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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands introduces spectacular line-up for 2025 Masters of Crafts series

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has unveiled a stellar line-up for the fourth edition of its highly anticipated Masters of Crafts series, featuring the acclaimed Culinary Masters and Behind the Bar showcases. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives, this year’s edition promises to elevate gastronomy and mixology to unparalleled heights, welcoming an extraordinary roster of world-renowned chefs and bartenders from some of the most iconic restaurants and bars across the globe.

This exclusive event series will present a seamless fusion of international culinary and mixology excellence, sustainability-focused concepts, and a deep appreciation of local ingredients. Guests will have a rare opportunity to engage with some of the world’s most decorated talents in the industry, including Spain’s Chef David Yárnoz from El Molino de Urdániz earlier in February, Berlin’s Chef René Frank from Coda, Athen’s Vasilis Kyritsis from LINE, London’s Remy Savage from A Bar with Shapes for a Name and Bar Nouveau, and many more.

Building on the success of the past series’ previous editions which featured notable figures like industry icon Overstory with Harrison Ginsberg, this year’s line-up is set to surpass all expectations. As The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands continues to transform luxury hospitality, the Masters of Crafts series stands as a testament to the resort’s commitment to innovation, culture, and world class experiences.

The Stars of the 2025 Masters of Crafts Series Include:

Chef David Yárnoz, El Molino de Urdániz, 14th -15th February

Chef David Yárnoz, a distinguished Culinary Master holding two Michelin stars and one Green Michelin Star from Spain, is celebrated for his exceptional talent in blending tradition with innovation. With extensive background in prestigious kitchens across Europe, Chef Yárnoz crafts dishes that honour the rich culinary heritage of his native Navarre while embracing modern techniques. As the visionary behind El Molino de Urdániz, his renowned restaurant, he curates a forward-thinking experience that is as deeply rooted in Spanish flavours.

Chef Simone Caponnetto and Bar Manager Alessandro Mengoni, Locale Firenze, 13th to 15th March

Locale Firenze, an acclaimed bar and restaurant in the heart of Florence, is known for seamlessly fusing contemporary Italian cuisine with timeless elegance. Under the guidance of Chef Simone Caponnetto, the restaurant has garnered praise for its innovative dishes, showcasing the finest locally sourced ingredients. Meanwhile, the bar, ranked No. 36 on The World’s Best Bars 2025 list, is celebrated for its innovative cocktails, expertly crafted using rare and carefully selected ingredients, all while staying true to Italy’s rich culinary heritage.

Chef René Frank, Coda, 26th – 27th April

Berlin-based pastry chef René Frank, a two Michelin-starred talent, has made a name for himself with his inventive approach to desserts. His career, shaped in the kitchens of the world’s most renowned restaurants, has established him as a pioneer of modern pastry, continuously pushing the boundaries of flavour, technique, and presentation while deconstructing the concept of traditional desserts. As the visionary behind Coda, Berlin’s first dessert-only restaurant, he revolutionizes classic pastry-making by transforming unexpected ingredients into multisensory masterpieces, entirely forgoing artificial sugar, and elevating patisserie to an entirely new culinary level.

Vasilis Kyritsis, LINE, 8th to 10th June

Nestled in the heart of Athens, Line is a contemporary cocktail bar and has swiftly risen to the forefront as a leader in innovative mixology. Head Bartender Vasilis Kyritsis has earned acclaim for blending cutting-edge techniques with a deep respect for local ingredients and flavour that are both sophisticated and playfully inventive. Ranked No. 6 on The World’s Best Bars 2025 list, Line offers more than just drinks – it curates an immersive storytelling experience, where every cocktail is a harmonious fusion of modern artistry and timeless elegance.

