News
South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) receives overwhelming support

Maldives.net.mv – SATA 2016 scheduled for this October in Colombo , Sri Lanka has received a tremendous support from major international hotel brands present in Maldives , Sri Lanka and India.
The South Asian Travel Awards is the first ever regional Travel Awards endorsed by Multi-National organizations providing the Tourism sector of the South Asian Region with recognition towards their facilities and service excellence. The South Asian Travel Awards aims to encourage and raise service standards within the regions of the Tourism industry.
The endorsement of organizations include Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Confederation of Associated Tour Operators (India), Association of Travel Agents (ATA) Maldives, Association of Tourism Trade Organizations India (ATTOI), Kerala Hotel General Managers Club (KHGMC) and Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM).
The brand has its affiliations from regional associations ensuring the process within a smooth and transparent procedure. The judging panel will consist of 02 senior representatives from each destination (total of 06) with vast knowledge and background of the industry to assure an accurate and fair process. SATA is a Highrise concept in Collaboration with India and Sri Lanka.
SATA was open for nominations from 30th June until 15th August. The nominations were open with an initial press briefing at the Sri Lanka Tourism premises amidst the presence of the press and heads of regional associations.
SATA is as promising as its nominated brands. While everyone gets ready for the upcoming online voting from 20th Aug till 5th October 2016. SATA will be having its programme as a South Asian Travel Retreat during a weekend in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
SATA Opportunity : with an Investment Opportunity evening.
SATA Gala & Awards ; an event full of colors , entertainment and the grand award function.
SATA Celebrate : celebration of winners with a special gathering at the after event party.
Deadline to Nominate is (Monday) 15th August 2016 while SATA waits to receive nominations from more brands.
“We already have received many queries from major brands which has committed to come in as nominees., as of now we have over 160 nominations. So I believe, we are celebrating the best of South Asian Hospitality” with the best tourism brands – Tuan Saabir Vaffoor , Vice President , SATA.
Major Tourism Industry Medias including Asian Traveller, Asian Geographic, Asian Diver, Floating Asia and Maldives.net.mv has been appointed as media partners of SATA 2016.
Photo courtesy Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives
News
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa introduces new island cycling experience
In a fast-moving world, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa invites guests to pause, reconnect, and embrace the essence of The Whole You. Rooted in the principles of mindfulness, the luxury resort. Tucked within the pristine Shaviyani Atoll, serves as a sanctuary where travelers can feel wholly present, deeply nourished, and spiritually renewed. As guests arrive, thoughtfully provided bicycles offer a gentle introduction to island life, allowing them to glide through lush pathways, breathe in the ocean breeze, and settle into a slower, more intentional rhythm of discovery.
Culinary excellence is woven into the island experience, with thoughtfully curated dishes inspired by global traditions. Whether enjoyed within the serenity of a private villa or set against sweeping ocean views, each dining moment is created with intention, offering nourishment for both body and soul.
The Spa by JW will take guests on a journey of healing, blending ancient wisdom with modern science. Treatments source natural elements designed to uplift mind, body and soul, ensuring guests leave their Maldives experience with a new energy for life.
From guided meditation sessions, yoga and more high impact fitness classes, activities at sea including exploring the wonders of the ocean at the nearby house reef, or grounding walks through the sand, the island is a natural wonderland designed to replenish and revive, every part of the island designed with intention.
The resort’s overwater gym, open-air pavilion, daily workout classes, yoga sessions and easy movement and breathing exercises will provide guests with numerous opportunities to relax and reconnect with their Maldivian surroundings.
Guests can explore the hidden spots and serene spaces around the island where secret spots and beaches are among the many which offer a gateway to tranquility, places where guests can feel at peace and reflect.
With one of the largest kids clubs in the Maldives, the Little Griffins Kids Club offers more than 100 activities, allowing even more time for parents to reconnect and rediscover the romance, all in the knowledge the little guests will be having adventures of their own, enjoying every moment.
From nature explorations to arts and crafts, there is a world of fun awaiting the children little ones while the grown-ups can have time as one with the best of JW Marriott service for the ultimate pampering.
Families find a plethora of things to do to create those lifelong memories as they bond through the magic of adventure. From fishing expeditions and snorkeling to dolphin cruises, these unforgettable experiences create togetherness with the best of memories to cherish for life, in the most meaningful moments.
The Whole You on Two Wheels: Mindful Discovery
The new Island Cycling Experience is the latest in the resort’s lineup of unique experiential offerings destined for feature stories, actively promoting health and shared adventure. Available daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, these stylish bicycles allow guests of all ages to glide through the resort’s winding paths, feeling the ocean breeze and connecting with the pristine beauty of the Maldivian landscape. Moving beyond simple transport, the bicycles offer a refreshing and mindful way for families to engage in purposeful activity, discovering the island’s hidden corners, serene spaces, and secret beaches that serve as gateways to tranquility, reflection, and quiet moments of personal grounding.
Maldivian Heritage: An Architectural Homage to Nature
Designed for guests to immerse in nature, the architecture of the water villas is inspired by the local environment itself, specifically by the Heron Birds local to the Maldives. Designed as a homage to these luck-bringing birds, the thatched roof has a tip that resembles the beak of the bird, and the composition is slightly slanted, to portray the heron bird dipping their head to catch fish in the water.
The water villas are constructed in the traditional local thatched style, immersing guests in a truly Maldivian paradise. Each of the 60 villas offer guests total privacy, for time alone or with loved ones, in addition to their being natural hideaways in the most spectacular setting.
