Unique Dining Experiences
Indian Ocean
When it comes to luxury travel sales, the Indian Ocean islands play a major role. Long-time favorites, they continue to draw guests back while new high-end resorts keep popping up. But it’s not just the promise of sun, sand, and spectacular snorkeling that fuels repeat visits – unique dining experiences add that extra layer of indulgence. We’ve rounded up some Insta-worthy highlights your clients won’t want to miss!
Unique Dining Experiences
Indian Ocean
When it comes to luxury travel sales, the Indian Ocean islands play a major role. Long-time favorites, they continue to draw guests back while new high-end resorts keep popping up. But it’s not just the promise of sun, sand, and spectacular snorkeling that fuels repeat visits – unique dining experiences add that extra layer of indulgence. We’ve rounded up some Insta-worthy highlights your clients won’t want to miss!
Of course, the Seychelles are known as paradise islands in the Indian Ocean that make romantics’ hearts beat faster. For these guests, the Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas on the main island of Mahé is an excellent choice. The resort consists of just 30 villas – plenty of privacy and opportunities to retreat included! This Anantara property also offers the Dining by Design concept. That means guests can enjoy culinary experiences at selected spots outside a normal restaurant setting. At Anantara Maia Seychelles, this includes a location with a wide view: the private heli-pad. It sits on the highest point of the peninsula where the hotel is located and provides sweeping views of the surrounding islands and the ocean. The dining spot is carefully prepared for guests, complete with lights and table décor, while the special atmosphere comes naturally. What is served is up to the guests. Should it be a barbecue with different meat and seafood options, a five-course lobster menu, or the tasting menu "For the love of Wine"? Everything is possible!
Trade contact: Jessica Giroux, Cluster Director of Sales & Martketing
The North Malé Atoll also offers some exceptional opportunities for unique dining experiences. Baros Maldives, with its 75 villas and residences, features the traditional dhoni Nooma, which can be chartered exclusively by hotel guests. In addition to daytime snorkeling trips, the 19.3-meter vessel is available for sunset cruises – or, even better, for a Private Romantic Dinner Cruise. For four hours, the Nooma – meaning “Blue Flower” – sets sail with guests on board. Alongside the captain and deckhands, a personal butler is present to look after every detail, serving champagne, canapés, and dinner. The cruise departs at 5:30 p.m. with a maximum of four participants; longer sailings can be arranged for an additional fee. The menu includes a cheese platter starter, a seafood selection for two with vegetables, and a white chocolate & Cointreau mousse with strawberries. Sounds delicious! Good to know: besides the sundeck, where dinner is served, the dhoni also features a lounge, a cabin, and a bathroom with shower.
Trade contact: Ibrahim Faisal, Sales Manager
ANZEIGE – Seit 1986 steht die australische Scenic Group für einmalige Kreuzfahrten voller Komfort, Entdeckergeist und Liebe zum Detail. Auch an Bord der Scenic Eclipse ist all dies garantiert, etwa bei einer 11-tägigen Reise durch die traumhafte Südsee – von Neuseeland über Australien, Neukaledonien und Vanuatu bis Fidschi. Weiße Strände, aktive Vulkane und vielfältige Kulturen machen diese Route zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis. Jetzt Ihren Kunden das Frühbucherangebot für 2026 sichern – für magische Kreuzfahrtmomente in der Südsee.
Ihr Kontakt: Achim Weber, Head of Sales | Telefon · E-Mail · Website
On the coral island of Desroches, you feel a bit like Robinson Crusoe, since the Four Seasons is the only resort on the island and guests practically have all the beaches to themselves. When it comes to dining experiences, the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island offers a very special spot: a lighthouse. It houses the aptly named restaurant The Lighthouse and is located at the southwestern tip of Desroches Island. The pretty white tower is visible from afar and stands on a base that shelters the actual restaurant beneath it. The interior is clad in dark wood, fitting to the destination. On its rooftop there is an outdoor lounge from which you have a perfect view of the sunset over the Indian Ocean – best enjoyed with the signature drink Island Breeze in hand. Patrons can also climb the steps to the top of the lighthouse and look out over the sea – or capture the special moment in a photo. By the way, dining is also possible outdoors near the beach. On the menu at The Lighthouse are mainly fresh seafood and meat specialties, but vegetarian options are also available.
