News
Conrad Maldives Wins Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel and Indian Ocean’s Leading Culinary Hotel
Maldives.net.mv – Conrad Maldives Rangali Island takes home two highly respected awards at this year’s annual World Travel Awards, winning the hot spot in two highly coveted categories: Indian Ocean’s Leading Culinary Hotel and Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel. These distinguished awards are voted for by travel and tourism professionals worldwide, and both accolades serve to recognise the commitment to excellence which Conrad Maldives has demonstrated over the past twelve months, not just as a hotel leader in the Indian Ocean, but also as the leader in this region from a gourmet and culinary perspective.The awards round off a great season of recognition for Conrad Maldives, as the World Travel Awards closely follow the resort being named to TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame as a recipient of the site’s Certificate of Excellence for the past five consecutive years – the result of positive feedback received from guests on TripAdvisor.
“We are incredibly honoured to have been recognised as the leading hotel in the region for both culinary and overall hotel experiences,” said Lyle Lewis, General Manager of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. “The recognition is a testament to what we deliver to our guests on a daily basis – the finest food and beverage with the widest variety available in the Maldives; personalised and anticipatory service; and an intimate connection to the lush surroundings of the Maldives and the Indian Ocean. For our world-class chefs and resort staff on the island, the awards from the industry via the World Travel Awards along with the recognition from guests via TripAdvisor lend encouragement to continually deliver the best for our guests each day.”

These awards mark an extremely exciting time for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The gourmet aficionados ‘go-to’ destination in the Indian Ocean, the resort provides no less than 12 restaurants and bars. Leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of culinary offerings, restaurants range from the applauded Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, to the spa-inspired cuisine at Mandhoo, and the latest addition to the gourmet portfolio, Ufaa by Jereme Leung. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the globally recognised Ithaa Undersea Restaurant (celebrated this past April) – which has played a significant part in the resort’s repute as a dining destination to travel for. Youngest addition to the culinary scene, Ufaa by Jereme Leung, is the Maldives first celebrity chef restaurant heralded by renowned Chinese chef, Jereme Leung. Ufaa is an innovative Chinese concept offering authentic experiences highlighting the iconic flavours of China, and celebrates its first anniversary this September.
Conrad Maldives’ title as Leading Culinary Hotel in the Indian Ocean is underpinned by the worldly variety of cuisines on offer. From Japanese-style live cooking at the open-air Koko Grill, to 101 cheeses imported from the world over in The Cheese and Wine Bar and up to 1,400 different wine labels found in The Wine Cellar, Conrad Maldives understands that a remote location need not act as a barrier to fine dining and world-class wines. The resort’s array of culinary experiences promises to delight the palate of any discerning food lover.
Beyond food and beverage, Conrad Maldives offers exceptional accommodation, service, and environments that help to explain how it claimed the title of Leading Hotel overall in the Indian Ocean. The luxury resort offers three different experiences across two islands: the typical get-away-from-it-all Maldivian hideaway on tiny Rangali Island; the larger and livelier main island (linked to it by a 500m bridge), Rangalifinolhu, featuring water sports and various other facilities; and the over-water destination The Spa Retreat that operates as a resort-within-a-resort set 100m off the tip of the main island. No matter where they stay, guests can enjoy all the resort’s facilities in full, and will also benefit from the world-class anticipatory service of the resort’s exceptional staff – whether via simple bespoke requests or through full wedding and event planning available on the island.
Awards
Hideaway Beach Resort secures six major resort nominations and TTM sports award recognition
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has received a series of prestigious nominations across the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2026, South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, and Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s excellence in luxury hospitality, romance, wellness, sports, and family travel.
This year, Hideaway has been shortlisted for Maldives’ Leading Beach Resort, Maldives’ Leading Honeymoon Resort, and Maldives’ Leading Luxury Island Resort at the World Travel Awards; Leading Beach Resort, Leading Family Resort, and Leading Wellness & Spa Resort at the South Asian Travel Awards; and Best Resort for Sports & Fitness at the TTM Awards.
Nestled on the naturally lush island of Dhonakulhi in Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway is renowned for its expansive white-sand beaches, including the iconic North Beach, spacious villas and luxury residences, and exceptional levels of privacy served impeccably by the resort’s Butlers. Set amidst tropical vegetation and crystal-clear waters, the resort offers a distinctive blend of natural beauty, personalised service, and authentic island experiences that continue to resonate with discerning travellers and industry partners alike.
These nominations reflect the breadth of the Hideaway experience: secluded villa concepts and bespoke romantic moments for couples; warm, intuitive hospitality and space for multi-generational family travel; restorative spa and wellness journeys; and a dynamic sports and fitness offering that includes tennis, Padel, badminton, pickleball, golf, cycling, jogging and running trails, football, beach volleyball, basketball, foosball, billiards, snorkelling, diving, water sports, and a fully equipped fitness centre. The resort has also introduced special sporting experiences, including the first-ever Maldives Hideaway Resort Run, a luxury running event launched last year in the Maldives amidst World Wellness Weekend.
“We are incredibly proud to see Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa recognised across such a diverse and prestigious set of awards in 2026. These nominations reflect the passion of our team and the strength of the experience we have built at Hideaway – one that brings together privacy, natural beauty, heartfelt service and a rich lifestyle offering for today’s active luxury traveller. It is a wonderful honour for us, and we are deeply grateful for the continued support of our guests, partners and industry community,” said Desislav Gospodinov, Group Director of Sales & Marketing at Lily Hotels.
Together, these nominations highlight Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s defining strengths – privacy, space, natural beauty, wellness, recreation, and personalised luxury, reinforcing its standing as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive private island destinations.
Guests, partners, and supporters are invited to cast their vote for Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa here. For reservations and further information, please visit the resort’s website.
Action
Eri Maldives marks global marine awareness days with immersive ocean experiences
With a full calendar of ocean awareness moments running from June through to mid-July, Eri Maldives, a resort in the North Malé Atoll, is where marine stewardship isn’t a seasonal campaign, it’s baked into the everyday.
For anyone covering upcoming marine awareness days, Eri has activations tied to each for a full month of ocean-focused programming, running from 1 June through to mid-July:
- Reef Awareness Day (1 June): Eri’s Reef Guardians Experience takes guests on morning and afternoon snorkelling safaris across some of the atoll’s most pristine coral, with conservation briefings focused on coral life and a complimentary Marine Life Quiz at the Sip&Dip bar in the evening.
- World Oceans Day (8 June): Guided snorkelling safaris and marine ecosystem adventures, continuing the resort’s thread of ocean education and wonder throughout the month.
- World Sea Turtle Day (16 June): A Turtley Awesome afternoon programme, with the headline activation being a Turtle Search Snorkel (14:15–16:30), opening with an educational briefing on turtle behaviour, ecology and conservation.
- Shark Awareness Day (14 July): Beyond the Myth invites guests on a complimentary Shark Trivia at Sip&Dip (20:30–21:30, plus an after-dark Night Snorkel and Night Dive with sharks for those who want to go further (18:00–20:00, reservations needed at an additional cost)
- PADI Women’s Dive Day (from 18 July): Aspiring dive learners can join a women-only breathwork and free dive introduction session in the morning (09:00–10:30, cheageable), followed by a sunset gathering at Sip&Dip (18:00–19:30, complimentary).

