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Free transfers, beachside dinners, spa escapes await this summer at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives

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If your idea of perfect summer living means uninterrupted 360-degree beach access, private overwater sanctuaries with direct ocean entry, and personalised luxury that lets you craft your own island adventure, then Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is where your sun-drenched story begins. Imagine an intimate dinner beneath a canopy of stars, the gentle touch of a Balinese massage melting away the day’s cares, and dolphins dancing joyfully on the horizon as the sun sets, here, every moment invites you to savour the magic of summer living like never before.

Summer at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is designed for those who seek indulgence and connection in equal measure. The resort features five elegant room categories, including the coveted Sunset Water Bungalows with Jacuzzi. These spacious overwater sanctuaries are ideal for ocean lovers and romantics, offering direct lagoon access where schools of fish glide beneath the surface—and if you’re lucky, a manta ray, reef shark, or even a dolphin may pass by.

This season, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives elevates your summer escape with an exclusive offer for stays of four nights or more. Enjoy complimentary return transfers, the freedom to choose three or more added benefits based on your DISCOVERY loyalty tier or by booking direct, and access to exclusive perks such as complimentary room upgrades and the opportunity to earn DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) to use during your stay or future getaways.

  • • A four-course beach dinner (Seafood or Steak) – Set on a secluded stretch of beach, this candlelit dinner is a sensory celebration of summer. As waves whisper along the shore and the stars shimmer overhead, the evening unfolds into a private moment of flavour, connection, and romance.
  • A 45-minute spa treatment – After a day of snorkelling, diving vibrant reefs, or embarking on a fishing adventure, retreat to the Mandara Spa for a blissful Balinese massage that soothes the body and stills the mind.
  • Island hopping adventure – Step beyond the resort and into the daily rhythms of the Maldives. Visit nearby islands, meet local communities, and experience authentic island life where time slows and hospitality comes naturally.
  • Dolphin watching delight – A sunset cruise becomes truly magical as pods of dolphins leap through the golden waves. These playful encounters often bring smiles that linger long after you’ve returned to shore.
  • USD 200 resort credit – Whether it’s used for signature cocktails, unforgettable meals, or more explorations across the atoll, this credit enhances your freedom to savour every moment as you please.

When it comes to dining, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives delivers variety and flair. With four restaurants and four bars, each meal invites discovery. A standout is the Marlin Seafood Restaurant and while it is a haven for seafood lovers, it also caters to those with a taste for premium meats. From tender lobster and perfectly grilled reef fish to expertly prepared steaks, every dish is elevated by a refined wine selection and the soothing soundtrack of the sea just metres away.

Whether you’re basking in barefoot bliss, discovering coral gardens, or raising a glass beneath the stars, summer living at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is a mood, a memory, and a moment all rolled into one.

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Consistently awarded, beyond compare: Machchafushi Island Resort’s house reef

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Recently recognised among the Best House Reefs in the Maldives by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, the house reef at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, The Centara Collection (formerly known as Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa), offers an extraordinary experience for divers and snorkelers alike. The South Ari Atoll in the Maldives is renowned for its exceptional diving sites, snorkelling, and marine adventures, and the resort’s house reef only enhances this natural beauty with its rich marine biodiversity, thriving coral gardens, and easy access from the shore.

The Machchafushi house reef is approximately five times larger than the island itself, encircling a breathtaking lagoon. Most of the coral reef lies on a gentle slope, descending to depths of 15 – 20m, where it then flattens out into a sandy seabed. At around 30m from the top of the reef, guests can explore a remarkable shipwreck. This sunken treasure is home to a variety of marine species, including glassfish, stonefish and nurse sharks.

Among the largest coral species found on any house reef, the Machchafushi house reef is home to rare varieties such as Acropora granulosa and Acropora latistella, found exclusively on the wreck. The surrounding coral gardens showcase vibrant Blue Coral and Staghorn Coral, creating a stunning display of marine biodiversity.

Marine life thrives around the house reef, with seven resident Nurse sharks, including three adults, one sub-adult, and three juveniles. White Tip Reef sharks, the most curious of the reef’s sharks, are often seen coming close to snorkelers and divers. Other notable species include

Black Tip sharks, Lemon sharks, Leopard sharks, Guitar sharks, and various rays. The Black Blotched Stingrays, known for their friendly nature despite their large size, are a common sight, especially around feeding areas and the reef’s shallow waters. The barbless male rays are particularly known for their gentle interactions with guests.

