News

Nominees announced for SATA 2016

Published

10 years ago

August 17, 2016

sata Maldives.net.mv – South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) opened up for nominations on 30th June 2016 have received overwhelming support from major hospitality brands present in India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

While announcing the final nominees of SATA 2016, Mr. Tuan Saabir Vaffoor, Vice President mentioned that: SATA is the first Hospitality Award brand recognized by regional organizations including Federations of Chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Confederation of Associated Tour Operators (CATO, India), Association of Tourism Trade Organizations of India (ATTOI), Association of Travel Agents (ATA, Maldives) and Liveaboard Association of Maldives (LAM).

Mr. Tuan added, undoubtedly SATA will be a great event and an amazing brand. We have already started communicating with 2017 hosting destination as we have got a tremendous number of international and National brands together with us to celebrate the best of South Asian Hospitality.

SATA has also appointed major regional tourism medias including Asian Traveler as premium media partner and Asian Diver, Asian Geographic, Floating Asia and Maldives.net.mv as media partners of the event scheduled to take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka during late October.

SATA Nominees 2016 :

Visitors Choice Categories :

(nominated by organizer : based on types of participation from respective destinations)

Leading International Airport:

Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka
Ibrahim Nasir International Airport , Maldives
Trivandrum International Airport, India

Leading Honeymoon Destination :

India
Maldives
Sri Lanka

Leading Diving Destination:

Maldives
Sri Lanka

Leading Surfing Destination

Maldives
Sri Lanka

Leading Heritage Destination

India
Sri Lanka

Leading Beach Destination

India
Maldives
Sri Lanka

Leading Cruising Destination

India
Maldives

Leading MICE Destination

India
Maldives
Sri Lanka

—

Self Nominated Categories :

(Brands and Services nominated by the brand / property)

Leading International Airline :

Singapore Airlines
Mega Maldives

Leading City Hotel :

Casa Colombo Collections , Sri Lanka
Ceylon City Hotel, Sri Lanka

Leading Airport Hotel :

Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives

Leading Transport Provider :

Flyme , Maldives

Leading Guest House / Tourist Inn

Shamar Guest House and Dive, Maldives
Surf View Raalhugandu, Maldives
Canopus Retreat, Maldives
Yonder Retreat, Maldives
Velana Beach , Maldives
Aqua Inn, Sri Lanka
Kaani Village & Spa, Maldives
Kaani Beach Hotel, Maldives

Leading Liveaboard Brand :

Emperor Divers, Maldives
Scuba Spa, Maldives
Voyages Maldives
Blue K Safari , Maldives

Leading Liveaboard :

Emperor Voyager,Maldives
Scuba Spa Ying, Maldives
Scuba Spa Yang , Maldives
Gurahali , Maldives
Soleil2 , Maldives

Leading House Boat :

Marvel Cruise, India
Spice Routes Luxury Cruise , India

Leading House Boat Brand :

Marvel Cruise, India
Pepper , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
Cinnamon , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
Ginger , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
Clove , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India
Cardamom , Spice Routes Luxury Cruise, India

Leading Beach Hotel / Resort:

Finolhu , Maldives
Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Adaaran Club Rannaalhi, Maldives
Park Hyatt Handahaa , Maldives
Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives
Como Hotels Cocoa Island , Maldives
Como Hotels Maalifushi, Maldives
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
Amari Havodda Maldives
W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
Sonevafushi, Maldives
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Tangerine Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes,Sri Lanka
Uga Bay by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Amaya Beach Passikudah, Sri Lanka
Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Maldives
Heritance Negambo, Sri Lanka

Leading Meetings & Conference Resort / Hotel :

Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
Leading Business Hotel :
Best Western Elyon Colombo, Sri Lanka
Taj Samudra, Sri Lanka
The Kingsbury, Sri Lanka

Most Romantic Resort:

Amilla Fushi, Maldives
Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru, Maldives
Royal island Resort& Spa, Maldives
Coco Boduhithi , Maldives
Conrad Maldives at Rangali Island, Maldives
Adaaran Prestige Vaadoo, Maldives
Jumeirah Dhevenafushi, Maldives
W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Sonevafushi, Maldives
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Hunas Falls by Amaya, Sri Lanka
Langdale by Amaya, Sri Lanka
Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Maldives
Outrigger Konotta Maldives
Serene Pavilions , Sri Lanka
Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, Maldives
Heritance Tea Factory , Sri Lanka

