Connect with us

Featured

Love story in five chapters: Valentine’s at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo

Published

on

Every love story deserves a setting that reflects its depth, passion, and intimate moments. This Valentine’s season, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo serves as that setting, offering couples a five-day journey where romance is not just celebrated but truly experienced. From February 11 to 15, guests are invited to create their own love stories—chapter by chapter—through carefully curated experiences designed to ignite the senses and strengthen connections.

Love has always possessed a sweet side. The journey begins at Vista Restaurant, where guests participate in a hands-on dessert-making session led by the resort’s master pastry chef. Indulgence extends beyond taste—it is about shared moments, playful glances over fluffy icing, and fingers dusted with sugar. With waves shimmering beyond the glass-walled restaurant, each couple crafts something uniquely theirs, serving as a reminder that love is found in the details.

For those wishing to extend this indulgence, the Sweet Life Package offers a deeper escape into decadence. Guests can enjoy a 120-minute Chocolate Body Scrub and Massage at Suvadiva Spa, followed by a private romantic dinner—an experience designed to be savoured with every sense.

Romance is more than words; it is expressed through presence, touch, and care. At Suvadiva Spa, couples engage in a private massage workshop, learning the art of mindful relaxation. The experience is not solely about mastering techniques but about understanding unspoken needs and deepening connections through touch.

For those desiring an extended retreat, the Romeo & Juliet Package provides a 90-minute Hot Stone Massage infused with rose oil, followed by a 30-minute rose bath—an invitation to dissolve into warmth and tranquility.

On the third night, love stories are not only lived but also told on screen. At the main pool, guests settle into relaxed seating as the sea breeze carries the scent of salt and moonlight. A classic romantic film flickers against the night sky, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Couples wishing to enhance the evening can opt for the Paradise Awakening Package, an all-day romantic journey beginning with a floating breakfast for two. This experience continues with a 60-minute couple’s massage and concludes with a private starlit dinner.

On Valentine’s night, the resort transforms into a world of wonder. The evening begins with an intimate ‘Dine in the Dark’ experience at Vista Restaurant, where flavours become richer, conversations deeper, and the absence of sight heightens every other sense. The journey then moves outdoors to the restaurant’s al fresco area, which becomes the Stargazing Love Lounge.

Here, guests are encouraged to slow down, listen to live music, and gaze at the constellations that have watched over lovers for centuries. In that moment, the sky is no longer just a sky—it becomes a canvas for whispered dreams and unspoken promises.

The final chapter is one of creation. At the Pool Bar, guests craft their own signature cocktails, blending ingredients that symbolise their love. Some choose citrus for energy, others add spice for passion, and some incorporate honey to represent the sweetness of shared memories. As glasses clink, a toast is made not just to the five-day journey but to the countless unwritten chapters ahead.

At Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, Valentine’s is more than a celebration—it is a journey, a story told in five chapters, and an invitation for every couple to write the next one, wherever their love may take them. For those who dream of a love story beyond the horizon, another chapter always awaits.

Featured

Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives unveils ‘Love in the Lagoon’ underwater proposal experience

Published

on

Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives has introduced ‘Love in the Lagoon’, an exclusive underwater proposal experience that redefines romance in the Maldives. Designed to make life’s most significant moments truly unforgettable, the offering invites couples to declare their love beneath the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

The experience features an underwater setting elegantly adorned to create the ideal backdrop for a proposal. Certified instructors guide couples through the dive, ensuring a safe and memorable experience suitable for both beginners and seasoned divers.

Adding a creative flourish, the ring presentation is thoughtfully arranged to enhance the occasion, while a professional photo and video team captures each moment, both above and below the surface.

The celebration continues with a private dinner for two — set either by the beach or pool — complemented by a bottle of sparkling wine to mark the beginning of a lifelong journey together.

Through ‘Love in the Lagoon’, Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives seamlessly blends adventure, sophistication, and romance to offer an extraordinary proposal experience unlike any other.

Continue Reading

Drink

Liu Bolin and Maison Ruinart bring artistic alchemy to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Published

on

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has announced a landmark residency that brings together two cultural icons – acclaimed Chinese performance artist and photographer Liu Bolin, known as The Invisible Man, and Maison Ruinart, the world’s first established Champagne house and a long-standing patron of the arts. Taking place from 27 to 30 November, the collaboration will offer guests a rare opportunity to experience live performances, curated art exhibitions, exclusive Ruinart Champagne tastings, and immersive dining experiences, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldivian archipelago.

