News
Discover unmatched luxury: Soneva’s Winter Collection brings culinary stars, astronomical wonders, and elite sports coaching
Soneva, a trailblazer in luxury hospitality, has introduced its Winter Collection of exclusive experiences in the Maldives and Thailand. Focused on a spirit of discovery, the collection allows guests to enjoy gourmet dining from Michelin-starred chefs, explore the cosmos with acclaimed astronomers, gain insights from renowned sports figures, and delve into profound wellness experiences with leading practitioners.
In the Maldives and Thailand, the dynamic Soneva Stars programme ensures that each stay is unique. This winter, a roster of award-winning chefs will offer a range of culinary experiences and special menus. Among the featured chefs are Carolina Bazán, one of Latin America’s top female chefs and owner of Ambrosia and Bistro Ambrosia in Santiago; Tim Raue, a prominent German chef who leads his eponymous two Michelin-starred restaurant in Berlin; Adam Dahlberg and Albin Wessman, the chef duo behind Stockholm’s Michelin-starred Adam/Albin; Sascha Stemberg, head chef at Michelin-starred Haus Stemberg; Paolo Casanova, chef at Michelin-starred Colani; Korean-American chefs and entrepreneurs Judy Joo and Esther Choi; Marcel Skibba, head chef of the three Michelin-starred Schloss Schauenstein and No.26 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list; British food writer and chef Ravinder Bhogal; Indian chef and consultant Ajay Chopra; Indian chef and television host Vicky Ratnani; award-winning food writer and author Chetna Makan; Chantelle Nicholson, chef and founder of the Michelin Green Star restaurant Apricity; Søren Ørbek Ledet, wine director, general manager, and co-owner of the Michelin-starred Geranium; Kevin Diedrich, owner and bartender at San Francisco’s Pacific Cocktail Haven; and Charles Duval-Leroy, champagne producer at the family-owned Maison Duval-Leroy.
Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in sessions with astronomers Petr Horálek and Armin Kleinböhl, as well as wellness experts Eduardo Sierra and Numthip Puntha. Sports enthusiasts can benefit from coaching by Olympic swimmers Therese Alshammar and Johan Wallberg, tennis players Agnieszka Radwańska, Garbiñe Muguruza, Jacco Eltingh, and Daria Sergeyevna, and football stars Peter Crouch, Graeme Le Saux, Michael Ballack, and freestyler Marcel Gurk.
Beyond interacting with these stars, guests can continue their exploration. At Soneva Fushi, highlights include customised in-villa wellness treatments, themed dining experiences at the Maldives’ first glass studio, and an exclusive residency by Korean chef Jun Lee from the two-Michelin-starred restaurant SOIGNÉ at Flying Sauces. In the Noonu Atoll, Soneva Jani introduces new Floating Kitchen journeys, truffle menus, and mobile cocktail tuk-tuks. Soneva Secret 2024 in the Makunudhoo Atoll offers a fully personalised winter stay with cosmic feasts under the stars, local craft excursions, and rare caviar and cheese experiences. Soneva Kiri in Thailand provides spectacular natural moments with visits to nearby rainforests, national parks, and secluded beaches. Each of Soneva’s island resorts will also feature festive celebrations and visits from Santa, culminating in a signature New Year’s Eve Journey with sumptuous dining, live music, and unforgettable entertainment.
This December, friends and family can celebrate the holidays at Soneva with The Residences. This elevated concept, featuring villas ranging from three to nine bedrooms, includes the services of a dedicated Villa Manager and Villa Attendant available around the clock, a private chef on call, and dedicated buggy service. Soneva’s Residences also offer complimentary services such as personalised dining, Soneva Soul wellness treatments, fitness and movement classes, and tennis coaching. Children and teenagers can enjoy daily programs at The Den, along with exciting watersports, wellness sessions at Soneva Soul, and island activities with British academic mentoring firm Oppidan Education.