Leading All Inclusive Resort / Hotel:

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Vivanta By Taj -Coral Reef, Maldives
Adaaran Select Meedhupparu , Maldives
Constance Moofushi, Maldives
Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Turyaa Kalutara , Sri Lanka

Leading Designer Hotel / Resort :

Amilla Fushi, Maldives
Park Hyatt Maldives
Amari Havodda Maldives
Casa Colombo Collection, Sri Lanka
Heritance Negambo, Sri Lanka

Leading F&B Hotel/Resort:

Dusit Thani Maldives
Cinammon Bey Beruwala, Sri Lanka
Centara Rasfushi , Maldives
Centara Grand IslandResort & Spa , Maldives
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
The Kingsbury, Sri Lanka
Outrigger Konotta Maldives
Sun Aqua Pasikudah , Maldives
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Maldives
Heritance Ahungalla , Sri Lanka

Leading Luxury Hotel / Resort:

Dusit Thani Maldives
Amilla Fushi, Maldives
Coco Boduhithi, Maldives
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
Vivanta By Taj -Coral Reef, Maldives
Adaaran Prestige The Water Villas, Maldives
Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives
Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
Sonevafushi, Maldives
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Ulagalla by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes,Sri Lanka
Residence by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
Chena Huts by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
Uga Bay by Uga Escapes, Sri Lanka
Casa Colombo Collection , Sri Lanka
The Kingsbury, Sri Lanka
Sun Aqua Pasikudah , Sri Lanka
Heritance Negambo, Sri Lanka

Leading Family Hotel/Resort:

Dusit Thani Maldives
Amilla Fushi, Maldives
Angsana Velavaru , Maldives
Royal Island Resort & Spa , Maldives
Sun Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Como Hotels Cocoa Island, Maldives
Como Hotels Maalifushi, Maldives
Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
Sonevafushi, Maldives
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Maldives
Turyaa Kalutara, Sri Lanka

Leading Wellness & spa Hotel / Resort:

Dusit Thani Maldives
Amilla Fushi, Maldives
Centara Rasfushi, Maldives
Vivanta By Taj -Coral Reef, Maldives
Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives
Como Hotels Maalifushi, Maldives
Amaya Lake, Dhambulla , Sri Lanka
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi , Maldives
Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel, India
W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives

Leading Wellness & Spa Brand :

Araamu Spa, Maldives
Como Shambala , Maldives
W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
Chi, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, Maldives
W Maldives Retreat & Spa , Maldives

Leading Dive Hotel / Resort:

Holiday Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Vivanta By Taj -Coral Reef, Maldives
Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Maldives
Angsana Ihuru , Maldives
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Constance Moofushi, Maldives
Sonevafushi, Maldives
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Maldives

Leading Eco Resort / Hotel :

Cocopalm Dhunikolhu, Maldives
Leopard Trials, Sri Lanka
Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
Sun Island Resort and Spa , Maldives
Sonevafushi, Maldives
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka
Leading CSR Programme
CocoPalm Dhunikolhu Maldives
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka
Uday Samudra Beach Hotel & Spa, India
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
The Kingsbury, Sri Lanka

Leading Surf Hotel / Resort :

Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, Maldives
Como Hotels & Resorts , Maldives
Cinnamon Dhonveli , Maldives

Leading Dive School / Center :

Sea Splash , Dusit Thani Maldives Dive School
Dive Oceanus , Maldives
Dive Point, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Maldives
Blue Journeys, Park Hyatt Maldives
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Down Under, W Retreat & Spa, Maldives
Meridis Dive & Relax , Maldives
Sun Diving School, Maldives

Leading Activity / Water Sports Center :

Meridis Dive & Relax , Maldives
Outrigger Maldives
Q-Adventure , Maldives
Watersports Point, Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Maldives
Park Hyatt Maldives Handahaa
WAVE., W Maldives Retreat & Spa, Maldives

Leading Convention Center .