Renowned for his thought-provoking camouflage installations that explore humanity’s relationship with its surroundings, Liu Bolin will stage a live artistic performance on the shores of the Fari Islands. Continuing his creative partnership with Maison Ruinart, the collaboration reflects a shared dialogue between nature, culture, and craftsmanship, in harmony with The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands’ philosophy of meaningful connection through art and environment.

The residency opens on 27 November at the resort’s architectural showpiece, EAU Bar, with a Ruinart takeover featuring a bespoke bar installation and two large-scale artworks from Bolin’s Ruinart commission. The opening evening will include an intimate live rehearsal by the artist — a prelude to his main performance on 30 November — complemented by a Ruinart Hour Champagne reception with creatively paired canapés.

An immersive exhibition of ten artworks, including Bolin’s Reveal the Invisible series, will be unveiled at The Estate, the resort’s signature private villa. During the residency, guests will have the opportunity to join a salon-style conversation and participate in a creative workshop hosted by Bolin himself.

Across three days, the collaboration will present a series of champagne-led tastings and culinary pairings inspired by the intersection of art and gastronomy.

On 28 November, the Beach Shack restaurant will host an exclusive tasting of Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010 and 2013, followed by a Ruinart Artist Dinner featuring dishes inspired by Bolin’s camouflage aesthetics. Menu highlights will include Fine De Claire oysters with salted cucumber and Oscietra caviar, paired with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Second Skin; Maldivian octopus with roasted cauliflower purée and passion fruit reduction, paired with Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2010; and Sea Bass with Japanese sea urchin, accompanied by Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2009.

On 29 November, guests will join Bolin at The Estate for a hands-on workshop painting Ruinart’s eco-designed second skins, followed by a tasting of Ruinart Rosé and Dom Ruinart Rosé 2009. The evening will continue at Summer Pavilion, the resort’s Cantonese restaurant, featuring an exceptional pairing of Ruinart Champagnes with refined regional dishes such as Chaozhou-cured abalone and sea cucumber, Hong Kong-style king crab, and the ‘Big Red Robe’ soft serve with crème brûlée.

On 30 November, the final day of the residency, guests will be invited to a reflective dialogue and book signing with Liu Bolin, followed by a final Ruinart tasting exploring Dom Ruinart 2010 and Dom Rosé 2009. The series will culminate in Bolin’s live painted performance during the resort’s signature Defining Moment ritual at EAU Bar — a performance to be immortalised in a photographic artwork for future exhibitions.

EAU Bar, framed by the forces of wind and sea, provides a fitting setting for Liu Bolin’s concluding performance. As the sun dips below the horizon, the resort’s Defining Moment ritual — a daily celebration featuring traditional Maldivian Bodu Beru drums and a fire-lighting ceremony — will form the backdrop for Bolin’s act of disappearance. Painted to merge seamlessly with the surrounding seascape, the artist will dissolve into the colours of the Indian Ocean, embodying his central message about the fragile relationship between humanity and nature. The fleeting spectacle will capture a suspended moment where art, landscape, and identity converge.

“The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has always stood as a destination for transformative experiences,” said Oscar Postma, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. “Welcoming Liu Bolin and Maison Ruinart to our shores elevates this vision, uniting contemporary art, cultural dialogue, and exceptional gastronomy in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural settings.”

Continue Reading

Awards

The Nautilus Maldives honoured in 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Awards

Published

on

In an increasingly fast-paced world, The Nautilus Maldives stands as a sanctuary where time slows and moments linger — a place that continues to capture the attention of discerning travellers. This haven of unhurried living has once again been recognised in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, as voted by readers in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

The accolade reaffirms the island’s quiet ability to enchant. With just 26 exclusive ocean and beach houses, The Nautilus offers complete privacy and a philosophy built entirely around individual freedom. Dining is available whenever a guest desires, and experiences unfold as inspiration strikes. A secluded sandbank transforms into a private dining room, and the Maldivian night sky becomes a stage for endless wonder.

“To be recognised again by Condé Nast Traveler’s readers is deeply meaningful,” said Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives. “Our guests come seeking beauty, but what they discover and cherish is freedom — the freedom to design their own rhythm and to create moments that are theirs alone.”

At The Nautilus, luxury is defined as liberation. Guests may drift through the UNESCO-protected waters of Baa Atoll, indulge in a Solasta Spa ritual without time limits, or share vintage champagne beneath a canopy of stars. Each stay unfolds as a personal narrative — unscripted, unhurried, and unforgettable.

Now in its thirty-eighth year, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards remain among the most respected distinctions in global travel. The results, drawn exclusively from readers’ experiences and opinions, continue to represent one of the industry’s most prestigious marks of excellence.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.