News
Coco Collection strengthens executive team with new appointments
Maldives.net.mv – Coco Collection welcomes new General Managers for Coco Bodu Hithi, the stylish luxury boutique resort in North Malé Atoll, and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, the barefoot luxury eco-resort in Baa Atoll, as well as a Director of Marketing at the helm of the Marketing and PR team in the corporate head office.
To lead the marketing efforts of the group, Shafa Shabeer has been appointed as Director of Marketing for Coco Collection. With a Masters in Marketing and Strategy from University of Warwick, Shafa has in depth knowledge of the properties, having worked with Coco Collection from 2002 until 2013. During this time, she implemented property action plans with the ultimate goal to successfully position the brand in the luxury market. Having grown up with the Coco values instilled in her by Shabeer Ahmed, her father and the founder of the Sunland Group of Companies, she will ensure that Coco Collection maintains its status as a leading boutique luxury brand.
Coco Bodu Hithi sees the addition of a hospitality veteran as its new General Manager. Hailing from Greece with an educational background from the top-ranking Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland, Georgios Papazoglou’s career in the hospitality industry spans over 25 years and began in his home city of Athens. From here, he progressed to notable names in the industry such as Hilton, Club Med and Starwood, where he was responsible for the overall operations of two Starwood managed Hotels with a total of 766 keys. With a stellar background in hotel and resort operations, Georgios will take Coco Bodu Hithi to new heights of excellence in guest experience.
With strong Brazilian roots, Elza Artiaga has over 16 years of experience in the 5-star hotel industry as she joins Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu as its first female General Manager. Having successfully inhabited Senior Management roles within the Ritz-Carlton brand in city hotels and resorts in the USA and the Caribbean, Elza has a proven track record in developing her teams. Most recently, she was the Hotel Manager of the multi-award winning Carlisle Bay Resort in Antigua, a 5-star resort within the Campbellgrey Hotels. With excellent leadership skills, Elza will ensure to surpass the strategic goals of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.
“We take exceptional pride in announcing the appointment of these dedicated professionals, heightening the importance of our Maldivian roots as well as our passion to form a diverse team. With Elza and Georgios at the helm of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Bodu Hithi, respectively, and with Shafa overlooking the Marketing efforts of Coco Collection, we are confident that we will be able to inspire our guests with unique experiences and provide the ultimate in guest services”, comments Armand Chaudhary, Chief Operating Officer of Sunland Hotels and Coco Collection.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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