News
Ifuru Island Maldives unveils private retreat offers
All beach, all sunset, all-inclusive luxury resort Ifuru Island Maldives, located in the beautiful Raa Atoll, is elevating group celebrations with its collection of ‘Retreats’ and ‘Villages’ – carefully arranged coteries of accommodation that can be booked privately for groups of up to 96, creating exclusive resort-within-resort experiences that balance sociability and seclusion.
From villa Villages to suite Retreats, the island resort offers a range of private accommodation options for groups – ideal for milestone celebrations, destination weddings and group escapes. Ensuring guests can make the most of their island retreat, Ifuru Island Maldives offers a dedicated event manager to co-ordinate an exclusive daily itinerary of activities and culinary experiences.
What’s more, with the resort’s exceptional Exclusively Yours Summer Offer, guests can enjoy up to 50 per cent off Suites and Villas, and as an extra family bonus, those booking a seven-night or more stay in a Sunset Beach Suite or Sunset Sky Suite for two adults and two children can enjoy an interconnecting room for free. You will love the extra space for everyone to have more fun.
Ideal for family escapes and gatherings of friends, each of Ifuru Island Maldives’ seven ‘Villages’ comprises five one-bedroom villas, which together create an intimate enclave for up to 15 people. Carefully arranged and enveloped by lush foliage, the villa terraces provide privacy for individual guests, before opening up into communal spaces that offer direct beach access, seamlessly blending privacy with opportunities for sociability.
Larger groups can make the most of the island’s three ‘Retreats’, each comprising 20 Sunset Beach and Sunset Sky Suites to create a secluded escape for up to 60 people. Each Retreat’s five pavilions, encompassing two suites on the ground floor and two on the first floor, form an elegant crescent around a shared sunken social lounge. Lush greenery provides natural privacy from the rest of the resort, yet still allows for sunset views and direct access to the beach.
With fresh, complimentary cocktails – provided daily in the Suites’ mini-bars – in hand, groups can gather around the firepit in their very own sunken lounge for a private evening soiree – or for an extra special evening together, enjoy a private beachside BBQ by Ifuru Island’s talented culinary team. Reef Retreat for up to 96 guest and the Ocean Retreat , Island Retreat and the Seaside Retreat all taking up to 60 adults .
Larger groups of up to 96 people can choose from either the Island Retreat, which comprises 32 Suites; or the Palm Cove Retreat, which combines three stunning Two-Bedroom Villas with Pool and eight Suites to create a uniquely versatile group getaway.
Located at the tip of the resort’s 1.2km beach, with easy access to the Beach Club, guests at the Palm Cove Retreat can enjoy their own private stretch of white sands, complete with sunbeds and terraces, and the three private pools that accompany their Villas.
As well as its custom-configured group accommodation options, Ifuru Island Maldives’ own private island airport and independent domestic transfer service, elevates exclusivity to the next level. As guests touchdown on the island’s runway, they’ll be promptly welcomed by the resort’s team and escorted on the resort’s signature pink buggies to the Friendship Centre for check-in and a welcome beverage, whilst luggage is swiftly delivered to their room.
As well as the six premium dining options included in the resort’s ‘Exclusively Yours’ all-inclusive concept, groups can celebrate with private culinary experiences, including beach BBQs, destination dining and exclusive bookings of The Waterfront signature restaurant.
For those staying seven nights or more and looking to embark on a journey of matrimonial bliss whilst at the resort, Ifuru Island Maldives offers free wedding ceremonies, complete with one-tier wedding cake, bridal bouquet, personalised wedding signage and more. Betrothed couples can enjoy a private ceremony at the island’s Secret Spot, a secluded location on the pristine white sand beaches, under an elegant white arch, before enjoying a romantic three-course dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant, with romantic views of the water and setting sun.
General Manager and Island Vibe Boss, Rochelle Kilgariff, expressed her enthusiasm by saying, “The Maldives is the ultimate multi-generational holiday destination for all your friends and family or corporate group reward trip. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy healthy, quality time together, and it’s now more affordable than ever. The magic and memories created in the Maldives are truly timeless and will last a lifetime.”
Cooking
TAPASAKE Maldives marks first anniversary with Luca Cinalli guest mixology night
TAPASAKE Maldives, the destination restaurant set in the private island of One&Only Reethi Rah, will be welcoming internationally renowned mixologist Luca Cinalli to celebrate its 1 Year Anniversary with an exclusive dining experience. On 20th December, Cinalli joins the restaurant’s resident Chef Ahmed Jameel for an immersive cocktail experience, elevated by a one-night five-course anniversary menu.
The first of its kind since the inception of One&Only Reethi Rah, TAPASAKE Maldives re-opened on 20th December 2024 and features breathtaking ocean views, bold contemporary design, and dining experiences and a beverage program that unite the precision of Japan and the soul of the Mediterranean in a flowing exchange of flavour, texture, and culture. In addition to the original restaurant in the Maldives, TAPASAKE also operates in Dubai, Mauritius, and Montenegro.
The exclusive event features the creativity of Luca Cinalli, originally from Lanciano, a small fishing town in Italy, and now globally acclaimed for his work with The World’s 50 Best Bars, including Nightjar and Oriole in London. Guests can experience his inventive and masterful flavours, honed by over 20 years of experience in the hospitality, food and beverage, and bar industries. Cinalli will be collaborating with the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Ahmed Jameel, a native of the Maldives whose culinary work is rooted in balancing both traditional and contemporary Japanese techniques.

