News
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives appoints Filippo Abisso as new Executive Chef
Maldives.net.mv – Filippo Abisso has been appointed Executive Chef of Shangri‑La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives.
Chef Filippo joins with over twenty years of international experience in the culinary industry, holding various positions at luxurious properties in Greece, Portugal and Switzerland, including two Michelin-awarded restaurants in Italy.
Chef Filippo’s worldwide experience has allowed him to develop an unrivalled passion for gastronomy. He is bringing an authentic European flavour to the Maldives, enhanced by his wide knowledge of Asian influences and tastes.
Before joining Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives, Chef Filippo worked at Banyan Tree in the Seychelles, Maldives, and most recently at Banyan Tree Angsana & Laguna Golf Bintan in Indonesia, where he held the title of Area Executive Chef.
Chef Filippo’s role at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives encompasses the entire culinary operation and management, including the restaurants Fashala, Dr Ali’s and Javvu, in addition to in-villa dining. He will oversee the resort’s culinary team and tailor in-flight menus for private jet travellers.
“I am very much looking forward to working with the team here in the Maldives. This is such an exciting opportunity and I hope to bring a new dimension to the resort’s already highly acclaimed culinary offerings,” Chef Filippo said about his appointment.
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives offers a variety of different cuisines inspired by the local Maldivian culture, the exotic East and touches of the West, allowing for a vibrant mix of flavours, spices and tastes. The resort prides itself on offering a bespoke service to its guests with the exclusive ‘Dine by Design’ concept. ‘Dine by Design’ allows guests to dine in a variety of locations, from the highest elevation in the Maldives – Mount Villingili – to the lush tropical Villingili jungle or aboard a luxury yacht while crossing the equator.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi earns nomination in Condé Nast Traveller 2026 awards
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has been nominated for the Condé Nast Traveller 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, one of the travel industry’s most respected accolades.
The nomination comes on the back of a comprehensive evolution of the resort, from newly transformed overwater villas, enhanced dining experiences and a more personalised guest journey at every touchpoint. Guests can enjoy a 24-Hour Premium All Inclusive Dine Around concept designed to offer both variety and ease, delivered with signature Maldivian hospitality.
“We have been very intentional in redefining the feel of contemporary Maldivian luxury for today’s travellers. Our overwater villas, inspired by elegance and a natural ethos, truly reflect our direction as an effortless take on island living,” says Pasan Wijewardana, Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing.
“Across the resort, we have also put a strong focus on the overall experience, from our restaurants introducing a more lifestyle driven culinary approach, with menus curated by Michelin starred chefs and a curated selection of wines, to a spa that blends Maldivian traditions, Ayurveda and more creative wellness journeys for all ages. What matters most to us is that this feels accessible and genuine. Families can enjoy real value through our children stay and eat free offering, while guests looking for something more personalised benefit from our multilingual butler service. It is about creating a stay that feels thoughtful, high quality and seamless at the same time, which is why being recognised in this way means a lot to us.”
To cast your vote for Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, please visit the Condé Nast Traveller voting site. Voting remains open until 30 June 2026.
Action
Night snorkelling reveals hidden underwater world at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
There’s something quietly thrilling about stepping into the ocean after sunset. At Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, when daylight fade and the reef slips into darkness, a completely different world begins to stir. What feels familiar by day transforms into something far more mysterious and far more alive.
Night snorkelling at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon begins at around 6:30pm, when guests gather with the experienced team from Dive & Sail Maldives. Equipped with underwater torches, snorkellers ease into the slighly cooler waters surrounding the island, where every beam of light reveals a new discovery hidden within the reef.
What makes night snorkelling so fascinating is the dramatic shift in marine behaviour after sunset. Species that remain tucked away during the day begin to emerge from coral crevices and sandy seabeds. Moray eels weave through the reef in search of prey, octopuses glide silently across the ocean floor, and crustaceans slowly crawl out from their hiding places.
One guest described one of the most unforgettable moments of the experience as watching a group of reef sharks glide past in near-perfect formation. According to the guest, the sudden appearance of six to eight sharks emerging from the darkness was initially startling, but the feeling quickly shifted to awe as they moved calmly and effortlessly through the water, illuminated only by torchlight. The encounter, they shared, felt both thrilling and surreal in the stillness of the night reef.

Beyond the larger marine life, the reef reveals countless smaller details at night that are often missed during daytime snorkelling. Brightly coloured reef crabs, lobster-like crustaceans believed to be spiny lobsters, sleeping parrotfish hidden within the coral, and lionfish hovering near the reef edge all become part of the experience.
