Marking International Butler’s Day, SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS unveils Edhurun, a guest philosophy that reimagines the butler tradition through a culturally grounded, psychologically attuned lens. While many luxury resorts in the Maldives reference local heritage, few have embedded it so intentionally into the heart of their service ethos. Edhurun signals a deeper shift—one that translates cultural insight into a refined Maldivian expression of hosting, quiet in tone yet elevated in execution.

Derived from the Maldivian word for “mentor,” Edhurun is not a job title but a principle: the art of knowing—without being asked. It forms a foundation of the brand’s people philosophy, Rayyithun, ‘The People of the Islands,’ and will debut at RAH GILI MALDIVES in early 2026, followed by DHON MAAGA MALDIVES in late 2026, with a portfolio-wide rollout to follow.

“This isn’t about adding another luxury label to service,” says Laith Pharaon, CEO and Co-Founder of SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS. “It’s about removing what gets in the way—and honouring a kind of attention that feels instinctive, not rehearsed. Edhurun reflects that belief.

Why Edhurun

In Maldivian culture, the Edhurun is a mentor—respected not for instruction, but for presence. They guide through example, listen more than they speak, and possess a quiet authority grounded in trust. This is the spirit that defines the new hosting model at SIX & SIX. Hosts aren’t assigned to serve; they’re aligned with intention. Hospitality here is not transactional—it’s a choreography of rhythm, ease, and emotional awareness.

Attention is not announced. It’s simply felt.

More Than a Butler: A Translator of Place

Unlike traditional butler systems that prioritise efficiency and task execution, Edhurun is shaped by emotional intelligence, refined sensitivity, and narrative memory. Guests are not matched by villa category or booking tier, but by intention—whether seeking solitude, celebration, restoration, or creative clarity.

There are no scripts. Instead, subtle gestures signal understanding: a villa layout adjusted to mirror how a guest moved the day before. A note in the guest’s native language—brief, unsigned. A bottle of vintage wine uncorked quietly, timed to the hour it was enjoyed the night before. Even discreet safety arrangements are managed seamlessly. It’s hospitality pared back to its essence—where the rarest gesture isn’t attention, but understanding.

“Edhurun isn’t a role you train into, it’s a mindset you cultivate,” said Marc Gussing, Director of Operations for SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS. “Our guests arrive with high expectations—and rightly so. They notice what’s off before it’s said. What we offer isn’t less service, it’s sharper and more personal. It takes a different kind of awareness to get that right.”

Recruitment Beyond Credentials

This new model challenges traditional ideas of what qualifies someone to host at the highest level. While many will come from leading global brands, the programme also welcomes those with natural emotional depth, cultural fluency, and humility—qualities rarely listed on a CV. Training blends guest psychology, local heritage, and the quiet art of observation. Hosts learn how to hold space rather than fill it. How to recognise when silence carries more meaning than words. How to respond without overtaking.

This approach also informs inclusive recruitment. Alongside seasoned professionals, the programme seeks women, elders, and individuals with intuitive, interpersonal strengths. Their lived experience doesn’t lower standards—it deepens them. Their inclusion isn’t symbolic—it’s strategic.

A Cultural Anchor

Rayyithun—The People of the Islands—anchors the SIX & SIX people philosophy. It reframes hospitality not as performance, but presence. Roles like healer, builder, poet, or guide are treated not as tasks but as expressions of identity and care.

Seasonal apprenticeships, community-based learning, and co-created curriculums with island elders ensure that traditional knowledge systems remain living, not preserved. Through oral traditions, rituals of welcome, and intergenerational exchange, hosting becomes cultural stewardship. For the global traveller who has seen it all, this offers something quietly different—where culture isn’t displayed, but felt.

For the Traveller Who Has Seen It All

In today’s luxury landscape, privacy and comfort are givens. What sets an experience apart is how it makes you feel— without ever needing to announce itself. Here, Edhurun finds its quiet power.

It doesn’t deliver excitement—it reflects intention. The host becomes an extension of the guest’s rhythm, responding to energy and mood in subtle, almost unspoken ways, yet deeply profound. The luxury lies not in what is offered, but in how it’s received. In presence, not performance. In listening, not leading. In a sense of ease that doesn’t feel curated—it simply is.

A Signature of the Brand

As SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS evolves as a lifestyle-led luxury brand, Edhurun will become a defining signature across all six islands. Following its debut at RAH GILI, the model will be implemented at DHON MAAGA, with future resorts adapting the principle to reflect their own narrative while upholding the same commitment to intention- led hospitality. A structured mentorship and performance framework will guide its consistency and growth.

“This isn’t just a reinterpretation of butler service. It’s a return to something older—and in many ways, more refined,” says Laith Pharaon. “The kind of hosting where nothing is announced, but everything is understood. Where stillness carries weight. And where true luxury doesn’t need to be seen to be felt.”

Edhurun is just one expression of Rayyithun, the brand’s people philosophy that will continue to take shape through other roles rooted in Maldivian life—from the Masverin (Fishermen) and Raaverin (Toddy Tappers), to the Beruverin (Drummers) and Beysverin (Healers). Each reflects a different way of being—and a different way of caring, with more to come as the story unfolds.

This is the way of the Edhurun. And they walk it quietly—beside you.

