Solstice Celebrations Bloom at JW Marriott Maldives Resorts
Monday 30th of June 2025
On June 20, 2025, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa and the newly opened JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort came together to celebrate the summer solstice with a JW Marriott signature Garden Party. The occasion, deeply rooted in nature, community, and the spirit of renewal, brought guests and resort leadership together in a setting designed to reflect the longest day of the year.
Held within the JW Garden at each resort, the celebration is a global tradition across JW Marriott properties, paying tribute to founders J. Willard and Alice Marriott, who found lasting inspiration in the outdoors and the healing power of nature. At the heart of the event is the JW Garden—a peaceful sanctuary cultivated with edible flowers, herbs, and vegetables that are grown sustainably and thoughtfully used in the resorts' culinary experiences.
Sunset Connections at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
In the Shaviyani Atoll, General Manager Mohit Dembla hosted an intimate gathering in the resort’s lush JW Garden. Guests enjoyed botanical-inspired cocktails and a curated spread of garden-focused canapés, all in the calm and refined atmosphere that defines the JW brand.
Highlights from the evening's menu included spicy tuna served with JW Garden cucumber, smoked salmon on brioche, creamy cucumber topped with crushed dry nuts, and fresh rice paper rolls with prawns paired with an aromatic JW herb dip.
As a thoughtful parting gift, each guest received a butterfly pea flower tea bag, handpicked from the JW Garden. Known for its vibrant hue and delicate flavor, the tea was a simple and elegant reflection of the evening’s connection to nature and wellbeing.
Nature remained at the center of the celebration. From the herbs and flowers in the food to the peaceful setting, the event was a quiet reminder of the grounding joy found in living close to nature.
A Celebration of Renewal at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort
At the JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, General Manager Srikanth Devarapalli and his team welcomed guests to a golden-hour gathering in the JW Garden. The evening unfolded with a relaxed cocktail hour followed by a six-course dinner that paid tribute to the richness of the island and the creativity of the resort’s culinary team.
Each course was rooted in the JW Garden. Homemade cheese canapés featured local herbs and coconut, while “Roots of the Garden” offered a trio of basil, spinach, and dill sourdough breads served with garden herbs butter. Sustainably sourced seafood was also at the heart of the menu, and the dish titled “Elemental Fire Earth, Smoke, Soul” featured grilled confits with garden chili glaze and eggplant jus.
The experience ended on a sweet and whimsical note, with a trio of desserts including a tuna bonito floss macaron. Guests departed with two handcrafted keepsakes: a jar of passionfruit jam and a bottle of locally sourced coconut oil—both inspired by the island’s flavors and natural offerings.
A Moment to Reflect and Renew
At both resorts, guests were invited to participate in a poetic tradition: Seed Paper Wishes. Each guest received a piece of plantable paper on which to write a personal wish for the second half of the year. These papers were then planted in the JW Garden—symbolizing renewal, intention, and the quiet growth of what’s to come.
“There's something timeless and grounding about marking the solstice with community, nature, and intention,” said Mohit Dembla, General Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. “The Garden Party reminds us that luxury is not defined by what we consume, but by how we feel. It is about creating space for connection to ourselves and the world around us.”
Building on that idea, Srikanth Devarapalli, General Manager of JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, added,
“The JW Garden captures a spirit of presence and connection. It invites us to savor life’s simple pleasures and reconnect with what truly nourishes us. Hosting our first Garden Party brought that spirit to life in a meaningful way for our guests.”
As the evening closed across both islands, guests carried with them the spirit of the solstice—full hearts, light spirits, and a renewed connection to the natural world. With its thoughtful touches and deep ties to the land, the Garden Party served as a quiet celebration of abundance, simplicity, and the mindful joy of living well.