Drink
What’s New at Velassaru Maldives
Maldives Promotion House – Secluded but not isolated Velassaru Maldives is located on a private coral island in the turquoise Indian Ocean. From the Male’ Airport, take an exhilarating 25-minute speedboat ride to the island. Skim over vast expanses of coral and sea life. Glimpses of miniature Edens rising from the sea. Arrive in Velassaru’s safe harbor, cool welcome drink waiting. A heron alights.
New Menus & Wines at Etesian and Sand Restaurant
Efforts have been put in to revamp the current menus of Etesian and Sand Restaurant to keep the resort up to date with the latest tastes and preferences of the culinary world today. Etesian offers you modern Mediterranean selections that showcases gastronomic creativity and flair. A floor-to-ceiling glass room houses an extensive wine library, offers the best wine selections to accompany the meals.
Sand Restaurant features an extensive range of grilled meat and seafood as well as the best from the eastern, western and continental cuisines. The live grill and cooking stations are the highlight of Sand restaurant and a fascinating sight not to be missed.
Experience the The New Chill Bar, Velassaru’s Sunset Bar
Chill Bar has recently gone through a revamp with a new seating layout, new furnishing as well as a new snack and light lunch menu.
The new furnishing on the wooden deck area comprises of several cosy cuddle seats under huge umbrellas and three large couple / family seats with its own attached overhead shelter. On the lower deck, several huge bean bags are left spread around the bar. The new light lunch menu offers a variety of snacks, salads, sandwiches and spring rolls. For the famish, it also offers a heavier meal like the Rib Eye Steak and Grilled or Steam Fish.
Chill Bar is the ideal place to watch the spectacular sunsets that the Maldives have to offer while enjoying a cocktail or two at Velassaru Maldives. A wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available.
Excursions at Velassaru Maldives
Due to popular demand, the number of trips per week for “Discover Malé” and “Sunset Cruise” excursions are increased to cater to the uprising needs of guests.
The “Discover Malé” trip offers guest a chance to visit the bustling capital city of Maldives on a guided journey to experience the abundant history and cultures as well as the modern sights. The “Sunset Cruise” is set upon a traditional Maldivian sail boat and offers you the most spectacular way to watch the sun setting over the Indian Ocean.
Drink
French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to lead wine-pairing dinner at Milaidhoo Maldives
Milaidhoo Maldives will welcome French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to the island for an exclusive five-course wine-pairing dinner on 4 December, where guests will have the chance to meet him in person, discover his wines and hear more about his approach to winemaking.
Known for his distinctive wines from France’s Loire Valley, Pascal Jolivet will personally present a selection from his collection throughout the evening. Each wine will be paired with a specially created course, bringing together carefully prepared dishes and wines chosen to complement their flavours.
The selection will include Sancerre Signature 2023, Pouilly-Fumé Indigène 2023, Attitude Pinot Noir 2024 and Sancerre Rosé 2024, giving guests the chance to discover different styles from the winemaker’s collection.
Founded in 1987, Pascal Jolivet’s wine house has become well regarded for its approach to expressing the natural character of the Loire Valley’s vineyards. His wines are particularly recognised for their freshness, precision and elegance.
At Milaidhoo, food and wine are an important part of island life. With a strong focus on quality ingredients, varied culinary experiences and a carefully selected wine collection, the island attracts guests who appreciate good food and fine wines.
Nikhil Bakle, Resident Wine Sommelier at Milaidhoo Maldives, says: “What makes an evening like this special is the chance to go beyond the wine in the glass. Having Pascal with us means guests can hear directly from the winemaker, learn about his approach and discover what goes into each bottle. It is also a lovely opportunity to explore how these wines complement the food.”
Set in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the evening will bring together good food, exceptional wines and the chance to meet the man behind the label, making it a special occasion for wine lovers visiting Milaidhoo.
Read more about Milaidhoo’s culinary offering here.
Drink
Milaidhoo Maldives celebrates International Men’s Day with ‘Gentlemen & Cocktails’
Milaidhoo Maldives will mark International Men’s Day with a cocktail-making competition for male guests, as the resort celebrates its tenth anniversary this November.
The occasion will also recognise the contributions of the men involved in the resort’s development and operations over the past decade. Since its establishment, Milaidhoo has maintained a focus on Maldivian hospitality and cultural traditions, with its original vision continuing to influence the guest experience.
As part of the celebrations, the resort will host Gentlemen & Cocktails, an interactive cocktail-making challenge at Compass Pool Bar.
The event will begin with a workshop led by the bar’s bartenders, who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of cocktail preparation. Following the workshop, participants will compete to create their own signature cocktails using a selection of ingredients.
Each participant will receive a black box containing secret ingredients, which must be incorporated into their creation. They will also be required to select an additional herb, vegetable or aromatic ingredient from the resort’s Chef’s Garden.
Participants will have a limited amount of time to prepare their cocktails, with their partners serving as judges. The creations will be assessed based on flavour, presentation and originality.
The winning cocktail will be featured as the Cocktail of the Day at Compass Pool Bar for one week. The winning couple will also be entitled to unlimited servings of their creation for the remainder of their stay.
The International Men’s Day celebrations form part of Milaidhoo Maldives’ tenth anniversary year, recognising the people who have contributed to the resort’s development and its approach to hospitality.
Through the cocktail-making competition, the resort aims to provide guests with an interactive experience while commemorating International Men’s Day.
Drink
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll partners with RED Bar for mixology takeover
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort has announced a three-night bar takeover in collaboration with RED Bar, New Delhi, from 25 to 27 November 2026, featuring mixologist Virender Singh.
Titled The Craft of the Cocktail, the collaboration will bring RED Bar’s approach to mixology to three venues across the resort, offering guests a series of cocktail experiences in different island settings.
Located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, RED Bar is recognised for its approach to contemporary cocktail creation, incorporating a range of ingredients, flavours and techniques. The venue was featured on the 2025 list of India’s 30 Best Bars and has participated in guest shifts and bar takeovers internationally.

Leading the collaboration will be Virender Singh, who has eight years of experience in beverage creation. His approach to mixology focuses on ingredient combinations, flavour pairings and experimentation with cocktail-making techniques.
“At JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, we believe that exceptional experiences are shaped by creativity, craftsmanship, and a sense of discovery,” said Arup Chakraborty, Director of Food & Beverage.
“This collaboration offers our guests the opportunity to experience RED Bar’s approach to cocktails across three distinctive settings on the island. We look forward to welcoming Virender Singh and sharing these experiences with our guests.”
The takeover will take place across three evenings, beginning at Nikkei Bar, where guests can sample signature cocktails at the resort’s overwater bar while overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The second evening will be hosted at JW Garden, featuring a garden-to-glass concept incorporating fresh ingredients and tropical flavours.
The collaboration will conclude at Wahoo Bar, where the cocktail experience will move to a beachfront setting.
The event forms part of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort’s efforts to introduce international culinary and beverage talent to the Maldives through guest collaborations and dining experiences.
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