Cooking
Michelin-starred Chef Jaume collaborates with One&Only Reethi Rah’s TAPASAKE for four-hands dinner
TAPASAKE Maldives, the destination dining restaurant set in the private island of One&Only Reethi Rah, will be welcoming Michelin-starred Chef Jaume to serve an exclusive four-hands dinner at the iconic overwater restaurant alongside their resident Chef Ahmed Jameel.
The first of its kind since the inception of One&Only Reethi Rah, TAPASAKE Maldives features breathtaking ocean views, bold contemporary design, and dining experiences 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 collaboration features the authentic and sophisticated artistry of Chef Jaume, originally from Mallorca and Head Chef of Béns d’Avall in Sóller, Spain, awarded one Michelin star since 2021 and a Michelin Green Star in 2023. Chef Jaume’s cuisine is deeply rooted in family tradition, cultural heritage, and the Mallorcan landscapes, and with his meticulous eye for detail and instinctive sense of harmony, Chef Jaume transforms local, seasonal produce into refined compositions that evoke memory, place, and authenticity. Chef Jaume will be collaborating with the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Ahmed Jameel, a native of the Maldives whose culinary work is founded in balancing both traditional and contemporary Japanese techniques.

Set against the soothing backdrop of the azure Indian Ocean, the Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptionally curated menu celebrating Chef Jaume and Chef Jameel’s quiet artistry, refined technique, and harmonious blend of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines, with each dish shaped to honour the purity of ingredients and the emotional power of flavour.
“We are excited to collaborate with Chef Jaume on this exclusive dining experience,” says Jan B. Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah. “Paired with Chef Jameel’s refined techniques and Chef Jaume’s sophisticated creativity and philosophy grounded in a deep respect for nature, this Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptional evening to celebrate the fusion of soulful cuisine against the spectacular backdrop of the Maldives.”
The dinner will be held exclusively on 18 February at TAPASAKE Maldives, which will be open from 7.30pm 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
Strong demand sees Kandooma Maldives 2026 concert series selling out early
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, in partnership with Music in Paradise, has confirmed an exceptional line-up of internationally acclaimed Australian artists for its 2026 concert series. With demand already soaring, several events are now sold out or close to capacity, reaffirming Kandooma’s reputation as one of the world’s most intimate and exclusive live-music destinations.
The Cat Empire | 17–24 May 2026 – Almost Sold Out
The multi-award-winning jazz-funk phenomenon will bring their infectious energy and global sound to Kandooma for three sunset beach concerts. Fusing jazz, funk, ska, Latin and reggae, The Cat Empire are renowned for high-octane live performances and feel-good rhythms. Only six Beach Houses (from A$4,550++ per person twin share) remain available for this week. Please visit here.
Missy Higgins | 13–20 June 2026 – Limited Availability
Following her hugely successful 2025 debut at Kandooma, Missy Higgins returns to the Maldives after declaring she had “unfinished business” in paradise. The beloved singer-songwriter will perform three exclusive sunset concerts across the resort’s beachfront and rooftop venues, complemented by intimate meet-and-greet moments. Overwater Villas and Two-Bedroom Beach Houses are now sold out. 7-night packages start at A$4,490++ per person, twin share. Please visit here.
SOLD OUT – ICEHOUSE | 5–12 September 2026
One of Australia’s most iconic bands, ICEHOUSE will perform two unforgettable sunset beach concerts on Kandooma’s private island, limited to just 250 guests. Frontman and creative visionary Iva Davies will also host a special fan Q&A, creating a rare opportunity for music lovers to connect up close with a true legend. This week-long tropical celebration is now completely sold out.
Kate Miller-Heidke | 3–10 October 2026
Renowned for her soaring vocals and captivating stage presence, Kate Miller-Heidke brings her extraordinary talent to Kandooma for an exclusive island residency. A classically trained vocalist and one of Australia’s most distinctive performers, Kate moves seamlessly between pop, folk and opera. From composing Muriel’s Wedding The Musical and the award-winning opera The Rabbits, to representing Australia at Eurovision and coaching on The Voice Australia, her performances promise emotional depth and musical brilliance in an unforgettable setting. 7-night stays start from A$3,450 per person, twin share.
