Featured
Le Meridien Maldives celebrates art of dining with spectacular culinary season
French tropical getaway, Le Meridien Maldives, continues to elevate dining in the Indian Ocean in creative and innovative ways, highlighting local produce and collaborative talent, limited-edition menus, and exclusive offerings. Bringing by the culinary season from 5th to 9th August, life, guests are invited to experience the best of gastronomy from all around the world. Presented with a series of pop ups, Michelin Starred Chef Manu Thevar and talented Mixologist Diego Ferrari will bring a twist to the resort’s variety of prolific dining outlets and a Summerfest by the shores to celebrate the finest of international flavours.
For an unforgettable summer soiree, explore the outdoor fest Au Soleil on 7th August. Fuelled by upbeat and music pop ups by star-studded chefs, Mano Thevar and Diego Ferrari, guests can taste the unexpected and indulge in a variety of activities at this shoreline hub, featuring a wine bar where diners can raise a toast to the mesmerising hues of a Maldivian sunset.
Michelin Star Restaurant Thevar by Mano Thevar – 5th to 8th August
Discover the flavours of India with the two Michelin starred chef, Mano Thevar, whose namesake restaurant, Thevar, is a modern Indian restaurant and bar along the vibrant Keong Saik Street which recently ranked No. #92 of Asia’s 50 Best Top 100 Restaurant’s in 2022. He brings a variety of experiences to guests to help unravel their palette with an explosion of flavourful plates. From family-style set menus to enjoy with loved ones, dawning a chef’s hat to embrace cooking classes with one of the world’s finest talents, to a pop up at the immersive Summerfest, Chef Mano brings his best dish forward for guests at Le Meridien Maldives. Starting at $540.00 for a 1-bedroom overwater beach bungalow, guests can make the most of their time in the Maldives with a min. 3-night stay and experience all of Chef Mano’s culinary mastery.
Diego Ferrari – 7th to 10th August
Diego Ferrari wears many hats; the iconic mixologist and author of the world prized book, Low Alcohol Cocktails-New Frontier in Mixology, is also the creater of the largest photo group of the world’s most famous cocktails, Facebook Cocktail Art, and will be debuting a one-of-a-kind cocktail pop up bar at the resort from 7th to 9th August. Ranked as #81 in the 100 world most influential figures in the bar industry in 2021, Diego is set to introduce a refreshing and innovative selection of carefully crafted cocktails at Le Meriden Maldives’s beach side dining spot, Riviera, following a pop up at the Au Soleil hub. Indulge in a specially curated mixology class at Tebamasu, paired with an omakase tasting menu with a fresh Maldivian breeze in a private open-air pavilion. Diego will also prepare dinner cocktails at Velaa Bar + Grill, followed by an Aperitivo private Island Bodufinholu bar for the discerning diners looking for an intimate culinary journey of a kind.
For further information or to make a reservation, please visit www.lemeridien-maldives.com.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
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.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
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.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
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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