In a world where true luxury is measured by the moments that linger, THE OZEN COLLECTION has once again proven its mastery. The brand claimed top honours at the 33rd World Travel Awards, cementing its position as a global leader in luxury hospitality. From the turquoise waters of the Maldives to the world stage, its commitment to refined elegance, personalised service, and sustainable innovation was celebrated by industry peers and discerning travellers alike.

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI was awarded ‘Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ for the fourth consecutive year, a remarkable achievement that underscores the resort’s unwavering dedication to ultra-luxury hospitality. The crown jewel of the resort, the Royal RESERVE, spans 3,000 square metres and features a private beach, sprawling pool, personal spa treatment room with dedicated therapists, and lavishly appointed living spaces. Guests enjoy exclusive privileges including 24-hour private butler service, a personal chef, and direct lagoon access with panoramic Indian Ocean views. The signature RESERVE Experience™ ensures every desire is anticipated and fulfilled with discreet precision.

“This extraordinary recognition celebrates our passionate pursuit of crafting unforgettable journeys,” says General Manager Abnash Kumar. “To be honoured for four consecutive years fills us with immense joy and strengthens our commitment to perfecting the art of meaningful luxury.”

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO was honoured with ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Villa Resort’ for the second time, having previously won the same category in 2024. The resort’s acclaimed INDULGENCE™ Plan continues to set the standard for comprehensive luxury, offering guests unlimited access to gourmet dining across seven restaurants, premium beverages, curated excursions, and signature spa journeys, all seamlessly included. The iconic underwater restaurant M6m, the first of its kind in the South Malé Atoll, provides a breathtaking setting for unforgettable dining experiences.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of our entire team,” shares General Manager Mei P. Pun. “Every aspect of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO is designed to offer a genuine connection to the beauty and culture of the Maldives.”

These latest accolades add to an impressive collection of recent honours. Both resorts were named among the top ten percent of hotels worldwide in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025, with OZEN LIFE MAADHOO securing a coveted place in the ‘Best of the Best’ category, reserved for the top one percent of hospitality providers globally. The collection also earned JOINT GOLD for ‘Best All-Inclusive Hotel for Families’ at the inaugural Junior Travel Awards 2026. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI’s ELE|NA Elements of Nature Spa was nominated as Maldives’ Best Wellness Retreat at the World Spa Awards 2025, while OZEN LIFE MAADHOO’s sustainability leadership has been validated by three consecutive years of Green Globe Certification.

As THE OZEN COLLECTION continues to expand its award-winning hospitality beyond the Maldives, with upcoming properties in India including OZEN MANSION KOLKATA, OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR, and OZEN PRIVADO GOA, these recognitions reaffirm the brand’s position at the forefront of luxury hospitality, where refined elegance meets genuine connection and environmental responsibility.

Discover award-winning luxury at THE OZEN COLLECTION. Whether you seek the profound privacy of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI or the vibrant energy of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, your perfect island story awaits.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort will mark InterContinental’s 80th anniversary with a rare four-hands culinary collaboration, in partnership with InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort and its Michelin-starred restaurant La Maison 1888. Taking place from 18 to 20 November at The Lighthouse restaurant, the three-night guest dinner series will bring together the creative talent behind two of InterContinental’s most distinctive resort destinations for an elevated celebration of travel, gastronomy and cultural connection.

Set against the turquoise waters of Raa Atoll in the Maldives, the collaboration will transform The Lighthouse into a stage for an intimate culinary journey shaped by flavours from the island of Maamunagau and the forested cliffs of Vietnam’s Son Tra Peninsula. Across three evenings, guests will experience a refined menu, pairing the contemporary French-style cuisine of La Maison 1888, Central Vietnam’s only One Michelin star restaurant, with the fresh seafood and Mediterranean flavours of The Lighthouse.

