Featured
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort welcomes Chef Christophe Marleix from world-renowned roster of Le Cordon Bleu
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort celebrates the newest addition to the resort’s acclaimed Guest Chef Series, welcoming Chef Christophe Marleix, Executive Chef of CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, the world’s leading network of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management institutes.
On April 6th and 7th, the St Regis Maldives Vommuli will welcome Chef Christophe Marleix, who will present a special one-time signature menu for lunch and dinner for hotel guests. Chef Christophe will curate a delectable 6-course menu featuring local produce and meticulously chosen ingredients. Meals will be prepared for the guests enjoyed in a paradise setting of pristine white sand beaches, tropical jungle, and mesmerising seascape views. Chef Christophe will implement an original and sensational dining affair that includes tempura vegetables, lentil hummus and crushed herbs; tuna tartar with confit shallots, avocado, mango and coriander; seafood stew with coconut, lime and ginger; and pressed chicken with bell pepper and shellfish sauce.
Chef Christophe brings with him a great deal of fine dining experience before joining CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, including executive head chef roles at The Grill at the Dorchester Hotel, part of Alain Ducasse’s Dorchester Collection, and Foile. His previous roles include Executive Sous Chef at Restaurant La Cour Jardin and Chef de Cuisine at three Michelin-starred Banqueting Plaza Athénée in Paris, Chef de Partie at two Michelin-starred fine dining Restaurant Jean Paul Jeunet in Jura and Commis Chef to Chef De Partie at the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Nicolas Le Bec at five star hotel La Cour des Loges in Lyon.
Drawing on Le Cordon Bleu’s unique heritage spanning over 125 years, CORD by Le Cordon Bleu is a unique dining concept based in the heart of the City of London, and the first restaurant from the prestigious network of culinary institutes to open in England’s capital city. The menus are masterfully designed by the expert chef team, spearheaded by Christophe Marleix and delivered with unparalleled attention to detail and a focus on delivering the best culinary experiences.
Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to bid on an exclusive lunch with hands on experience where guests will be able to learn directly from Chef Christophe in the making of a 3-course menu featuring mahi-mahi gravlax, grilled onions, dill and chilli sauce; cod, squid ink béarnaise, and mixed courgettes, and a dark chocolate trilogy. The experience for two also includes two nights in a Panoramic Overwater Villa with pool, daily breakfast at ALBA restaurant, 60-minute signature Iridium Touch spa treatment for two at the world-renowned Iridium Spa and a private guided snorkelling tour of the majestic reef surrounding the resort.
During his visit to the Maldives, Chef Christophe will spend a day at Maldives University where he will share his expertise with students. With over 20 years of experience in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels, Chef Christophe brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the classroom. His passion for cooking and dedication to using the finest ingredients will give students a unique perspective and the opportunity to learn from a world-renowned chef. The initiative pays homage to Marriott International’s Serve 360 program, which aims to create positive social and environmental impact. In line with Serve 360’s goals, the collaboration will provide valuable resources, educational opportunities, mentorship, and more for local students. The Marriott team is proud to be making a difference in their community and supporting the next generation of leaders.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to align with a prestigious institute like Le Cordon Bleu that holds such high international regard, that not only places an emphasis on skills, but on educational practices as well,” said Vincent Pauchon, general manager, of The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. “Moreover, it’s a privilege to support the local community through this initiative with Chef Christophe. We’re proud to support Maldives University and to provide the opportunity to demonstrate a glimpse of his culinary skills to students and to our guests. His arrival furthers our allegiance to our guests by providing exclusive and unique experiences time after time.”
To learn more about The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort guest chef series and additional culinary talent to be announced through 2023, please visit: www.stregismaldives.com
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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