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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Awards

Heritance Aarah wins Gold in Leading All-Inclusive Resort category at SATA 2026

Published

2 hours ago

October 27, 2026

m@ldives

Heritance Aarah has won Gold in the Leading All-Inclusive Hotel/Resort category at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising its Premium All-Inclusive offering in the Maldives.

Located in Raa Atoll, Heritance Aarah offers beach and overwater accommodation alongside dining, wellness, marine activities and cultural experiences. The resort’s Premium All-Inclusive concept focuses on providing guests with a range of experiences and personalised services throughout their stay.

Stasshani Jayawardena, Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC, attributed the achievement to the resort’s team.

“This award is a tribute to our team, whose commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences brings together the very best of Heritance Aarah while celebrating the beauty and character of the Maldives,” Jayawardena said.

Susith Jayawickrama, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC, said the award recognised the resort’s approach to hospitality and the efforts of its employees.

“This recognition is a proud moment for everyone at Heritance Aarah. Our Premium All-Inclusive experience has always been about going beyond the expected, delivering thoughtful service, exceptional dining, and moments that profoundly connect our guests with the Maldives. This award is a reflection of the passion, commitment and consistency of our team, who continue to raise the bar every day,” Jayawickrama said.

Dining forms a central part of the resort’s offering, with seven restaurants and five bars serving international and Mediterranean cuisine, seafood and overwater dining experiences.

Among its dining venues is Ambula, which combines Sri Lankan and Maldivian culinary traditions through a specially developed menu. Ralu Lounge features one of the largest rum collections in the Maldives.

The resort has also introduced new dining concepts, including Fehi Raha, a garden-to-table experience set within its organic garden. The concept incorporates seasonal produce grown on the island into its menus.

For families, the Ufa Ghadhiya ice cream truck offers ice cream, sundaes and tropical popsicles.

Beyond dining, Heritance Aarah provides a range of recreational and wellness activities, including snorkelling, diving and ocean excursions in Raa Atoll. Guests can also access treatments at IASO Medi Spa and explore Maldivian traditions, craftsmanship and cultural heritage through the resort’s Maldivian Village.

The resort’s adults-only Ocean Suite Wing caters to couples seeking greater privacy, offering overwater accommodation, butler service, private leisure spaces and exclusive dining options. The main island accommodates couples, families and multigenerational travellers.

According to the resort, the SATA 2026 recognition reflects the contribution of its employees across culinary operations, wellness, guest services and recreational activities, as well as its continued focus on developing its Premium All-Inclusive offering.

Cooking

Chef Mos to showcase northern Thai cuisine at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu

Published

4 hours ago

October 27, 2026

m@ldives

This November, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu welcomes a taste of Northern Thailand as Michelin recognized Ginger Farm Kitchen and The House by Ginger arrives in the Maldives for a special culinary collaboration inspired by the traditions, ingredients and home cooking of Chiang Mai.

Born and raised in Chiang Mai, Chef Mos brings with him a strong connection to the food of Northern Thailand and the philosophy behind Ginger Farm Kitchen, a restaurant concept that began on a working farm in Saraphi, just outside the city.

What started as a family space for children and visitors to experience rice planting, harvesting and traditional farm life gradually evolved into the brand’s distinctive Farm to City philosophy.

Today, Ginger Farm Kitchen celebrates authentic Thai home cooking, with an emphasis on Northern Thai flavours, family recipes, local produce and time-honoured cooking techniques.

Chef Mos will bring this spirit to Adaaran Select Meedhupparu through a series of specially curated culinary experiences on 8 and 9 November 2026.

On 8 November, guests can begin with an intimate, hour-long cooking demonstration. The session will showcase three Thai favourites: Tom Kha with chicken, Pad Thai with prawns or chicken, and Thai green curry with chicken, offering an opportunity to discover the ingredients and techniques behind each dish.

