News
Ayada Maldives voted best water villa resort in the world
Maldives.net.mv – Ayada Maldives has been awarded the world’s leading water villa resort at the prestigious World Travel Awards ceremony held in Anguilla on Sunday. One of only two hotels in the Maldives to be included on the list of the best in the world, Ayada Maldives is a private luxury resort in the south of the country with 112 villas and suites.
“Words can’t express how happy and proud everyone here at Ayada Maldives feels today,” said general manager, Zafer Agacan. “This is a wonderful confirmation of our commitment to delivering a high standard of quality and service and we’re delighted to win an award that puts us alongside the best hotels and resorts in the world. We’d like to thank everyone who voted for us”.
Included in Conde Nast Traveller’s list of best hotels in the Maldives, voted the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Resort’ and the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Villa Resort & Spa’, Ayada Maldives is a private island resort offering a truly luxurious retreat with a genuine Maldivian style.
Set in the relatively unexplored Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the south of the country – just a few kilometres above the equator – the luxury resort offers 112 spacious villas and suites, all with private pools, butler and thoughtful five-star detailing. Traditional thatched-roof water-villas stand on stilts over the resort’s peaceful lagoon, while beach villas offer absolute privacy as they nestle amid tropical greenery alongside powder-soft palm-lined white beaches. Food lovers can explore the six restaurants and bars, while those seeking complete relaxation will find their haven in the large spa set in beautiful tropical landscaped gardens which boasts a Turkish Hammam as well as a Vichy Shower and eight private treatment villas.
The resort is noted for its gardens and tropical greenery and is ringed by a vibrant coral reef where dolphins are frequent visitors. The active can explore the area on a host of excursions that include visits to the equator, local villages and fishing trips, while at the resortthey can play tennis or badminton, take up watersports, learn yoga, Pilates or Zumba or simply hit the 24-hour gym. Outstanding divingand snorkeling opportunities surround the island on reefs that have barely been visited by humans while some of the country’s best surfing breaks are just a quick speedboat journey away. Weddings take place in the golden hour just before sunset either in the air conditioned wedding chapel set in a tree-lined lawn, or outdoors on the beach under a pagoda of flowing gauze and flowers.
The World Travel Awards is widely regarded as the most celebrated event in the travel industry. Hailed as ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’, World Travel Awards celebrates its 21st anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade. The brand aims to celebrate those organisations that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence. A full list of winners for the Grand Final Gala Ceremony can be seen here.
News
Dr Hetalkumar Doshi returns to Sirru Fen Fushi for extended wellness residency
Sirru Fen Fushi–Private Lagoon Resort has announced the return of internationally recognised holistic wellness consultant and founder of Energy Masters, Dr Hetalkumar Doshi, for an exclusive wellness residency from 1 August to 31 October 2026 and from 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Renowned for his expertise across more than 60 holistic healing modalities, Dr Doshi brings a unique integrative approach that combines ancient healing traditions with modern wellness practices. As a naturopath, acupuncturist, Reiki Grand Master, energy healer, and wellness educator, he has guided individuals around the world towards greater wellbeing, balance, and personal transformation.

During his residency at Sirru Fen Fushi, guests will have the opportunity to experience Dr Doshi’s signature Four-Dimensional Healing Journey, which explores wellness through the Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual dimensions. Each treatment is tailored to individual needs and designed to identify and restore energetic imbalances affecting the body, mind, emotions, and soul.
At the heart of Dr Doshi’s philosophy lies the wisdom of the Five Elements–Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, whose harmonious balance is believed to support vitality, emotional resilience, mental clarity, and spiritual alignment.

Guests may choose from a variety of personalised healing experiences incorporating modalities such as acupuncture, acupressure, Reiki, chakra balancing, sound healing, breathwork, meditation, cupping therapy, and energy healing. Signature experiences are available in 30, 60, 90, and 120-minute sessions.
To introduce guests to his transformative approach, Sirru Fen Fushi is also offering a complimentary 15-minute wellbeing consultation during the residency period.
