Featured
Indulge in exquisite Indian cuisine with Chef Shipra Khanna at JW Marriott Maldives
As the Festival of Lights approaches, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa—a luxurious destination for all generations—has announced an exciting collaboration with acclaimed Chef Shipra Khanna, the winner of MasterChef India. This year’s Diwali celebrations promise to be a sensory delight, featuring an extraordinary culinary experience at the resort on October 12 and 13, 2024.
Chef Shipra is an award-winning chef, author, and television personality, celebrated for her innovative approach to Indian cuisine, which seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. At JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, she will craft exclusive menus that highlight locally sourced ingredients from the JW Garden, ensuring each dish bursts with vibrant flavours and reflects the resort’s commitment to sustainability.
On October 12, Chef Shipra will present “The Art of Indian Cuisine” through a six-course wine-pairing dinner at RIHA, an enchanting outdoor dining venue featuring a sunken Tandoor & Tawa. Guests will embark on a culinary journey amidst stunning views of the horizon and sunset. Each course will be thoughtfully paired with exquisite wines, creating a harmonious balance of flavours and textures. This innovative fusion of Indian and French cuisine draws inspiration from Chef Shipra’s extensive travels in France.
“I am thrilled to bring a taste of contemporary Indian cuisine to JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa,” Chef Shipra stated. “From the north to the south of France, I’ve learned from incredible chefs and friends. This menu is a tribute to my experiences, featuring dishes like Coconut-Bouillabaisse—a traditional French dish from Marseille, given an Indian twist.”
On the second evening, Chef Shipra will unveil a traditional Thali course at Aailaa, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, inviting guests to enjoy a Diwali-themed dinner. This beautifully arranged platter will feature a variety of small dishes that showcase Chef Shipra’s signature creations, with each dish designed to complement the others in a delightful mix of flavours, textures, and colours. As a health ambassador for India, Chef Shipra emphasises the importance of incorporating millets—nutritious and environmentally friendly grains—into daily diets. This dinner encourages guests to broaden their culinary experiences by exploring the richness of Indian cuisine through delicious and healthy options.
In honour of the Festival of Lights, highlights from Chef Shipra’s menu will include Rajma ki Galouti, Smoked Jungla Maas, and the exquisite Makhan Malai dessert, elegantly garnished with gold vark, pistachios, and saffron.
“We are delighted to welcome Chef Shipra Khanna to JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa,” stated General Manager Mohit Dembla. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing meaningful experiences. During the month of Diwali, we are proud to offer a remarkable culinary journey that captures the rich flavours and traditions of Indian cuisine.”
Chef Shipra’s exclusive menus will be available for an entire month following the celebrations, allowing more guests to indulge in her gourmet creations during the Diwali season.
The dinner at RIHA is priced at USD $450++ per person, with limited seating available (maximum capacity: 6 guests). The Thali dinner at Aailaa is priced at USD $275++ per person and will be offered from October 13 through November 15, 2024.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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