Set against the soothing vistas of the azure Indian Ocean, the exclusive cocktail pairing is the leading attraction of the evening’s anniversary celebrations, where expertly paired signature cocktails curated by Cinalli and the TAPASAKE team pair beautifully with dishes like Black Cod Medallion and Sakura Tea-Smoked Wagyu Short Rib. Each cocktail draws inspiration from different elements of TAPASAKE – from its diverse culinary influences and contemporary overwater design to the iconic golden sunsets that have become synonymous with the restaurant. Wave Kiss, for example, is reminiscent of watching waves break over the reef, recreated as an umami-rich liquid foam. TAPASAKE Chocolate, on the other hand, bridges the sweet yet distinctive palates of Japan, the Mediterranean, and the Maldives, blending sake chocolate liqueur and pistachio.
“We are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with Luca Cinalli at TAPASAKE Maldives,” says Jan B. Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah. “With Luca’s creative flair influenced by his years working with The World’s 50 Best Bars paired with our team’s unrivalled service and deep connection with the island, this evening promises a truly special celebration of a remarkable first year.”
The dinner will be held exclusively on 20 December at TAPASAKE Maldives, which will be open from 7.00pm to 10.30pm.
For pre-bookings and more information, please email guest.information@oneandonlyreethirah.com or call +960 664 8800. For more information about the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com.
Entertainment
Award-winning singer Nicole Scherzinger to appear at One&Only Reethi Rah’s New Year’s Eve celebrations
One&Only Reethi Rah, the all-villa resort in the Maldives, has announced the international star and award-winning singer Nicole Scherzinger will make an exclusive live appearance during the resort’s iconic New Year’s Eve celebrations, welcoming guests into 2026 with a special musical performance as part of the countdown.
Renowned for her magnetic stage presence and powerhouse vocals, Nicole Scherzinger originally rose to fame as a member of one of the best-selling female groups of all time, the Pussycat Dolls, before pursuing her career as a solo musician, a judge on various television shows, and a stage actress in theatrical work such as in Cats and Sunset Boulevard. Throughout her career, Scherzinger has received numerous nominations and awards, including the 2024 Laurence Olivier Award and the 2025 Tony Award, both for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Sunset Boulevard.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the resort’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations take place on 31st December 2025 at the Believe Ball, the Festive program’s main event featuring a refined beachside cocktail reception before unfolding into a joyous evening of epicurean discovery and thrilling entertainment. As the year draws to a close, Scherzinger will take the stage for a highlight live performance as part of the countdown, bringing the New Year’s celebrations to new heights with glamour, energy, and musical prowess.
“We are thrilled and honoured to welcome Nicole Scherzinger to One&Only Reethi Rah for our New Year’s Eve celebrations,” said Jan Tibaldi, General Manager of the resort. “Her global appeal, extraordinary talent, and dynamic energy make her the perfect artist to be part of our most iconic evening of the year, setting the scene for a remarkable welcome to 2026.”
The Festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah invites guests to embrace the spirit of the season with this year’s theme of Believe, centered on celebrating the joy, wonder, and magic of the holidays. From Christmas family traditions and world-class culinary experiences to quiet moments of deep wellbeing and exciting sports tournaments, the resort’s Festive program promises an array of unforgettable moments designed to delight guests of all ages and interests. Scherzinger’s special live appearance will be the highlight of the program, culminating with an exciting countdown to welcome the New Year.
The Festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah commences on 20th December 2025 with the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony & Cocktail and ends on 13th January 2026 with the Orthodox New Year Gala Dinner.
Reservations and pre-bookings are recommended for most of the Festive events. For inquiries and bookings, please contact the VIP Services team at reethirah.festive@oneandonlyreethirah.com. For bookings, please call +960 664 8800 or contact the Reservations team at reservations@oneandonlyreethirah.com.
Cooking
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort welcomes Chef Renzi Gianluca for Tastemaker series collaboration
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues its celebrated Tastemaker Series with an exclusive culinary collaboration featuring acclaimed Italian Chef Renzi Gianluca. Taking place across three days, the immersive experience invites guests to discover Chef Gianluca’s contemporary interpretation of Italian gastronomy through thoughtfully curated dining moments and an interactive masterclass.
The collaboration will be highlighted by two intimate guest dinners on 21 January 2026 and 23 January 2026, where Chef Gianluca will present a bespoke menu inspired by his culinary heritage, seasonal ingredients, and refined technique. On 22 January 2026, guests are invited to deepen their appreciation of Italian cuisine during an exclusive masterclass led by the chef, offering insight into his creative philosophy and signature approach.
Set on a private island in the Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is renowned for its striking architecture, secluded villas, and exceptional dining experiences. The resort is home to a diverse culinary portfolio, including Alba, its signature Italian restaurant; Orientale, celebrating Asian flavours; the overwater Whale Bar; and Cargo, a destination for Indian Ocean-inspired cuisine under the stars. Each venue reflects the brand’s commitment to refined craftsmanship, immersive storytelling, and memorable moments at the table.
Chef Renzi Gianluca’s residency builds upon the resort’s ongoing Tastemaker Series, which has recently welcomed distinguished culinary talents such as Chef Gregory Doyen, Chef Alexander Herrmann, and Chef Jolly. These collaborations underscore The St. Regis Maldives’ position as a leading epicurean destination, offering guests rare access to globally celebrated chefs and elevated gastronomic experiences in an extraordinary setting.
With its seamless blend of luxury, culture, and culinary artistry, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues to redefine destination dining in the Indian Ocean.
For more information and details, please visit www.stregismaldives.com.
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