News
Furaveri Maldives: Hottest choice for Indian celebrities

Located in the picturesque Raa Atoll near “Hanifaru Bay” a UNESCO Biosphere reserve, Furaveri Maldives is a 23-hectare natural island adorned with lush vegetation and surrounded by pristine beaches. With 169 villas ranging from Garden Villas to Two Bedroom Luxury Residences, many of which include private pools, the resort offers a perfect blend of luxury and tranquility. Embodying the essence of traditional Maldivian hospitality, Furaveri allows guests to discover the unspoiled beauty of the Maldives, from its captivating flora and fauna to its vibrant marine life. A stay at Furaveri promises a holistic living experience, enabling guests to unlock their highest potential of wellbeing.
Adding to the star-studded list of guests, Furaveri Maldives has hosted a constellation of Indian celebrities, including the sensational Bollywood actresses, Sunny Leone, Krystle Dsouza, and Jasmin Bhasin who revelled in the resort’s exceptional hospitality amidst the breathtaking surroundings. Along with them was Indian YouTuber and actor, Siddharth Nigam. They all revelled in the resort’s exceptional hospitality amidst the breathtaking surroundings. Each of these influencers enjoyed tailored experiences, ranging from exhilarating diving expeditions to explore the underwater treasures, tranquil sunset fishing escapades, thrilling water sports adventures, and rejuvenating wellness village experiences. Together, they embraced the epitome of luxury and comfort during their remarkable stay at Furaveri Maldives.
Guests at Furaveri Maldives can embark on an extraordinary culinary journey, indulging in a selection of three remarkable restaurants. Among these dining options, Jaafaiy Restaurant takes centre stage as the resort’s main buffet venue, offering a tantalising array of delectable dishes every night. While boasting an impressive variety of culinary themes, including dedicated Indian cuisine nights, Jaafaiy ensures that regardless of the theme, special Indian dishes are always available. Recognising the significance of the Indian market for Furaveri, Jaafaiy Restaurant goes above and beyond to cater to the diverse preferences of its guests. Additionally, upon request, the restaurant is fully prepared to accommodate special dietary needs such as vegan and gluten-free Indian meals, ensuring that every guest’s culinary experience is tailored to perfection.
Meanwhile, for those seeking a fusion of tastes, the Raiyvilla Asian Fusion Specialty Restaurant promises an exquisite dining adventure. Furthermore, Amigos at Farumathi serves mouthwatering Mexican delicacies, appealing to a wide range of palates and ensuring a truly memorable culinary journey for all guests. To enhance the experience for Indian travellers,
Furaveri Maldives has prepared a series of exclusive entertainment activities for the festivities, including special offers for an exciting celebration for Diwali. This November, guests will have the opportunity to revel in the Festival of Lights in the breathtaking Maldivian setting, with the added excitement of a surprise visit from an A-list celebrity. This highly anticipated event promises to be a highlight of the year for Indian travellers, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience to commemorate these joyous occasions in true splendour and luxury at Furaveri Maldives.
Action
Consistently awarded, beyond compare: Machchafushi Island Resort’s house reef

Recently recognised among the Best House Reefs in the Maldives by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, the house reef at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, The Centara Collection (formerly known as Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa), offers an extraordinary experience for divers and snorkelers alike. The South Ari Atoll in the Maldives is renowned for its exceptional diving sites, snorkelling, and marine adventures, and the resort’s house reef only enhances this natural beauty with its rich marine biodiversity, thriving coral gardens, and easy access from the shore.

The Machchafushi house reef is approximately five times larger than the island itself, encircling a breathtaking lagoon. Most of the coral reef lies on a gentle slope, descending to depths of 15 – 20m, where it then flattens out into a sandy seabed. At around 30m from the top of the reef, guests can explore a remarkable shipwreck. This sunken treasure is home to a variety of marine species, including glassfish, stonefish and nurse sharks.
Among the largest coral species found on any house reef, the Machchafushi house reef is home to rare varieties such as Acropora granulosa and Acropora latistella, found exclusively on the wreck. The surrounding coral gardens showcase vibrant Blue Coral and Staghorn Coral, creating a stunning display of marine biodiversity.

Marine life thrives around the house reef, with seven resident Nurse sharks, including three adults, one sub-adult, and three juveniles. White Tip Reef sharks, the most curious of the reef’s sharks, are often seen coming close to snorkelers and divers. Other notable species include
Black Tip sharks, Lemon sharks, Leopard sharks, Guitar sharks, and various rays. The Black Blotched Stingrays, known for their friendly nature despite their large size, are a common sight, especially around feeding areas and the reef’s shallow waters. The barbless male rays are particularly known for their gentle interactions with guests.

