News
Discover magic of festive season with Soneva’s 2023 winter collection

Pioneering resort brand Soneva has announced its latest collection of exclusive, seasonal experiences for guests at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives and Soneva Kiri in Thailand. Setting the scene for unforgettable memories, the Winter Collection features curated feasts from Michelin-starred chefs, bespoke treatments by world-renowned wellness specialists and an exciting children’s holiday programme that includes training sessions with sporting legend Fernando Torres, amongst others.
In true Soneva tradition, guests can expect dazzling Christmas celebrations complemented by rare experiences, designed to enthral all season long at Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri. The iconic New Year’s Eve Journey around each resort will see out the year with sumptuous dining, live music and unforgettable entertainment.
To help guests reconnect mind, body and soul, Soneva is championing health and wellness this season. From December 21 to 29, 2023, football icon Fernando Torres will be hosting coaching sessions with Young Sonevians at Soneva Jani. Throughout winter in the Maldives, guests can also experience training workshops with visiting tennis legends Daniil Medvedev, Kiki Bertens, and Paul Haarhuis; transformative treatments with renowned osteopath Hortensia Corredoira; and fast-paced workshops with international freestyling sensations Marcel Gurk and Igor Oleyink.
Celebrated British sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston – the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world – is also setting course for Soneva Fushi to host exclusive sailing lessons aboard the 23-metre Soneva in Aqua from November 23 to December 1, 2023. In addition, sailing enthusiasts and ocean lovers alike can set sail to the Maldives’ most picturesque islands with the multi-day Island Hopper charter and visit the manta rays of Hanifaru Bay, kayak amid bioluminescent bloom or explore pristine lagoons at leisure.
An array of fine, festive dining highlights will see creative culinary journeys hosted by some of the world’s best chefs throughout winter, including Tim Raue who is bringing Berlin’s two Michelin-starred Restaurant Tim Raue to Soneva Fushi for an exclusive residency at Flying Sauces. There will also be special menus from celebrated chefs Ricky Saward, Timothy Bilton and Maria José San Román, alongside winter cocktails and ice cream creations inspired by seasonal flavours and local ingredients.
Young Sonevians can explore fun-packed daily programmes full of seasonal cheer at The Den, in addition to journeying through the galaxy with planetary scientist Dr Ryuki Hyodo and astrophysicist Sarafina Nance, exciting watersports, learn-to-swim sessions with Olympic swimmer Therese Alshammar, and inspiring activities with British academic mentoring firm Oppidan Education.
Cooking
Exquisite culinary journey awaits at Cinnamon Velifushi’s Marlin

Newly reopened with a refreshed spirit and a refined culinary direction, Marlin at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives invites guests to rediscover one of the island’s most intimate dining experiences. Perched along the shoreline with uninterrupted views of the horizon, the restaurant pairs inspired new dishes and elevated service with a setting that’s nothing short of magical. As the sun melts into the sea, casting golden reflections across the water, each evening at Marlin unfolds like a private performance.
With fewer than ten tables, the atmosphere at Marlin is intentionally intimate. The open-air space is designed to foster quiet moments and meaningful conversation, with the lapping waves and amber skies creating a serene backdrop. Whether it’s a romantic evening or a private celebration, Marlin delivers a sense of exclusivity that few can match.

The culinary journey begins with an irresistible selection of starters. One of the most memorable is the Half a Dozen Debay Oysters, a showpiece of flavour and texture where each oyster is prepared with its own bold twist. Next, the Tom Yum Talay, a Thai seafood soup revered across Southeast Asia, arrives with its intoxicating aroma. Crafted with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, Thai chillies, and plump shrimp, the broth is simmered gently to draw out each layer of flavour, then finished with a swirl of coconut milk that softens the spice without losing the complexity.

