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Discover Romance in Paradise: Hurawalhi Island Resort Unveils Unforgettable Wedding & Honeymoon Experiences

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Nestled within the tranquil beauty of the Maldives’ Lhaviyani Atoll, Hurawalhi Island Resort  beckons couples to embark on a journey of romance and luxury like no other. Hurawalhi Island is thrilled  to unveil their exclusive wedding and Honeymoon packages, meticulously crafted to transform  dreams into unforgettable moments amidst breathtaking landscapes and unparalleled  opulence. 

Unforgettable Proposals and Unique Experiences: Make your proposal truly unforgettable  with special setups at the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, where divers can pop the question on the  other side of the glass. Explore other unique proposal arrangements during destination dining  experiences, ensuring your love story begins with a touch of magic. 

Picture-perfect Wedding Venues: Imagine exchanging vows at one of Hurawalhi’s  picturesque wedding locations, where each setting offers a tropical canvas for a ceremony  you’ll cherish forever. Feel the soft sand beneath your feet as you declare your love during a  traditional Maldivian Beach wedding, creating memories to cherish for a lifetime. 

For those seeking an intimate affair, Hurawalhi’s Dream Island provides the perfect backdrop.  Stroll barefoot down the petal-strewn isle on the atoll’s most picturesque sandbank, enveloped  by crystal-clear waters and gentle sea breezes. 

For a truly magical experience, tie the knot at the Champagne Pavilion, Hurawalhi’s prime  sunset-watching spot. Bask in the golden hues of the setting sun as you pledge your love  amidst the serene beauty of the island and its surroundings. 

Unforgettable Wedding Experiences: Elevate your wedding to extraordinary heights with a  ceremony at the renowned 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. Choose from morning, midday, or  evening ceremonies, and exchange vows surrounded by the mesmerizing underwater world,  creating memories that will last a lifetime. 

Alternatively, embark on a romantic voyage aboard Hurawalhi’s Luxury Yacht, where you can  say “I do” against the backdrop of a crimson sunset over the horizon. Whether you opt for a  Half Day or Full Day Yacht Rental, the ocean provides the perfect setting for your love story to unfold.

Luxurious Inclusions and Optional Add-ons: Indulge in a myriad of inclusive amenities,  including ceremonial set up, floral bouquet for the bride, buttonhole for the groom, romantic  villa turndown, Hurawalhi wedding certificate, wedding plaque, and the rhythmic beats of  Boduberu drummers. Toast to your love with a bottle of champagne and savor the sweetness  of a decadent wedding cake. 

Enhance your experience with optional add-ons such as bridal make-up and hair, intimate  candlelight dinners, rejuvenating massage packages, professional photography services, and  exciting excursions to explore the wonders of the Maldives. 

Welcoming Honeymoon Guests: At the enchanting Hurawalhi Island Resort, the  honeymoon unfolds with the captivating melodies of Boduberu performers and a delightful  welcome drink to set the mood. As honeymooners step into their villa, they are greeted with  the indulgence of half a bottle of Taittinger champagne and tantalizing canapés, beckoning  them into a world of romance and luxury. The honeymoon bed, adorned with care, promises  nights of blissful serenity under the Maldivian stars. To commemorate their love story, a  personalized card and a charming honeymoon T-shirt await the couple on their second day,  creating moments of pure enchantment throughout their stay. 

At Hurawalhi Island Resort, we invite you to embark on a journey of love, luxury, and  unparalleled beauty. Create timeless memories as you begin your happily ever after in one  of the world’s most enchanting destinations. 

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Consistently awarded, beyond compare: Machchafushi Island Resort’s house reef

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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.

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Jumeirah Olhahali Island welcomes Shimmers’ Chef Emanuele for exclusive culinary residency this July

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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.

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Cellar of quiet distinction: Vakkaru Reserve wins fifth Wine Spectator Award

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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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