27 years coming to the Maldives and still there are things I’ve seen online and elsewhere in my travel that would seem to be right at home in the Maldives, but I have seen them there yet.
Custom Cocktails – Also, could be called “Drink Designer”. This inspired approach to mixology was something that we discovered at “Bar Stories” in Singapore. There is NO cocktail menu. Instead, the mixologist talks with you at your table as you describe the general characteristics of the cocktail you imagine. My brief was “I want a pina colada that’s not a pina colada. I like my cocktails super cold, fruit and a bit exotic.” [video above]
Blue Murano Glass – These Murano glass beads seem ideal to evoke the aquatic aesthetic.
Electric Hydrofoil – Maker Candela has even specially targeted the Maldives.
Floating Villas – In a destination where so much floats and its signature lodging is water villas, it does seem to be overdue for one of these floating villas. A few resorts have boats that have been modified as lodging, but nothing quite so villa-like as these. The New York Times featured a collection of them recently – https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/travel/floating-hotels-resorts.html (paywalled). (thanks Lori)
Underwater Garden – A true octopus’s garden under the sea.
Micro Seaplane – In a country famed for its seaplanes, this seems like a distinctive option for a local aerial tour.
Food Art – More food art ideas in Instagram…
Folded Fried Egg – Egg stations are perhaps the most common staple or the breakfast buffets and this technique elevate their fare to the distinctive.
