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Arabesque opens at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has welcomed the opening of Arabesque.
An eye-catching tribute to a traditional Bedouin tent, the location invites diners on a journey from Lebanon to north India at Fari Marina Village.
The addition of this restaurant is just one of seven distinct culinary venues available at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands which strikes the perfect balance between high-end dining, beachfront luxury, and wellness-centred menus.
A pleasant eight-minute journey in a dhoni, a traditional wooden boat, from the resort island to Fari Marina Village, brings guests to a sunken dining room, with hanging lanterns and colourful fabrics, sets the scene for shareable mezze platters, tandoor-grilled meats and iconic street fare.
Dishes are offered alongside flavourful hookahs, Turkish coffee, Moroccan tea and creative cocktails.
“We are looking forward to the continued expansion of our culinary landscape at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands,” Mark Hehir, General Manager at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, said.
“This one-of-a-kind island archipelago featuring three luxury private resorts and marina village offers guests an array of meaningful experiences as well as culinary options. The culinary journey continues with the opening of Arabesque and looks ahead to the opening of Tum Tum, a food truck serving light Asian delights; the perfect welcome stop in the middle of a day of shopping and exploration at the Fari Marina Village.”
Arabesque is led by chef Mohammed Negm Eldin who is continuing to embrace island life having previously served at Landaa Giraavaru in addition to several other internationally acclaimed restaurants alongside Michelin star chefs.
The menu is inspired by Lebanese and north Indian cuisine and includes signature dishes like Estacoza, a fresh grilled lobster, topped with a creamy tahini butter sauce and delicate saffron threads.
“I am very proud to lead the talented team here at Arabesque and to be a part of expanding the culinary footprint here at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands,” Eldin said.
“We look forward to welcoming guests from the resort and the moment they arrive at Arabesque, we plan to take them on a culinary journey full of exciting flavours and textures that this type of cuisine is known for.”
The Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Island is ideally located at Fari Islands, in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives, which is a 45-minute journey by speedboat or a 10-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport.
The resort features white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs with marine life.
Shaped by the Maldivian sun and shored by the Indian Ocean, guest villas at The Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Island range in size from one- to three-bedrooms, featuring the refined elegance and legendary service that define The Ritz-Carlton brand.
The property offers a choice of outstanding culinary venues serving an array of international and local cuisines, in addition to a full suite of fitness and recreational facilities including a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is part of Fari Islands, an archipelago that features three world-class hospitality brands inclusive of The Ritz-Carlton.
Guests have access to a picturesque Fari Marina – the archipelago’s communal beating heart. Built around a vibrant Beach Club, Fari Marina features charming boutiques and a handpicked selection of dining options.
Spaces have been designed by the renowned Kerry Hill Architects, to bring about a delicate balance of serene and social.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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