News
Kurumba Maldives – Party With A Purpose

Maldives.net.mv – On Thursday 21st April Kurumba Maldives proudly hosted the fundraising event “Party with a Purpose”. This event was held for the fifth consecutive year in aid of 145 orphaned and foster children residing at “Kudakudhinge Hiyaa” located on Villingili and Hulhumalé islands. Support from 9 different Maldivian musician acts, many suppliers and partners contributed to raise over US$23,000. This upcoming year, the funds will be destined mostly to educational projects, in cooperation with the local nongovernmental organization ARC – Advocating the Rights for the Children – and Kudakudhinge Hiyaa.
Local artists volunteered their time to perform Maldivian and international tunes in an outdoor setting for the resident guests and invitees’ enjoyment. Performances took place at Kandu Bar between 5.00pm to 12am. The musicians who offered their time and joie de vivre were: Island Fusion, Passive Harmony, Flower Rain, Mishy, Mira, Rishvan Imon, Def Note, DJ Paidé, DJ Maapu and Ammaday.

The set up for the event would have not been possible without the immense support of Event Maldives, as well as a taskforce of more than 55 team members from Kurumba Maldives, who volunteered cheerfully.
Local and foreign suppliers; Cosmopolitan, SIMDI Beverages, Grape Expectations, MMI Maldives, Navean, Coca Cola, SAFCO, Yeoman Group, Good Food Exports, donated goods that were used as refreshments and nourishment throughout the day, from which all proceeds went to the cause. Other suppliers that contributed with diverse useful goods were M7 Print, Bee House and Rateria.
The silent auction was blessed this year with the remarkable support of 24 resorts and 3 major airline carriers as sponsors. This was conducted throughout the event with many guests bidding for the following resorts and prizes: Amari Havodda, Amilla Fushi, Bandos Maldives, Coco Bodu Hithi, Crown & Champa Resorts, Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa, Gili Lankanfushi, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma, Hotel Jen, Jumeirah Vittaveli, LUX* South Ari Atoll, Maalifushi by COMO, Oblu by Atmosphere at Helengeli, Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Reethi Beach Resort, Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Thulhagiri, Velassaru, Vivanta Coral Reef by Taj, W Retreat & Spa, Universal Resorts, Kurumba Maldives, Veli Spa, Emirates Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airlines.

The evening was a great success with many locals, expatriates, local media and senior business invitees plus Kurumba’s in house guests joining in. There was non-stop live entertainment and the evening was blessed with almost perfect weather to host such an event. This year, we also counted on the support of Think Maldives and Digital Studio for photography and videography purposes.
The Kudakudhinge Hiyaa orphanage, located on Villingili and Hulhumalé islands, hosts children between the ages of 6 months and 21 years old. This is a self-supporting service that requires help from the community and industry in order to continue providing a caring, safe and educational environment for these children.
Ali Farooq, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager and Champion of ARC and the orphanages commented: “This is the 5th consecutive and successful year for Party with a Purpose. We are very thankful for the vast support and contributions of performers, suppliers, resorts, airlines and attendees. This is a great achievement for us and we are very proud to support our local community, ARC – Advocating the Rights of Children – and the Kudakudhinge Hiyaa orphanage. We will strive to continue with this charitable event year after year.”
For more information on Kurumba Maldives’ CSR program, please check www.kurumba.com/maldives-csr-activities For more information about upcoming events in Kurumba Maldives, please check www.kurumba.com/maldives-
Awards
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives secures nine accolades at World Luxury Awards 2026
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives is celebrating nine accolades at the 2026 World Luxury Awards, including two prestigious Global Winner titles, recognising excellence across resort hospitality, leadership, wellness and gastronomy.
The awards reflect the resort’s philosophy of Connected Island Luxury, where personalised hospitality, restorative wellness, exceptional dining and meaningful encounters with nature come together to create memorable island experiences.
Among the highlights, The Spa at Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives was named Global Winner for Best Luxury Island Resort Spa, while signature fine-dining restaurant FireDOOR received the Global Winner title for Best Sunset Views.
The resort also received recognition as Best Luxury Boutique Resort and Best Luxury Lifestyle Resort in the Indian Ocean, alongside Best General Manager for Raffaele Solferino.