Chef Max Strohe, Tulus Lotrek, 27th October to 3rd November

Michelin-starred Chef and author Max Strohe, has carved a distinguished name for himself in the world of modern gastronomy, recognized for his innovative approach to fine dining. With a career shaped in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, Chef Strohe’s expertise shines in every dish he creates. As the creative force behind Tulus Lotrek, his acclaimed restaurant in Berlin, Chef Strohe transforms the finest seasonal ingredients into elegant, contemporary and French-inspired cuisine, delivering offering a refined and unforgettable culinary journey.

Remy Savage, A Bar with Shapes for a Name and Bar Nouveau, 26th to 30th November

London’s A Bar with Shapes is a pioneering cocktail destination where innovation and artistry seamlessly merge, guided by the visionary leadership of Mixologist Remy Savage, founder of Drink More Art. Renowned for its bold, unconventional approach to mixology, each cocktail is a sensory and visual masterpiece, pushing the boundaries of creativity. The venue draws inspiration from the Bauhaus movement, fostering a space where guests and staff alike engage in the art of flavour, encouraging a community of learning and collaboration. Bar Nouveau, opened in 2023 in Paris, pays homage to the Art Nouveau movement, offering a dual experience where cocktails crafted from industrialized ingredients are reimagined in their natural, artisanal form.

Awards

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef secures Best House Reef title at TTM Awards

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Renowned for its marine life and underwater experiences, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection, has been named Best House Reef at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026.

The award recognises the resort’s marine environment, which is accessible directly from its beaches and overwater villas. The annual TTM Awards and Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers from across the archipelago to recognise achievements within the Maldivian hospitality industry.

The island’s coral reef is home to marine species including resident sea turtles, reef sharks, tropical fish and eagle rays. Guests can explore the reef through guided excursions led by the resort’s resident marine experts, customised scuba-diving experiences and coral restoration initiatives designed to support the long-term preservation of the marine environment.

“Our reef is the living soul of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, shaping every visitor’s journey from the moment they step into our turquoise lagoon,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager. “To be named the Maldives’ Best House Reef is an immense honour, strengthening our commitment to nurturing this remarkable marine sanctuary so our guests can keep discovering its quiet magic beneath the surface.”

Travellers seeking underwater experiences can book directly with the resort to access exclusive benefits and guided marine excursions.

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Huvafen Fushi expands wellness offering with Aromatherapy Associates treatments

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Huvafen Fushi Maldives is expanding its wellness offering with two new longevity-focused treatments from Aromatherapy Associates, available now at Huvafen Spa, the resort’s iconic underwater spa.

The launch arrives as longevity becomes the defining word in luxury travel. Virtuoso’s 2026 travel data reinforces the shift, naming longevity tourism as luxury travel’s breakout segment, with wellness-focused hotel bookings up 28% and travellers increasingly seeking sleep optimisation, metabolic health support and measurable, long-term outcomes over one-off spa treatments. The Global Wellness Summit’s Future of Wellness 2026 report identifies women’s healthspan as a defining trend of the year, as spa and wellness destinations increasingly launch programmes tailored to female physiology across every life stage, from perimenopause through to menopause and beyond.

The new Recovery Reset and Pause & Reset treatments combine the therapeutic power of essential oils with advanced hands-on techniques, offering two distinct approaches to modern wellbeing: one supporting physical recovery and resilience, the other addressing the changing needs of women’s health.

Recovery Reset: restorative bodywork for active lifestyles

Recovery Reset is an advanced restorative body treatment designed to support muscular recovery, mobility and long-term physical wellbeing. Going beyond traditional aromatherapy massage, it introduces a range of advanced bodywork techniques:

  • Myofascial release – to help release deep-held tension and improve mobility
  • Advanced deep-tissue massage – to target areas of muscular tension
  • Targeted bodywork – to support physical recovery and ease of movement
  • Therapeutic aromatherapy – combining expert touch with powerful essential oil blends
  • Hot stone therapy – to further support muscular recovery and restoration

Ideal for active lifestyles, travel fatigue and guests seeking a deeper approach to massage, Recovery Reset brings together physical recovery and the restorative benefits of aromatherapy in one deeply therapeutic experience.

