On June 20, 2025, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort transformed the summer solstice into an extraordinary celebration of nature, community, and mindful luxury. The resorts’ signature JW Marriott Garden Party invited guests to reconnect with the natural world through an immersive culinary and sensory experience.
Rooted in the legacy of JW Marriott founders J. Willard and Alice Marriott, the event honored their deep appreciation for nature’s restorative power. Each resort’s meticulously cultivated JW Garden served as a living sanctuary, showcasing sustainably grown edible flowers, herbs, and vegetables that would become the evening’s gastronomic centerpiece.
At the Shaviyani Atoll location, General Manager Mohit Dembla curated an intimate evening where guests experienced botanical-inspired cocktails and artfully prepared canapés. The menu featured innovative dishes like spicy tuna with JW Garden cucumber, smoked salmon on brioche, and fresh rice paper rolls with an aromatic herb dip—each plate telling a story of local ingredients and culinary creativity.
Meanwhile, at the Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, General Manager Srikanth Devarapalli guided guests through a golden-hour celebration that transcended traditional dining. The six-course dinner became a poetic exploration of island bounty, featuring dishes like homemade cheese canapés with local herbs, sustainably sourced seafood, and a whimsical dessert course that included a tuna bonito floss macaron.
A unique highlight of the evening was the Seed Paper Wishes tradition. Guests were invited to write personal wishes on plantable paper, which were then ceremoniously planted in the JW Garden—symbolizing hope, growth, and renewal for the coming months.
“Luxury is not defined by what we consume, but by how we feel,” explained Dembla. “The Garden Party creates space for genuine connection to ourselves and the world around us.” This philosophy of mindful experience was echoed by Devarapalli, who emphasized the garden’s ability to invite presence and appreciation of life’s simple pleasures.
As a parting gesture, guests received thoughtful gifts that captured the essence of the evening: butterfly pea flower tea bags, handcrafted passionfruit jam, and locally sourced coconut oil—each item a sensory reminder of the evening’s connection to nature and wellbeing.
The solstice Garden Party demonstrated that luxury travel is evolving beyond mere accommodation, becoming an immersive journey of sensory discovery, sustainability, and meaningful connection.
For more information about these extraordinary Maldivian experiences, visit jwmarriottmaldives.com.