News
Island gastronomy: Exploring restaurant, bar experiences at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi

Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi, a Premium All-Inclusive resort, nestled in the North Malé Atoll, is not just a paradise for beach lovers and surf enthusiasts but also a culinary haven for food and drink lovers alike. The resort boasts five restaurants and four bars and offers a variety of dining experiences that celebrate both local and international flavours, creating a culinary journey for your taste buds.
Your culinary adventure begins at the Banyan Restaurant, where a wide array of dishes ranging from traditional Maldivian specialties to beloved western cuisines are served in a vibrant buffet style. The action kitchen, where chefs engage in live cooking, adds a dynamic touch to your dining experience, making every meal both a visual and gastronomic delight.
For a more refined dining experience, the Sunset Restaurant offers a breathtaking setting overlooking the island’s picturesque harbour. Here, you can savor an à la carte menu that features world-class delicacies from around the globe, making it the perfect venue for special occasions or a memorable evening meal. The restaurant serves a variety of sizzling dishes for dinner, including Lobster, Prawns, or Calamari, as well as a special Shark View Dinner. Ocean Villa residents enjoy exclusive access, while other guests can experience this culinary gem once during their stay.
The Indian Pavilion takes you on a flavourful journey through India’s vast and varied culinary landscape. Offering the best of North and South Indian cuisine, this restaurant brings together vibrant spices, aromatic flavours, and authentic preparation methods to create a dining experience that is both satisfying and memorable.
Lohis Wave adds another layer of flavour to the resort’s culinary offerings. Overlooking the Lohis surf break, one of the world’s premier left-hand surf points, and sheltered by coconut palms, this bar offers a serene setting where guests can watch surfers riding the waves during the season. Lohis Wave specialises in mouthwatering pizzas, perfect for a casual bite after a day of surfing or exploring the island whilst the Beach Grill serves up a variety of snacks, wraps, burgers, and salads during the day, making it a great spot for a light lunch. As the sun sets, the Beach Grill transforms into an evening venue offering a limited à la carte menu and snazzy cocktails, blending daytime relaxation with evening sophistication.
The Beach Grill Bar adds a casual yet vibrant touch to the island’s bar scene. During the day, it’s the perfect place to grab a quick snack, whether you are in the mood for wraps, burgers, or fresh salads. As the sun sets, it transforms into a lively evening destination, serving up an array of cocktails that perfectly complement the relaxed island vibes. It’s a great spot for winding down after a day of activities, offering a seamless blend of daytime relaxation and evening excitement.
For those who prefer poolside relaxation, Hiyala Bar is a must-visit. Located by the pool, it’s known for its invigorating cocktails and a wide selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The fresh breeze and laid-back atmosphere make it a perfect gathering spot for guests to socialize, share stories, and create lasting memories.
Meanwhile, Tiki Bar stands out as the resort’s hub of evening entertainment. With its vibrant energy and eclectic selection of signature cocktails and premium spirits, it comes alive with an electrifying DJ set, making it the ultimate venue for those looking to dance the night away under the stars. Together, these bars create a dynamic and diverse bar scene that enhances the overall guest experience at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi.
Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi is more than just a tropical getaway; it’s a destination where food and beverages are celebrated in every form. Whether you are indulging in a lavish buffet, savouring exquisite fine dining, exploring diverse Indian cuisine, or sipping expertly crafted cocktails at one of the resort’s vibrant bars, every moment is a celebration of taste and island beauty. The resort boasts an impressive selection of over 75 varieties of wines, an extensive range of premium spirits, a variety of cocktails including 10 Adaaran specialty cocktails, and a selection of mocktails. What’s more? Your room’s mini bar is thoughtfully stocked with cans of beer, fruit juices and soft drinks, chocolates, milk, all replenished daily.
Cooking
Flavours Unscripted: W Maldives welcomes Bali’s culinary masters

This October, W Maldives invites guests to an unforgettable culinary chapter as part of its Flavors Unscripted series — a two-night, six-hands collaboration bringing together three of Bali’s most sought-after chefs: Benjamin Cross of Mason and Bar Vera, Stephen Moore of Shelter, and Chris Smith of Red Gunpowder.
Taking place on 18th and 20th October 2025, this exclusive event welcomes each of the chef’s distinct culinary approaches to the Maldives, each united by their mastery of open-fire cooking, sustainable sourcing, and globally-inspired cuisine. The gathering forms part of W Maldives’ signature Dare to Taste programming: a platform that regularly convenes international culinary talent within the Indian Ocean setting, positioning the resort’s natural environment and local Maldivian ingredients as both stage and inspiration for their craft.
Unfolding across two of the resort’s signature restaurants, the six-hands experience begins at FIRE, the beachfront smokehouse renowned for bold, wood-fired cuisine, and concludes at FISH, the resort’s overwater destination dedicated to refined, ocean-to-table dining. Guests will experience an evolving menu of elemental dishes grounded in craftsmanship, place, and personality—a rare opportunity to witness three culinary perspectives over two immersive nights.
Benjamin Cross, originally from New South Wales, is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Mason and Bar Vera in Bali, and Culinary Director for Aqua Expeditions. Known for his Mediterranean-influenced, fire-led cooking and dedication to seasonality, Cross honed his approach through time at Can Fabes in Spain and Craft NYC, developing a philosophy that celebrates the marriage of technique and terroir.
Joining him is Stephen Moore, Culinary Director and Co-Owner of Shelter in Pererenan, whose culinary journey spans globally respected kitchens including El Celler de Can Roca, Aman properties in India, and several of Australia’s leading restaurants. His cooking brings structure and subtlety to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, creating dishes that are both refined and deeply soulful.
Completing the trio is Chris Smith, Executive Chef and Partner at Red Gunpowder and Culinary Director at 7AM Bakers Club, whose background in Michelin-starred restaurants in London and Paris informs a distinctive style that blends French technique with Indian spice and Balinese freshness. Together, they represent a new generation of Bali-based chefs reimagining regional cuisine with global intent, each bringing their own story to the table.
On 18th October, the first dinner at FIRE will take place under the stars with a menu designed around smoke, flame, and shared plates. Highlights include whole roast wagyu ribeye, smoked duck with green chilli chutney, and smoked banana split — all served against the backdrop of the resort’s natural beachfront. On 20th October, the focus shifts to seafood at FISH, with dishes such as line-caught fish pilpil with piquillo pepper, lobster risoni in tom yum butter, and inventive seafood preparations designed to reflect the surrounding waters of the Indian Ocean.
“This collaboration brings together everything I love about food — craftsmanship, connection and creativity — in one of the most stunning places in the world,” says Chef Benjamin Cross. “There’s so much synergy between the islands of Bali and the Maldives when it comes to respect for ingredients, sustainability, and storytelling through cuisine.”

Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, adds, “We’re proud to bring together such visionary talent from Bali’s thriving food scene for a unique culinary moment at W Maldives. This is more than a dining experience — it’s a celebration of place, personality and the unexpected.”
This collaboration is part of Flavors Unscripted, W Maldives’ platform for culinary expression where global tastemakers meet untamed island creativity and nothing is ever scripted. It is food without rules. Flavor without borders.
Tucked away in the heart of the North Ari Atoll and a 25-minute scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, W Maldives is a bold luxury escape featuring 77 private villas—each with a plunge pool and unobstructed access to the Indian Ocean. Following a recent design refresh, the resort seamlessly blends contemporary luxury with the island’s raw natural beauty.
Guests looking to stir things up in paradise can book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or contact reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Awards
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa named Best Resort for Sports & Fitness at TTM Awards

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has been named the “Best Resort for Sports & Fitness” at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards, further establishing its position as one of the Maldives’ leading destinations for wellness and activity-driven holidays.
Sports and Recreation on Land and Sea
Located on a naturally lush island in the north of the Maldives, the resort offers an extensive programme of sports and recreational experiences designed for both leisure and performance. Regular tennis and padel camps are hosted with international coaches, providing opportunities for both beginners and experienced players to develop their skills. Pickleball has also been introduced as part of the resort’s expanding range of racket sports.
Beyond the courts, guests have access to a variety of land-based fitness and wellness activities. Daily fitness classes, yoga sessions timed with sunrise and sunset, and a fully equipped gym overlooking tropical surroundings form part of the wellness offering. Facilities also include a five-hole putting green, a golf simulator, football, beach volleyball, badminton, table tennis, and foosball.
The resort’s double house reef is central to its marine-based activities, attracting snorkellers and divers with its rich coral and marine life. Water sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, and e-surfing add further options for adventure and relaxation.
Wellness and Spa Experiences
Hideaway Spa provides a sanctuary for recovery and rejuvenation after sport and activity. Surrounded by greenery, the spa offers a wide range of treatments inspired by nature, with Balinese and Ayurvedic therapies among the highlights. Yoga and meditation sessions, often held at sunset, complement the spa’s extensive menu of experiences and support the resort’s holistic approach to wellbeing.
Natural Environment and Lifestyle
The island’s unspoiled environment enhances the wellness journey, with powder-white beaches, lush vegetation, and clear reef waters creating a natural setting for relaxation and activity. Guests may explore the island by bicycle or on foot, with the scenery forming an integral part of the resort’s appeal.
Dining is another element of the Hideaway experience, with a diverse culinary offering across the resort’s restaurants and bars. The Signature Collection, the resort’s premium villa category, provides an elevated sense of privacy while granting guests full access to the resort’s sports, fitness, and wellness amenities.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa continues to expand its wellness and activity-led initiatives. From 18–21 September 2025, the resort will host the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2025 as part of World Wellness Weekend. The event will feature 5K, 10K, and Kids Dash races alongside a programme of yoga sessions, sound healing, fitness clinics, and evening celebrations, blending physical activity with relaxation.
By combining sports, wellness, natural beauty, and fine dining, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has positioned itself as a destination where active living and indulgence meet in harmony.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru weaves wellbeing into World Wellness Weekend celebrations

Angsana Velavaru is marking World Wellness Weekend with a series of holistic activities designed to support physical and mental wellbeing. From 19 to 21 September, the resort is hosting three days of complimentary sessions led by its in-house yoga instructor.
Each morning begins with aqua aerobics at the Kuredhi Pool, combining gentle resistance and the movement of water to awaken the body. On 20 September, attention shifts to an evening sunset yoga session, guiding participants through a flow of movement and breath as the sun sets over the island. The programme concludes on 21 September with sunrise yoga on the beach, a practice blending pranayama and ashtanga elements in the calm of dawn.
The resort’s wellness approach extends beyond the weekend, with a range of treatments available at the award-winning Angsana Spa. Therapists draw upon traditional Asian techniques to restore balance and energy, offering treatments such as body polishes, facials, and holistic massages with natural ingredients. Guests may also take part in personalised wellness rituals designed to nurture both body and mind.
Located in South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru integrates wellbeing into the island experience. From yoga and spa therapies to the tranquil pace of island life, the resort provides an environment where health and renewal are at the centre of the guest experience.
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