Pause & Reset: nurturing support through hormonal change

Pause & Reset is a nurturing treatment dedicated to women’s wellbeing, created to support the physical and emotional effects associated with hormonal change – from PMS and post-pregnancy through to perimenopause and menopause. As the sense of smell is closely connected to emotion and wellbeing, essential oils can offer valuable support during these transitions.

Following a personalised aroma consultation, guests select from three Aromatherapy Associates essential oil blends before experiencing an enhanced treatment incorporating:

  • Inhalation – using the guest’s personally selected essential oil blend
  • Balancing breathwork – to encourage relaxation and reconnection
  • Body brushing – to awaken the body and prepare for treatment
  • Restorative abdominal massage – providing a deeply nurturing focus to the treatment
  • Hand and foot reflex techniques – focusing on the endocrine and reproductive systems
  • Together, the treatments reflect a more holistic approach to longevity, recognising the importance of recovery, movement, rest and emotional wellbeing throughout different stages of life.

Aromatherapy Associates has been a pioneer in therapeutic aromatherapy for more than 40 years, combining expertly crafted essential oil blends with the healing power of touch to create transformative experiences for body and mind.

“We are delighted to introduce these new Aromatherapy Associates treatments,” said Tri Wardani, Director of Spa. “Our approach to wellness continues to evolve alongside the needs of our guests, and these new treatments allow us to offer highly personalised experiences that support both physical and emotional wellbeing in some of the Maldives’ most extraordinary spa settings.”

Guests can experience Recovery Reset and Pause & Reset at the underwater spa at Huvafen Fushi Maldives, alongside a curated selection of Aromatherapy Associates products to continue their wellbeing journey beyond the treatment room.

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Awards

Kandooma Maldives secures family resort and sustainability honours at LUXlife Awards

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has received two honours in the 11th annual LUXlife Hospitality Awards, named Best Family Resort 2026 – Maldives and recipient of the Sustainability Excellence Award 2026 – Maldives.

The LUXlife Hospitality Awards recognise businesses and individuals demonstrating excellence across the global hospitality industry, from hotels and resorts to dining, travel and wellness experiences.

For Kandooma, the two awards recognise areas that have become an important part of the island experience: creating memorable Maldives holidays for families while continuing to strengthen its approach to responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.

Speaking about the resort’s latest accolades, General Manager Andrew Drummond said the recognition comes at an exciting time for Kandooma.

“These awards recognise two areas that are incredibly important to us, and the timing couldn’t be better. We are delighted to have our family offering recognised, particularly as we have some exciting new developments ahead that will make the family experience at Kandooma even stronger when we become Kandooma Maldives on 1 October. The Sustainability Excellence Award is equally meaningful for our team. Sustainability is something we want to keep building on, finding practical ways to reduce our impact, protect the natural environment around us and, importantly, bring our guests along on that journey,” he said.

Kandooma’s family offering combines spacious accommodation, a dedicated Kandoo Kids’ Club, family activities on land and water, and the freedom of an island where days can be as active or relaxed as each family chooses.

Sustainability has also become increasingly embedded in resort operations and the guest experience, with initiatives spanning renewable energy, waste reduction and recycling, marine conservation, environmental education and community engagement.

The LUXlife Hospitality Awards 2026 are determined through LUXlife Magazine’s independent, merit-based research and evaluation process. Nominees are assessed against criteria including service quality, guest satisfaction, brand reputation and overall performance within their field. The awards are designed to recognise achievement on merit rather than the size, location or market influence of the organisation.

Located in South Malé Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a private island resort known for its relaxed atmosphere, natural beauty and strong connection to the ocean.

The resort offers 146 contemporary Garden, Beach and Overwater Villas, together with extensive family experiences, the Kandoo Kids’ Club, exceptional scuba diving including nearby Kandooma Thila, surfing, island dining and Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives will transition to Kandooma Maldives from 1 October 2026, operated by HPL Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Hotel Properties Limited. For stays and further information, visit www.Kandooma-Maldives.com.

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