“We’re incredibly excited by this year’s line-up, with each artist bringing something truly distinctive and appealing to different audiences,” said Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing & Sustainability, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
“The response to our 2026 concerts has been phenomenal, and it’s easy to see why. These are not traditional concerts, they are highly exclusive island residencies that blend music, travel and once-in-a-lifetime moments, which is exactly what today’s travellers are seeking,”
A hallmark of a Music in Paradise organised event at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is its unrivalled intimacy. Each concert week is strictly capped at approximately 250 guests, with performances staged across spectacular island venues including the Surf Beach, Main Beach and the resort’s iconic rooftop Sunset Bar. Every event spans several days and features multiple performances, special artist interactions and curated island experiences.
Located in the South Malé Atoll, just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a tropical island paradise renowned for its white, sandy beaches, turquoise lagoon and world-class diving and surfing. Accommodation ranges from Garden and Beach Villas to two-storey Beach Houses and Overwater Villas. Families are welcomed with the Kandoo Kids’ Club and a full activities programme, while six dining venues and the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala complete the experience.
The exclusive concert weeks are available only to guests who book through Music in Paradise. For bookings and full programme details, please visit here.
Awards
Atmosphere Core earns triple honours at Layalina Editor’s Choice Awards
Atmosphere Core concluded 2025 with a strong industry showing, securing three major honours at the Layalina Editor’s Choice Awards 2025 for RAAYA by Atmosphere, Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives and OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi. The accolades underscore the group’s ability to deliver clearly differentiated resort concepts for diverse traveller profiles, while maintaining a consistent emphasis on quality, comfort and guest satisfaction across its portfolio.
At the awards, RAAYA by Atmosphere was named Best New Luxury Resort of the Year – Maldives. Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives received the title of Best All-Inclusive Luxury Resort, while OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi was recognised as Most Stylish Resort – Maldives. The honours are based on Layalina’s independent editorial assessment and established quality benchmarks, celebrating excellence across luxury hospitality, all-inclusive offerings and lifestyle-led design. Layalina is a leading Arab lifestyle publication under 7awi Media Group, with a strong readership and influence across the GCC and wider region.
Collectively, the awards highlight Atmosphere Core’s understanding of evolving travel expectations, delivering experiences that are thoughtful, well-crafted and easy to enjoy, whether guests are seeking tranquillity, variety or social energy.
Each of the recognised resorts brings a distinct identity to the group’s Maldivian portfolio. RAAYA by Atmosphere, located in the Raa Atoll, is defined by its serene environment and castaway-artist concept, encouraging guests to slow down and reconnect through nature, creativity and adventure. Atmosphere Kanifushi continues to stand out for its scale and consistency, offering a generous all-inclusive experience through the Kanifushi Plan™, expansive villas and a long, natural island setting that appeals to both families and couples. In contrast, OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi delivers a more dynamic island escape, characterised by contemporary design and a lively social atmosphere that resonates with travellers drawn to shared spaces, movement and modern aesthetics. Together, the accolades reflect a carefully curated portfolio designed to cater to a wide spectrum of travel moods and preferences.
Commenting on the achievement, Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer of Atmosphere Core, said the group was honoured to receive the Layalina Editor’s Choice Awards 2025, recognising the three resorts across distinct categories. He noted that the recognition reflects the company’s carefully curated experiences, shaped by a strong sense of product, space and genuine care, and credited the passion and commitment of the teams, as well as the continued trust of guests, for the achievement.
Central to these successes is Atmosphere Core’s philosophy of the Joy of Giving, which positions hospitality around care, generosity and attention to detail. This approach informs destinations that feel closely connected to their natural surroundings and supports bespoke experiences that anticipate guest needs. The result, the group says, is a style of hospitality that is welcoming, effortless and personal, creating meaningful moments that endure beyond the stay itself.
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