News
Anantara Wins Four Top Accolades at Maldives Travel Awards 2015
Maldives.net.mv – Anantara Resorts & Spas in the Maldives are celebrating industry and public recognition once again, winning four of the top travel and tourism honours at this year’s annual Maldives Travel Awards.
Anantara has been making its mark in the Maldives for holidaymakers ever since the brand entered the nation 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 Maldives Travel Awards Gala Ceremony, held on 19 September 2015, saw travel and tourism professionals acknowledging Anantara’s excellence in luxury hospitality, wellness and spa services.
Leading Beach Resort in the Maldives; Anantara Kihavah Villas
No stranger to the awards podium, Anantara Kihavah Villas has been acknowledged with one of the most coveted awards of the event for the second consecutive year, Leading Beach Resort. Commenting on the award, General Manager Jean-Marc Ma-Poon says, “We are delighted with this acknowledgement from our local travel industry and general public. It’s a wonderful affirmation for the professional dedication the resort team delivers, ensuring not only that our villas and restaurants are unique, but that our amazing location within Baa Atoll is cherished and celebrated. 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 to excellent advantage. It’s wonderful that four years after opening, Anantara Kihavah Villas has proven itself to be a leading resort in a much sought after category and in a highly competitive market.”
Leading Wellness and Spa Resort; Anantara Veli Resort
Anantara Veli Resort in the South Male Atoll was recognised for its unique wellness offering. Torsten Richter, Cluster General Manager for Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Resorts comments, “We are proud to be acknowledged as the Maldives Leading Wellness and Spa Resort, especially as this is just 18 months after the Sundari Ayurveda Spa concept was introduced to Anantara Veli. Under the expert guidance of our Resident Ayurveda Doctor guests enjoy authentic wellness experiences with a flexible approach to health, wellbeing and healing elements, yet also allows the freedom to relax and indulge while on a luxury holiday. Perfecting that balance of wellness and indulgence on an individual basis, and with lasting effect long after the holiday ends, is key to the success of the spa at Anantara Veli and a tribute to the highly professional services of the team.”
Leading Spa Brand; Anantara Spa
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 “Acknowledging excellence in luxury hospitality across Anantara’s three resorts in the Maldives – Anantara Veli, Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Kihavah Villas – the MATATO Travel Awards 2015 further endorses this year’s World Travel Award Anantara Spa also received for Leading Spa Brand in the Maldives. These awards and accolades reflect the commitment of Anantara Spa to setting the standard for service excellence and the dedication of its team members to provide the ultimate guest experience with every treatment.”
Leading International Hotel & Resort Brand in the Maldives
In addition to the gala event last weekend, at a special edition of the Maldives Travel Awards held during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on 5th May 2015, Anantara was also awarded Leading International Resort Brand. At the time of receiving the award in May, Nicholas Downing, VP Operations – Indian Ocean for Minor Hotel Group, praised his team members and the three Anantara resorts in the Maldives, saying that this recognition stands as a testament to their professional and personal dedication and commitment. “They exemplify the heartfelt hospitality that lies at the core of every Anantara experience.”
The Maldives Travel Awards is organised by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) to highlight and reward members of the travel sector that have made the greatest contribution to the industry over the past year. The awards are judged through a process of online voting as well as a jury assessment of presentations and site inspections.
News
Amilla Maldives hosts ‘Around the World in Wonder’ New Year experience
Amilla Maldives welcomed the New Year with Around the World in Wonder, a globally inspired celebration beneath the Maldivian night sky.
The evening began with Around the World in a Glass, a beachfront cocktail journey with flavours from across the globe. A gourmet dinner buffet followed under the stars, each dish reflecting Amilla’s signature artistry. During the evening, Morgan Martinello, General Manager of Amilla Maldives, addressed the island with a warm welcome, sharing a few words of gratitude and reflection to set the tone for the night ahead.
The main stage, set over the pool, became the heart of the night bringing together an international line-up of performers. World rhythms flowed through the evening with DJ Elaiva, layered with vibrant saxophone interludes by Sharif and live sets from Australia’s Hamilton Band. Visual theatre unfolded around the stage as acrobats, aerialists and fire-led performances by Fiesta Creations brought movement and light, while cultural dance moments gently invited guests to join in. Throughout the night, Sid, the emcee, guided the celebration with warmth and an easy charm.