Meet the 14 resident turtles of Eri
The resort is also home to a thriving turtle community, with 14 individually identified turtles, each logged by the resident dive team through distinctive shell markings, flipper formations and carapace patterns.

There’s Miss Torti, recognised by her saw-like shell margins and split rear scutes; Hank, whose right hind flipper never fully developed; and Farfalle, whose spotted shell reads like a constellation map. One of the newest addition to the records is Otto, Eri’s first-ever green sea turtle sighting, and a quietly significant milestone for the reef’s biodiversity story.
Several turtles have been named by guests themselves, and the invitation remains open: any guest who spots an undocumented turtle is welcome to name it.
Meet the full turtle family here. For reservations, please visit the resort’s website.
News
Mandara Spa brings ELEMIS skincare expertise to Maldives wellness experiences
Mandara Spa in the Maldives continues to elevate its wellness offering through its longstanding collaboration with ELEMIS, the globally recognised British skincare brand known for combining advanced skincare science with indulgent spa experiences.
In an era where discerning travellers seek more than traditional luxury, Mandara Spa continues to align with globally recognised wellness brands such as ELEMIS, known for its leadership in advanced skincare innovation, spa expertise, and premium wellness experiences. ELEMIS’s global partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team reflects the brand’s positioning within the world of luxury, performance, and innovation, values that also resonate with Mandara Spa’s commitment to elevated wellness experiences across Maldives.
As ELEMIS continues to expand its presence through Formula One™ activations and premium global initiatives, Mandara Spa brings this same spirit of modern luxury and performance led wellness to its spa destinations in the Maldives, where advanced skincare expertise meets the tranquillity of island wellbeing.
As wellness continues to evolve beyond traditional spa experiences, Mandara Spa in the Maldives remains focused on delivering elevated wellness experiences through globally trusted brands such as ELEMIS, renowned for its science led formulations, naturally derived ingredients, and decades of spa expertise. Today’s discerning travellers increasingly seek treatments that combine relaxation with visible results and advanced skincare innovation.
Through this longstanding collaboration, guests can experience a curated collection of ELEMIS face and body treatments, delivered by expertly trained Mandara therapists in tranquil island settings designed for restoration and renewal, where luxury, efficacy, and holistic wellbeing come together seamlessly.
This is not a short-term alliance. Mandara Spa’s ongoing partnership with ELEMIS reflects a long-term, strategic relationship built on mutual benefit — ensuring that guests, wellness professionals, investors, and business partners alike can trust in the stability and quality of the Mandara Spa experience. For investors and business stakeholders, this alignment with a globally recognized, B Corp-certified brand with distribution across 110 countries is a powerful indicator of Mandara Spa’s ambition and trajectory in the luxury wellness market.
For more than 30 years, Mandara Spa has partnered with leading wellness and hospitality brands to deliver thoughtfully curated spa experiences across the globe. The continued collaboration with ELEMIS reflects Mandara Spa’s commitment to aligning with globally recognised partners that share the same standards of excellence, guest care, and innovation.
As luxury travellers continue to prioritise wellbeing as part of the travel experience, Mandara Spa in the Maldives remains focused on delivering meaningful wellness journeys through exceptional service, highly trained therapists, and partnerships with premium wellness brands trusted around the world. ELEMIS treatments are available across all Mandara Spa locations in the Maldives, bringing the brand’s world-renowned formulations to every guest, at every property.
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