental Maldives will hold staff appreciation activities and internal recognition initiatives during the week.
Commenting on the occasion, General Manager Reinhold Johann said the initiative highlights the importance of making guests feel recognised and welcomed, while also acknowledging the role of employees in delivering those experiences.
Through IHG One Rewards, members have access to benefits and travel privileges across more than 6,800 hotels worldwide. At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, these benefits are integrated into the resort’s all-Club InterContinental offering, which combines personalised service with resort-based experiences in Raa Atoll.
Through its participation in IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is positioning guest recognition and service culture as key elements of its hospitality approach.
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