Awards
Vakkaru Reserve achieves Wine Spectator award for record fourth time
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Once again celebrating its position as a beacon for sensorial luxury amidst the timeless beauty of the Indian Ocean, Vakkaru Maldives has announced its elegant wine cellar, Vakkaru Reserve, has been recognised by the prestigious Wine Spectator magazine with the Best of Award of Excellence for 2024.
Received for the fourth time, this accolade salutes the unwavering commitment of Vakkaru Reserve to creating immersive and educational experiences among its carefully curated collection. Covering more than 680 labels from 15 countries across the old and new worlds, Vakkaru Reserve cares for an extensive wine list featuring modern masterpieces beside rare vintages including the 1974 and 1985 Château Cheval Blanc, the 2002 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, and the 2002 Krug Clos du Mesnil.
A haven of delicious flavours housed in a distinguished wooden building just steps from the ocean, Vakkaru Reserve wine cellar accommodates intimate groups inside or on the candlelit terrace surrounded by gently swaying palms. Guided tastings, wine-paired degustation dinners, and sommelier-led matched menus are some of the exquisite occasions available to guests’ eager to enrich their island stay by embracing every precious sensation.
Enchanting wine evenings held at Vakkaru Reserve in 2024 include handcrafted five and six-course menus featuring Black Angus or Wagyu beef tenderloin complete with amuse bouchée, canapés, Champagne and a paired glass for every dish. After the meal, the terrace is for indulging in the cellar’s cigar collection under the glimmering stars.
Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator comments: “Restaurants that make wine a priority are what the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program is all about. I’m pleased to congratulate Vakkaru Reserve for their dedication to wine and exemplary wine lists.”
Head Sommelier Retheesh Mohanan says: “Since our opening in 2018, we have relished sharing the sensational pleasures of our wonderful wines alongside the intricate creations of our exceptional chefs in the sophisticated setting of Vakkaru Reserve. To have our achievements recognised by Wine Spectator for a fourth time is a source of pride only surpassed by the smiles we receive from each guest who steps through our doors.”
Vakkaru Reserve is one of eight sublime restaurants and bars waiting to be experienced within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll where the idyllic resort of Vakkaru Maldives is ringed with powder-soft white sands just a 30-minute seaplane flight from Male International Airport.
Awards
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi earns third Forbes five-star rating
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Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has once again secured the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Five-Star rating, marking its third consecutive year of recognition by the world’s only independent global rating system for luxury hospitality.
This accolade reinforces the resort’s reputation as a benchmark for unparalleled luxury, impeccable service and transformative guest experiences.
“This achievement is more than an award—it is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team, who continuously redefine what luxury hospitality means in the Maldives,” said TJ Joulak, general manager of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. “To be recognized for three consecutive years by Forbes Travel Guide reaffirms our promise to deliver an extraordinary level of service, ensuring that every moment spent at our resort is unforgettable.”
This highly coveted accolade underscores the resort’s unwavering commitment to elevating guest experiences, cementing its status among the world’s most luxurious destinations. The resort’s consistent excellence is further highlighted by its continued recognition for the third consecutive year, maintaining its place as a premier choice for discerning travellers.
The Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating is one of the industry’s most rigorous and respected distinctions, with properties evaluated against 900 exacting criteria that emphasise flawless service, exceptional facilities, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Only properties that demonstrate consistently extraordinary experiences earn a Five-Star rating.
Awards
Le Méridien Maldives Resort wins Indian Ocean’s Best Honeymoon Resort at UK Weddings & Honeymoons Awards 2025
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Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa has been named Best Honeymoon Resort in the Indian Ocean at the prestigious UK Weddings & Honeymoons Awards 2025, celebrating its dedication to creating unforgettable honeymoon experiences in one of the world’s most enchanting destinations.
Nestled in the pristine waters of the Lhaviyani Atoll on Thilamaafushi Island, Le Méridien Maldives is a sanctuary of romance where every moment is designed to celebrate love, discovery, and connection. From the moment honeymooners arrive, they are embraced by the resort’s barefoot elegance, where relaxation and adventure intertwine seamlessly. Surrounded by the serene Indian Ocean, this eco-conscious haven provides an idyllic escape for couples to connect, explore, and celebrate new beginnings.