Global Recognition for Wellness and Gastronomy
Perched above the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the resort’s overwater Spa offers a tranquil sanctuary for relaxation and restoration. In addition to its global title, it received two Indian Ocean awards: Best Luxury Boutique Spa and Best Luxury Oceanview Spa.
Meanwhile, FireDOOR’s global recognition celebrates its spectacular sunset setting overlooking the island’s house reef. Combining intimate fine dining with distinctive glass-floor features and panoramic ocean views, the restaurant also received Indian Ocean titles for Best Luxury Boutique Resort Restaurant and Best Luxury Waterside Restaurant.
Together, these achievements highlight the breadth of experiences that define Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, from restorative wellness to memorable moments shared over exceptional cuisine.

Celebrating the People Behind the Experience
For General Manager Raffaele Solferino, who has been part of the resort’s journey since pre-opening, the awards are a testament to the dedication of the island team.
“To receive nine World Luxury Awards, including two Global Winner titles, is an extraordinary honour and a wonderful recognition of our team’s passion and commitment,” said Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives.
“What makes this achievement particularly meaningful is that it celebrates the complete guest experience. We believe true luxury goes beyond beautiful surroundings; it is about genuine connections, thoughtful hospitality and creating moments that stay with our guests long after they leave. As we approach our tenth anniversary in 2027, these awards are both a celebration of our journey and an inspiration for the next chapter.”

A Decade of Island Hospitality
Since opening in 2017, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has established a distinctive identity built around contemporary island luxury, personalised service and a deep connection with its natural surroundings.
As the resort prepares to celebrate ten years of welcoming guests in 2027, the nine World Luxury Awards provide a fitting recognition of its achievements and continued commitment to creating extraordinary island experiences.
News
ananea Madivaru Maldives unveils personalised island concierge experience
From 1 November 2026, ananea Madivaru Maldives will introduce its new Island Concierge Programme. A more personal and relaxed approach to island hospitality built around one simple idea: Here, you’re never just a villa number.
Rather than adopting the formality of a traditional butler service, the Island Concierge becomes each guest’s personal connection to the island, someone who knows their journey, remembers their preferences, anticipates their needs and helps them discover the resort naturally.

From the moment guests arrive, their Island Concierge becomes a familiar face throughout their stay. They personally welcome guests on arrival, connect with them over breakfast, assist with plans and experiences throughout the day, and return for a personal farewell at departure.

The concept is intentionally uncomplicated.
Less formality. More connection.

Island Concierges spend their time where guests are rather than behind a desk, around the beaches, pools, restaurants, bars and pathways of the resort. Whenever possible, they may even personally drive guests to dinner, spa appointments or activities, turning a simple buggy journey into another opportunity to connect.
They can assist with everything from restaurant recommendations and spa treatments to watersports, excursions, celebrations and the spontaneous island moments that often become the most memorable parts of a holiday.

The Island Concierge is also there to share the story of the island itself, its people, Maldivian culture, marine life and the fascinating realities of island living, from producing fresh water and electricity to caring for the beaches and surrounding environment.

“We don’t want to create another traditional butler or host concept,” says Pierre Edlund, General Manager of ananea Madivaru Maldives.
“We want something more natural and more human. Your Island Concierge is someone who gets to know you, remembers what you enjoy and helps make things happen without unnecessary formality. But ultimately, every colleague on our islands is part of the experience. The Island Concierge may be your personal connection, but the whole island is looking after you.”

Importantly, the philosophy extends far beyond the Island Concierge team.
At ananea Madivaru Maldives, every guest belongs to everyone. Whether a guest meets a chef, engineer, bartender, housekeeper, watersports colleague or leader, the philosophy remains the same.
Awards
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura has been named among the Top 100 Spas of the World 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, recognising the spa’s wellness services in Malé.
Located on Level 3 of Barceló Nasandhura, Wellness by Mandara caters to both international visitors and local residents, offering spa treatments and wellness services within the capital. Unlike spas located at island resorts, the facility provides an urban wellness option for guests seeking relaxation, physical recovery and regular self-care.
The spa draws on traditional Eastern healing practices and offers a range of treatments, including Mandara’s signature multi-hand massage therapies, ELEMIS facials, body treatments and specialised nail care packages.
Treatments are tailored to individual requirements by the spa’s therapists, with services designed to relieve muscle tension, support physical recovery and promote relaxation.
Trent Munday of Mandara Spa said the recognition reflected the team’s commitment to providing Asian spa therapies in Malé while serving both hotel guests and the local community.
Wellness by Mandara operates daily, offering treatments and spa packages to Barceló Nasandhura guests, Malé residents and day visitors.
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