unwind® top ten | unique dining venues for couples

We have picked out unique destination dining venues for couples to romance while holidaying in the Maldives. We encourage you to let us know which ones are your absolute favorites.

#1. Exclusive Beach Dinner at The Rania Experience

Our number ONE pick comes with the biggest price tag, starting at $10,000.00 a night, but it sure to sweep you off your feet! The Rania Experience is the only resort, where you don’t book a ‘room’, you book your own private island with private chef, butler, masseuses and a private yacht to cater to your every whim! Sip away the free-flowing Crystal, witness the divine sunset; a table for two dug on the beach await, a star-lit sky and a candle-lit beach!

Don’t despair yet, many Maldivian resorts do offer a similar dining experience on venues like sandbanks or exclusive patches of beach with selective menu, and a minimal budget!

#2. Underwater Ithaa Restaurant at Conrad Rangali Island Resort & Spa
Dip under water for our second pick, the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant offers a completely unique journey, with fusion Maldivian cuisine paired up with ambrosial wines amidst the blue abyss and gracefully floating marine life. Meals range between $120 to $250 per person with advanced reservation, check out a sample menu here.


#3. Overwater Gazebo Dining at One&Only Reethi Rah
From underwater, we now take you to the ‘overwater’ gazebo at One&Only Reethi Rah. Comfortable reclining cushions, dreamy lighting, gourmet cuisine, under the thatched hut surrounded by the serene ocean breeze and stars above, with your sweetheart next to you, what more can you be asking for?



#4. Underground Wine Cellar at Soneva Fushi
Over-water to underground, this is an absolute haven for wine-lovers! Dine amidst seven thousand wine-bottles in a climate controlled futuristic subterranean dorm. Want to learn a bit more about the wine you’ve selected? Why not ask your wine Sommelier for a private wine presentation?



#5. Jungle Dining at Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa – Maldives
Feel adventurous under the thick tropical vegetation at Shangri-La Villigilli, safari-like experience with a twist. Relish the extravagant gourmet delectable’s cooked by the island chefs.






#6. Fanditha Restaurant at One&Only Reethi Rah
Feel like a Sultan and Sultana at Fanditha Restaurant, with its fantasy décor and ambiance taking you on a journey through the mystical Arabian nights. Laze on the Arabian divans and celebrate your enchanting kingdom with a puff of sheeha, mezzes, delicious Arabian breads and DJ music.



#7. FIRE at W Retreat & Spa - Maldives
Feel the heat at FIRE, the Mongolian style jungle restaurant at W Retreat & Spa – Maldives. Be prepared to be wowed by the trance of fire dancers and bodu beru performers as you are served from the spit-roasted lamb, salads and your favorite beers amidst the privacy of the lush tropical greens and twinkling fire fly lights, creating the mood for you!

#8. Dhoni Dining at Kanuhura
Sail away into the sunset on a dhoni (boat); toasting the golden sunset. Let the waves and cool breezes set the scene, as you relish and share a meal together.

If you are looking for something chic and stylish, W Retreat & Spa – Maldives, offers its “escape” yacht and Huvafen Fushi offers its sleek “Sensuelle” to cruise the seas in complete style and luxury with a sensational dinner on board!



#9. Organic Garden at Soneva Gili
Romance under the gazebo set within Soneva Gili’s bountiful natural splendor and harmony in the serene organic garden. Choose your favorite elements from the specially tailored organic menu prepared by the gourmet chefs on the island.





#10. Grand Beach Pavilion at Waldorf=Astoria, Beach House
Convert your Villa into a romantic rendezvous with twinkling candles, rose petals, champagne on ice and a dinner for two under the enchanting Maldivian skies.

unveiling soon | Six Senses Latitude Laamu

Photo: The Water Suite at Latitude Laamu

Hailing from the eco-friendly Six Senses group of resorts comes the ‘Latitude Laamu’, an elegantly designed retreat located on the island of Olhuveli in Laamu Atoll. This resort will feature 100 luxurious Beach Villas, Water Villas and Water Villa Suites with an unparalleled level of privacy, comfort and luxury. Don’t let the simple rustic exterior of these villas fool you; ultra-cool features like the all-glass sunken ocean view bathtubs, panoramic viewing and dining platforms to the lagoon water-slides makes these retreats paradisaical!

