Drink
Le Meridién Maldives Resort presents glamorous culinary calendar this November
Internationality and diversity characterise the culinary offerings of Le Meridién Maldives Resort & Spa with its six restaurants and bars since its opening in 2021. Also in November, guests can look forward to various culinary events in a class of their own in the paradisiacal hideaway.
On November 14, Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassador Kate de Fleuriot will take wine lovers on a journey through South Africa’s vineyards. If you are in the mood for some bubbly, you will get your money’s worth on 22 and 23 November, when Champagne Cattier owner Jean Jacques Cattier and his export director Pierre-Samuel Reyne spoil guests with fine sparkling wine at the Sunset Champagne Picnic on the private island of Bodu Finolhu and at the delicious Lobster & Champagne Fête. The culmination of the culinary month is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on 24 November.

South Africa meets Maldives at South African Wine Dinner
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa’s culinary event calendar in November starts internationally – as does the F&B philosophy of the island hideaway in the Indian Ocean. Let Kate de Fleuriot, Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassador of South African Wines take you on an epicurean journey through a 5-course degustation menu paired with aromatic wines from her country. At the South African Wine Dinner on 14th November, aromatic South African wines meets a five-course tasting menu crafted by the Executive Sous Chef Siva and his team. Kate de Fleuriot, Asia Pacific Brand Ambassador for numerous South African wineries such as Mulderbosch, Springfield Estate, Mullineux, Testalonga and Southern Right Pinotage, will guide hotel guests through the evening at Velaa Bar + Grill. The curated wine selection is tastefully rounded off with food pairings such as grilled seafood, vegetables and meat. Relish a delectable and interactive wine dinner curated specially for all our guests.
Sparkling enjoyment with Cattier champagne on two unforgettable evenings
Champagne represents the very highest level of excellence in sparkling wine. Friends of luxurious sparkling wine will get their money’s worth on two evenings. On 22 and 23 November, Champagne Cattier owner Jean Jacques Cattier and Export Director Pierre-Samuel Reyne will host guests at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, as our culinary team will take guests on an gourmet journey paired with exquisite Cattier champagnes. At the Sunset Champagne Picnic on 22nd November on the resort’s exclusive private island Bodu Finolhu, champagne and canapés will be served during the famed Golden Hour of the Maldives. On the evening of 23rd November, the Lobster & Champagne Fête in Velaa Bar + Grill will combine a selection of the finest Cattier champagnes such as the Brut Nature 1er Cru, Brut Icône or Clos du Moulin Brut 2012 varieties with an enjoyable four-course menu. At both events, Champagne Cattier owner Jean Jacques Cattier and Export Director Pierre-Samuel Reyne will share their many years of experience in champagne with our curious and creative minded guests, while they savour the good life with exquisite culinary soirée’s.

Thanksgiving in Paradise
To round off the culinary event calendar, guests at Le Méridien Maldives can look forward to a festive Thanksgiving dinner on 24 November. After two eventful events with a focus on fine wines and champagne, soak up to the traditions of Thanksgiving by adding a delicious culinary element to your island getaway, making it much more memorable. Toast to the warm sense of gratitude over a traditional Thanksgiving American spread along with an array of multi cuisine dishes in eclectic designed restaurant Turquoise, where guests can graze from the dinner buffet with the ocean breezes and endless vistas of Maldives. Families and friends can celebrate this heartwarming holiday together in this heavenly idyllic island, and as tradition would have it, spend beautiful hours with their loved ones over comforting delicious food.
Encounter the unexpected while you sip, sway and savour under the Maldivian sun and make Thilamaafushi island home for this November.

For further information or to make a reservation, please visit www.lemeridien-maldives.com.
Drink
Milaidhoo Maldives celebrates International Men’s Day with ‘Gentlemen & Cocktails’
Milaidhoo Maldives will mark International Men’s Day with a cocktail-making competition for male guests, as the resort celebrates its tenth anniversary this November.
The occasion will also recognise the contributions of the men involved in the resort’s development and operations over the past decade. Since its establishment, Milaidhoo has maintained a focus on Maldivian hospitality and cultural traditions, with its original vision continuing to influence the guest experience.
As part of the celebrations, the resort will host Gentlemen & Cocktails, an interactive cocktail-making challenge at Compass Pool Bar.
The event will begin with a workshop led by the bar’s bartenders, who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of cocktail preparation. Following the workshop, participants will compete to create their own signature cocktails using a selection of ingredients.
Each participant will receive a black box containing secret ingredients, which must be incorporated into their creation. They will also be required to select an additional herb, vegetable or aromatic ingredient from the resort’s Chef’s Garden.
Participants will have a limited amount of time to prepare their cocktails, with their partners serving as judges. The creations will be assessed based on flavour, presentation and originality.
The winning cocktail will be featured as the Cocktail of the Day at Compass Pool Bar for one week. The winning couple will also be entitled to unlimited servings of their creation for the remainder of their stay.
The International Men’s Day celebrations form part of Milaidhoo Maldives’ tenth anniversary year, recognising the people who have contributed to the resort’s development and its approach to hospitality.
Through the cocktail-making competition, the resort aims to provide guests with an interactive experience while commemorating International Men’s Day.
Drink
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll partners with RED Bar for mixology takeover
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort has announced a three-night bar takeover in collaboration with RED Bar, New Delhi, from 25 to 27 November 2026, featuring mixologist Virender Singh.
Titled The Craft of the Cocktail, the collaboration will bring RED Bar’s approach to mixology to three venues across the resort, offering guests a series of cocktail experiences in different island settings.
Located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, RED Bar is recognised for its approach to contemporary cocktail creation, incorporating a range of ingredients, flavours and techniques. The venue was featured on the 2025 list of India’s 30 Best Bars and has participated in guest shifts and bar takeovers internationally.

