Experience spirituality under the stars at Kuda Villingili, Maldives

Few experiences are more romantic than sitting under a blanket of stars on a white sand beach. Kuda Villingili provides the idyllic location, with its proximity to the equator affording unrivalled views of the northern and southern skies. Following a stint of stargazing, enjoy a private outdoor cinema screening, surrounded by softly glowing candles. Wake to a floating breakfast in the privacy of the villa pool, before spending a day in the resort’s beach spa. A luxurious 120-minute massage awaits, to the soothing sounds of the ocean. Walk along a rose-petal strewn pathway and board the resort’s catamaran for a sunset cruise, spotting dolphins, sipping champagne, and enjoying fresh canapes for an evening of unforgettable romance.

To book, please visit: Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives – Reservations – Room Availability (synxis.com) Rooms start at £1000, inclusive of breakfast.

Lochside Romance at Cameron House

Cameron House, on the beautiful banks of Loch Lomond, is the perfect manor for a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day. This year it is offering the ultimate Valentine’s package – including a champagne loch cruise, soar high over the loch on a sea plane, a night in the resort’s signature two-floored penthouse suite, a seven-course tasting menu at Tamburrini & Wishart and even a private cinema experience.

For more information, please visit: Luxury Loch Lomond Hotel | Cameron House Resort

Hospitality consultant, award-winning mixologist and owner of Manly restaurant and bar Banco, Kurtis Bosley knows a thing or two about how to have a great night out in Manly. Here the local shares his knowledge for a memorable after-dark excursion to the nightlife hub of Sydney‘s laidback Northern Beaches, now just as popular for its culinary scene as its buzzing late-night bars.

Salute the sunset with a drink in-hand
The night begins early at Banco on Manly’s Whistler Street, which serves a special sips and snacks menu until 6pm. “It’s our take on a happy hour, with a menu of bite-sized snacks that changes all the time — there might be a mini lobster roll, or maybe a steak tartare,” explains Kurtis, who recommends kicking off your evening with bar manager Jacopo Montis’s wine pick of the day.

“In the afternoon he’ll open a bottle of something that he’s loving to drink, and that usually that sits in the natural, biodynamic, minimal-intervention style of wine, and always has a really lovely story,” says Kurtis. “A big part of what we do in this space is have that extra interaction with guests; we talk about where the wine comes from, where your food comes from and how it might have been farmed. We want guests to feel at home here.”

Sunset tends to draw Manly locals and visitors alike to the seaside, particularly the suburb’s harbourside wharf, which offers stellar views to the southwest as the sun sinks behind the city. “Going into summer, it’s really nice to grab a beer down at Wharf Bar [also known as Manly Wharf Hotel], which was recently renovated,” says Kurtis. “The Manly Skiff Club, which has been there for over 100 years, is another good place for a sunset drink, with a great view across Little Manly.”
 

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has unveiled a three-bedroom beach pool villa to meet the growing needs of extended families and groups of friends visiting the island paradise.

Be among the first to experience Kandooma’s new pool villa located just 45-minutes speedboat ride from the Male Velana International Airport.   Step into light-filled spaces and stunning outoor areas surrounded by lush gardens and be enveloped by Kandooma’s magical energy.  

Discover exquisite Maldivian flavours alongside international favourites from the in-villa dining menu served in privacy on your own poolside deck or take a short 5-minute walk to the heart of the island to experience one of six dining outlets.  Situated nearby to the villa is the exquisite Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala offering luxurious treatments and massages, and for those who prefer to just kick-back and relax,

savour your day spent soaking up the sun and lounging in the privacy of your own villa with your playlist on the sound system.

When you are ready to explore the wonders of the Maldives the resort’s recreation team is nearby to set-up everything from yoga classes, deep sea fishing and sunset cruises, to scuba diving expeditions, swimming with sharks and snorkelling with majestic Mantas and the giants of the ocean,  Whale Sharks.   

For information about getaways to Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives visit www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has announced an exclusive new fine dining offering that has been lovingly crafted to take a strictly limited number of lucky diners to seventh heaven on a uniquely Maldivian epicurean adventure. Starting from December 10 this year, couples staying at the luxury Maldives resort are invited to have their breaths taken away as they embark on an enthralling new journey of sensory extravagance at SEA, the world’s most famous underwater restaurant. 

Setting the mood for an evening of pure indulgence, the exclusive gastronomic adventure combines the enchantment of dining six metres below the sea, surrounded by the vibrant sights of the most famed house reef in the Maldives, with the intimacy of spending the evening in an award-winning underwater restaurant where each evening’s repast is limited to six couples, or twelve adults, per sitting to create an ambiance of heavenly romance.

Seven really is the magic number for this seventh heaven dining experience. The evening’s adventure begins with an aperitif glass of champagne at 7:00 pm before the journey of sipping wines, feasting and dining indulgence gets underway in earnest.

To further enhance the romance, guests can choose to have their dinner paired with a selection of wines, expertly hand-picked by the resort’s resident Wine Guru. Provided from the world’s first underwater wine cellar, the impressive wine list features 450 labels from both renowned and off-the-beaten-track wine regions to ensure every palate is appropriately pampered.
Available from USD 395++ per person for food only plus an additional fee of USD 195++ with wine pairing included, the one-of-a-kind journey to seventh heaven is guaranteed to serve up a priceless experience.