Sustainability is at the heart of Machchafushi Island Resort’s philosophy. Coral protection, reef conservation, and restoration projects are continuously rolled out, ensuring that the house reef remains a thriving ecosystem for future generations. Guests are regularly educated about the reef’s delicate ecosystem, its abundant marine life, and the resort’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable practices.
Sharing his views, Cluster General Manager of Machchafushi Island Resort and Spa, Francesco Pompilio said, “This honour reflects not only the natural beauty of our house reef, but also the unwavering commitment of our team to its protection and preservation. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we remain dedicated to safeguarding this vibrant marine sanctuary for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to our guests for their continued trust and patronage.”

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Machchafushi Island Resort’s house reef, where exceptional diving, vibrant coral gardens, and abundant marine life meet, all set against the backdrop of the Maldives’ unparalleled natural beauty.
Cooking
Jumeirah Olhahali Island welcomes Shimmers’ Chef Emanuele for exclusive culinary residency this July

Jumeirah Olhahali Island has announced a culinary residency in collaboration with Chef Emanuele De Leo, Head Chef of the award-winning Shimmers at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam in Dubai. Taking place from 7 to 10 July 2025, this exclusive experience will bring the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean to the Maldives through a specially curated tasting-style menu.
Following a stint as Sous Chef at L’Olivo at Al Mahara, the two Michelin-starred restaurant at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Chef Emanuele took up his position as Head Chef at Shimmers in 2023. There, he leads the kitchen, where his menu pays homage to his Sicilian heritage, while embracing bold, contemporary interpretations of classic Mediterranean cuisine. Under his direction, Shimmers has earned recognition from Gault&Millau UAE in 2025, a testament of the restaurant’s elevated dining experience and Chef Emanuele’s distinctive culinary vision. With a strong focus on seasonality, he draws inspiration from the freshest market produce, transforming each ingredient into flavour-driven, elegantly presented creations.

For his residency at Jumeirah Olhahali Island, Chef Emanuele has crafted a bespoke menu that fuses Greek influences with his Sicilian roots, showcasing refined coastal flavours and thoughtfully sourced seasonal ingredients. In true Shimmers fashion, the evening will be presented as a series of small, shareable plates, designed to bring guests together around the table. Highlights include a fresh cauliflower salad, zingy tuna tartare, and grilled octopus with Santorini fava. These are followed by indulgent mains such as slow-braised beef cheek paired with celery purée and red wine jus, alongside orzo with red prawns, lemon, and caviar. The experience concludes, with a duo of desserts: Greek yoghurt ice cream and orange crème brûlée, offering a refreshing and indulgent finale.
The exclusive dinner experience with Chef Emanuele is priced at USD 195 plus taxes per person. For more information or to reserve, visit the Jumeirah Olhahali Island website here.
Drink
Cellar of quiet distinction: Vakkaru Reserve wins fifth Wine Spectator Award

At Vakkaru Maldives, wine isn’t merely served — it is curated, conversed with, and quietly revered. This has led to the resort’s European wine cellar, Vakkaru Reserve, being awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the fifth year — the only resort in the Maldives to have done so.
Vakkaru Reserve, an intimate, striking space at the heart of the island, houses 620 labels selected with care by Head Sommelier Retheesh Kakkareth Mohanan and Assistant Sommelier Vasantha Kumar Nadarajah. Some stars in the collection favour narrative as much as provenance: a Château Cheval Blanc Premier Grand Cru Classé A trio from 1983, 1985 and 1990; Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2009; Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blanc Brut 2002 and Château Pavie 1982, each one a vignette of a time and place, waiting to be uncorked.
“Our intention with Vakkaru Reserve has never been to impress with excess,” says Teddy Susanto Wiryawan, General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives. “Instead, it’s about assembling a collection that invites reflection, wines that linger in the mind as much as on the palate. This fifth award is not a milestone, but a reminder to keep listening to winemakers, regions, and the guests who come here seeking something they can’t find elsewhere.”
In a setting where time is allowed to stretch and the pace remains unhurried, the wine experience is naturally immersive. Vakkaru’s cellar hosts guided tastings, bespoke pairings, and a distinctive offering — a Wine & Chocolate Pairing Experience, where artisanal chocolates crafted in-house are paired with wine labels in unexpected harmony. Think Yuzu and Matcha Bonbon with Sauvignon Blanc, or an Espresso Bonbon set against a Tawny Port, delicious, deliberate acts of indulgence.
Vakkaru Reserve remains a quiet benchmark for those who appreciate depth over display. In this place of timelessness, let your wine journey stand less on ceremony, and more on memory and discovery.
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