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Soneva Fushi opens ‘Once Upon a Table’ at new ‘Out of the Blue’ dining destination

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Soneva Fushi has opened Once Upon a Table, the most intimate dining experience available at the resort’s recently opened Out of the Blue dining destination.

To celebrate the opening, Once Upon a Table is set to host more than 30 of the world’s top chefs throughout Soneva’s 2018 Festival of Colour, with most of the chefs having Michelin stars or included in the San Pellegrino Top Restaurants lists. All the chefs who will cook at Soneva’s Out of the Blue will be visiting chefs to Soneva’s flagship resort in the Maldives.

Once Upon a Table offers a private horseshoe-shaped table that seats only eight guests. This intimate setting allows guests to watch the chefs at work creating and serving their dishes, and to also interact with the chefs themselves.

There is no set menu, as each of the visiting chefs draws upon their culinary expertise to create a unique experience each and every time creates meals as per their own preference and specialisation.

Offering an evening of inspired cooking and culinary creations, Once Upon a Table is completed by a retractable roof, that enables guests to enjoy view of the twinkling night sky as they dine. The floor-to-ceiling windows complement this further by affording guests sweeping views of the Baa atoll and Maldivian sunsets.

Included in the line-up of visiting chefs at Once Upon a Table are three highly skilled chefs who each boast three Michelin stars: Sushi Master Kenji Gyoten from Japan, the country’s youngest three-starred chef; Chef Christian Le Squer from Restaurant Le Cinq, France; and Chef Gert de Mangeleer from Hertog Jan, Belgium. Other notable chefs include the two-starred Tim Raue, of Netflix’s Chef’s Table fame, Chef Tom Aikens, the youngest British chef to receive two Michelin stars when he was just 26, and the two-starred Kiko Moya from Spain, amongst many others.

Aerial view of Out of the Blue. PHOTO/ SONEVA

Out of the Blue is Soneva Fushi’s latest dining destination. It is a two-storey overwater structure that houses five brand new dining experiences, from intimate settings of just five diners presided over by world-famous chefs, to large alfresco shared dining areas.

Central to this new dining outlet is the eponymous 50-seater, all-day dining area Out of the Blue. This space shares a seating area with the Chinese Kitchen and Modern Japanese Kitchen and lets guests choose between sitting under cover or on the open deck. So Hands On is the dedicated sushi counter, seating five diners for lunch and dinner. Soneva Fushi’s first Teppanyaki table, So Bespoke, is an open-air restaurant with western views of the Baa atoll. Finally, the Bar and Cellar is where guests can choose from the extensive beverage encyclopedia, that includes a selection of 200 expertly chosen high-end wines by the glass.

In February, Soneva launched its first ever year-long campaign known as a Festival of Colour to celebrate the diverse array of guest activities and experiences on offer this year. Soneva has confirmed a huge line-up of visiting experts, including chefs, authors, wine producers, world-champion free-divers, astronomers, artists, wellness practitioners, tennis coaches and more at all resorts.

Soneva’s Festival of Colour runs from February 2018 to February 2019.

Established in 1995, Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 65 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden amongst dense foliage.

The iconic resort has bagged several international awards for eco-friendly tourism and green initiatives, including the 2017 Green Hotelier Award for the Asia Pacific region and the Sustainable Hotel Award by the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) as well as a spot in the Gold List compiled by Condé Nast Traveler China as the Best Hotel in the Maldives and amongst the best resorts in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.

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OZEN LIFE MAADHOO debuts Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide

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OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has announced the introduction of its newest villa category, the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide, offering guests a playful yet luxurious twist to their Maldivian getaway. Designed for travellers seeking both relaxation and excitement, the new villa combines captivating ocean views with dynamic features for an unforgettable island experience.

Located at the edge of the island, the Wind Villa enjoys a prime sunrise position and includes a spacious bedroom with high ceilings, an elegant outdoor lounge, and direct access to the lagoon’s clear waters. The addition of a private Jacuzzi and waterslide adds an element of adventure and intimacy, ideal for couples or small families in search of both tranquillity and fun.

Guests can unwind on the sun-drenched deck, enjoy a soothing soak under the Maldivian skies, or take a refreshing slide into the turquoise lagoon, surrounded by the serene beauty of Maadhoo’s shimmering waters.

Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer of Atmosphere Core, commented: “Imagining the children’s faces when they see for the first time the striking blue lagoon off the terrace and the bonus of sliding directly into the warm, calm waters below is a joy in itself. What’s even more delightful is the thought of adults embracing the same experience – sliding by day, then later cuddling beneath the starlit Maldivian sky in a hot Jacuzzi, bubbles all around – including in their flute glass! We are thrilled to introduce the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide, a fresh take on luxury that fuses private leisure with a sense of adventure. This new category reflects our commitment to creating memorable experiences for families and couples seeking a vibrant or romantic island retreat.”

The launch of the Wind Villa coincides with the upcoming holiday season and follows recent enhancements across the resort, including new pool additions to the Earth Villas. OZEN LIFE MAADHOO continues to evolve its offerings to elevate the guest experience.