Their naturalistic concepts extends to the Six Sense Spa, with five secluded treatment rooms and two discreetly placed cocoon like Nests’ shrouded within the islands tropical vegetation for natural nurturing. This is complimented with fresh and organic Spa products and a Spa Juice Bar to relieve your mind, soothe your body and quench your soul.

Dining facilities here are so exuberant and otherworldly! Longitude offers creative menus and buffets; Organic Restaurant offers just that - ‘organic food’ with options of a la carte dishes; Ice is for those with a sweet tooth with 40 different flavored ice creams, cocoa kitchen and a crepes bar; Beans and Leaves is for tea and coffee aficionados, and Chill Lounge & Bar is the place to sip cocktails and watch the dazzling sunsets and sunrises. Lastly ‘Altitude’ is an extraordinary glass tower rising from the ocean stocked with a range of delicious wines, fresh Meats and Cheeses and the coolest table to dine on within the Atoll!

Leisure elements include a well-equipped Dive center, pool and gymnasium, excursions to local islands, and an array of water sports to select from. The Guest Library entails a wide selection of books, music and movies available on sophisticated handheld devices to watch, listen or read anytime and anywhere.

There are many more surprises for you to discover within this Utopian island. So mark your calendars for this summer’s most anticipated grand opening in August.


Six Senses currently owns two world-renowned award-winning resorts – Soneva Gili and Soneva Fushi. Both resorts are highly regarded for their eco-friendly social initiatives such as their eco-seasons’ package which brings travelers behind the scene to volunteer and learn about Soneva's environmental and social projects in exchange for free nights.

Condé Nast Publishes Hot and Gold Lists 2010

Photo: Crusoe Residence at Soneva Gili by Six Senses and Spa

The much awaited Condé Nast 16th Annual Gold List and 13th Annual Hot List 2010 were released last week. The luxury Gold List is one of the most comprehensive and ultimate guide to the world’s finest properties and cruise lines, compiled from a survey of 25,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers. The hot list is considered the bible of ‘cool hotels & resorts’ that is buzz-worthy.

Soneva Gili by Six Senses and One&Only Reethi Rah secured spots on the ‘Gold List 2010’ for their glamorous but natural design-consciousness. Both these prestigious resorts have frequently appeared on the Condé Nast Gold list in previous years. Shangri-La Vilingili Resort and Spa took a well deserved spot on the ‘Hot List 2010’ under Asia & Australasia. Located Southernmost tip of the Maldives amidst the lush tropical greens, Shangri-La Vilingili Resort and Spa will soon be celebrating its first year in operation by rolling out special offers the upcoming months. Halaveli by Constance Group also took a spot on the Hot List.

In ‘Readers’ Spa Awards’ category, three Maldivian resort Spas secured spots among World’s top 25 Spas. The COMO Shambhala Retreat at Cocoa Island received a third place, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru took fourteenth place and The Spa by ESPA at One&Only Reethi Rah took nineteenth spot.

Condé Nast Traveler is a highly regarded American luxury travel Magazine published by Condé Nast publications. We invite you to explore the Gold and Hot lists 2010.

Stay Five Nights FREE at Soneva's

Become a Soneva Environmental Advisor this summer and earn five complimentary nights stay at Sonevas

Six Senses & Spa, the pioneer in eco-tourism in the Maldives is now initiating philanthropic escapes, a gratifying travel experience which is becoming a world-wide trend. The Soneva properties in the Maldives – Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili are renowned for their community involvement with projects like 'buy local ' which not only helps the environment but also generate local revenue streams; donating personal computers to schools; donating scanning equipment to the hospital in Baa Atoll; work with ECOCARE - a local environment NGO and more.

Soneva's are now inviting their guests to go ‘behind the scenes’ and discover how much more there is to the wonderful hospitality and rich culture within the Maldivian atolls. Book five nights and volunteer for five hours daily on the local community project of your choice, such as marine conservation, teaching children at a local school, planting trees (carbon-mitigation) and learning how to turn waste into wealth.

Of course, no good deeds go "unrewarded"! Your valuable contribution is awarded with five (additional) nights accommodation at the property of your choice - Soneva Gili or Soneva Fushi. This volunteer program is available to book between June 1 and October 12, 2010, so rush your inquiries to our design specialist to tailor your volunteer escape!