That evening, the experience continues at Tawa with an exclusive five-course wine pairing dinner. The menu combines Thai flavours with contemporary presentation, beginning with Ma Hor and prawn spring roll, followed by crab pani puri with coconut citrus sauce, Burmese tea leaf salad with soft-shell crab and Tom Yum lobster bisque.

For the main course, guests can choose between beef Massaman with garlic mashed potatoes, burnt leeks and Thai gremolata, or grilled sea bass with Tom Kha sauce, crab salad and jasmine rice. A lemongrass panna cotta with tropical fruits and mango and passion fruit sauce brings the evening to a close.

On 9 November, the focus shifts to a more relaxed Thai street-food and BBQ dinner on the beach. The buffet will feature favourites including chicken satay, spring rolls, Thai pineapple fried rice, seafood Tom Yum, Massaman curry, pomelo salad and Pad Ka Prao Neur. Live stations will serve freshly prepared Pad Thai with prawns and Khao Soi chicken curry noodles, followed by mango sticky rice for dessert.

The collaboration also brings recognised culinary pedigree. Ginger Farm Kitchen’s original Chiang Mai restaurant at One Nimman received Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition from 2020 to 2023.

From Chiang Mai’s farms to the shores of the Raa Atoll, Ginger Farm Kitchen x Adaaran Select Meedhupparu brings guests closer to the roots of Thai cuisine through shared dining, authentic flavours and chef-led discovery.

For more information and bookings, please visit the resort’s website.

Cooking

Heritance Aarah brings Chiang Mai’s The House by Ginger to Maldives

Published

4 hours ago

October 27, 2026

m@ldives

This November, the flavours of Chiang Mai arrive in the Maldives as Michelin recognised The House by Ginger and Ginger Farm Kitchen joins Heritance Aarah for a special culinary collaboration celebrating the depth, character and creativity of Thai cuisine.

Taking place from 4-6 November 2026, the collaboration will see Chef Aree bring the culinary identity of The House by Ginger to the shores of the Raa Atoll through a series of curated dining experiences, chef-led demonstrations and vibrant Thai flavours.

Based in Chiang Mai’s Old City, The House by Ginger has been part of the city’s dining scene since 2004. Set within a restored heritage house dating back to 1937, the restaurant brings together Thai culinary traditions, regional ingredients and contemporary interpretation. Its approach is rooted in cooking from scratch and respecting the stories behind familiar Thai dishes, while presenting them with a distinctive modern character.

At Heritance Aarah, guests will have several opportunities to experience this philosophy throughout the week.

On 4 November, Ralu will host a special Thai à la carte experience featuring familiar favourites such as chicken satay with peanut sauce, som tum, green curry, seafood hor mok, stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, pad Thai and mango sticky rice.

For a more refined expression of the collaboration, wine pairing dinners on 5 November will explore Thai flavours through a contemporary five-course menu. Dishes include crab pani puri with coconut citrus sauce, Burmese tea leaf salad with soft-shell crab, Tom Yum lobster bisque and mains such as beef Massaman with garlic mashed potatoes or grilled sea bass with Tom Kha sauce. The evening concludes with lemongrass panna cotta accompanied by tropical fruit.

Guests can also get closer to the techniques behind the cuisine through cooking demonstrations on 5 November, featuring Thai favourites including Tom Kha, pad Thai and green curry.

The experience becomes more relaxed on 6 November, when Thai street food takes centre stage. Live cooking stations and a generous selection of dishes will bring together everything from chicken satay and spring rolls to Khao Soi, seafood Tom Yum, Massaman curry and mango sticky rice.

The collaboration adds another dimension to Heritance Aarah’s already diverse culinary story, creating an opportunity for guests to discover Thai cuisine through both traditional flavours and contemporary presentation.

For 3 days this November, Chiang Mai meets the Maldives through food, craft and shared culinary discovery at Heritance Aarah.

For more information and bookings, please visit the resort’s website.