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.
Featured
Year of the Horse celebrations across Sun Siyam’s Luxury, Privé and Lifestyle resorts
Sun Siyam Resorts is marking the Lunar New Year across its Luxury, Privé and Lifestyle collections with a coordinated programme of cultural experiences, festive dining, music and family-focused activities from 15 to 20 February 2026. Celebrating the Year of the Horse, each resort’s programme reflects its individual character while embracing the spirit of renewal and togetherness associated with the season.
Siyam World – Lifestyle Collection
At Siyam World, Lunar New Year celebrations combine cultural heritage with contemporary island energy. A highlight of the programme is a live showcase featuring Chinese-inspired DJ sets paired with the traditional guzheng, creating a fusion of electronic rhythms and classical melody. Performances by the Chaozhou Shantou lion dance troupe add further cultural depth, with guests invited to observe, participate and learn traditional movements.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli – Lifestyle Collection
Sun Siyam Olhuveli is presenting a relaxed Lunar New Year programme shaped by traditional symbolism and island living. Throughout the week, the resort will host family-friendly cultural activities, traditional performances and live music. Red-themed décor and festive elements will set the tone, while dragon displays and cultural showcases bring movement to the island’s central spaces. The celebrations peak on 16 and 17 February with performances by DJ Slim Belghith, whose international sound will accompany evening festivities.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli – Privé Collection
At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, the Year of the Horse will be marked through a programme that combines cultural traditions with family-oriented experiences. The Kids Club will host themed activities including red envelope crafting, lantern making, zodiac-inspired art and traditional games. The Fire Horse Pool Party at Chemistry will bring families together with music and refreshments. Dining highlights include hot pot lunches and dinners, along with a dedicated Chinese section titled “Flavours of Fortune” at the Aqua Orange buffet. Guests may also enjoy seasonal spa treatments at Ocean Spa designed to promote balance and renewal.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef – Privé Collection
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef will conclude its celebrations with a Grand Spring Gala Dinner featuring international cuisine alongside Chinese specialities. The evening includes a traditional lion dance performance, filling the island with movement and symbolic gestures intended to welcome prosperity and good fortune.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi – Luxury Collection
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Lunar New Year celebrations will blend Chinese traditions with Maldivian island experiences. Dining features include beachfront seafood platters, Blue Lobster barbecues and traditional hot pot dinners, complemented by chocolate, cheese and champagne tastings.
Younger guests may take part in dragon dance workshops and lantern painting sessions, while signature resort experiences such as Sunset Jet Car rides, Cinema by Moonlight on a private boat and floating breakfasts add further variety. Evening turndown moments incorporate local Maldivian touches, reflecting the resort’s approach to cultural exchange. With 15 dining venues, family-oriented villas and dedicated adults-only spaces, the resort’s programme is designed to accommodate a broad range of guests.
Commenting on the celebrations, Ahmed Naufal, Group Director of Business Development, noted that China remains an important market for Sun Siyam. He stated that the Lunar New Year celebrations provide an opportunity to honour Chinese traditions while delivering experiences consistent with the group’s standards of hospitality.
Across its Maldivian portfolio, Sun Siyam Resorts presents Lunar New Year as a season of cultural appreciation, shared celebration and renewal by the sea.
Action
LUX Tennis joins St. Regis Maldives Vommuli to expand active lifestyle programme
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has announced a partnership with LUX Tennis, strengthening the resort’s established tennis offering and introducing plans for a new padel court. The collaboration expands the resort’s active lifestyle programme, with a particular focus on families and multi-generational travel.
The St. Regis brand draws on the legacy of the Astor family, founders of the original St. Regis New York, whose Gilded Age lifestyle celebrated refined leisure and sporting pursuits. Tennis, in particular, became a symbol of elegance within the Astor social circle, reflecting a culture shaped by hospitality, recreation and sophistication. This heritage continues across the St. Regis portfolio today, where classic sports remain an integral part of the brand’s identity.
Set within the resort’s private island environment, the enhanced LUX Tennis programme is designed to elevate on-island tennis experiences for guests of all ages and skill levels. The programme features expert-led coaching, bespoke clinics and visiting residencies by internationally recognised professionals, offering guests opportunities to train, play and engage with elite talent in an accessible and inspiring setting.
Confirmed visiting professionals include Angelique Kerber, three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, who will visit from 29 to 31 March 2026, and Feliciano López, former Spanish champion with a career-high singles ranking of world number 12, scheduled from 16 to 17 May 2026.
The expanded tennis programme is designed to integrate seamlessly with island life, offering everything from relaxed family matches and junior-friendly coaching to more focused sessions for experienced players. Activities are structured to complement time spent at the beach, spa experiences and family dining.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort features 77 beachfront and overwater villas, each with a private pool, alongside facilities such as the John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest overwater three-bedroom villa in the Maldives. Guests also have access to the award-winning Iridium Spa, six dining venues and a private yacht available for charter, reinforcing the resort’s positioning as a destination for both leisure and active pursuits.
Love
Kandooma Maldives invites couples to gift island escape this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is all about romance, anticipation and surprise, and in 2026 couples are dreaming bigger than the traditional bouquet of red roses or dinner out. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives invites romantics to elevate their Valentine’s gifting with a digital gift voucher for a Maldives island getaway, offering the ultimate gift: time together, far away from the everyday.
The Island Romance Package at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has been thoughtfully designed to deliver a seamless and unforgettable couples’ escape. The package includes accommodation and daily dining for two at Kandooma Café, the resort’s international buffet restaurant, along with in-villa welcome amenities and a thoughtful selection of romantic experiences.
Couples can look forward to special moments such as a beach picnic lunch, breakfast in bed, and a private beachfront dinner set-up, perfectly tailored for those seeking intimacy, indulgence and tropical tranquillity. For ocean-loving adventurers, the package also includes dive experiences for certified divers, adding an exhilarating touch to the celebration. Island Romance packages start from US$548++ per villa per night for two (depending on dates of stay and villa category), with a minimum three-night stay.
“Some guests choose to gift a cash amount that can be applied toward a booking, while others prefer to arrange the stay in advance and purchase gift vouchers for memorable add-ons,” said Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing & Sustainability, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
Valentine’s Day goes well beyond the 14th February at the private island paradise. “At Kandooma, we celebrate romance and togetherness throughout February as part of our Month of Love celebrations, and our gift vouchers allow guests to give something truly meaningful, even if they can’t travel right away.” she added.
Located in the South Malé Atoll, just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a tropical island paradise renowned for its white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoon, and world-class diving and surfing. Accommodation ranges from Garden and Beach Villas to two-storey Beach Houses and the resort’s signature Overwater Villas. Families are well catered for with the Kandoo Kids’ Club and a full activities programme, while six dining venues and the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala complete the island escape. www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com
Gift vouchers can be purchased via the resort’s website. For the full Month of Love 2026 Brochure, please visit here.
-
Awards1 week agoFuvahmulah receives Tiger Shark Dive Award at DRT Expo KL
-
Action1 week agoDusit Thani Maldives adds padel and upgrades sports facilities
-
News1 week agoAmilla Maldives unveils February programme with Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year experiences
-
News1 week agoThe Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to mark International Women’s Day with ‘Give to Gain’ programme
-
Featured1 week agoTen years of turtle conservation: Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Olive Ridley Project milestone
-
News1 week agoBanyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru unveil sustainability and festive programme for February
-
Excursions1 week agoManta season experience returns as InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau announces 2026 retreat
-
Featured1 week agoBanyan Tree Vabbinfaru blends romance and wellbeing in February Valentine’s programme