For the main course, the spotlight often falls on the curried lobster, a house favourite that encapsulates the essence of island indulgence. Fresh lobster is gently simmered in a Maldivian-spiced cream, enriched with subtle hints of coconut milk, lending the dish a silky finish and a depth of flavour that balances spice, sweetness, and brine in every bite. Seafood lovers will also appreciate the array of options including crab, tiger prawns, and reef fish, while those craving fire-kissed perfection can opt for selections from the grill: Salmon steak, Barramundi fish fillet, or the Australian Wagyu beef tenderloin, prized for its melt-in-the-mouth marbling. The Mulwarra lamb rack chops are another standout, cooked to tender perfection and accompanied by seasonal vegetables and rich jus.
One of the most noticeable enhancements since the reopening is Marlin’s wine programme. The expanded cellar features a carefully curated list of vintages selected to complement the bold flavours of the new menu. The Chardonnay bring freshness to seafood dishes, while Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon offer warmth and depth to grilled meats. The staff, now trained with an even keener focus on wine pairings, are on hand to guide guests through the list, ensuring each bottle adds to the occasion.

“Dining at Marlin is about curating moments that linger,” says Sanjeeva Perera, General Manager of Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives. “From the way the light plays on the waves to the layered flavours on each plate, everything comes together to offer our guests an experience that’s deeply personal and profoundly memorable.”
Whether you’re toasting to a special occasion or simply savouring the present, Marlin invites you to slow down, take it all in, and enjoy one of the Maldives’ most captivating sunset views served with a side of culinary artistry.
Featured
Summer Island Maldives named among top 10% of hotels worldwide by TripAdvisor

Summer Island Maldives has been recognised as one of the top travel destinations globally, having received the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2024. This accolade places the resort among the top 10% of hotels worldwide, based on exceptional traveller reviews and ratings collected over the past year.
Located just 45 minutes by speedboat or a short seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, Summer Island Maldives offers an idyllic barefoot beach retreat. The resort is known for its personalised service, commitment to sustainability, and relaxed luxury, consistently appealing to travellers from around the world.
Mariya Shareef, Chief Operations Officer of Kaimoo Travels and Hotel Services, expressed appreciation for the recognition, noting that the award reflects the dedication and passion of the entire team, who work diligently to deliver memorable experiences. She highlighted that the honour is especially meaningful as it is based on genuine guest feedback.
A popular choice for honeymooners and returning guests, the resort features two restaurants, three bars, and a variety of curated experiences, including private sandbank picnics and sunset sailboat cruises. Summer Island Maldives is also widely praised for its strong sustainability practices, such as eliminating single-use plastics, integrating renewable energy solutions, adopting eco-friendly mosquito control methods, and creating the world’s largest 3D-printed coral reef—an initiative recognised by the Guinness World Records.
The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards celebrate excellence in hospitality, with winners selected based on consistently high ratings across key categories such as service, value, cleanliness, and location.
This recent recognition joins a growing list of accolades for Summer Island Maldives, including TUI’s Global Hotel Quality Award for 2024 and 2025, as well as the Leading Eco-Friendly Resort Award at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) in 2023.
Featured
Tripadvisor honours Constance Moofushi among Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Asia

Constance Moofushi in the Maldives has been recognised as one of Asia’s premier luxury destinations, earning the 11th spot in the Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Asia category at the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025. This accolade highlights the resort’s dedication to delivering authentic and unforgettable luxury experiences in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Situated on a private island, Constance Moofushi combines barefoot chic with exceptional service, offering guests a unique blend of natural beauty and refined comfort. The recognition reflects not only the resort’s appeal but also the consistently high level of guest satisfaction that has become synonymous with the Constance brand.
Part of the esteemed Constance Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Constance Moofushi contributes to the group’s widespread acclaim, with all properties ranked among the Top 10% of Hotels Worldwide by Tripadvisor. These honours underscore the group’s unwavering commitment to quality across its locations in the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, and Madagascar.
The Travelers’ Choice Awards are especially meaningful as they are based entirely on genuine guest reviews and ratings from travellers around the globe. The recognition of Constance Moofushi stands as a testament to the resort’s ongoing pursuit of excellence and its embodiment of the Constance philosophy: ‘True by Nature.’
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