Inspired by the European spirit of savouring the good life, Le Méridien Maldives harmonizes timeless sophistication with the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Maldives. Every detail is thoughtfully curated to create an intimate yet adventurous atmosphere, ensuring couples craft unforgettable memories from the moment they step onto the island.
At Le Méridien Maldives, dreams become reality. Couples can experience complete seclusion on Bodu Finolhu, the resort’s exclusive private island. Here, they can indulge in a candlelit picnic surrounded by untouched nature or enjoy a starlit dinner with the vast ocean as their backdrop. For those seeking the perfect spot to celebrate their love, Riviera Beach offers panoramic views and soft white sands, making it an unforgettable setting for a private romantic dinner.
The resort delivers moments of pure magic, from floating breakfasts in overwater villa infinity pools to cinematic nights under the stars. Perched above the turquoise waters, the overwater Explore Spa offers indulgent treatments that awaken the senses, inviting couples to unwind and reconnect through curated rituals that restore balance to the body and mind.
For a deeper connection to the environment, the house reef teems with vibrant marine life, including turtles, and shoals of tropical fish, offering breathtaking underwater encounters. Meanwhile, the adults-only pool and bar provide a tranquil escape, perfect for unwinding after days of shared adventure.
Dining at Le Méridien Maldives is a journey of discovery. Whether savouring a private Teppanyaki dinner at Tabemasu, or a Harvest Table experience showcasing ingredients fresh from the resort’s greenhouse, every meal is a celebration of flavour as memorable as the surroundings.
Beyond honeymoons, Le Méridien Maldives is an enchanting destination for weddings, proposals, and vow renewals. From secluded beach proposals to underwater vow exchanges, each celebration is infused with rich Maldivian culture, from rhythmic Boduberu drum performance to sunset cocktails overlooking the infinite horizon. The resort’s resident photographers capture every precious moment, transforming them into lifelong memories.
Spanning 22 acres of tropical beauty, Le Méridien Maldives features 134 thoughtfully designed beach and overwater villas, each serving as a private sanctuary for newlyweds. Here, honeymooners can linger longer, explore further, and immerse themselves in a playful yet sophisticated retreat crafted with love and connection in mind.
In celebration of the season of love, Le Méridien Maldives introduces the Romantique Honeymoon Package, designed to make every couple’s honeymoon as magical as their love story. The package includes a half-board dining plan, a three-course romantic beach dinner, a couple’s spa experience, a honeymoon photoshoot, romantic welcome amenities, and more. Available for bookings through May 28, 2025, with a minimum three-night stay, the package is valid for stays through December 31, 2025.
Awards
Forbes Travel Guide’s dual 5-star rating for One&Only Reethi Rah, One&Only Spa
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One&Only Reethi Rah, the all-villa private island resort, and the One&Only Spa have been awarded a dual 5-star rating by Forbes Travel Guide.
Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) is the world-renowned authority on excellence in hospitality, and while this is One&Only Reethi Rah’s fifth consecutive year earning a 5-star rating, this marks the One&Only Spa’s first year with a 5-star rating, as well as the first and only spa in the Maldives with a 5-star rating.
“We are so grateful to receive these coveted awards, which celebrate the hard work and commitment of our incredible colleagues, and we look forward to creating even more remarkable, one-off experiences for our guests,” says Jan B. Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah.
“Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Award winners exemplify excellence in hospitality,” says Amanda Frasier, President of Standards & Ratings for Forbes Travel Guide. “This year’s list continues to reflect the changing landscape of luxury with properties setting the standard for authentic experiences while offering unparalleled amenities, enhanced well-being and delivering unforgettable moments. We are thrilled to recognize their dedication to creating truly world-class travel options for today’s discerning guest.”
Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, One&Only Reethi Rah is an ultra-luxury, all-villa resort offering one-off experiences. Located in North Malé Atoll, with a total of 118 villas including beach villas, residences and water villas that are situated discreetly along the shoreline. Dining options are served at six diverse restaurants and bars, or privately in the villa. The spa offers a holistic programme of treatments. Club One is the hub for all things active at the resort, including the rock-climbing wall, two floodlit tennis courts, an Artist Studio and a water sports centre. Younger guests can enjoy that inspire creativity and imagination.
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