Headquartered in Malé, SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS operates luxury and ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives. By taking a fresh approach to hospitality—one rooted in simplicity, artistry, intuitive service, and honest, natural connections—SIX & SIX gives guests complete freedom to curate their own, unique journeys. The company will open six independently branded resorts in its first phase of development, with openings scheduled from 2025 through 2029.

At Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, guests can now glide across the pristine turquoise lagoons aboard a sleek, high-performance Jet Car — a new water adventure that seamlessly blends excitement with elegance. This latest addition invites guests to experience the Maldives from an entirely fresh perspective, all while immersed in the refined comfort and distinctive style for which both resorts are renowned. A striking combination of speed, scenic beauty, and luxury, the Jet Car experience encapsulates the resorts’ dedication to delivering unforgettable moments for discerning travellers.

Powered by a high-performance Yamaha engine, the Jet Car offers a thrilling ride over the clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Guests may select from various packages, including guided excursions where a professional driver navigates the route, or private hire options that allow guests to take control, accompanied by a jet ski guide for added safety and assistance.

At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, the experience is marked by a sleek white Jet Car that creates a dramatic contrast against the deep ocean hues, while Sun Siyam Iru Veli introduces a vibrant pink Jet Car that brings a playful splash of colour to the horizon. With intuitive controls, the Jet Cars cater to both seasoned water sports enthusiasts and beginners alike. Built-in Bluetooth speakers further personalise the journey, allowing guests to curate their own soundtrack for the ride.

To mark the launch of the Jet Car, both resorts are offering exclusive summer packages. At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, guests staying a minimum of seven nights will receive complimentary round-trip seaplane transfers for two, a veranda breakfast, a Lucky Dolphin Cruise, a USD 100 spa credit on selected treatments, and a welcome bottle of wine with signature bed decoration. Meanwhile, the offer at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef includes complimentary transfers, a sparkling wine and fruit basket on arrival, the choice of a floating or in-villa breakfast, a 30-minute couple’s spa treatment, a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability), access to selected non-motorised water sports, and free accommodation for children under 12.

Available for bookings made until 31 August, these seasonal offers present a perfect opportunity for guests to pair barefoot luxury with exhilarating new experiences on the water.

Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the opening of dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, a vibrant new all-inclusive lifestyle resort just 7 minutes from Malé’s Velana International Airport.

Blending contemporary design with warm Thai hospitality, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives is the first dusitD2-branded resort in the country and introduces a fresh, modern energy to one of the world’s most iconic destinations. The opening represents Dusit’s continued evolution into experience-led hospitality — offering guests more freedom, flexibility, and personality-driven travel experiences.

A Playful Take on Island Life

Set on its own private island just 7 minutes by speedboat from the international airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives is designed for travellers who seek more than just relaxation — those who value creativity, connection, and effortless fun.

The resort features 127 contemporary villas, each with a private deck and plunge pool, blending Mediterranean tones with tropical textures and subtle Thai accents. The Premium All-Inclusive offering includes à la carte dining across five venues, a curated beverage programme, daily entertainment, and a host of experiences that invite guests to explore, unwind, and reconnect — all included in one seamless stay.

Whether snorkelling vibrant reefs, soaking in oceanfront sunsets, or dancing barefoot on the beach, every moment is designed to be spontaneous, social, and unforgettable.

Culinary Discovery Across Five Concepts

The resort’s dining scene is a celebration of flavour and variety, offering something for every palate and mood.

Baraveli is the heart of dining, where guests start their day with a champagne breakfast and return for globally inspired themed dinners in a casual beachside setting.

MIDI, the main poolside restaurant, brings a Mediterranean soul to the island. With sun-soaked terraces, open-air seating and an amazing rooftop for perfect sundowners, it serves up handcrafted pastas, grilled seafood, refreshing salads, and wood-fired flatbreads — ideal for relaxed lunches or lively dinners by the water.

BŌ, the overwater Asian dining destination, delivers refined takes on East and Southeast Asian favourites — from delicate dumplings and bold stir-fries to spiced broths and chargrilled dishes, all served with sweeping lagoon views.

Soi channels the lively energy of Thailand’s street food culture, serving flavour-packed dishes full of Thai soul — think zesty salads, grilled skewers, and wok-fried classics with a contemporary island twist.

Cocoon rounds out the culinary journey with beachside cocktails, small plates, live music, and relaxed sunset lounging — perfect for kicking back after a day in the sun.

Relaxation, Refined

At the core of the island’s relaxation offerings is Namm Spa, Dusit’s signature spa brand. Rooted in traditional Thai healing philosophies, Namm Spa at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives offers a carefully curated menu of massages and treatments in a tranquil setting designed for total escape.
While not a wellness resort per se, the property encourages balance through optional beachfront yoga, a sea-view fitness deck, and space to simply slow down and breathe.

Designed with Purpose

dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives integrates sustainability at every level — from energy-efficient systems and low-impact design to local sourcing, reef-safe amenities, and marine conservation awareness. As part of Dusit’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement, the resort offers guests the opportunity to learn, participate, and give back through curated experiences that connect with local nature and culture.

Yogeswaran Veerasamy, General Manager of dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, added: “Our goal was to create something bold, welcoming, and refreshingly different. dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives is a place where guests can feel free to be themselves, enjoy high-quality experiences without hassle, and connect with the world — or disconnect completely. We look forward to welcoming guests from around the globe to experience our playful take on island living.”