For a hitting the sweet spot any time of day, Ayada offers the most colourful ice cream treats we have come across in the Maldives (if not most anywhere). Always welcome refreshment on a toasty tropical day.
Best of the Maldives: “Free” Ice Cream – Cora Cora
Cora Cora’s “Freedom” theme extends even to its tasty delicacies where its frozen treats offer the option dairy free, sugar Free, and meat product free. All in an appetising range of flavours such as Pumpkin, Banana, Cocoa, Honey Ginger.
Best of the Maldives: Cone Dish – Jumeirah Maldives
Cone or Dish? Or both in one at Jumeirah Maldives’ no compromises Gelateria. I like using a spoon to eat my ice cream (rather than licking…especially in hot weather when it is hard to keep pace with the melting). But then I miss out on the tasty cookie coda to my cold dessert. Not during my stay at Jumeirah.
Best of the Maldives: Ice Lollies – Jumeirah Maldives
Always up for a ice cold sweet, I uncovered the biggest selection of ice lollies I’ve seen in the Maldives at Jumeirah Maldives. Over a dozen varieties of various fruits and flavours and different shapes to boot. Foraging for my “Not Yet Seens” on our annual tours, the resort might want to consider #13 here.
Best of the Maldives: Imaginative Ice Creams – Faarufushi
The culinary creatives at Faarufushi are always musing about a new ice cream taste sensation they can tantalise their guests with. Chef Bir shared his current slate of sorbets with me including:
- · Rose and Jasmine Flower (above)
- · Gorgonzola and Amarena
- · Strawberry and Balsamic
- · Chocolate and Thyme
- · Foie Gras Ice Cream
- · Honeycomb and Ginger
- · Mandarin Sorbet (below)
Best of the Maldives: Ice Cream of the Month – Soneva Fushi / Soneva Jani
Forget Book of the Month Club or Employee of the Month plaques, I want the Ice Cream of the Month subscription thank you. Just another ice cream extravagance at Soneva (both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani) as Maldives Insider reported at its launch last year:
- “Soneva is developing 10 new and unique flavours at Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri, for a total of 30 flavours. These flavours are only available for the next 12 months, after which time they will change. This is in addition to the regular rotating roster of flavours at each resort. Guests at Soneva Fushi’s So Cool will get to sample new flavours such as: Soneva Bread Fruit and Maldivian Pine Nuts, Strawberry, Aged Balsamic and Green Olives, and Curry Leaves and Sweet Mango. While at Soneva Jani’s So Cool, Yuka with Garden Basil, Seaweed, and Caramelised Young Coconut join the classic ice creams and sorbets. Soneva will also be introducing one new flavour each month inspired by that month’s Festival of Colour theme.”
Best of the Maldives: Make Your Own Sundae – LUX North Male Atoll
Buffets are part of the fabric of Maldives resorts, but I’ve never come across an ice cream buffet like LUX North Male Atoll sundae counter at its ICI ice cream parlour. It took me back to perhaps my earliest memory of personalised, decadent taste treats – Putnam Pantry. Back in the 70s, we would make the half hour drive to “make your own sundae” and their ice cream smorgasbord which was the ultimate treat or birthday party. But, not surprisingly, LUX surpassed even the American penchant for excess with 18 flavours of ice cream, 6 sauces, 8 toppings and a range of other accessory treats.
Best of the Maldives: Pool Ice Lollies – Dhigali
All you trick-or-treaters out there are having to trudge door to door to get your sweeties today, but at Dhigali the pool attendant comes by your lounge chair regularly throughout the day to deliver sweet ice lollies to each guest. No need for fancy dress as your swimming costume will be just fine.
Best of the Maldives: Luxury Cone – Kuramathi
Epicurean extravagance doesn’t have to be as elaborate as a chauffeured odyssey, but can be as simple as an ever so slightly decadent ice cream cone. Well, really decadent in Kuramathi’s case…
- “Savour our new ice cream cup selections and customized cones at The Palm in #Kuramathi #Maldives. With less #sugar, you can now have healthier ice cream and enjoy them (almost) guilt-free.”
”Guilt free”? Who’s feeling guilty?
Best of the Maldives: Maxi-Bar – NIYAMA
Mini-bar to the Max. The mini-bar is a staple to Maldives resorts and many of the luxury properties pack them with all sort of delectable goodies. None bigger than NIYAMA. With a very big treat of free ice creams in the freezer!
