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Soneva Fushi welcomes Chef Pascal Barbot to Flying Sauces

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Award-winning luxury resorts brand Soneva has partnered with Chef Pascal Barbot to bring France’s acclaimed two Michelin-starred Astrance restaurant to Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. The exclusive 12-week residency will take place from October 23, 2022, until January 23, 2023, at the resort’s zipline fine-dining restaurant, Flying Sauces.

As a young culinary student and an avid traveller, Chef Pascal began his hands-on education at some of the top restaurants in Europe and Australia. His early training included stints at Maxim’s in Paris, Clavé in Clermont-Ferrand and Les Saveurs in London, as well as an internship at Troisgros in Roanne. He then worked with Chef Alain Passard at L’Arpège, who, over the course of a five-year working relationship, taught him to respect the most basic of products. It was during that time that he met Christophe Rohat, with whom he partnered to open Astrance in Paris in July, 2000.

A culinary force in the Parisian restaurant scene, Astrance was awarded its first Michelin star just one year after opening. In 2005, the restaurant received its second star and was awarded a score of 19/20 by Gault et Millau, with Chef Pascal selected as Best Chef. His virtuoso cooking skills then brought him his third Michelin star in 2007, which he held consecutively for 12 years, and earned his restaurant the 18th spot on the coveted World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2011.

Flying Sauces featuring Pascal Barbot will showcase a uniquely Maldivian twist on some of Astrance’s signature, quintessentially French dishes. The menu will incorporate local ingredients picked from the resort’s organic gardens and feature a strong emphasis on zero waste, in line with Soneva’s philosophy of sustainable luxury.

“I am very pleased to be cooking for guests at Soneva Fushi,” says Pascal Barbot, chef-owner of Astrance restaurant. “It is a wonderful creative challenge for me, in line with my own culinary identity that was forged during my travels across England, Asia, Australia and New Caledonia. Maldivian cuisine features many fruits, spices and raw fish, and reminds me of my previous travels. After visiting the gardens of Soneva Fushi, the ideas were flying! Every ingredient inspired me.”

Taking the helm for the 12-week residency is Astrance’s chef Florence Stevenson, who has extensive experience working across every area of a French restaurant. Bilingual in both English and French, her diverse skillset extends beyond the kitchen, enhancing guests’ gastronomic experience and befitting Flying Sauce’s intimate setting.

Flying Sauces was launched in late 2021 and is the only fine dining zipline experience in the world. The evolving multi-course menu is enjoyed from an open treetop kitchen 12 metres above the ground, which boasts exceptional views of the island’s lush jungle and sparkling turquoise ocean. After being securely strapped into safety harnesses, diners soar along a 200-metre zipline route to reach an elevated dining platform. Once they arrive, Chef Pascal will prepare a delectable seasonal menu in the open kitchen, high above the ground, paired with a selection of over 9,000 fine wines from Soneva Fushi’s extensive cellar.

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.

Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.

The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.

Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.

Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.

The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.

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JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia

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JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.

The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.

Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.

The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.

Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.

Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.

Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.

Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.

JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.

The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.

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Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

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Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.

Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.

Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.

As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.

Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.

The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.

Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.

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