Drink
Subsix, the world’s first underwater music club opens at NIYAMA

Maldives Promotion House – Located 500 metres offshore and appearing to float on the surface of the ocean, Edge the overwater restaurant and Subsix, the world’s first underwater music club, are now open. Accessible only by boat, Edge and Subsix complete the gastronomic experience at NIYAMA, Per AQUUM’s newest resort in the Maldives.
To celebrate the opening of Subsix, Per AQUUM has teamed up with global superstars, Tinie Tempah and Poet Name Life to host two exclusive performances this October 2012. Fresh from his live performance with Jessie J and Taio Cruz at the Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games two-time BRIT Awards and MOBO Award winner, Tinie Tempah will perform for the first time in the Maldives alongside long time Per AQUUM Music Ambassador, two-time GRAMMY® nominated and US Billboard #8 Dance/ Electronic artist, Poet Name Life.
Access to Subsix is via a staircase from Edge taking guests six metres below the surface of the Indian Ocean to a breath-taking underwater world. Guests will find themselves in an intimate music club with floor to ceiling windows surrounding three sides of the structure. A bar and DJ consul can be found along the back wall while seating is spaced throughout allowing unobstructed views of clown fish, manta rays, parrot fish and other exotic marine life.
At Subsix guests sip on cocktails and Champagne while the sounds of NIYAMA Live’s Resident DJs pulsate through the Bose surround sound system. The Resident DJs have all been recognised for their work internationally. Some through legendary clubs such as Zouk in Singapore, others host their own radio shows in the United States or spin at red carpet events such as London Fashion Week. The NIYAMA Live program rotates its DJs regularly to ensure a constant movement of music and styles.
The underwater structure of Subsix was constructed on land and then submerged in place after thorough environmental surveys and impact assessments had been carried out. Continuing on from Per AQUUM’s successful coral regeneration initiative at sister property, Huvafen Fushi, a similar program has been implemented at NIYAMA to establish a long term aim of promoting coral growth and re-colonisation, as well as to enhance and preserve the reef around Subsix for future generations. Headed by Resident Marine Biologist, Luke Gordon, guests can also participate in the program which offers them the opportunity to adopt a coral and to gain a better understanding about these ‘rainforests of the sea’.
Not to be overshadowed by Subsix, Edge, the over water restaurant is helmed by Chef de Cuisine Arron Rhodes who brings modern day cuisine to our shores. By experimenting with flavours, textures and memory, it is an educational experience. Inspired by his travels around the Indian Ocean, Southern India and South East Asia, each dish at Edge will feed the curiosity of even the most trained foodie. Signature dishes that guests can look forward to include, the slowly cooked Indian Ocean Cuttlefish with avocado, piccalilli, apple and ink krupuk, a succulent dish infused with sensational flavours from around the region or the thinly sliced Maldivian reef fish gravalax, mouth-wateringly updated with an accompaniment of tamarind cream, bulgur wheat, curry bubbles and mung sprouts.
In addition to the restaurant, guests can enjoy a drink at Edge Bar. Perched over water and offering incredible sunset views, this is the perfect location for pre-dinner drinks or an after-dinner digestif.
Neil Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of Per AQUUM comments, “In keeping with Per AQUUM’s continual ‘world firsts’, the launch of Subsix and Edge emphasizes our commitment to break boundaries, design icons and embrace imagination to create reality”.
With 86 Studios and Pavilions, NIYAMA is a gastronomic adventure with all day dining Epicure, stunning views for great cocktails from the rooftop at Fahrenheit, beach lounging at Dune, international gourmet take away at The Deli, campfire dining at Tribal, modern day cuisine in an over-water setting at Edge, the world’s first underwater music club Subsix and endless destination dining options. NIYAMA is also home to Per AQUUM’s flagship LIME Spa with private garden sanctuaries, over-water treatment rooms, Quench the juice bar and PUMP the 24 hour gym. Active at NIYAMA is led by remote control boats and buggies, sports simulators, Xbox and PS3 pods; all ideal for keeping kids and adults entertained. PADI dive courses and numerous water
sports are available at FLOAT. A Marine Biology lab for coral rehabilitation and education, The Lair for books, magazines and DVDs and traditional sailing Dhonis are all part of the experience at NIYAMA.
NIYAMA’s opening offer of stay seven nights and pay for five with a free half board upgrade has now been extended for stays until October 31st, 2012.
Drink
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef’s Nautilus Bar returns: An icon reimagined

