Featured
JLF Soneva Fushi to debut in Maldives in May 2022
Teamwork Arts, producer of the iconic annual Jaipur Literature Festival and its international JLF extension events, and world-renowned resorts operator Soneva, have partnered to launch the first-ever JLF Soneva Fushi in the Maldives.
Taking place from May 13 to 22, 2022, the arts and literary Festival will be held at the award-winning luxury resort, which is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The Jaipur Literature Festival is held annually in the pink city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India, with yearly iterations of JLF in London, Belfast, New York, Colorado, Houston, Adelaide, Toronto and Doha. Teamwork Arts believes in the spirit of community and the hope, strength and vitality that literature and knowledge give to people.
JLF’s international series, held across the world, has showcased the multilingual literary heritage of South Asia with the distinct flavour of its host regions, bringing together a diverse and engaged community of booklovers, thought leaders and influencers.
After global travel restrictions and lockdowns, JLF Soneva Fushi will be an opportunity to reconnect with the joys of live performances of art, music and literature against the backdrop of this idyllic island resort in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by pristine nature.
In keeping with JLF’s international programming vision, the Festival will reinforce South Asia’s unique literary heritage with a caravan of globally celebrated authors and thinkers taking part in a range of stimulating panels, workshops, music, poetry readings and film screenings.
Spread over 10 days and two weekends, events will be held at stunning locations across the island, with themes as varied as travel, fiction, food, art, wellness, climate change and the environment.
A truly bespoke experience, JLF Soneva Fushi will be a study in Slow Life, with morning yoga sessions, stimulating workshops, delectable international food and jaw-dropping sunsets against a languorous blue sea.
Sunjay Sudhir, High Commissioner of India to Maldives, said, “I am delighted that the first-ever edition of JLF Soneva Fushi Maldives will debut in this beautiful island nation soon. We believe JLF will provide an exceptional platform for a global audience to engage with India, its cultural and literary heritage as well as strengthen cultural and bilateral ties between India and the Maldives. Maldives will be the first country in India’s neighbourhood to find a place in JLF’s global footprint.”
Namita Gokhale, author and Festival Co-director, said, “JLF Soneva Fushi Maldives will be an inspirational journey where we will explore new horizons, celebrating the elements and sharing the power of words and ideas, of poetry and music.”
William Dalrymple, writer, historian and Festival Co-director, said, “This is JLF’s most exotic and pleasurable adventure yet. I can’t wait!”
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, producer of the Jaipur Literature Festival, said, “We are delighted to partner with Soneva Fushi, which represents excellence in the world of experiential hospitality, in bringing JLF to the Maldives – with the best writers, thinkers, film-makers and thought leaders from across the world and India.”
Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and Joint Creative Director, Soneva, said, “We are really excited to be partnering with Teamwork Arts to bring JLF to Soneva Fushi. Together, we will bring authors and artists from all over the world to celebrate literature, music and art. Learning is a key component of our brand values and, with this Festival, Soneva offers all the attractions of a stunning Maldivian backdrop, while feeding the need for self-enrichment and cultural curiosity. We look forward to welcoming guests to this very special event, taking place over 10 days, full of truly unique sessions, events and workshops.”
A true advocate of literary and artistic traditions and democratic discourse, the Festival will bring together a diverse mix of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, business leaders and entertainers on one stage to champion the freedom to express and engage in thoughtful debate and dialogue.
The list of eminent speakers released today includes Italian-American writer, André Aciman; Festival Co-director and award winning eminent author Namita Gokhale; celebrated author of the bestselling books The Silk Roads: A New History of the World, The First Crusade: The Call from the East and The New Silk Roads, Peter Frankopan; author, politician and former international civil servant Dr Shashi Tharoor; Indian columnist and novelist, Shobhaa De; and Festival Co-director, historian and celebrated author, William Dalrymple.
Sharing his thoughts, historian and writer Peter Frankopan said, “Climate and environmental change are the two biggest challenges that we face in the coming years and decades. Indeed, some believe that our survival as a species is dependent on preparing for and addressing these twin dangers. Soneva Fushi’s focus on sustainability and biodiversity has been its signature since it first opened. I can’t think of a more magical and appropriate setting to gather to share some invaluable lessons that history teaches about past periods of ecological and climate change – and how to learn from them.”
Novelist and columnist Shobhaa De said, “The magic of the Maldives will be enhanced many times over with the premier edition of the ‘World’s Biggest Lit Fest’, on its silver shores. This is bound to create a unique and soul-gratifying literary experience – with poetry readings under the stars, and intimate interactions with writers from across the world sharing their work on pristine beaches. I am hoping for a few underwater sessions as well! When a deep respect for the environment meets an equally deep respect for literature and the arts, one can look forward to an ‘out of the world’ event like no other.”
An ideal setting and host for JLF’s ninth landmark international extension, Soneva Fushi is the Maldives’ original barefoot hideaway, inspiring the imagination with striking beachfront villas and Water Retreats.
Everything about the resort feels otherworldly, from the crystal-clear turquoise ocean and dolphins at sunset to the delicious meals available at the resort’s multiple dining destinations.
Nature is nurtured, from the sustainable design and furnishings of the villas to the operations and Waste-to-Wealth Centre, all of which truly define the essence of ‘barefoot luxury’.
Along with its naturally remote location, Soneva Fushi has implemented stringent health and safety protocols to safeguard the wellbeing of all guests, with on-arrival PCR testing in the comfort of their own private villas. Following a negative test result, guests can relax and enjoy everything the resort has to offer, mask-free – a welcome return to pre-pandemic normality.
Soneva is offering an exclusive package to guests attending JLF Soneva Fushi.
Priced from USD 2,310 nett per night, per villa, it includes full access to the Festival sessions, events, activities and workshops, daily full board (with breakfast, lunch and dinner at selected restaurants), return shared seaplane transfers between Malé and Soneva Fushi, and complimentary full board stays for up to two children under seven (when staying with two paying adults).
All guests will also enjoy Soneva Fushi’s complimentary experiences, including a 24/7 Barefoot Butler, children’s activities at The Den, access to the renowned chocolate, ice cream and cheese parlours, and so much more.
JLF Soneva Fushi promises to deliver a dynamic programme encompassing readings, discussions, performances and culinary offerings through an exciting and many-hued Festival.
Stay tuned for detailed programme announcements in the coming weeks.
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.
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 promotion is open for bookings from 23 January to 8 February 2026, for stays between 1 March and 31 March 2026, using the coupon code MAR26.
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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