The corals themselves also appear remarkably different after dark. Under torchlight, sections of the reef glow with deeper shades of orange, gold, and crimson, while certain soft corals and coral polyps extend outward to feed in the currents.
The house reef at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon is widely regarded as one of the Maldives’ most vibrant reefs, celebrated for its rich biodiversity and easy accessibility from the shoreline. Guests planning their next island escape can also take advantage of the resort’s ongoing summer offer, which includes complimentary roundtrip speedboat transfers for stays of seven nights or more along with added benefits through Cinnamon DISCOVERY, the loyalty programme by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.
News
Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa unveil family-focused wellness concept
Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa has introduced Little Wellness Rituals, a dedicated spa programme thoughtfully created for young guests aged 4 to 17 years. Now available at selected hotel and resort partners across the Maldives, the programme offers gentle, age appropriate wellness experiences designed to encourage relaxation, mindfulness, and meaningful family connection from an early age.
Developed with care and guided by the brands’ signature Asian wellness philosophies, Little Wellness Rituals creates a welcoming spa environment where children and teenagers can experience wellness rituals tailored specifically to them, always accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Wellness Designed for Every Age
Rooted in the belief that wellbeing can be nurtured from an early age, the programme introduces younger guests to spa and wellness experiences within a safe, calming, and welcoming environment. Thoughtfully created for children and teenagers, Little Wellness Rituals embraces gentle relaxation, playful sensory experiences, and meaningful family connection inspired by island living.
From soothing wellness rituals to shared parent and child experiences, the collection encourages moments of comfort, care, and togetherness while introducing young travellers to the world of wellness in a warm and approachable way.
Signature Experiences
The Little Wellness Rituals collection features a range of thoughtfully curated experiences inspired by relaxation, connection, and playful island wellness. Signature highlights include:
- Mother and Daughter Moment: A gentle wellness experience designed to encourage meaningful bonding and shared relaxation.
- Father and Son Timeout: A calming ritual created to inspire quality time and moments of reconnection.
- Little Star Journey: A soothing head to toe spa experience combining relaxation and tropical inspired care.
- Island Fruity Glow: A sensory wellness ritual inspired by fun, freshness, and island indulgence.
- Tropical Toes: A comforting foot care experience designed to refresh and restore little travellers.
- Heavenly Hands: A nurturing hand ritual focused on gentle care and relaxation.
Selected experiences and treatment elements may differ across participating resort locations.
Little Wellness Rituals is currently available at selected Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa locations within participating hotel and resort partners across the Maldives, including:
- Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
- Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi
- Adaaran Select Meedhupparu
- Adaaran Club Rannalhi
- Barceló Nasandhura Malé
- NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi
- Melia Whale Lagoon Maldives
The programme reflects the continued commitment of Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa to creating inclusive wellness experiences that cater to today’s evolving family travel landscape.
Supporting Meaningful Family Wellness Experiences
The introduction of Little Wellness Rituals reflects the continued commitment of Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa to developing thoughtful wellness concepts that evolve alongside the changing expectations of today’s luxury traveller. As family-focused travel experiences continue to grow within the hospitality landscape, wellness has become an increasingly meaningful part of how resorts engage guests across all generations.
With decades of experience operating spa and wellness facilities across internationally recognised resort destinations, Mandara Spa and Chavana Spa continue to collaborate closely with hotel and resort partners to create wellness experiences that align with each property’s identity, guest profile, and service philosophy.
Hospitality partners and media representatives interested in learning more about the programme or the brands’ wellness approach are warmly invited to connect with the team for further information.
-
Action1 week agoInterContinental Maldives Maamunagau unveils ‘Calm Waters: Swim with Nurse Sharks’
-
Cooking1 week agoOBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO unveils chef-led 9-Hands Dinner experience
-
News1 week agoSun Siyam celebrates Mother’s Day across its Maldives resort collection
-
Action1 week agoHoliday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives offers Dive Free programme
-
Action6 days agoSun Siyam Olhuveli unveils immersive night snorkelling experience with mantas
-
Featured1 week agoSun Siyam Vilu Reef rolls out Wellness Week from 15–22 June
-
News1 week agoThe Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands unveils updated 2026 Masters of Crafts calendar
-
Excursions1 week agoBaros Maldives unveils reef-focused ‘Fully Ocean’ programme