With its contemporary design, luxurious comforts, and imaginative features, the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide offers a refreshing balance of indulgence and exhilaration—an experience that perfectly captures the resort’s philosophy of joyful island living.

Stay More & Pay Less with 20% savings when booking directly. These one-of-a-kind exclusive rates ensure a perfectly tailored Maldivian escape. Discover more at theozencollection.com.

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Awards

Sun Siyam Group shines at Global Peace Hospitality Summit with multiple international awards

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In a distinguished evening celebrating global unity and purpose, Sun Siyam Group and its Founder and Chairman, Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, received top honours at the Global Peace Hospitality Summit & Awards 2025, held in Dubai. Organised by the Global Peace Institute (UK) in partnership with Impact Hub UAE, the summit welcomed over 200 leaders and delegates from 46 nations under the theme “Peace Through Hospitality.”

Siyam was awarded three of the night’s highest distinctions — the Golden Sail of Distinction and two Lifetime Achievement Awards for Hospitality & Service Excellence and Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation. He was the only recipient to receive all three accolades.

These awards recognised Siyam’s pioneering role in shaping the Maldives into a world-class tourism destination, as well as his longstanding contributions to national development, philanthropy, and youth empowerment. His leadership continues to exemplify how business success can align with sustainability and social progress to create lasting, positive impact.

In addition to these individual honours, Sun Siyam Group achieved six major awards across its resort portfolio, reaffirming its reputation as a leader in peace-driven hospitality and sustainable luxury.

The recognised resorts included:

  • Siyam World Maldives – World’s Leading Lifestyle Resort
  • Sun Siyam Pasikudah, Sri Lanka – Luxury Beachfront Retreat of the Year
  • Sun Siyam Vilu Reef – Peaceful Indulgence Award
  • Sun Siyam Iru Fushi – Luxury Peace Retreat
  • Sun Siyam Iru Veli – Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Luxury Resort
  • Sun Siyam Olhuveli – Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Lifestyle Resort

Siyam was joined at the event by his wife, Soukayna Hadfi, Vice President of Operations Abdulla Thamheed, Assistant Group General Manager and Sun Siyam Olhuveli General Manager Hassan Adil, and members of the brand’s Middle East sales and PR representation team, proudly representing Maldivian hospitality on the global stage.

The evening also witnessed the launch of the Golden Wing of Peace Movement, a new international initiative designed to unite leaders, creators, and institutions around conscious leadership and community-centred business. The gala featured two Wings of Harmony fashion showcases by Egyptian designer Nadine Ellithy, symbolising compassion, culture, and creativity as universal expressions of peace. The keynote address was delivered by General Dr Mohammed Al Shamsi, who highlighted the UAE’s growing role as a global exemplar of coexistence.

The Global Peace Institute (UK), an independent non-profit organisation promoting peace, diplomacy, and education, has previously hosted successful summits in London, Scotland, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Its Dubai edition reflected the deepening connection between hospitality and mindful leadership in a global context.

For Sun Siyam Group, the honours mark yet another milestone in a journey defined by Maldivian authenticity, mindful luxury, and purposeful hospitality — continuing a legacy of welcome, integrity, and global connection.

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Drink

Sirru Fen Fushi launches global mixology series ‘Behind the Bar’

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Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, celebrated for its wild luxury and immersive reconnection experiences, has announced the latest chapter in its Sirru Icon Series: Behind the Bar. Taking place from 18 to 19 November 2025, this global mixology showcase will bring together some of the world’s most acclaimed bartenders for a celebration of artistry, innovation, and craftsmanship in the world of cocktails.

Following the success of Pilates Escape, The Michelin Series, and Golden Week with Opium Bar Bangkok, this new experience invites guests to indulge in liquid artistry as internationally renowned mixologists transform the resort’s signature bar venues into stages of creativity, culture, and taste. The event will feature a curated cocktail selection inspired by Sirru Fen Fushi’s lagoon and coral ecosystem, accompanied by live music, inventive culinary pairings, and the island’s dynamic social ambience.

Building on the debut of Opium Bar Bangkok, Behind the Bar will welcome a distinguished lineup of mixology legends from Asia’s 50 Best Bars, including Colin Chia from Nutmeg & Clove in Singapore, Hidetsugu Ueno from Bar High Five in Tokyo, and Nick Wu from Bar Mood in Taipei. Each brings a unique approach to storytelling and sensory experience, offering guests an exclusive opportunity to savour world-class cocktails within an intimate Maldivian setting.

True to the resort’s ethos of purposeful living, the Behind the Bar series emphasises mindful indulgence and cultural exchange. Visiting mixologists will collaborate with Sirru Fen Fushi’s culinary and beverage team, integrating local herbs, lagoon botanicals, and sustainable methods to create drinks that embody the concept of wild luxury with conscience.

“Behind the Bar isn’t just about cocktails; it’s about connection, culture, and creativity. Every experience we create at Sirru Fen Fushi has a purpose—it’s our way of bringing people together through stories and craftsmanship,” said Gerhard Stutz, General Manager of Sirru Fen Fushi.

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