Bandaranaike Memorial International Conventions Halls (BMICH), Sri Lanka

Leading PSA / GSA Partner , Handling Agent :

Avia Maldives
Marvel Tours, India
Go Maldives
Cyprea Private Limited

Leading Travel Agent :

OV Holidays, Maldives
Classic Travel, Sri Lanka
Capital Travel, Maldives
Flyinstyle , Sri Lanka
Splendid Asia , Maldives
Maldives Holiday Collections, Maldives
Travel Connections Maldives
Resort Life Maldives
Let’s Go Maldives
Gateway Malabar Holidays , India
Moodhu Holidays, Maldives
Sun Travel & Tours , Maldives

Leading Tour Operator :

Viluxur Holidays, Sri Lanka
Classic Travel , Sri Lanka
Cyprea Hotels & Travel, Maldives
Flyinstyle, Sri Lanka
Maldives Holiday Collections, Maldives
Splendid Asia , Maldives
Travel Connections , Maldives
Capital Travel , Maldives
Moodhu Holidays, Maldives
Marvel Tours , India

Related Topics:South Asian Travel Awards (SATA)

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InterContinental Maldives elevates active luxury with new padel court

Published

6 hours ago

July 4, 2026

m@ldives

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has unveiled its new padel court, adding a fresh dimension to island wellness and offering guests a dynamic new way to stay active in paradise.

Now with over 30 million players worldwide, padel is one of the fastest growing sports, offering a fun and inclusive activity for beginners and experts alike. The brand new court is framed by Maldivian palm trees and white sand, creating a striking backdrop for both leisurely matches and spirited competition.

Complimentary for all guests, the court includes the use of premium rackets and balls, allowing guests to discover a new skill in a tropical island setting. Families are invited to enjoy dedicated on-court sessions designed for all ages to create memorable, shared experiences. Benches line the court, creating a comfortable space for spectators to watch and support friends and family.

Located beside InterContinental Maldives’ fitness centre with its state-of-the-art gym, personal training programmes, and aerobic workout sessions, the new padel court aims to enhance the resort’s distinctive approach to luxury, wellbeing and curated guest experiences.

Overwater Pool Villa starting from $1,290++ per night with a variety of inclusions. The padel court is complimentary
for guests.

For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.

News

Grand Park Kodhipparu unveils connection-focused festive programme

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

m@ldives

This festive season, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives invites guests to step away from the noise of the world and into a more intimate celebration of togetherness, unveiling its 2026/27 festive programme, A Celebration of Light & Lagoon, a season shaped not by spectacle, but by connection.

Running from Thanksgiving through to Orthodox Christmas, the boutique private island resort’s festive offering has been designed for travellers seeking something increasingly rare at this time of year: space to breathe, time to reconnect, and traditions shared in a setting of calm natural beauty. The programme centres around family, friendship, reflection and joyful celebration, all framed by the island’s turquoise lagoon, star-filled skies and the gentle rhythm of Maldivian life.

Unlike the grand fanfare of city festivities or the high-energy extravagance of larger resorts, Grand Park Kodhipparu offers something more personal—a luxury private island escape where festive moments unfold with ease and meaning.

“We wanted to create a festive season that feels both celebratory and restorative,” says Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives.

“At Kodhipparu, luxury is about how you feel. During the festive season especially, guests are looking for quality time—with family, with loved ones, and with themselves. Our programme reflects that: light-filled, thoughtful, and grounded in togetherness.”

At the heart of this year’s storytelling is the resort’s signature Heron protagonist—a whimsical character woven throughout the festive journey, reappearing across illustrations, island moments and guest experiences as a gentle guide through the season. Symbolising grace, patience and connection to the lagoon, the heron brings a playful thread of continuity to the celebration.

The festive calendar begins with a Thanksgiving dinner at Firedoor, the resort’s signature overwater grill restaurant, before moving into December with the island’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony—a warm gathering of festive cocktails, carols and beachside BBQ beneath the stars.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bring a series of intimate traditions including degustation dinners, family brunches, carol singing, children’s festive adventures and the much-loved arrival of Santa by sea, a Kodhipparu tradition that swaps snow for soft white sand and turquoise waters.

For New Year’s Eve, the island transforms into Midnight in White—an elegant lagoon-side celebration inspired by moonlight over the Indian Ocean. Guests dress in white for an evening of live DJ performances, dancing beneath the stars, fireworks over the lagoon and the countdown into 2027.