Trade contact: Joerg Zimmermann, Regional Director of Travel Industry Sales, Europe
Looking for the perfect setting where couples can savor a private dinner? The Rock at Huvafen Fushi in the North Malé Atoll is hard to beat. Perched at the end of the island’s reef and reached via a stone walkway over the water, this circular terrace feels like a world of its own. As dusk falls, flickering torches and soft lights transform the space into a magical hideaway, making it especially atmospheric at sunset. Guests can choose between two dining experiences: the Barbecue Chef’s Grill, where seafood and meats are prepared surf ’n’ turf style and served with fresh salads, grilled vegetables, truffle mashed potatoes, and a sweet mango bowl, or the Rock Dinner, with dishes such as scallops, shrimp-and-salmon soup, and a generous grill selection prepared before their eyes. Maldivian lobster, chimichurri lamb chops, tuna or prawns – the choice is theirs, before ending on a high note with a dark chocolate and Kahlua mousse. With the waves gently lapping below and the stars above, every bite is wrapped in a touch of Maldivian magic.
Trade contact: Ibrahim Shihan, Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing Universal Resorts
Time to dive in! But no worries, your clients won’t need swimwear or a wetsuit – a chic resort outfit will do. Niyama Private Islands in the Dhaalu Atoll offers a total of ten restaurants, and the most extraordinary sits six meters below sea level: Sub Six can only be reached by speedboat from the jetty, as it is located in front of the recently renovated resort. From the reception area, it’s three floors down and voilà – you’re in an underwater paradise! The fully glazed underwater restaurant offers first-class views of the local marine life. Amazed ahhh! and oohhh! sounds are a daily occurrence. Since the recent renovation of Niyama Private Islands, Sub Six serves Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cuisine – according to the resort, something no other underwater restaurant offers. It is generally open for lunch and dinner, and on certain days it also transforms into a night club. And yes, Sub Six can also be booked as a wedding location. Interesting for travel agencies: the renovation of Niyama Private Islands also included the redesign and expansion of the islands villas.
Trade contact: Paulina Siudym, Director of Sales
Excuse me, where’s my table? That question may come up at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, provided guests have reserved at the Chef’s Garden Treehouse. The tables there are five meters above the ground in the treetops. Small platforms form private sections that ensure plenty of seclusion. From there, guests have a prime view of the Indian Ocean, which is impressive both during the day and at sunset. The menu here is entirely plant-based, with most ingredients coming from the hotel’s own organic garden. Guests may accompany the chef there if they wish and select and harvest vegetables for lunch or dinner themselves. In the evening, a seven-course menu is served, with the option to add meat or seafood. The menu comes from new Executive Chef Davide Allievi, who joined the Maldives resort only a few months ago. Under his lead, the organic garden is set to expand, further zero-waste initiatives will be introduced soon.
Trade contact: Katrin Bogade, Director, Global Sales Leisure Luxury Lifestyle & Airlines bei Hyatt EAME
Let's ask the Industry:
Why is it worth sending guests to the islands of the Indian Ocean more than once?
"The Indian Ocean is always a sought-after dream destination. We have many repeat guests who return to the Maldives year after year. In terms of bookings, the Maldives always lead within the Indian Ocean. Not quite as massively as during Covid times or shortly afterward, but still with more bookings each year than the Seychelles or Mauritius. Last year we had an island buyout for a birthday celebration on one of the Maldivian islands – the Maldives are, of course, perfect for that. You celebrate together with family and friends on a private island – a unique experience, a party on a sandbank under the stars. Private beach barbecues and private dinners are classics that are always very popular – as is a private outdoor cinema experience. The Seychelles have some new hotels that attract clients, including Cheval Blanc, Waldorf Astoria Platte Island, and North Island with its new 'old' concept. Many clients are eagerly waiting for the reopening of Frégate Private Island. For me, the most exciting upcoming openings in the Indian Ocean are Bulgari Maldives and, of course, Frégate Private Island in the Seychelles. When advising on trips to the Indian Ocean, in my opinion it remains something of an insider tip that the Maldives are a great destination in our European summer. The weather at that time is usually very good, and the value for money is excellent!"
Susanne Singer, Managing Director Onefinemoment, Germany