Resort News Weekly Roundup

Soneva to Launch One of the World’s Largest Coral Nurseries

Soneva has launched a coral restoration programme in partnership with the Swiss environmental organisation Coralive and the global ecosystem restoration organisation Ark2030. Located onsite at Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll, this is the largest conservation initiative to be supported by the Soneva Foundation.

Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and Co-Founder of Soneva said: “With the global warming crisis, the Maldives has little influence over the actions of the big greenhouse gas emitting countries. We can’t bet our future on a wish and a prayer that the big countries decarbonise their economies in time to halt climate change before it wipes out our coral reefs. We need a back-up plan. When finished, the coral farm at Soneva Fushi will be one hectare in size – one of the largest coral farms in the world – and in the ensuing years it is our goal to cultivate one hectare of coral each year at each of our resorts. This is the scale that is needed to have a meaningful impact and it also represents a huge opportunity for the Maldives to become a global leader in an activity that will likely have considerable future demand.”

Following a two-year study to define the most suitable restoration techniques for the Maldives’ unique marine environment, it will become the largest Mineral Accretion Technology (MAT) coral nursery in the world. Once fully operational, the nursery will cover one hectare of ocean and propagate 50,000 coral fragments every year. The ultimate aim of the programme is to regenerate the reef back to the state in which it existed twenty-five years ago, covering out-planted corals across forty hectares over the next decade.

During the initial installation phase and two-to three-month population phase, guests at Soneva Fushi will be invited to join in the restoration efforts themselves – a unique opportunity to be part of this ground-breaking project.

Milaidhoo Maldives Launches Festive Celebrations

Milaidhoo has rolled out its festive season celebrations, inviting solo travellers, couples and families alike to create unforgettable memories.

Chef Ziyan will share his knowledge of Maldivian cuisine in curated group or private cooking classes. Milaidhoo guests are invited to try their cooking skills in the “Master Chef Competition.” The cook up will take place in a beach setting with guests displaying their cooking skills in a fun competition, preparing their best dishes to be sampled and judged by the Milaidhoo chefs. The Compass Pool Bar team will take guests on a spirit and wine journey around the world, stopping in Brazil, Napa Valley, India, Europe, and Australia to savour the world in a glass. Activities and action will be plentiful, with excursions on-board fishing boats or Milaidhoo’s luxury yacht, party nights on a sandbank and sporting events on the beach. Selected live music will add to the festive story and mood.

Reflecting the contemporary Maldives, this festive season will be filled with culinary experiences and Gala Events. On New Year’s Eve, a sumptuous Gala Dinner, a countdown party with a Maldivian live band at the Compass Pool Bar and fireworks will herald the dawn of the New Year. There will also be heritage activities such as traditional Maldivian Cultural Shows.

For reservations or more information, visit www.milaidhoo.com, call the reservations team on +960 660 0484 or email reservations@milaidhoo.com.

Overwater Dining at Baros Maldives

Baros Maldives indulges guests in the finest gourmet fare with its four overwater dining venues.

Built on stilts that extend into the lagoon, the Lighthouse provides the ultimate place from which to embrace the awe-inspiring sunset or romantic dinners under star-speckled skies. Enjoy anything from seafood symphonies to unique Maldivian fusion gourmet dishes that draw on Asian and Mediterranean flavours. The experience is enhanced with ultimate wine pairing on the recommendation of the in-house sommelier.

The Piano Deck is a sensational overwater dining option. Perched atop the grand-piano shaped deck surrounded entirely by the mesmerising lagoon, this is the ultimate place to enjoy gourmet dishes to the sights and sounds of the endless Indian Ocean.

Baros Maldives also offers floating breakfasts for private overwater dining. Best enjoyed in a Water Pool Villa, pre-selected breakfast dishes are delivered to the villa and served in the pool.

Furthermore, guests can voyage into the deep blue aboard the resort’s very own Maldivian dhoni, Nooma. Created to resemble the original Maldivian sailing boats and enhanced with modern creature comforts, guests can sail into the sunset while enjoying gourmet meals they will never forget. An authentic experience — made even more magical when the dolphins come out to play — a meal aboard Nooma is sure to be unforgettable.

Rates at Baros start from USD 733 per night in a Deluxe Villa, including breakfast, excluding taxes. To make a booking or for more information, visit www.baros.com or contact the resort directly at reservations@baros.com or on +960 664 267.

Featured Image: Soneva Fushi