News
Maldives celebrates best at World Luxury Hotel Awards 2013
Maldives.net.mv – On the 1st of November the red-carpet was once again rolled out by the World Luxury Hotel Awards to welcome some of the world’s top hoteliers & leading decision-makers. The spotlight was turned on some of the world’s most sought after hotels, lodges and resorts as they arrived in great anticipation to pick-up their recognition as the winning results were revealed at the annual “glitzy affair”. Once again Maldives was triumphant by winning some of the top awards including overall winner of the night.
Covered by France24 the World Luxury Hotel Award’s official media partner, the event included a 6 course gala dinner followed by top entertainment and presentation of coveted Awards.
Our belief is that service excellence is the most critical factor in a hotel’s measure as a luxury hotel and winning a World Luxury Hotel Award would enhance performance levels if industry peers can be judged against other major players in the field. We can always be inspired to greater levels of excellence meaning exceeding customer’s expectations and paying attention to detail, said Marinique de Wet Director of the World Luxury Hotel Awards.
World Luxury Hotel Awards events offer hoteliers with a unique opportunity to savour and celebrate their achievements of the past year with their industry peers.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards was established in 2006 to recognize the worldwide luxury hotel industry and legendary hotels with respect to overall service excellence. Award winners raised the bar of service delivery within the industry ever since as some of the world’s top hotels including brands such as Swissôtel, InterContinental, Hilton, Kempinski, Anantara & Mövenpick Hotels compete annually to receive top honours. Over 1,000 hotels from 87 countries were nominated to participate in the world’s most prestigious Awards initiative for luxury hotels in 2013.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards is positioned as the pinnacle of achievement for luxury hotels worldwide. The Awards account for 50 categories in the luxury hotel industry and include amongst others Luxury Private Island Resorts, Casino Hotels, City Hotels, and Lodges.
Winners are purely judged on service delivery and effective management voted for by International tour operators, travel agents and hotel guests who get the opportunity to cast their valuable votes annually, making the process fair and unbiased.
“The 2013 voting poll proved to yield a record number of votes which have been scrupulously monitored and we are truly proud to reveal those properties that have seen challenges in 2012 as opportunities.”
We believe that World Luxury Hotel Awards category winners would serve as an inspiration to nominees and other luxury properties on the global front to raise their levels of service delivery in order to feel comfortable in competing on an international level and to set a benchmark for themselves.
Growing numbers of discerning travellers around the globe are seeking excellence value, impeccable service and the highest quality these days and are now making a point of checking to see who has won a World Luxury Hotel Award before making their own travel choices. The Ultimate Hotel Guide featuring 2013 Award winners has become increasingly popular amongst travel agents & tour operators that utilized it for global reservations, the 7th Edition of this luxury guide was revealed at the Gala Ceremony recently.
Participation in the World Luxury hotel Awards encourages exclusivity and uniqueness, critical indicators that truly define a luxury hotel.
The Awards also aim to encourage sustainable competitiveness in order to build staff moral & create maximum awareness within the luxury hotel industry, De Wet, Director of the WLHA added.
Hotels where recognized on a country, continent and global basis and Awards were presented to hotels and hotel groups from Australia to Zambia complimenting leading hotel groups.
Leading partners to the 2013 Gala Ceremony included Qatar Airlines and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau. With great enthusiasm Coco Privé Kuda Hithi Island, Maldives was announced the 2013 World Luxury Hotel Awards overall winner and the Award was presented to Mr Ahmed Shabeer, Managing Director & Chairman of Coco Collection. Congratulations!
Global winners
- Coco Privé Kuda Hithi Island Luxury Private Island Resort
- Constance Halaveli Maldives Luxury Island Resort
- Royal Island Resort & Spa Luxury Romantic Hotel
Continental winner – Indian Ocean
- Coco Bodu Hithi Luxury Villa Resort
- Hulhule Island Hotel Luxury Airport Hotel
- Island Hideaway, Luxury Boutique Hotel
- Paradise Island Resort & Spa Luxury Hotel & Conference Centre
Food
OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi invites guests to break fast island-style this Ramadan
OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi invites guests, residents, and visitors to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan with meaningful Iftar gatherings, just a short 15-minute speedboat journey from Velana International Airport. Designed for colleagues, friends, and families to come together in a relaxed island setting, the resort offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere to share the blessings of the season over a thoughtfully curated Iftar spread.
