Featured
Baros Maldives voted world’s most romantic resort; launches truly unique experience on Nooma
On the occasion of the prestigious award, which the private island resort has received for the seventh time since 2012, Baros Maldives has crafted an incredible experience. Guests can set sail on Nooma in the traditional way while enjoying their choice of Indian Ocean journey, focusing on either a Maldivian, Sri Lankan, or Indian journey that includes a spa treatment and destination dining experience of the chosen country.
With an elegantly crafted curved prow, a vast single sail, a thatched roof, and a sarong-clad crew of four, Baros’s 19m long sailing vessel Nooma is modelled after the traditional Maldivian sailing boat, locally known as Dhoni. It is a vessel of hidden treasures, with a secluded sun deck for two in the bow, a private saloon lounge paired with an air-conditioned double bedroom, toilet and shower, and a personal butler on board. Nooma is the perfect destination for the ultimate intimate cruise.

As guests listen to the sounds of the Indian Ocean and as Nooma drifts upon the North Male’ Atoll, it is time to savour the sunset with their choice of either Maldivian, Sri Lankan or Indian gourmet canapés and cocktail served by their personal butler. As the sun sets, their personal expert therapists are ready for their treatment of choice.
Guests who opt for the Maldivian treatment will enjoy a coconut scrub based on 100% natural ingredients such as finest sand from Baros that twill cleanse, nourish and give your skin that silk soft feeling and purest Maldivian virgin coconut oil and coconut milk that delivers all the essential nutrients for a healthy and glowing skin. Carefully designed techniques combining the best of the massage world will evoke a sublime sense of deep relaxation.

If Sri Lanka is their preferred destination, guests will enjoy a nourishing body wrap, a deeply grounding experience for skin that has never felt softer. Velvety monoi oil is applied on the body for ultra-hydration, followed by a bespoke massage tailored specifically to the guests’ needs focusing on any areas of tension, allowing their body and mind to relax, revive and heal.
The Indian Abhyanga and Shirodhara treatment begins with Abhyanga, a rhythmic massage which uses herbal oils to stimulate the circulation of blood, lymph, and prana (energy). This is followed by Shirodhara, during which a steady stream of oil is gently poured over the forehead to improve clarity of mind.
When heavenly relaxed from their treatment of choice, Nooma will be anchored in the Baros lagoon where guests can dine under the stars and enjoy a delicious Maldivian, Sri Lankan or Indian four course menu.

The Maldivian menu starts with traditional Maldivian Mezze, followed by Garudiya, a traditional fish broth with vegetable, continues with a curry tasting featuring a chicken, fish and vegetarian curry and ends with a finest dessert featuring Maldivian sweets.
Guests opting for the Sri Lankan menu can enjoy fish cutlet, coconut Roti and Seeni Sambal as a starter, followed by a curry flavoured pumpkin soup and a Ceylonese mustard prawn curry, chicken black curry, potato tempered, Brinjal Morju and coconut sambal and end their culinary journey with a Sri Lankan sweets sampler.
The culinary journey to India starts with a Green Job Tikka, sea prawns, yoghurt and cream marinated, a rich tomato Dhaniya Shorba broth, and continues with a traditional Indian lamb curry, Paneer Butter Masala and Indian Black Dal and ends with a Sweet Indian Dessert Sampler dish.
Each meal is prepared with fresh local ingredients and created just for them by their private chef, as they create memorable moments with their loved one that they will cherish for a lifetime and reignite their romance with an evening filled with delicious local culinary highlights. Imagine dining in the most beautiful lagoon in the world with the ocean as your backdrop.
“This new Nooma experience is the ultimate romantic adventure, where we invite our guests to escape to their destination of choice and spend a whole evening enjoying bespoke drinks, a tailored wellness treatment and local food among the unparalleled views. This is a must-have experience during full moon nights, where guests get to witness a natural phenomenon occurring just once a month,” comments Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager of Baros.
More information about the Nooma experience is available on the Baros website and guests can book the unique journey by contacting reservations@baros.com or dial +960 6642672 to start crafting their perfect romantic escape to Baros.
Featured
Centara Hotels & Resorts marks Valentine’s Day with island-wide celebrations in Maldives
Centara Hotels & Resorts is marking Valentine’s Day across its four Maldivian resorts with a collection of curated experiences designed to reflect different expressions of romance, from wellness and gastronomy to shared adventure and quiet celebration. Set within the Maldives’ natural environment of open horizons, white-sand beaches and private island settings, each property presents a tailored programme for couples seeking time together in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives will mark Valentine’s Day on 14 February with a programme of romance-themed experiences set within its island surroundings at The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts. The day is designed around shared activities and curated moments intended to encourage connection and creativity.
Evening celebrations begin at Coco Drift with the Salaan Galaan Valentine’s Soirée, followed by a four-course beachfront dinner accompanied by selected beverages, personalised cocktails, live entertainment and musical serenades. The celebrations conclude with an intimate sip-and-paint session under the night sky.
Couples may also unwind with the Grand Valentine’s Ritual at Spa Cenvaree, a 105-minute treatment comprising a massage and body wrap designed for shared relaxation. Guests can further personalise the occasion by arranging fresh floral bouquets through the front office.

