News
JA Resorts & Hotels launches JA Manafaru in Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – JA Resorts & Hotels, UAE-based hospitality group has announced big changes at their spectacular island resort in the Maldives.
JA Manafaru, will shortly complete the re-branding and soft refurbishments of their luxury resort with improvements also being made to enhance the guest experience and comfort.
With over 33 years’ experience in managing and operating resorts and hotels, JA Resorts & Hotels is racing full steam ahead with a keen eye on international expansion.
JA Manafaru marks the second international property of the group in the Indian Ocean after their ten luxury villa island property, Enchanted Island Resort in the Seychelles.
David Thomson, chief operating officer of JA Resorts & Hotels said “We are excited to launch JA Manafaru after a refurbishment of interiors and renewal of experiences.
“We are in the process of ensuring our brand DNA echoes throughout the island resort and making sure guests feel the same warmth and welcome whether it’s Dubai or the Maldives.”
JA Manafaru located in the Northern Haa Alifu Atoll of the Maldives, will present couples and families a high-end holiday offering all year round. Located 75-minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport, the property boasts 84 keys consisting of beach villas and water villas with their own private pool.
With over seven food and beverage outlets, a spa and beauty complex, water sports, PADI dive centre and extensive children’s entertainment area, guests can enjoy several leisure facilities.
The restaurants, villas, suites and guest areas are being refurbished with a new colour palette reflecting the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Every element is being considered in creating a serene and relaxing ambience for guests using warm earthy tones and cool blue shades of the ocean.
Renovations have been completed in the public areas and the interiors of the rooms and soft furnishing will be ready by the end of October.
The restaurants will have new concepts and menus led by well-known Australian Head Chef, Richard Cross.
The resort has also introduced a dedicated seaplane that will depart twice a day from Male airport to reduce guests’ travel time.
The journey to the island is mesmerising as the seaplane coasts above the archipelagos so guests can soak up the scenery.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
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.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
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.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
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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