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Anantara in the Maldives Wins Three Prestigious World Travel Awards

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Anantara Trophies at World Travel Awards 2015_LRMaldives.net.mv – Anantara Resorts in the Maldives is in celebration mode once again, winning three of the top travel and tourism honours for the Maldives at this year’s 22nd annual World Travel Awards for Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Anantara has been making its mark in the global tourism arena as one of the top destinations in the Maldives for holidaymakers ever since the brand entered the country in 2006 with Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa. This was strengthened in 2008 when the adults-only resort of Anantara Veli welcomed its first guests, along with the bespoke services of the boutique resort Naladhu. In 2011, Anantara once again raised the bar with the all pool villa resort of Anantara Kihavah Villas. The World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony, held in the Seychelles on June 20th 2015, saw travel and tourism professionals acknowledging Anantara resorts with three of this year’s top awards for the Maldives.

Leading Spa Resort Brand in the Maldives; Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

Rooted in the timeless healing traditions of the world’s richest cultures, Anantara Spas are designed to restore balance and harmony between body and mind in an oasis of beauty, grace and tranquillity. Intoxicating aromas of the world’s most exotic elixirs and oils are used in treatments designed to deliver radiance, healing and a quiet sense of inner and outer well-being. Receiving the awards on behalf of Anantara, Elizabeth Smailes, Area Director of Marketing Communications in the Maldives for Minor Hotel Group, says “It is an honour to win this prestigious award and to be recognised by our peers in the travel industry. This stands as a testament to the team members at Anantara Spas across the Maldives who continuously deliver a truly unique, indigenous and rejuvenating five star experience.”

Leading Water Villa Resort in the Maldives; Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa

Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa in the South Male Atoll was recognised for its 40 Over Water Suites, offering a variety of sunset and sunrise views, as well as those with private pools. Torsten Richter, Cluster General Manager for Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Resorts comments, “Almost everyone coming to the Maldives dreams of staying in an over water accommodation, so this is a tremendous accolade to receive. World Travel Awards recognition is great for Anantara and for the Maldives as a destination. Our guests have become more sophisticated and more widely travelled than ever before, and we are already staying on the pulse by upgrading our water villas. When they fully re-open in October this year, I am confident the refurbished design will enhance the guest experience even further.”

Leading Villa Resort in the Maldives; Anantara Kihavah Villas

No stranger to global attribution, Anantara Kihavah Villas has been acknowledged with the ultimate accolade in the resort category this year, as Leading Villa Resort in the Maldives. Commenting on the award, General Manager Jean-Marc Ma-Poon says, “We couldn’t be more delighted with this acknowledgement from the travel industry professionals. It’s a fantastic affirmation for the professional dedication the resort team delivers, ensuring the villas not only look great, but are brought to life in a unique style. When the resort was initially designed, the synchronicity of four architectural and interior design companies kept the island’s environment of lush vegetation intact, harnessing its tropical nature and local culture to excellent advantage. It’s wonderful that four years after opening, our design teams continue to be recognised for their brilliant achievements and Anantara Kihavah Villas has proven itself to be a timeless leading resort in a highly competitive market.”

Considered one of the most respected and trusted sources in the travel and tourism industry, the World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Anantara Resorts in the Maldives will now move forward to the Grand Final held in Morocco later in the year.

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon celebrates sixth anniversary of Reefscapers collaboration

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa marks the sixth anniversary of its partnership with Reefscapers on February 19, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to protecting and restoring the Maldives’ fragile reef ecosystems. Since launching the partnership in 2020, the resort and Reefscapers have worked together to restore coral habitats, support marine biodiversity, and engage guests in meaningful conservation experiences. The milestone also marks one year since the successful relocation of approximately five tons of coral to the resort’s house reefs — one of the partnership’s most significant conservation initiatives.

Over the past six years, the partnership has become a defining pillar of the resort’s sustainability journey, blending scientific restoration with purposeful guest engagement. To date, the initiative has resulted in the planting of 898 coral frames, supporting approximately 33,000 coral colonies now growing across the restoration sites. Through coral propagation, reef monitoring, and awareness programmes, these efforts continue to regenerate reef structures while deepening understanding of the essential role coral ecosystems play in sustaining marine life and protecting coastlines. Each thriving coral frame reflects a shared dedication to preserving the natural wonders that make the Maldives one of the world’s most extraordinary marine destinations.

“What makes this partnership special is seeing how small, consistent actions turn into real change underwater. Watching the relocated corals settle, survive, and begin to grow over the past year has been incredibly rewarding for us and the guests who return and witness how they’ve helped restore a living reef,” shares Katelyn, the resort’s Marine Biologist.

A defining achievement of the collaboration has been the coral relocation project, which carefully transferred coral colonies from Ras Malé, also known as the Maldives Eco City, to the resort’s dedicated restoration site, safeguarding them from potential threats linked to land reclamation activities in the Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon. One year on, these corals continue to flourish beneath the surface, strengthening reef resilience and contributing to the long-term health of the surrounding ecosystem.

At the heart of the partnership lies the resort’s Adopt a Coral programme, part of the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy initiative, which encourages guests to travel with intention through meaningful environmental experiences. Through this hands-on activity, visitors can adopt and name a coral frame while learning directly from marine experts about coral ecology and the importance of protecting marine habitats.

To deepen this connection beyond the stay, guests receive growth updates on their adopted corals every six months, allowing them to follow the progress of their living contribution to the reef. As these corals grow over time, they become enduring symbols of renewal and shared responsibility, transforming a holiday memory into a lasting environmental legacy, and reflecting how travel can positively support local ecosystems and communities.

