Featured
New menus at Baros Maldives’ iconic Lighthouse Restaurant, Cayenne’s new grill house concept
Baros is well-known for its exquisite dining experiences ranging from gourmet picnics on deserted island sandbanks, romantic Dhoni dinner cruises and champagne breakfasts on the piano deck, water below and all around. And now Baros’ dining experiences have become even more elaborate with the introduction of sophisticated grill house dining at Cayenne and a new à la carte menu with two new degustation menus at the iconic Lighthouse Restaurant.
Foodies can indulge in modern fine dining at the overwater The Lighthouse Restaurant which is perfectly positioned in the crystal-clear turquoise lagoon and fashioned after the lateen-sails of a traditional dhoni sailing vessel.
Chef Pasindu, Chef de Cuisine of The Lighthouse Restaurant, has created two new bold degustation menus and an exciting new à la carte menu. Highlights of the ‘Discover’ degustation menu include the Foie Gras entrée – nori poached duck liver with pistachio, cacao, fruit gastrique, brioche and acai berry which is complemented by Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2020 from South Australia.
The Prawn Carabineros and pan seared Kobe are inspired main course dishes. Guests will delight in the lightly charred prawns served with roasted sweet potato, seasonal baby vegetables and a spicy mango chutney bisque and paired with ‘M de Minuty’ 2020 Rosé from Côtes de Provence, France. The Kobe is served with potato and truffle puree, seasonal baby vegetables, crispy kale and a barbeque Jack Daniel jus which is brilliantly paired with Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend 2019 from Stellenbosch, South Africa.
A focal feature of the ‘experience’ degustation menu is the goat cheese mousse and textures of fresh fruit entrée paired with a Sileni Estates Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021 from Marlborough, New Zealand.
A highlight of the à la carte ‘Ocean’ selection is the Mahi Mahi dish – pan-seared dorado served with beluga lentils, cauliflower textures, beetroot and pineapple vierge and finished off with an umami fish emulsion and spiced coconut cream. For the ultimate ‘farm’ experience, the Iberico Pluma (pork loin) is marinated with Hawaii black salt and buttered toast and is served with beluga lentil risotto and finished with verde blu di buffalo cheese, celeriac textures and a tasty barbeque and kombu jus.
One of the biggest transformations to Baros’s vibrant dining scene is the new Cayenne Grill dining concept with a sophisticated grill menu inspired by the Maldives’s fiery sunsets.
Cluster Executive Chef, Ken Gundu, has created a whole new dining concept where every dish has an element of grilling – infusing meat, seafood, chicken and plant-based dishes with a perfectly balanced smoky flavour and melt-in-your-mouth succulence.
“It’s a smart evolution of Cayenne’s cuisine, keeping the emphasis on premium cut meats and authentic grill house specials. We wanted to create the ultimate grill house experience to match Cayenne’s mesmerising views and ambience,” says Shijah Ibrahim, General Manager.

The new Cayenne Grill offers an impressive selection of dry aged steaks ranging from Wagyu Beef Tenderloin to Black Angus Beef Striploin and a superior selection of the freshest seafood, including Yellowfin Tuna, Seabass and Jumbo Prawns.
Share the signature 1.2kg dry aged Tomahawk Wagyu Steak. The Pan Seared Scallops with Green Apples, Celery Juice, and Salmon Caviar is flavorsome and tasty, as is the slow roasted baby chicken with forest mushrooms served with a natural jus.
Set within an open sided thatched pavilion perched over the lagoon, Cayenne Grill inspires guests with its spellbinding ocean views. There is something for everyone to enjoy on the menu ranging from superb appetisers and soups to premium oysters. The vegetarian Tortellini dish is served with sweet potato, water chestnut, oven-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, mushroom velouté and parmesan cheese is delicious and will have guests coming back for more.
Cayenne Grill seeks to provide not only memorable cuisine but with its creative wine and cocktail selection stands for a truly memorable and multisensory dining experience.
The Maldives Icon – Baros is an award-winning luxury private island resort in the Maldives, a short 25-minute speedboat ride from Maldives International Airport. This tropical haven is home to 75 sophisticated villas framed by a seemingly endless powder-soft white beach and a glittering lagoon surrounded by a world-class house reef.
Welcoming guests since 1973, Baros has spent decades honing its services and cultivating its environment, making it the Maldivian Icon. An award-winning resort, and a member of Small Luxury Hotels Of The World, Baros is celebrated for its authentic spirit, legendary service, outstanding comfort, and understated elegance.
Featured
Holistic journeys at One&Only Reethi Rah: Year of global wellness expertise
One&Only Reethi Rah invites guests to continue their wellness journey at the renowned One&Only Spa, which has recently received a prestigious five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide — the first and only spa in the Maldives to earn this recognition. Surrounded by tropical greenery, the spa offers a tranquil retreat where ancient healing practices meet modern techniques, providing tailored treatments that promote lasting wellbeing.