Set within one of the Maldives’ most naturally captivating island destinations, Sirru Fen Fushi offers travellers a unique opportunity to reconnect, rebalance and rediscover wellbeing in a serene oceanfront setting.
For further information and reservations, please visit the resort’s website or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Action
Coco Bodu Hithi celebrates Women’s Dive Day with marine conservation experience
In celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day on 18 July 2026, Coco Bodu Hithi invites certified women divers to come together for a meaningful morning beneath the surface, combining marine conservation with the joy of exploring the ocean in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant natural environments.
Inspired by this year’s global theme, “Celebrate Community. Create Change.”, the resort’s Women of the Ocean Reef Clean-Up Dive encourages to connect through shared passion for the underwater world while making a positive impact on the environment. Designed exclusively for certified women divers, the guided reef clean-up dive offers the opportunity to explore Coco Bodu Hithi’s biodiverse house reef while helping remove debris and protect its delicate ecosystem.
At the heart of it all is Coco Dive, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, where guests can discover the beauty and wonders of the Maldives through safe, personalised and memorable underwater adventures. Whether taking their very first breath below the surface or exploring advanced dive sites, guests are guided by an experienced, multilingual team of instructors dedicated to creating unforgettable diving experiences.
Just minutes from the resort, divers can access almost 30 renowned dive sites, home to vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including hawksbill turtles, white-tip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, Napoleon fish, schools of blue-striped snappers, batfish and fusiliers. Guests looking to begin their marine adventures can also start their certification before arrival through PADI eLearning, allowing them to spend more time exploring the ocean once they reach the Maldives.
“At Coco Bodu Hithi, we believe every dive is an opportunity to build a deeper connection with the ocean,” said Jinn Hui, Dive Base Leader for Coco Bodu Hithi. “PADI Women’s Dive Day celebrates the growing community of women in diving while reminding us that small actions, such as removing debris, can make a meaningful difference to the health of our reefs.”
The activity is available at the resort’s standard single-dive rate and includes a personalised certificate of participation and a complimentary dive video, allowing guests to take home lasting memories of a meaningful day beneath the surface.
Rooted in Coco Collection’s truly Maldivian heritage, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to bring guests closer to nature through experiences that inspire a deeper appreciation for the Maldives and its fragile marine habitat.
Located in North Malé Atoll, just 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Coco Bodu Hithi invites guests to unwind in spacious villas with up to 30% savings through the Discover Coco offer or enjoy exclusive benefits with the Local & Expat Exclusives package. Visit cococollection.com or contact reservations@cococollection.com for further enquiries.
Awards
Baros Maldives ranked world’s no. 2 resort in Travel + Leisure Awards
Baros Maldives has been named the No. 2 Resort in the World and No. 1 Resort in Asia in the 2026 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, as voted by readers of one of the world’s most respected travel publications.
Now in its 31st year, the World’s Best Awards is one of the travel industry’s most respected accolades, with hundreds of thousands of well-travelled readers sharing their views on the world’s leading hotels, resorts, destinations and tour operators.
For Baros, the recognition is the latest milestone in a story that began over five decades ago. Since opening in 1973, the island has built its reputation through consistency and staying true to what guests value most: impeccable service that the island has never felt the need to reinvent and a natural setting of mature jungle, powder-soft sand and one of the Maldives’ most celebrated house reefs. Nearly 30% of bookings come from returning guests, most of whom feel like Baros is a second home.
Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager of Baros Maldives, commented: “To be recognised as the No. 2 resort in the world and the No. 1 resort in Asia by Travel + Leisure readers is an extraordinary honour. Baros has never chased trends, and we don’t intend to start now. What we’ve built over five decades is something more durable than that – a relationship with this island and with the guests who keep returning to it. This recognition is a reflection of that relationship, and we share it with our entire team and our guests.”
The award places Baros among an elite group of properties recognised globally and reinforces its position within the Versa Hospitality collection as the Maldives’ original luxury icon.
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