“Our island is surrounded by a remarkable marine environment, and protecting it is a responsibility we take seriously. Our partnership with Reefscapers reflects our belief that hospitality should go hand in hand with stewardship. Seeing the reef restoration progress over the past six years, and the involvement of our guests and associates in that journey, makes this anniversary especially meaningful for all of us,” comments Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

Through its continued collaboration with Reefscapers, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa remains dedicated to advancing marine conservation while creating purposeful guest experiences rooted in sustainability, education, and connection to nature.

To discover more about the resort’s sustainability initiatives, join the Adopt a Coral programme, or plan a stay that supports reef conservation, visit sheratonmaldives.com or contact the reservations team at Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com.

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OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru launches expanded wellness programming for 2026

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As wellness continues to shape how travellers plan and prioritise their journeys in 2026, OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is redefining the restorative island escape with the launch of expanded, immersive wellness programming at OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort.

Set on a private island in the South Ari Atoll, the boutique resort reflects OUTRIGGER’s lifestyle-led approach to hospitality at a time when travellers are seeking a more restorative 2026. Anchored by Navasana Spa as a central wellness hub, the enhanced offerings invite guests to embrace a “new year, new me” mindset through movement, mindfulness and island-inspired rituals.

“OUTRIGGER is about creating space for guests to slow down and feel grounded in their surroundings,” said John Allanson, General Manager of OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort. “Here in the Maldives, the natural rhythm of island life guides the experience, and our expanded wellness offerings allow guests to engage with that rhythm in a way that feels personal and intentional.”

At OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru, wellness extends beyond the spa and into the fabric of the resort experience. Navasana Spa now offers a curated mix of dynamic fitness and mindful practices designed to support both energy and restoration.

A dedicated fitness and yoga studio hosts aerial yoga, sunrise yoga with panoramic island views, bungee fit, rebound training and TRX suspension, alongside chakra healing, sound healing and full moon meditation sessions held in calming oceanfront settings. Hammocks, mats and sound bowls create a space that encourages both movement and introspection.

Wellness-forward dining highlights fresh tropical fruits and island-sourced ingredients, with flexible menus designed to accommodate a range of dietary preferences and wellness goals.

A new highlight of the resort’s wellness expansion is The Alchemy Bar, an interactive space that invites guests to engage directly in self-care rituals. Workshops include coconut oil cooking, herbal poultice making, candle crafting and organic soap creation, offering a tactile, memorable layer to the wellness experience.

Guests can also explore a curated selection of herbal teas, bath and sleep kits and aromatic candles, allowing wellness practices to extend beyond the stay.

For guests seeking a more structured approach, OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru introduces two multi-night wellness programmes, available in three-, five- or seven-night formats.

  • Holistic Fitness Package: Designed for guests focused on motivation and movement, this programme blends personalised fitness sessions with Pilates-based exercises and flexibility training, tailored to individual goals and preferences.
  • Healing Retreat Package: Beginning with a wellness consultation and screening, this programme emphasises gentle, supportive practices including daily yoga, therapeutic sound healing and targeted treatments that encourage emotional balance and deep relaxation.

With just 81 modern and sleek villas, OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru offers the privacy and calm ideal for wellness-focused travel. The island’s lush interior, turquoise lagoon and thriving house reef provide a natural backdrop for sunrise meditation, aerial yoga or quiet moments of quiet reflection. Guests can further enhance their stay through PADI-certified diving, silent sunset cruises and reef exploration, all aligned with the resort’s restorative ethos.

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Cooking

Sun Siyam Olhuveli hosts Italian Chef Francesca Gambacorta at Milano restaurant

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At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, as part of its ongoing Chef Residency series, Sun Siyam Olhuveli has invited celebrated Italian chef Francesca Gambacorta to shape a new chapter at Milano, the resort’s signature Italian restaurant. The residency brings an immersive, kitchen-led experience that blends authentic Italian technique with island ease, placing mentorship and craftsmanship at the heart of the dining journey.

Known for her emotionally driven approach to contemporary Italian cooking, Chef Francesca believes food should tell a story—of place, memory, and feeling. With a global following of more than 700,000 on Instagram, recognition as one of Italy’s Top 20 Food Influencers by Forbes Italia in 2021, and authorship of Semplicità Complessa — Il gourmet per tutti, she champions thoughtful simplicity. It’s a philosophy that fits effortlessly into life at Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

During her residency, the Milano kitchen became a creative playground. Chef Francesca worked side by side with the culinary team through hands-on training, live cooking sessions, and real- time service mentoring. From fresh pasta made with patience to sauces shaped by regional identity, the focus was clear: strip things back, respect ingredients, and let flavour speak for itself.

But the lessons went beyond technique. The team was encouraged to cook with intention—to see every dish as a small narrative, where balance, timing, and emotion matter just as much as skill. That mindset now runs through Milano’s menu, shaping how dishes are prepared, plated, and served.

On Valentine’s Day, 14 February, guests experienced this evolution first-hand when Chef Francesca took the lead as featured chef for the evening. Part celebration, part live classroom, the night brought her approach to life in the most delicious way—right in the flow of service.

Today, Milano feels more confident, more expressive, and unmistakably Italian. Hand-crafted pastas, beautifully balanced sauces, and familiar classics arrive with a relaxed authenticity—rooted in tradition, shaped by mentorship, and finished with an island twist.

Guests are invited to discover Milano as part of Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s wider culinary journey, where dining is never rushed and every meal feels like part of the holiday story. 

To book a stay and explore the resort’s dining experiences, please visit sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-olhuveli.

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