Sustainability is at the heart of Machchafushi Island Resort’s philosophy. Coral protection, reef conservation, and restoration projects are continuously rolled out, ensuring that the house reef remains a thriving ecosystem for future generations. Guests are regularly educated about the reef’s delicate ecosystem, its abundant marine life, and the resort’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable practices.

Sharing his views, Cluster General Manager of Machchafushi Island Resort and Spa, Francesco Pompilio said, “This honour reflects not only the natural beauty of our house reef, but also the unwavering commitment of our team to its protection and preservation. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we remain dedicated to safeguarding this vibrant marine sanctuary for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to our guests for their continued trust and patronage.”

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Machchafushi Island Resort’s house reef, where exceptional diving, vibrant coral gardens, and abundant marine life meet, all set against the backdrop of the Maldives’ unparalleled natural beauty.

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Jumeirah Olhahali Island welcomes Shimmers’ Chef Emanuele for exclusive culinary residency this July

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Jumeirah Olhahali Island has announced a culinary residency in collaboration with Chef Emanuele De Leo, Head Chef of the award-winning Shimmers at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam in Dubai. Taking place from 7 to 10 July 2025, this exclusive experience will bring the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean to the Maldives through a specially curated tasting-style menu.

Following a stint as Sous Chef at L’Olivo at Al Mahara, the two Michelin-starred restaurant at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Chef Emanuele took up his position as Head Chef at Shimmers in 2023. There, he leads the kitchen, where his menu pays homage to his Sicilian heritage, while embracing bold, contemporary interpretations of classic Mediterranean cuisine. Under his direction, Shimmers has earned recognition from Gault&Millau UAE in 2025, a testament of the restaurant’s elevated dining experience and Chef Emanuele’s distinctive culinary vision. With a strong focus on seasonality, he draws inspiration from the freshest market produce, transforming each ingredient into flavour-driven, elegantly presented creations.

For his residency at Jumeirah Olhahali Island, Chef Emanuele has crafted a bespoke menu that fuses Greek influences with his Sicilian roots, showcasing refined coastal flavours and thoughtfully sourced seasonal ingredients. In true Shimmers fashion, the evening will be presented as a series of small, shareable plates, designed to bring guests together around the table. Highlights include a fresh cauliflower salad, zingy tuna tartare, and grilled octopus with Santorini fava. These are followed by indulgent mains such as slow-braised beef cheek paired with celery purée and red wine jus, alongside orzo with red prawns, lemon, and caviar. The experience concludes, with a duo of desserts: Greek yoghurt ice cream and orange crème brûlée, offering a refreshing and indulgent finale.

The exclusive dinner experience with Chef Emanuele is priced at USD 195 plus taxes per person. For more information or to reserve, visit the Jumeirah Olhahali Island website here.

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Cellar of quiet distinction: Vakkaru Reserve wins fifth Wine Spectator Award

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At Vakkaru Maldives, wine isn’t merely served — it is curated, conversed with, and quietly revered. This has led to the resort’s European wine cellar, Vakkaru Reserve, being awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the fifth year — the only resort in the Maldives to have done so.

Vakkaru Reserve, an intimate, striking space at the heart of the island, houses 620 labels selected with care by Head Sommelier Retheesh Kakkareth Mohanan and Assistant Sommelier Vasantha Kumar Nadarajah. Some stars in the collection favour narrative as much as provenance: a Château Cheval Blanc Premier Grand Cru Classé A trio from 1983, 1985 and 1990; Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2009; Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blanc Brut 2002 and Château Pavie 1982, each one a vignette of a time and place, waiting to be uncorked.

“Our intention with Vakkaru Reserve has never been to impress with excess,” says Teddy Susanto Wiryawan, General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives. “Instead, it’s about assembling a collection that invites reflection, wines that linger in the mind as much as on the palate. This fifth award is not a milestone, but a reminder to keep listening to winemakers, regions, and the guests who come here seeking something they can’t find elsewhere.”

In a setting where time is allowed to stretch and the pace remains unhurried, the wine experience is naturally immersive. Vakkaru’s cellar hosts guided tastings, bespoke pairings, and a distinctive offering — a Wine & Chocolate Pairing Experience, where artisanal chocolates crafted in-house are paired with wine labels in unexpected harmony. Think Yuzu and Matcha Bonbon with Sauvignon Blanc, or an Espresso Bonbon set against a Tawny Port, delicious, deliberate acts of indulgence.

Vakkaru Reserve remains a quiet benchmark for those who appreciate depth over display. In this place of timelessness, let your wine journey stand less on ceremony, and more on memory and discovery.

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