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Coco Collection and Sunland Hotels appoint Chief Operating Officer

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armandMaldives.net.mv – Sunland Hotels and Coco Collection have appointed Armand Chaudhary as Chief Operating Officer to lead daily operations of the group of companies. While being based in the group’s new and stylish head office in the capital Male’, Armand will oversee the company’s four properties in the Maldives, namely the exclusive private island Coco Privé Kuda Hithi Island, the stylish boutique resort Coco Bodu Hithi, the eco-focused luxury retreat Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, and the dive and snorkel resort Biyadhoo Island Resort. Besides restructuring daily processes and formulating the strategy for the company’s continued success, Armand will be responsible for the expansion of the highly successful Coco Collection beyond the borders of the Maldives.

Coming from an F&B background, Armand looks back on a 30-year long successful career in the global hospitality industry, which took him from reorganizing cruise operations, to the complete transformation of various resorts. He has been extremely effective in turning hotel and resort operations into highly profitable businesses. One of the highlights of his career was the successful launch of Club Med’s most luxurious product, the top end 5* Villas project in Mauritius, for which he also implemented and defined all standards and operating procedures.

Armand was a long-time employee of Club Med where he last served as the Regional Director of Operations for the West Indies, Mauritius, and Cruise Operations. During his time at the Club Med Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and Florida resorts from 2007 till 2008, Armand successfully converted several underperforming units into profitable business sectors and prepared the renovation project of Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Florida. He was also responsible for the re-invention of the overall brand image to suit the US market.

“It is my great pleasure to join one of the most established Maldivian hospitality brands with a portfolio of unique properties that each offers its own individual charm”, Armand comments. “It is with enthusiasm that I look forward to working with the committed team that has played such a key role in the successful positioning of Sunland Hotels and Coco Collection, as we will together lead the group of companies into a global future.”

Armand’s core focus will be the elevation of service levels to new heights for the recently launched private island retreat Coco Privé Kuda Hithi Island, as well as the revision of general operational standards and procedures, to ensure that the company continues to follow its basic credo, to inspire and surprise guests with the unexpected – from expertly personalized service, over extraordinary culinary delights, to exceptional and uniquely Coco experiences.

Honeymoon

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers secluded island experiences for couples

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Nestled within The Atollia by Centara Hotels and Resorts, just a short speedboat journey from Malé, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives unfolds as the perfect island destination for honeymooners and couples seeking seclusion, privacy, and truly immersive experiences. Surrounded by tranquil lagoon vistas, the resort offers an intimate escape where every moment is designed to be shared, savoured, and remembered.

Thoughtfully designed for togetherness, the resort’s collection of beachfront and overwater villas provides a sense of space and exclusivity, allowing couples to retreat into their own private world. Expansive decks, private pools or Jacuzzis, and uninterrupted views of turquoise waters create a setting where time slows, inviting quiet mornings, unhurried afternoons, and evenings beneath starlit skies.

For honeymooners, each day at Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives is an invitation to connect more deeply. Private dining experiences by the ocean’s edge, sunset cruises across endless horizons, and thoughtfully curated moments of intimacy set the stage for memories that linger long after your stay. Culinary journeys are equally enchanting, with five distinct outlets offering everything from international flavours to teppanyaki and tandoor grills, Asian cuisine, and modern Mediterranean fare. A range of meal plans is available to suit every preference, and depending on the selected plan, couples can also enjoy access to the culinary offerings at the neighbouring underwater-themed Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, adding even more immersive and memorable dining experiences.

Wellness and discovery are at the heart of the resort. Couples can unwind with holistic wellness journeys at SPA Cenvaree Retreat, inspired by Thai healing traditions, or explore the vibrant marine world together through immersive water sports and marine adventures. Each experience is designed to be shared, remembered, and to linger long after your stay.

Beyond honeymoon escapes, the resort offers a timeless setting for couples at every stage of life. Intimate celebrations and vow renewals unfold against turquoise waters and golden light, creating deeply personal moments that are meaningful and memorable.

Rooted in Thai-led hospitality, every detail is delivered with warmth, care, and intuitive attention, allowing guests to immerse themselves fully in the rhythm of the island and experience the Maldives at its most serene and captivating.

At Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, every stay is an invitation to reconnect, to celebrate, and to create moments that linger long after you leave.

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Awards

Angsana Velavaru achieves 4.8 rating in British Airways Customer Awards

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Angsana Velavaru has received the British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award 2025, recognising the resort for consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service.

The award is based on verified customer feedback and reflects guest experiences at the resort. Angsana Velavaru achieved an overall score of 4.8 out of 5, with recognition given for service delivery, attention to detail and guest care throughout the stay.

Located within a lagoon in South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort offers a range of accommodation options, including beachfront villas with direct beach access and its InOcean Villas, situated approximately one kilometre from the main island. These overwater villas provide a more secluded setting with open ocean views.

The resort caters to a variety of travellers, including families, couples and individual guests. Family-oriented programmes and shared activities are available, while other guests can take part in leisure, wellness and exploration experiences. Through its 101 Things To Do programme, guests can engage in activities such as snorkelling, marine excursions, cultural experiences and wellness sessions.

The surrounding reef environment provides opportunities for marine exploration, while the resort’s service approach focuses on delivering personalised guest experiences. This combination of natural setting and service delivery forms a central part of the resort’s offering.

The British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award is presented to hotels that achieve high customer ratings, serving as an indicator of guest satisfaction within the travel sector. For Angsana Velavaru, the recognition reflects its continued focus on maintaining service standards and delivering consistent guest experiences.

The resort continues to position its offering around accessibility to nature, varied experiences and a service model aimed at supporting guest comfort and engagement throughout their stay.

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Action

Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling

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Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.

The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.

Turtle encounters

Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.

The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.

Manta ray season

From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.

Night diving experiences

Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.

At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.

Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.

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