The series will see the culinary team from La Maison 1888 travel from Vietnam to the Maldives to collaborate with Chef Arun Sivasankaran, Executive Chef of InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, and his team. Bringing more than 20 years of experience across luxury hotels and island resorts, Chef Arun will lend his ingredient-led approach, refined technique and deep understanding of destination dining to a limited-edition menu. La Maison 1888’s Chef de Cuisine, Jean-Louis Angulo, will bring his classical fine-dining expertise to the island, shaped by training at some of the world’s most famous hotels.

At The Lighthouse, guests will be invited to settle into an elegant dinner with panoramic views over the Indian Ocean. The menu will spotlight refined technique, premium seasonal ingredients, ocean-led flavours and thoughtful pairings. The setting, known for its 360-degree vistas and overwater location, provides an atmospheric backdrop for a collaboration designed to appeal to discerning travellers seeking immersive culinary moments within a luxury island setting.

The upcoming dinner series highlights the connection between two landmark InterContinental resorts during the brand’s 80th year, inviting guests to travel between destinations through taste, storytelling and shared craftsmanship.

“This exciting collaboration is a celebration of the InterContinental spirit: bringing cultures, people and experiences together in beautiful destinations. We are delighted to welcome the team from InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort to The Lighthouse, to create an experience that reflects the elegance of both resorts and the culinary ambition our guests seek when they travel,” said Reinhold Johann, General Manager InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.

Available for three nights only (18, 19, 20 November 2026), the guest dinner series will be hosted at The Lighthouse at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. Reservations are required, with further menu details and booking information to be announced soon.

For inquiries and reservations, please visit maldives.intercontinental.com/twelve-pearls-of-the-ocean or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.

There are few images more closely associated with the Maldives than a villa suspended above a turquoise lagoon. For travellers dreaming of the islands, the water villa has become an icon in its own right, a private place above the sea, where mornings begin with the sound of water and the lagoon is just a few steps away.

Against this backdrop, Baros Maldives has been named Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2026 at the World Travel Awards, recognising its distinctive collection of overwater villas and the experience they offer above and within the lagoon.

At Baros, life over the water is wonderfully simple. The Water Villas are designed around a close connection with the sea, each with its own private deck and direct access to the lagoon. From here, guests can slip into the water for an early morning swim, snorkel across the reef or simply sit back and watch the changing colours of the Indian Ocean.

For those seeking a little more space and a private pool, the Water Pool Villas bring together the best of both worlds.

At 126 square metres, each villa offers generous space and privacy, with a private pool overlooking the lagoon and the sea stretching endlessly beyond.

But perhaps what makes the Baros water villa experience truly distinctive is what lies beneath.

Baros is a small island and its house reef is remarkably close to the Water Villas. Within minutes of leaving the villa, guests can find themselves among coral gardens and tropical marine life, discovering the underwater world that has always been at the heart of Baros. Overwater living is not simply about being above the sea, it is about being immersed in it.

It is this effortless connection between villa, lagoon and reef that makes the Water Villas at Baros so special. The setting is spectacular, but the experience is unhurried and deeply personal: barefoot mornings, afternoons spent in the water and evenings watching the sun disappear into the horizon.

The award was presented by the World Travel Awards, one of the travel industry’s most established international awards programmes, recognising excellence across hotels, resorts and travel businesses worldwide through votes from travel professionals and the public.

“We are very pleased to receive this award,” says Ibrahim Faisal, Sales Manager at Baros Maldives. “The water villas have always been an important part of the Baros experience and we are proud to see them recognised in such a competitive destination. The setting speaks for itself, but it is our team who bring the experience to life and make each stay memorable for our guests.”

At Baros, there is no need to look far for the sea. It is beneath your feet, beyond your deck and all around the island.

And perhaps that is the enduring appeal of a Baros Water Villa: the luxury of having the Indian Ocean as your backyard, your swimming pool and your view.

Life here remains intentionally uncomplicated. A small island to explore barefoot, a reef just moments away, a villa above the lagoon and time to simply enjoy being here.

For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.