Leading the collaboration will be Virender Singh, who has eight years of experience in beverage creation. His approach to mixology focuses on ingredient combinations, flavour pairings and experimentation with cocktail-making techniques.
“At JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, we believe that exceptional experiences are shaped by creativity, craftsmanship, and a sense of discovery,” said Arup Chakraborty, Director of Food & Beverage.
“This collaboration offers our guests the opportunity to experience RED Bar’s approach to cocktails across three distinctive settings on the island. We look forward to welcoming Virender Singh and sharing these experiences with our guests.”
The takeover will take place across three evenings, beginning at Nikkei Bar, where guests can sample signature cocktails at the resort’s overwater bar while overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The second evening will be hosted at JW Garden, featuring a garden-to-glass concept incorporating fresh ingredients and tropical flavours.
The collaboration will conclude at Wahoo Bar, where the cocktail experience will move to a beachfront setting.
The event forms part of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort’s efforts to introduce international culinary and beverage talent to the Maldives through guest collaborations and dining experiences.
Drink
Rare vintages meet island luxury: Glenelly Estate takes over RAAYA and VARU by Atmosphere
Stellenbosch’s finest wines arrive in the Maldives this December 2026 at RAAYA by Atmosphere and VARU by Atmosphere. Both private island resorts within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts portfolio will welcome Glenelly Estate for an exclusive celebration of wine and culinary discovery from 4 to 10 December 2026. Designed to honour the visionary legacy of Glenelly’s 101-year-old founder, May‐Éliane de Lencquesaing, the week-long journey seamlessly weaves her French winemaking heritage with South African terroir through rare vintages, artful pairings, and warm island hospitality.
Hosting these exclusive gatherings is Nina-Mari Bruwer from Glenelly Estate. With over 18 years of winemaking artistry, Nina-Mari brings a deep passion for the stories woven into every vintage. “It is wonderful to return to the Maldives and share Glenelly’s story through its wines,” says Nina-Marie of Glenelly Wine Estate. “Each experience reveals a different side of the estate, from elegant pairings at the table to relaxed, open-air moments that capture the spirit of Stellenbosch.”

RAAYA by Atmosphere
The festivities launch at RAAYA by Atmosphere on 4 December with La Vita Stellenbosch at The Village, an indulgent evening celebrating the vibrant flavours and elegant heritage of the Cape Winelands. On 5 December, the setting shifts to the lush greenery of Seb’s Farm for Garden to Glass – Glenelly Unplugged, an intimate open-air gathering where farm-to-table dining meets fine wine and barefoot island ease. The RAAYA celebration reaches its crescendo on 6 December at AMPERS&ND with Sunset: The Glenelly Golden Hour, where live stations, canapés, and wine come together as the island slips into dusk.

VARU by Atmosphere
The spotlight then moves to VARU by Atmosphere on 8 December, where KAAGÉ & The Cape pairs rich South African winemaking with authentic local traditions during a memorable dinner at the resort’s signature venue. On 9 December, NÜ presents NÜances of the Cape, a dinner exploring the balance, texture, and layered personality of Glenelly’s wines. The visit concludes at Bay Rouge Bar with The Cape Extravaganza, a lively evening of live stations and canapés that offers a fitting farewell to Glenelly’s Maldivian journey.

Reflecting on the milestone, Rohit Salunke, Assistant Director of Wines at Atmosphere Core, shares, “Glenelly’s wines have a remarkable sense of place. Across these six experiences, guests will discover how naturally they complement different cuisines while expressing the distinctive character of Stellenbosch. Marking Atmosphere Core’s 117th wine event in the Maldives, this fourth collaboration reflects our commitment to authentic wine encounters. We look forward to welcoming Nina-Mari Bruwer to our shores and continuing this valued partnership, following the warm hospitality extended to our resort sommeliers in February 2026, when they visited Glenelly’s Stellenbosch winery to experience the harvest of Lady May’s 2026 vintage first-hand.”

This exclusive wine journey is complimentary for in-house guests on the RAAYA Plan™ and VARU Plan™ (with prior reservation). Book your stay at atmospherehotelsandresorts.com to discover the elegance of Glenelly Estate, one exceptional pairing and one memorable island evening at a time.
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