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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.

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COMO Cocoa Island blends wellness and ocean experiences for guests

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There is a moment, just after arrival at COMO Cocoa Island, when everything softens. Time loosens its grip. The horizon stretches and the only sound is the tide shifting gently beneath your villa.

At COMO Cocoa Island, experiences are not designed to impress, but to unfold. Each one invites guests to rediscover a slower rhythm—guided by water, light, and instinct.

Where the Ocean Becomes the Guide

The island’s house reef lies just steps from each villa—a living, breathing ecosystem that reveals itself gradually. Slip into the water, and the world shifts: parrotfish flicker past, reef sharks glide at a distance, and turtles move with unhurried grace.

Further afield, journeys into deeper waters bring guests face-to-face with nurse sharks in the nearby atolls—encounters that feel both grounding and quietly exhilarating.

For those who choose to dive, the surrounding sites offer dramatic topographies—caves, channels, and coral walls—each shaped by currents that have moved through these waters long before the first footprints touched the island.

Drifting Towards Stillness

Back above the surface, experiences take on a different pace.

A private sandbank emerges from the horizon—untouched, impossibly white. Here, lunch is served with nothing but the gentle rhythm of waves in the background. There are no interruptions, no schedules. Just a sense of being suspended between sea and open sky.

As the day fades, traditional dhoni boats set out across the lagoon. The light softens. The ocean reflects gold, then amber, then deep blue. Sometimes, dolphins appear—not as spectacle, but as part of the natural rhythm of the place.

Wellbeing, Without Boundaries

At COMO Cocoa Island, wellness is not confined within walls. It exists in the spaces between. Morning yoga unfolds overlooking the ocean. Breathing slows in time with the tide and sandbank meditation becomes instinctive—guided by wind, warmth, and the steady presence of the sea.

The COMO Shambhala Retreat complements this with therapies that are precise yet intuitive—designed not to transform, but to restore.

A Philosophy of Less, Perfected

“Cocoa Island has never been about doing more—it’s about feeling more, with less,”says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “What makes this island special is its restraint. We don’t try to fill every moment—we allow space for the ocean, for stillness, for genuine connection. Guests leave not because they’ve done everything, but because they’ve experienced something real.”

An Island That Stays With You

There are no grand gestures here. No overstatement.

Instead, COMO Cocoa Island offers something increasingly rare—an experience that lingers quietly, long after departure. Not defined by what you did, but by how it made you feel. Because here, in this small corner of the Maldives, the most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones.

For more information, please visit the resort’s website

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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience

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Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.

The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort hosts Earth Day experiences

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In celebration of Earth Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to reconnect with nature through a carefully curated programme of experiences taking place on 22 April 2026.

Set within the natural beauty of Raa Atoll, the resort’s Earth Day programme reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, offering guests meaningful ways to engage with the surrounding marine and island ecosystem.

Throughout the day, guests are invited to explore sustainability through immersive experiences designed to inspire awareness and connection. A guided snorkelling experience with the resort’s Marine Biologist introduces coral restoration efforts within the Maamunagau Lagoon, offering insight into reef rehabilitation and the marine life it supports.

A dedicated coral workshop, alongside a manta ray session led by the Manta Trust team, further highlights the importance of marine conservation in the Maldives, sharing knowledge on the protection and preservation of these remarkable species.

On land, the resort offers a behind-the-scenes sustainability tour, showcasing operational practices that support island life, from renewable energy systems to waste reduction initiatives. Younger guests are engaged through an interactive bottling plant tour, encouraging environmentally conscious habits from an early age.

Wellbeing remains an integral part of the experience, with a digital detox offering at AVI Spa designed to encourage disconnection from screens and reconnection with the present moment. Complementing this, a plant-based breakfast and zero-waste cooking class highlight simple, mindful approaches to sustainable living.

As the day unfolds, guests are invited to participate in a tree planting activity within the resort’s greenhouse, contributing to the growth of native vegetation and supporting long-term biodiversity on the island.

The celebration concludes with a relaxed beachfront evening, featuring a curated BBQ dining experience complemented by live music and a traditional Maldivian Bodu Beru performance, bringing together culture, community, and connection.

Through initiatives that blend conservation, education, and wellbeing, InterContinental Maldives continues to champion responsible luxury, where every experience is thoughtfully designed with both people and planet in mind.

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