As midnight approached, the Hamilton Band led the countdown. Fireworks lit the sky above the lagoon, adding a dazzling finale to fire-lit performances and marking the arrival of 2026.
The celebration flowed into the early hours at Tessera, where DJ Kushan kept the rhythm alive, letting guests move seamlessly between music, conversation, and quiet moments by the sea.
Amilla Maldives’ Around the World in Wonder offered immersive, elegant, and personalised luxury, setting the tone for a year of connection, discovery, and island magic.
Drink
Huvafen Maldives hosts exclusive Riedel Wine experience led by Maximilian J. Riedel
Huvafen Maldives is hosting an extraordinary wine experience in collaboration with Riedel, the world-renowned Austrian glassware company, led by 11th-generation CEO Maximilian J. Riedel. The exclusive event will take place in Vinum, Huvafen’s underground wine cellar – the first of its kind in the Maldives – offering guests a uniquely immersive setting to explore the art of wine enjoyment.
Over two evenings, Maximilian J. Riedel, the eleventh generation of family owned company RIEDEL, will personally guide an intimate group of guests through a sensory tasting of iconic wines using four distinct glasses from the RIEDEL Veloce collection, highlighting how the shape and size of each glass considerably influences aroma, texture and flavour – a hallmark of Riedel’s renowned approach to wine enjoyment.
Carrying forward a remarkable family legacy, Maximilian leads the Austrian glassware company with great success and a keen spirit for the Zeitgeist. He continues to redefine the so called Riedel Wine Glass Experience. Each year, these comparative tastings inspire, educate, and entertain more than 50,000 participants all over the world.
“Maximilian Riedel’s expertise brings an extraordinary dimension to wine enjoyment,” said General Manager, Noel Cameron. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our philosophy of curating unforgettable, refined experiences for our guests, where every detail, from the wine to the glass, is considered.”
“A glass can make the wine shine or destroy its magic. This is why we at Riedel offer exclusively functional tools. Their only purpose is to support and present the wine in its best possible way,” said Maximilian Riedel. “I am looking very much forward to demonstrate which enormous difference glasses make, in this extraordinary underground setting of Huvafen Fushi. Guests will experience and enjoy how the functional glasses enhance their wine enjoyment.”
For reservations or to explore exclusive packages, please contact the resort’s reservations team at stay@huvafenfushi.com.
News
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau rings in 2026 with ocean-inspired festive programme
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort welcomed 2026 with an extraordinary festive season inspired by the mysteries of the ocean, culminating in a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration themed “Atlantis: The Lost Kingdom.” Set against the turquoise backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the resort transformed into a world of myth, artistry, and immersive island experiences.
Throughout the festive period, guests were invited to journey through a thoughtfully curated programme that blended refined celebration with meaningful connection. From the ceremonial Christmas Tree Lighting and joyful family moments to hands-on creative workshops, wellness experiences, and ocean-led adventures, the season unfolded as a celebration of togetherness, discovery, and mindful luxury.

The highlight of the festivities arrived on New Year’s Eve, where guests gathered for an elegant cocktail reception followed by a grand gala dinner beneath the stars. Inspired by the mythical splendour of Atlantis, the evening featured captivating live performances, artistic choreography, and immersive entertainment that brought the underwater legend to life. As midnight approached, the shoreline became the stage for a breath-taking starlit drone show, illuminating the night sky and marking the arrival of the New Year in radiant style.

Wellness and creativity were also woven seamlessly into the programme, with visiting specialists offering personalised movement sessions, celestial journeys under the night sky, and ocean-inspired art experiences that invited guests to slow down, reconnect, and create lasting memories.

Reflecting InterContinental Maldives’ commitment to True Hospitality for Good, the festive celebrations honoured both indulgence and intention, bringing guests together in a setting where celebration, nature, and storytelling coexist in perfect harmony.

As the final moments of the festive season faded into golden island mornings, Maamunagau stood as a place where meaningful experiences, shared joy, and timeless memories defined the start of a new year.
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