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef has unveiled the newly renovated Nautilus Bar, a reimagined oceanfront haven designed to capture the timeless elegance of the nautilus shell and the laid-back luxury of island life. Elevated, refined, and more inviting than ever, this refreshed space is set to reclaim its spot as the resort’s most coveted destination for sunset cocktails and starlit conversations.
Perfectly poised above the turquoise waters, the new Nautilus Bar blends sophisticated barefoot charm with uninterrupted Indian Ocean views, offering a multisensory experience that is both serene and indulgent. Guests can expect a menu as vibrant as the views, from craft cocktails and tropical bites to wholesome smoothies and indulgent milkshakes. Every element has been thoughtfully curated to evoke a sense of relaxation and connection with the island’s natural rhythm.
“Perched above the ocean with nothing but the horizon in view, The Nautilus Bar is one of those rare places where time seems to slow down. It is not just a bar—it is where you can swing gently in a hammock, sip a perfectly crafted cocktail, and lose yourself in the colours of a Maldivian sunset. It is one of my favourite spots on the island, and I truly believe it captures the soul of what makes Sun Siyam Vilu Reef so special,” shared Thoha Yoosuf, Resort Manager, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

This transformation was thoughtfully envisioned by Studio Sixty7, whose designers Jose Rivero and Lee McNichol reimagined every detail to honor the laid-back spirit of the Maldives with contemporary refinement.
“Our design ethos was all about creating a home-away-from-home feeling, only with your feet in the white sands. Fully upholstered lounge chairs and oversized, low-slung sofas invite guests to unwind in a relaxed, barefoot-luxury setting. At the heart of the space is an organically carved bar set into white plaster walls, with Calacatta marble countertops and bespoke joinery adding a subtle sense of indulgence. To create visual impact, we introduced oversized rope pendants that draw the eye upward and emphasise the generous scale of the space. The relaxed aesthetic continues onto the extended decking, where new hanging nets and pops of bright aqua add energy against the neutral backdrop, blending beautifully with the natural surroundings. It’s a space where guests can fully immerse themselves in peace and tranquility, while still experiencing the refined spirit of Maldivian luxury,” explain Lee & Jose, Founders and Creative Directors of Studio Sixty7.
Whether you arrive for an early evening apéritif, a hammock-side escape, or a quiet moment beneath the stars, The Nautilus Bar invites guests to pause, savor, and simply be.
Drink
Dare to taste with W Maldives at Island Alchemy Ft. Beckaly Franks

This July, W Maldives—The Original Wavemaker—dials up the flavor and the flair as award-winning mixologist, Beckaly Franks touches down in the Maldives for a one-of-a-kind takeover. As part of the resort’s Island Alchemy series—a bold celebration of global mixology talent— Franks brings her trailblazing energy, genre-defying cocktails, and unapologetically original spirit to heart of the Indian Ocean for an experience that’s equal parts spectacle and substance.
Known for turning heads and rewriting the rules, Beckaly Franks is no stranger to shaking things up. From co-founding the iconic The Pontiac in Hong Kong—featured on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for seven straight years—to launching the Hungry Ghost group and buzzy venues like Call Me AL and ARTIFACT, Franks has long been a driving force behind Asia’s cocktail renaissance. In 2023, she became the second woman to win the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, a recognition for her fearless creativity, inclusive ethos, and magnetic presence behind the bar.
“At the heart of every great cocktail is a story—and this one’s set on a postcard-perfect island,” said Franks. “W Maldives has this incredible energy that mirrors what I love about mixology: it’s immersive, unexpected, and made for people who want to feel something. I can’t wait to have my world collide with the destination.”
At W Maldives, she is bringing it all. The collaboration kicks off with two exclusive guest shifts at SIP on 24 and 25 July, where Franks will serve up a mix of her iconic signature and bespoke creations crafted just for the island. Think sun-drenched flavors, unexpected textures and bold spirits made to match the lagoon views. On 27 July, the experience moves to the resort’s noon-to-moon social hub, WET Deck, for an elevated daytime poolside revelry—an atmospheric day of sensory storytelling, boundary-pushing cocktails, and barefoot glamor under the vibrant Maldivian sky.

“This is more than a bar takeover—it’s a meeting of minds, a celebration of mastery, and a moment to connect with the spirit of W Maldives,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “We are proud to welcome Beckaly as part of our Island Alchemy series and continue offering our guests experiences that are anything but ordinary.”
Part island escape, part liquid installation, this collaboration is more than a moment—it is a statement. Island Alchemy is W Maldives signature mixology program designed to spotlight innovators, connectors, and tastemakers who bring something original to the table. With Beckaly Franks at the helm, this edition serves as both a toast to women redefining the global bar scene and a bold glimpse into the future of mixology—where craft and character collide in all the right ways.
Guests looking to stir things up in paradise can book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast spread and three-course dinner as well as return seaplane transfer from Male, and get exclusive benefits. Book your stay now and raise the bar on your next escape via this link or contact reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Drink
Cellar of quiet distinction: Vakkaru Reserve wins fifth Wine Spectator Award

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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