Hosted daily throughout Ramadan, from 18th February to 19th March at Element X restaurant from 06:00 — 07:15 PM, the Iftar experience features an extensive buffet showcasing traditional Maldivian flavours alongside popular regional favourites. Guests can enjoy juice, dates, mixed dry fruits and nuts, yoghurt, Maldivian short eats, a selection of main courses, and desserts, offering a wholesome and festive dining experience in the spirit of Ramadan.
The experience is well suited for corporate gatherings and family groups, with special packages available for group reservations, and guests are encouraged to confirm their bookings at least 24 hours in advance. Convenient speedboat transfers make the island easily accessible for those joining the evening gathering.
This Ramadan, gather your loved ones and share the joy of togetherness over a memorable island Iftar experience at OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi.
For details and bookings, please call +960 934 2685 / +960 934 2550, or email fbreservations.ailafushi@coloursofoblu.com.
Family
Kuda Villingili to host family-focused Easter celebration with dining, wellness events
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has announced its Easter Celebration 2026 programme, inviting guests to experience a week of festivities inspired by the playful charm of Candy Land, reinterpreted through the resort’s signature approach to calm, space and understated luxury.
Located on a private island in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort features 75 villas and residences designed to offer privacy and connection to the surrounding natural environment. The Easter programme has been structured to combine dining, wellness, family activities and ocean-based experiences.
The Easter calendar includes a series of themed dining events intended to bring families and friends together throughout the week. Guests will be able to explore curated culinary journeys such as Caravan of Flavours, Pan-Asian Voyage and the Easter Grapevine Dinner, each designed to showcase diverse global cuisines in a convivial setting.
A key highlight will be the Kuda Villingili Grand Easter Gala Buffet on Easter Sunday, featuring festive dishes, live cooking stations and live band entertainment. The celebration aims to serve as the focal point of the week’s activities.
For guests seeking a more relaxed island-style experience, the Surfside Sunset BBQ at Raalhu Bar will present flame-grilled specialities and fresh seafood against the backdrop of the Chickens surf break, accompanied by sunset views and live music.
Younger guests will also have the opportunity to participate in the Little Chefs of Kuda: Easter Baking Workshop, a hands-on culinary session designed to introduce children to baking in a playful environment.
Wellbeing remains central to the resort’s Easter offering. A series of wellness experiences will be available throughout the week, including sound healing sessions, Ocean Breeze Yoga conducted over the open sea, and guided yoga flows focused on balance and mindfulness.
These activities are designed to provide space for families, couples and friends to reconnect and mark Easter as a period of renewal and shared experience.
For guests interested in marine activities, MSTS Dive & Water Sports will offer a range of Easter-themed experiences. Young guests can explore introductory diving through the Seal Team for Kids programme, while families can participate in an Easter Kayak Race across the lagoon.
A customised Big Game Fishing experience will also be available for those seeking a more private excursion on the Indian Ocean.
At Kuda Fiyo Kids Club, the Candy Land theme will be brought to life through Easter egg hunts, baking sessions, arts and crafts, themed movie nights and games. The programme has been designed to provide structured activities for children while allowing parents time to relax.
With a combination of festive dining, wellness programming and ocean-based experiences, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives’ Easter Celebration 2026 aims to offer a balanced island escape that blends seasonal celebration with tranquillity.
More information on the Candy Land Easter programme is available via the resort’s official brochure and website.
Awards
Constance Halaveli and Constance Moofushi earn top scores in 2026 Booking.com awards
Constance Hospitality has been recognised in the 2026 Traveller Review Awards by Booking.com, with its Maldivian resorts achieving some of the highest scores within the group’s portfolio.
In the Maldives, Constance Halaveli Maldives received an outstanding score of 9.8 out of 10, while Constance Moofushi Maldives achieved 9.7. The ratings, based on verified guest reviews, reflect consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service delivery.
Constance Halaveli Maldives, known for its spacious overwater and beachfront villas, personalised service and refined dining concepts, continues to perform strongly among travellers. Constance Moofushi Maldives, positioned as a barefoot chic resort with an all-inclusive concept, also maintains a high guest approval rating, supported by its diving experiences and relaxed island atmosphere.
While the wider Constance portfolio across the Indian Ocean was recognised, the Maldives properties stand out as the group’s highest-rated resorts in the 2026 awards cycle.
Commenting on the recognition, Jean-Jacques Vallet, Chief Executive Officer of Constance Hospitality, stated that the awards reflect the professionalism and commitment of the teams on the ground. He added that guest feedback remains central to maintaining service standards and delivering consistent experiences across the group’s destinations.
The recognition reinforces the position of Constance Halaveli Maldives and Constance Moofushi Maldives as leading performers within the Maldives’ competitive luxury hospitality sector.
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