Throughout the year, One&Only Reethi Rah has hosted leading international wellness practitioners, and the remainder of 2025 will feature an inspiring series of experiences guided by acclaimed experts. From holistic therapies and Ayurveda to Pilates, yoga, Barre, and CrossFit, each visiting specialist brings unique expertise and methodology to the island, delivering highly personalised sessions designed around each guest’s individual needs.
Beginning in October, Ayurveda specialist Dr Shreejit Ghadigaonkar will offer personalised consultations and treatments based on one of the world’s oldest healing systems, using herbal remedies, massage, and holistic therapies to restore balance. During the same period, Shannon Fenton, a Pilates and yoga instructor, will lead mindful movement sessions to enhance posture, body awareness, and overall wellbeing.
In November, bespoke fitness coach Nicky Holender will introduce tailored programmes focused on strength, endurance, and motivation, while holistic therapist Darya Gudkova will offer deeply restorative treatments combining Eastern traditions with a contemporary understanding of anatomy and psychology.
The season will continue into December and January with Sanam Heravi, a STOTT-certified Barre specialist, whose sessions use intelligent movement to support rehabilitation and life transitions. Guests seeking high-intensity training will be able to train with Zubaid Toefy, a CrossFit coach with a background in Muay Thai and Olympic weightlifting, known for his dynamic and disciplined approach.
Each visiting practitioner contributes distinct expertise to the spa’s offerings, enabling guests to explore individual paths towards vitality, clarity, and inner balance
Whether guests are beginning a new wellness journey or deepening established rituals, the One&Only Spa provides a setting for intentional transformation. From sunrise yoga sessions to deeply restorative treatments, every moment is designed to strengthen the connection between mind, body, and nature within the serene environment of the Maldives.
For guests seeking advanced skincare, the spa also presents a curated selection of facial treatments that combine cutting-edge technology with high-performance formulations. Through partnerships with globally renowned brands such as Augustinus Bader, the spa offers rejuvenating therapies that leave the skin feeling nourished, firm, and radiant.
Excursions
Royal Island among participants in Guinness World Record snorkel
Royal Island participated in the Baani Event, which achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people snorkelling simultaneously. Twenty-eight participants represented the resort at Villingilifaru Finolhu, located approximately two kilometres across the lagoon from Royal Island. The island lies within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, in close proximity to Hanifaru Bay, one of the Maldives’ most renowned manta aggregation sites.
The resort’s involvement aligns with its ongoing coral restoration initiatives on the house reef. Efforts include the installation of nursery frames, out-planting of resilient coral fragments, regular monitoring, and guest briefings aimed at encouraging reef-safe practices such as calm water entries, mindful finning, and maintaining respectful distances from marine life. These measures contribute to a low-impact snorkelling experience while supporting the long-term health of the reef ecosystem.
Royal Island’s environmental stewardship extends beyond marine conservation to community engagement. Recent activities include native tree and coastal vegetation planting to enhance shoreline stability and biodiversity, as well as periodic beach and lagoon clean-ups conducted in partnership with local organisations. Educational programmes for schools and youth groups promote ocean literacy and foster a culture of environmental guardianship across Baa Atoll.
Amidst the clear lagoons and coral gardens, Royal Island’s participation in the record-setting event underscores its message of responsible enjoyment of the Maldives — protecting coral ecosystems and strengthening community bonds through sustainable tourism and collaboration.
Celebration
Spooky glamour takes over Lazuli Beach Club at SO/ Maldives
SO/ Maldives presents a bold fusion of avant-garde style and barefoot luxury, creating a distinctive island experience where fashion, art, and contemporary design converge. The resort embodies creativity and sophistication across its vibrant villas, dining venues, and beach clubs, inviting guests to embrace the high-energy spirit of “Style, Bold, and Playful.”
This Halloween, the resort will transform into an island of eerie elegance and playful mischief, offering guests an unconventional celebration on the shores of Lazuli Beach Club. On Friday, 31 October 2025, the day’s festivities will include activities for all ages, from imaginative workshops to moonlit gatherings by the sea.
The celebrations will begin with interactive family experiences at The Nest, including Mask Making, Tie-Dye Halloween T-Shirt Painting, and Scary Cookie Making. Children can also enjoy DIY Costume Creation, Face Painting, and a Trick-or-Treat Parade along Lazuli Beach Club. The daytime programme is designed to inspire creativity and fun for both young guests and adults.
As evening approaches, the atmosphere will take on a more mysterious tone. The Witches & Waves Dinner will be served beachside from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM, offering a four-course set menu accompanied by a themed welcome cocktail and a captivating ambience under the stars.
From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, guests can enjoy Spooky Special Cocktails at Lazuli Beach Club Bar with 50% off themed drinks, followed by the Spooky Halloween Party featuring DJ performances, glow body paint, and “witchy shoulder spells”—a five-minute charm that may win participants 50% off. The evening will culminate in the Glow Foam Party at 8:30 PM, combining music, lights, and foam against the backdrop of the moonlit sea.
“This isn’t your average haunted house; it’s a beachfront bash with a twist of glamour and a splash of mischief,” said Olivier Moies-Delval, General Manager of SO/ Maldives. “We’re reimagining Halloween in true SO/ style—bold, beautiful, and beyond expectations.”
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