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
News
Hauntingly beautiful Halloween night with VICTORI at Reethi Faru Resort

This Halloween, Reethi Faru Resort invites you to experience an unforgettable evening where mystery, music, and luxury intertwine under the Maldivian moonlight.
On Halloween, October 31st, 2025, the island paradise will be transformed into a world of spellbinding elegance, highlighted by a special live performance from internationally acclaimed vocal artist VICTORI (Victoria Bulieieva). Dare to experience the magic?
A finalist of The Voice and recipient of the prestigious Maria Callas Award, presented by Prince Albert II of Monaco, VICTORI is a genre-defying performer whose powerful voice seamlessly blends classical finesse with symphonic rock, alternative pop, and metal crossover. Featured in Forbes Monaco, she has shared stages with Plácido Domingo Jr., Maye Musk, and Eric Roberts, while her viral performances have captivated millions worldwide.
Her hauntingly powerful voice, paired with her striking stage presence, promises to create an atmosphere unlike any other — the perfect harmony between the mystical spirit of Halloween and the natural beauty of the Maldives. Guests will be swept into an enchanting journey where operatic power meets modern artistry, making this night a celebration of music, mystery, and magic.
As a special gift to guests, VICTORI will perform an exclusive additional performance on November 2nd, offering another rare opportunity to experience her artistry in an intimate island setting.
In addition to the performance, guests can enjoy children’s face painting, creative activities, a Halloween costume party, a specially curated buffet of international and local dishes, signature cocktails, and themed decorations that spark imagination and enhance the holiday spirit.
Join the team at Reethi Faru Resort and celebrate Halloween in true style — with unforgettable music, enchanting ambiance, and magical moments that will linger long after the night ends.
Action
Dusit Thani Maldives offers direct access to Baa Atoll’s living reef

At Dusit Thani Maldives, the experience of the ocean begins directly at the doorstep. Situated within the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, the resort is surrounded by one of the most vibrant house reefs in the country, offering guests the opportunity to explore a thriving underwater world just steps from their villa.
What distinguishes the resort is its 360-degree house reef. Each villa, whether set above the lagoon or along the beach, opens directly onto the water. Guests can enter the ocean within moments of leaving their deck, where coral gardens, schools of tropical fish, and turtles can often be seen. The seamless access allows families, beginners, and experienced snorkellers to engage with the reef naturally, without the need to plan or schedule an excursion.
The location within the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve makes every swim a part of a wider story of conservation and discovery. Recognised globally for its corals and tropical marine life, the reserve becomes a key gathering site for manta rays and whale sharks during the season. Around the reef, visitors can observe parrotfish, angelfish, eagle rays, and reef sharks, making it a living example of biodiversity and preservation.
Life at the resort is centred on this connection with the sea. Guests may begin their day with a morning swim, take part in a guided snorkelling safari with marine experts, and conclude by observing the coral gardens as they take on new colours in the evening light. The ocean becomes not simply a backdrop but an integral part of daily life.
The PADI-certified Dive and Watersports Centre further enhances this relationship with the ocean, offering night snorkels, freediving, drift dives, and marine education programmes designed for families. Guests are supported to safely explore the biodiversity of the atoll at their own level, whether through a gentle introduction or more advanced diving experiences.
Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager, Dusit Maldives, noted that snorkelling at the resort is not treated as an activity but as part of the rhythm of island life. He explained that the reef begins where the villa deck ends, allowing guests the freedom to explore the ocean at their own pace and making the location distinctive in its accessibility and natural beauty.
At Dusit Thani Maldives, the distinction between villa and ocean fades away. From sighting turtles at sunrise to drifting beside reef sharks at dusk, every moment reinforces the natural character of the Maldives and the unique setting of the resort.
Business
SATA 2025 announces partnerships; confirms Hotelier Maldives, Maldives Insider as Media Partners

Hotelier Maldives and Maldives Insider have been confirmed as official Media Partners of the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025. The announcement was made during a signing ceremony held at Hulhulé Island Hotel, Maldives, where SATA unveiled its distinguished partners for the 9th edition of the annual awards.
Now in its ninth year, SATA has become a key platform for recognising excellence in South Asia’s tourism and hospitality sector. The partnership with Hotelier Maldives and Maldives Insider will strengthen the awards’ regional visibility and ensure extensive coverage of the event across Maldives and beyond.

This year’s awards ceremony will take place from 19th to 20th September 2025 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Sri Lanka, bringing together industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators from across South Asia.
In addition to the media partnership, SATA 2025 also announced its corporate partners. Honda Marine has been named the Platinum Partner, while The Hawks, Velana International Airport, and Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives join as Gold Partners. Renaatus Realty has been confirmed as the Silver Partner, and Hulhulé Island Hotel continues as the official Hospitality Partner in the Maldives.

Speaking at the ceremony, SATA organisers noted that the strong lineup of partners reflects the growing importance of collaboration within the tourism and hospitality industry. With the support of its partners, SATA 2025 aims not only to celebrate outstanding achievements but also to foster long-term cooperation and sustainable growth in the region’s tourism sector.
The awards are endorsed by leading national tourism bodies and associations across South Asia, including the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Nepal Tourism Board, Visit Maldives Corporation Limited, and several travel and hotel associations across the region.

This year’s evaluation process was conducted by a panel of nine jury members representing different countries, including tourism leaders from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Spain, and the Maldives.
Through partnerships with media outlets such as Hotelier Maldives and Maldives Insider, SATA 2025 will ensure broad engagement across key markets, strengthening its position as one of South Asia’s most prestigious hospitality and travel award platforms.
-
News1 week ago
Sirru Fen Fushi welcomes Anastasia Yatsenko for 3-day Pilates escape
-
News1 week ago
NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort opens final days to book Endless Horizon Maldives Escape offer
-
Action1 week ago
Sierra Kerr joins surfing lineup for 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Champions Trophy
-
Action1 week ago
From reef to horizon: Immersive island experiences at Angsana Velavaru
-
News1 week ago
Milaidhoo Maldives presents ‘Reef Stories’ in celebration of World Photo Day
-
Family6 days ago
The Nautilus Maldives launches children’s sustainability workshops in partnership with ecoBirdy
-
News6 days ago
Eight irresistible reasons to trade Winter for Maldives
-
Cooking5 days ago
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa presents world-class Omakase experience with Chef Fumio Yonezawa