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.
Cooking
Savour July: Exceptional dining awaits at Barceló Nasandhura Male

Located in the vibrant heart of Malé, Barceló Nasandhura is fast becoming a sought-after destination for dining, casual coffee catchups, and laid-back city experiences. This July, guests are invited to indulge in a series of exclusive promotions across the hotel’s distinctive food and beverage outlets, the perfect opportunity to discover what’s on offer.
At Oivaru, the hotel’s signature all-day dining restaurant located on the 3rd Floor, guests can treat themselves to an irresistible Chocolate Dessert Station, available during dinner service from 4th to 7th July only. A decadent addition to the renowned international buffet, it promises to satisfy every sweet tooth. To complement the dining experience, enjoy live music on selected evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxed, flavorful night out.
To mark World Chocolate Day on 7th July, a special Chocolate Indulgence Station will be set up in the Nasandhura Lobby from 4 PM to 8 PM. Featuring free tastings and handcrafted desserts by the hotel’s renowned pastry chef, the experience is open to all guests and walk-ins. Guests can also purchase limited-edition treats while enjoying a beautifully styled chocolate-themed setup designed for sweet moments and social sharing.
Alimas Coffee Lounge is the ideal spot to escape the city heat. From 20th to 26th July, enjoy 10% off all ice creams, making it the perfect excuse to cool down with a sweet treat in style.
For those seeking elevated views and an unforgettable ambience, B.Heaven, the hotel’s rooftop lounge, offers signature mocktails and light bites, best savored with panoramic sunset vistas. On selected evenings, the energy rises with live DJ performances, making it the perfect setting to unwind, socialize, or celebrate under the stars.
This July, Barceló Nasandhura invites you to experience a taste of Malé’s most exciting culinary and social destination.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours

Angsana Velavaru, part of the esteemed Banyan Group, has secured prestigious placements in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, ranking #8 for Best Resort Pool and #3 for Best General Manager in the Maldives. These accolades underscore the resort’s dedication to outstanding service, thoughtfully crafted accommodations, and guest-centric innovation.
Located in the unspoiled South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru features 113 villas—79 of which are equipped with private infinity pools. Among them are the celebrated Beach Villas and the signature InOcean Pool Villas, which extend elegantly over the lagoon’s turquoise expanse. Each villa is designed to offer a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, enabling guests to immerse themselves in nature with both privacy and style.
Central to the resort’s social ambiance is the Kuredhi Pool Bar, a lively and inviting venue that offers more than just refreshments. It serves as a communal hub where guests can enjoy curated experiences such as DJ nights, aqua aerobics, and wellness sessions. This programming reflects the resort’s vision of merging serenity with social vibrancy.
Spearheading this success is General Manager Ahmed Zahir, who was recognised as the #3 Best General Manager in the Maldives. Zahir’s inspiring career began three decades ago as a Laundry Supervisor and has since evolved into a historic milestone—becoming the first Maldivian General Manager within the Banyan Group. His leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of local culture, empathy, and hands-on experience across resort operations.
“This recognition is not only an honour—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come as a team and as an industry,” Zahir shared. “I’m proud to lead with values shaped by the Maldives itself: resilience, hospitality, and heart. At Angsana Velavaru, we aim to deliver something genuine and lasting—for our guests, our people, and our community.”
Under Zahir’s stewardship, Angsana Velavaru has fostered a culture rooted in authenticity, local empowerment, and purposeful guest engagement. The resort remains committed to evolving as a destination that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking experiences.
Featured
Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene

Under the desert sky of Dubai, Oaga Art Resort made its international debut with a striking performance by Raai Badeeu at the closing night of renowned light calligrapher Karim Jabbari’s exhibition, Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, held at Inloco Gallery. The performance introduced audiences to Samaasaa, the resort’s original theatrical dining concept where storytelling intertwines with seasonal cuisine, and folklore comes alive through immersive performance.
Samaasaa represents a distinctive fusion of art and gastronomy, with each course unfolding as an edible chapter of a story. The concept invites guests into a world where tradition meets innovation, rooted deeply in Maldivian heritage.
The venue for the performance, Inloco Gallery, is an emerging boutique art space in Dubai known for pushing creative boundaries. Its third season was dedicated to ‘vanishing urban landscapes’—a reflection on the echoes of fading cityscapes. Central to this season was the work of Karim Jabbari, whose intricate light calligraphy transforms traditional Arabic script into contemporary expressions of cultural memory. His Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees exhibition explored the theme of ‘Lost Tradition,’ featuring a collaborative project with artist Khalil Abdulwahid that documented Al Satwa’s disappearing historic fabric and reclaimed calligraphy’s original role as a vehicle for communication and preservation.
In collaboration with Inloco Gallery and Karim Jabbari, Oaga Art Resort presented Raai Badeeu as part of the finissage—a moving farewell performance that seamlessly blended calligraphy, choreography, and storytelling. The immersive show transformed the gallery into a space of ancestral memory, myth, and poetic expression, embodying the artistic ethos of Oaga.
The performance also offered audiences an exclusive preview of Samaasaa Presents: The First Coconuts, Oaga’s upcoming theatrical dining experience. A specially curated segment from the show was performed, offering a glimpse into the mythical origins of island life through expressive movement and narrative.
As Oaga Art Resort expands its creative reach beyond the Maldives, this performance in Dubai marks the beginning of a broader journey. Guided by a spirit that is playful, poetic, and deeply rooted in island culture, Oaga is poised to share its unique stories with the world.
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