Each includes a private pool and wooden sunbathing decks while the Duplex Overwater Pool Villas and single-story overwater pool villas are set on stilts overlooking the clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, with a choice of sunrise or sunset views.
Guests in the Beach Pool Villas and Duplex Beach Villa can step out directly onto the white sands of the beach, with exclusive access bringing nature right to the door.
Awards
The Nautilus Maldives named to Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2026
The Nautilus Maldives has once again earned a place in Condé Nast Traveler’s The Gold List for 2026, standing as the only destination from the Maldives to receive this prestigious recognition. Curated by the publication’s global editors, The Gold List honours destinations that set new benchmarks in luxury and celebrates places that leave a lasting imprint on discerning travellers.
This latest distinction reflects Condé Nast Traveler’s continued recognition of The Nautilus’s singular character and its commitment to crafting unscripted, deeply meaningful journeys. The private island’s captivatingly free-spirited ethos, where moments unfold without hurry and guests embrace a world unbound by schedules, has long drawn admiration from international tastemakers and influential editors. The philosophy of Freedom Unscripted continues to define the island today, evolving through thoughtful craftsmanship and an intuitively personalised approach to luxury.
Since its debut, The Nautilus has emerged as a powerful voice within the ultra-luxury landscape. Its rise was first marked by its success in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, followed by further acclaim through honours such as Tatler’s Best Private Island Retreat and its earlier inclusion in The Gold List. With only twenty-six beach and ocean houses, the private island has since become an unexpected yet compelling benchmark for privacy, individuality and the art of unscripted luxury.
Today’s inclusion in The Gold List 2026 reflects not only sustained excellence but also the private island’s ongoing evolution. From pioneering marine conservation programmes and curating world-class Masters for Masters residencies to elevating its culinary, wellness and personalisation frameworks, The Nautilus continues to shape a new narrative of experiential luxury in the Maldives.
General Manager Adan Gomez shared, “We are honoured to be named once more in The Gold List. Very few resorts have the privilege of receiving this recognition twice in such a short time. It speaks to the passion of our island family and the trust of the guests who choose The Nautilus as their home in the Maldives. The Gold List recognises destinations that are truly exceptional. To be acknowledged again reinforces The Nautilus’s place among the world’s most inspiring luxury resorts. It is a moment of great pride, and a meaningful affirmation of our philosophy rooted in freedom, individuality and authenticity.”
As The Nautilus looks ahead, this accolade strengthens its resolve to remain a place where time slows, creativity thrives and every journey is curated entirely around the guest. A world shaped by them, and for them.
News
Serenity Spa at Baros Maldives introduces new rituals, multi-day wellness journeys
Baros Maldives unveils a renewed Serenity Spa menu this season, marking a thoughtful evolution of the island’s wellness offering. Designed for travellers seeking restoration with tangible results, the new menu positions Baros as a refined glowcation destination — where meaningful relaxation meets visible, lasting wellbeing.
Set within the lush heart of the island, Serenity Spa is reached by a winding sandy path, accompanied by birdsong, palms and the soft scent of tropical blooms. Here, wellness moves beyond passive pampering. Baros blends time-honoured Asian healing traditions with modern techniques, advanced skincare and potent natural actives, creating experiences that restore balance, enhance radiance and invite deeper rest.
Central to the new menu is a curated collection of island-inspired signature rituals. Baros Forest Therapy draws on the calming power of nature, combining grounding essential oils, guided inhalation, flowing massage, a mineral-rich mud mask and a soothing scalp massage to ease stress and reconnect body and mind. The Serenity Green Signature and Walk in the Garden rituals further reflect Baros’ forested landscape, using botanical actives, aromatherapy and intuitive bodywork for deeply sensory renewal.
Serenity Spa’s enhanced product portfolio brings together globally respected wellness brands. Natura Bissé introduces science-led facial and body therapies, while Aromatherapy Associates offers mood-enhancing massages designed to support sleep, relaxation and emotional wellbeing. Obsidian for Men delivers focused, mineral-rich treatments and Margaret Dabbs elevates hand and foot care into restorative rituals.
“Each product has been carefully selected for its efficacy and its ability to work in harmony with our nature-led environment,” says Tri Wardani, Cluster Director of Spa at Baros Maldives. “This allows us to offer treatments that are both sensorial and results-driven, without losing the calm, understated essence of Baros.”
Complementing the menu are two wellness journeys, offered over three, five and seven days. Each combines personalised therapies, advanced facials, daily movement practices and time in nature, designed to be experienced at a personal pace.
“This new chapter at Serenity Spa is a natural evolution of what Baros has always stood for,” shares Ibrahim Shijah, the General Manager of Baros Maldives. “It is about deepening the guest experience, with wellness that feels natural, intelligent and entirely in tune with our island.”
Please contact reservations@baros.com or +960 664 2672 for booking enquiries.
-
Entertainment1 week agoHulhule Island Hotel names 2ofus as New Year’s Eve 2026 headline act
-
Cooking6 days agoThe St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort welcomes Chef Renzi Gianluca for Tastemaker series collaboration
-
News1 week agoThe Standard, Maldives achieves Green Globe Certification after rigorous audit
-
Cooking1 week agoChef Frank Fol leads plant-based culinary programme at ananea Madivaru Maldives
-
News1 week agoCinnamon Maldives updates book direct offer to let guests choose tailored experiences
-
News1 week agoBandos Maldives marks 53 years of hospitality with guest celebration
-
Entertainment5 days agoAward-winning singer Nicole Scherzinger to appear at One&Only Reethi Rah’s New Year’s Eve celebrations
-
News5 days agoSeaside Collection opens .Here, an ultra-private two-island resort in Maldives