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives
At Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, Valentine’s Day is presented through a full-day programme of shared experiences set in North Malé Atoll. Activities include sunrise yoga, a tree-planting ceremony and henna art, offering couples a blend of relaxation and meaningful engagement.
The evening programme centres on a mixology masterclass, followed by a candlelit dinner at Sailhouse Beach featuring seafood, Asian-inspired dishes, desserts and free-flowing beverages. The night concludes with an outdoor movie screening beneath the stars.
Spa Cenvaree complements the celebrations with a Valentine’s Indulgence ritual, a 120-minute couples’ treatment that includes a body scrub, massage and bath ritual paired with sparkling beverages. Floral arrangements may also be arranged through the front office.
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives
From 10 to 14 February, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives will host a series of Valentine’s experiences designed to reflect personal moments and shared celebration. Highlights include vow renewal ceremonies at Reef Beach and private canapé and champagne experiences at Aqua Bar.
On Valentine’s Day, couples may begin with a floating breakfast served in-villa, followed by a choice of dining experiences ranging from international buffet dining to a four-course gourmet dinner at the Love Hut, complete with sparkling beverages and floral arrangements. Additional options include a three-course beachfront dinner at Reef Beach, a relaxed BBQ and movie night at North Beach, and an evening DJ programme at Coral Lounge.
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, an adults-only resort in North Malé Atoll, will host a refined Valentine’s celebration on the evening of 14 February. The highlight is a seven-course beachfront dinner at Waves Beach, paired with sparkling beverages and accompanied by live music.
The evening continues with an after-dinner beach gathering, extending the celebrations in a relaxed setting. Guests may also opt for a package that includes an in-villa breakfast with sparkling beverages the following morning.
Across its Maldivian portfolio, Centara Hotels & Resorts presents Valentine’s Day as an opportunity for couples to celebrate through shared experiences, thoughtful dining and time spent together in distinctive island settings.
Featured
Art, wine and storytelling take centre stage at Milaidhoo Maldives
Milaidhoo Maldives is hosting a four-day creative residency this March that brings together art, wine and storytelling in a series of intimate island experiences guided by internationally recognised curator Vera Alkhova.
From 25 to 28 March 2026, the resort will present the Art Spirit Residency, welcoming Alkhova, founder of Art Spirit, to its private island setting in the heart of the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The residency is designed as a relaxed exploration of creativity, taste and inspiration, set against Milaidhoo’s natural surroundings.
An art consultant, curator and educator, Alkhova is known for making contemporary art accessible through storytelling rather than theory. Through Art Spirit, she curates immersive experiences that encourage dialogue and personal interpretation, including her established programme How to Read Contemporary Art. Her residency at Milaidhoo is structured around conversation-led sessions rather than formal lectures, with the aim of sharing art in an engaging and approachable way.
Taking place during the same month as International Women’s Day, the residency also reflects on the creative contributions of women. This theme is most clearly expressed in the opening experience, Women in Art, which highlights female voices and influence within contemporary artistic expression.
The programme also aligns with Milaidhoo’s focus on gastronomy and fine wine. Each experience is paired with carefully selected wines and hosted within the resort’s restaurants, where the evening themes are reflected in ingredient-led menus. The format is intentionally informal, in keeping with the atmosphere of the boutique island resort.
Programme highlights include:
- Wednesday, 25 March – Art Stories & Wine Tasting | Women in Art
- Friday, 27 March – An Artist’s Table | Wine and Art Dinner | Love of the Painter and His Muses
- Saturday, 28 March – Art Stories & Wine Tasting | Marine Life
With Alkhova’s curated insights and Milaidhoo’s considered hospitality, the Art Spirit Residency brings together art, wine and shared conversation in a setting designed to encourage reflection and connection.
Milaidhoo Maldives is accessible via a 35-minute seaplane transfer from Velana International Airport, or by a 15-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport in Baa Atoll followed by a 15-minute speedboat journey to the island.
Drink
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli welcomes Glynn Purnell for Tastemaker Series
Glynn Purnell, the Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur and television personality known as “The Yummy Brummie”, will bring his modern British cooking to the Indian Ocean this April as part of the Tastemaker Series at St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.
With a career spanning more than 35 years, two Michelin-starred restaurants and a long-standing presence on British television, Purnell’s residency will take place from 3 to 6 April. His ingredient-led approach will be presented through a curated programme that includes a signature tasting dinner, an intimate cooking class and a closing experience hosted at The Whale Bar, offering guests the opportunity to engage with his cuisine in an informal setting.
Purnell began his culinary career at the age of 14 through a hotel kitchen work placement before refining his skills at the Metropole Hotel and at Simpson’s Restaurant, where he contributed to the restaurant’s first Michelin star. His professional training also includes working alongside chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes and Claude Bosi, as well as experience in Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe. Purnell later made history by earning Birmingham’s first Michelin star for Jessica’s in 2005, followed by a Michelin star for Purnell’s, which the restaurant has retained since 2009.
In addition to his restaurant work, Purnell is a well-known figure on British television. He has won Great British Menu twice and has returned to the programme as a mentor. His television appearances also include Saturday Kitchen, and he co-presented My Kitchen Rules UK alongside Rachel Allen on Channel 4.
Recognised for combining technical precision with an approachable style, Purnell’s residency forms part of the St. Regis Maldives’ 2026 Tastemaker Series, a programme designed to showcase international culinary talent through immersive guest experiences. His emphasis on seasonal, responsibly sourced ingredients and sustainable practices aligns with the resort’s broader commitment to considered luxury and culinary quality.
Set on Vommuli Island, the residency offers guests the opportunity to experience contemporary British gastronomy in a distinctive island setting, with rare access to one of the UK’s most influential chefs.
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