The season continues into January with a quieter Orthodox Festive programme, embracing wellness, reflection and slower island rhythms—extending the celebration for those who seek a more peaceful beginning to the new year.

Beyond the festivities, guests can immerse themselves in the resort’s award-winning house reef, guided snorkelling with the marine biologist, overwater spa rituals, lantern-lit pathways, sunset dhoni cruises and private dining experiences designed for couples and families alike.

As Grand Park Kodhipparu approaches its 10th anniversary in 2027, this festive season reflects the essence of what has made it a favourite among returning guests: a boutique island resort where luxury is not about excess, but about feeling deeply connected—to nature, to loved ones, and to the moment itself.

Festive season stays are now open for booking. For more information on the festive programme and to download the full brochure, please visit the resort’s website.

Awards

Wine Spectator recognises Ralu and Baani at Heritance Aarah

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

m@ldives

Ralu Overwater Restaurant and Baani at Heritance Aarah have both earned Wine Spectator’s 2026 Award of Excellence, recognising the strength, quality and depth of their wine programmes.

The Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, launched in 1981, celebrate excellence in restaurant wine service across three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award. In 2026, a total of 4,012 restaurants around the world were recognised, with 2,083 receiving the Award of Excellence.

Ralu Overwater Restaurant and Baani received the Award of Excellence, which recognises restaurants whose wine lists offer at least 75 selections, with a well-chosen assortment of quality producers and a thoughtful match to the menu in both price and style.

“Congratulations to the restaurants that earned a Restaurant Award and continue to elevate the wine experience for guests around the world,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wine Spectator.

“We are delighted to see Ralu Overwater Restaurant and Baani recognised by Wine Spectator, a global authority in wine,” said Upul Gedarakumbura, General Manager of Heritance Aarah. “These awards reflect the care, knowledge and passion behind our wine programmes, as well as our commitment to creating dining experiences where cuisine, wine and setting come together beautifully. At Ralu, every bottle is selected with purpose, complementing our Mediterranean-inspired menus and the relaxed elegance of our overwater island setting, while at Baani, the wine programme enhances an intimate fine dining experience shaped by modern global gastronomy, personalised service and refined lagoon views.”

Set above the Indian Ocean at Heritance Aarah, Ralu Overwater Restaurant draws inspiration from the relaxed elegance of French and Italian Mediterranean brasseries along the Riviera coast. The restaurant offers an inviting yet refined dining experience, where Mediterranean cuisine, considered wine pairings and panoramic lagoon views come together in an overwater setting.

Baani, located within the resort’s overwater enclave, represents one of the most intimate and refined dining experiences at Heritance Aarah. Designed for guests seeking thoughtful gastronomy and attentive personalised service, Baani presents modern global cuisine through a five-course dinner menu that evolves daily, with each evening offering a singular menu concept shaped by contemporary techniques, clarity of flavour and harmony at the table.

Ralu’s and Baani’s wine programmes feature 175 premium wine labels sourced from 12 leading wine-producing countries, with vintages ranging from 1990 to 2025. The selections have been curated to complement each restaurant’s culinary identity, from Ralu’s Mediterranean classics and contemporary interpretations to Baani’s modern fine dining approach, while offering versatility across styles, regions and guest preferences. The wines are stored in Vinocave and Tecno temperature-controlled cellars and served in Spiegelau crystal, supporting careful preservation, presentation and service.

Highlights at Ralu include Armand de Brignac ‘Ace of Spades’ Gold among its Champagnes, Chavy-Chouet Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes from Burgundy among its whites, and Tenuta San Guido, ‘Sassicaia’, DOC, Super Tuscan, Tuscany Italy among its reds.

At Baani, the cellar includes Louis Roederer Cristal Millésime Brut among its Champagnes, Chavy-Chouet Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignières among its whites, and Château Mouton Rothschild Grand Cru Classé among its reds.

Wine Spectator’s special Restaurant Awards issue will be available on newsstands on July 21. This year’s winners will also be featured through Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Search and Restaurant Awards app, where restaurants can be explored by name, location, award level, cuisine, wine specialties and pricing.