Simply Abu Dhabi XXIX

2 8 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I lagoon, guests enjoy a la carte options such as Peeky toe crab cakes, Balinese Pepes ikan, or a mouth-watering platter of lobster, reef fish, salmon, calamari and king prawn with Asian salads and oriental dips. Tsuki is a glorious celebration of authentic Japanese cuisine. The atmosphere is relaxed even though the food is incredibly refined. It’s a pleasure to pass an evening here and of course the dishes are all inherently healthy. The chefs prepare Japanese soups, salads, tempura, sashimi, sushi, hot dishes and plenty of delicious desserts. Located on the east side of the island standing over the lagoon, within the Coco Residences enclave, Stars fuses flavours of the East with those of the Mediterranean. At Latitude, the stone-baked pizzas and Asian inspired wraps and sandwiches make for a relaxed lunch or an energy boost after a hard day’s snorkelling or sunbathing. Live bands set the tone on select evenings, serenading the sunset over Bodu Hithi. There are also guaranteed to be times where you just can’t peel yourself away from the luxury of your villa, and on those occasions the in-villa menu is full of tempting dishes. Lifestyle Manager at Coco Residences, Gulguna Saidyominova, recommends starting the day at Coco Bodu Hithi with eggs. “The signature omelette from the chef is my secret to start a perfect morning, together with fresh pressed orange juice and of course Maldivian Fresh tuna sashimi. You can never go wrong with fresh sashimi!” Reflecting on her favourite restaurant for a spectacular view, she says, “My favourite is the Stars restaurant. During the daytime, it’s very serene and tranquil.” Over at the Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu the experience is equally unforgettable. Dhuni Kolhu lies in the impossibly blue southern waters of the Baa Atoll, just a half-hour journey by seaplane fromMalé International Airport. It’s the only way to arrive as you get a bird’s eye view of the azure lagoons and curling atolls and it’s a taste of the natural wonders that await you. This is a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve and home to a wonderfully diverse range of marine life and reefs. The Dhuni Kolhu Resort embodies the Maldives as it should be: nourishing, charming, inspiring and enchanting. The style here is rustic yet luxurious, organic yet elegant. Traditional craft blends with the ease of contemporary comfort. This is a soulful place where the everyday stresses of life are left behind, and you can reconnect with nature—Coco Collection gives it the perfect nickname: they call it “barefoot luxury.”