News
Nominees announced for SATA 2016
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
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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
Six Senses Laamu has introduced 17 new overwater villas across four accommodation categories as part of a multi-year transformation programme aimed at upgrading guest accommodation and shared facilities at the resort.
The new villas feature expanded living spaces, redesigned interiors and additional amenities, while maintaining the resort’s focus on marine conservation and its surrounding natural environment.
The interiors incorporate a coastal colour palette featuring white and neutral tones alongside shades of blue inspired by the surrounding lagoon. Natural materials are used throughout the villas, including driftwood coffee tables, handcrafted hanging lamps and decorative features.
A notable design element is a textured surface pattern inspired by the structure of a turtle shell. The design references the hawksbill and green turtles found in the waters surrounding the resort, reflecting Six Senses Laamu’s marine conservation initiatives.
Each villa features panoramic windows overlooking the ocean, alongside indoor seating and dining spaces.
Outdoor amenities include an 18-square-metre private swimming pool, an overwater hammock, dining and lounge areas, and an upper deck offering views across the lagoon. The villas also feature bathtubs positioned to provide ocean views.
The four new accommodation categories are Ocean Water Villa Suite with Pool, Laamu Water Villa Suite with Pool, Horizon Water Villa Suite with Pool and Family Water Villa with Pool.
All four categories offer expanded interiors, dedicated seating and dining areas, additional wardrobe space and outdoor decks.
The Horizon Water Villa Suite with Pool is designed to provide uninterrupted views of the ocean horizon.
The Family Water Villa with Pool is a new accommodation concept for Six Senses Laamu, featuring a separate children’s bedroom with an adjoining bathroom.
The family villas also include private pools and outdoor decks, providing shared recreational spaces alongside separate accommodation areas for children.
Families staying in the new villas can participate in the resort’s Junior Marine Biologist programme, which introduces younger guests to marine life and conservation activities.
The introduction of the new accommodation categories marks the first phase of a wider redevelopment programme at Six Senses Laamu.
The multi-year project will include further improvements to guest accommodation and shared facilities, while retaining the resort’s existing marine conservation programmes, house reef and environmental initiatives.
The 17 new villas will be available for stays from 6 December 2026, with rates starting from USD 2,185 for an Ocean Water Villa Suite with Pool.
.Here Baa Atoll has received three awards at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026, including the title of World’s Best Luxury New Resort.
The private island retreat was also recognised as Best Luxury Private Island Resort in the Indian Ocean and Best Luxury Boutique Resort in the Maldives.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences across two secluded islands, Somewhere and Nowhere. The resort focuses on providing private accommodation, personalised services and experiences tailored to individual guest preferences.
The recognition as World’s Best Luxury New Resort marks a significant achievement for the property, which has positioned itself within the ultra-luxury hospitality segment since its opening.
At Somewhere, the resort offers three- and four-bedroom residences combining beachfront accommodation with overwater architecture. The residences feature indoor and outdoor living spaces, private infinity pools and views of the Indian Ocean.
Guests are supported by dedicated Roohu hosts, who coordinate services and experiences according to individual requirements throughout their stay.
Nowhere Private Island offers an eight-bedroom private island accommodation option designed for families and groups seeking exclusive use of the facilities.
The island features a private cinema, spa, gym, swimming pool and dedicated dining and entertainment spaces. Guests can also arrange personalised culinary experiences and other activities during their stay.
The resort’s dining offerings include SAFAR Restaurant and private dining experiences tailored to guest preferences.
Marine excursions are also available aboard the resort’s private yacht, ASMAS, allowing guests to explore the surrounding waters and marine environment of Baa Atoll.
The resort operates under its Embrace the Now philosophy, which focuses on personalised experiences and allowing guests flexibility in how they spend their time on the islands.
The three awards add to several international recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll in 2026.
These include its inclusion in the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List, two awards at the AHEAD Asia Awards, recognition in DestinAsian’s Luxe List and a place among the top resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards recognise hotels and resorts across various categories based on their luxury hospitality offerings, service standards, design and guest experiences.
The latest awards recognise .Here Baa Atoll’s accommodation, facilities and personalised hospitality services within the luxury tourism sector in the Maldives and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Milaidhoo Maldives’ overwater Serenity Spa has received the Best Hotel Spa award at the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, recognising the resort’s personalised wellness services and spa experiences.
The awards ceremony was held at The Montcalm Mayfair in London on Monday, 2 November 2026. Milaidhoo Maldives was represented by Georgie Westley, Corporate Director of Marketing and Communications at Versa Hospitality, alongside representatives from ROVE PR UK.
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Serenity Spa offers a range of wellness treatments and services in an overwater setting.
The spa provides personalised wellness programmes supported by an on-island wellbeing consultant, daily yoga classes and an extensive selection of treatments designed to meet individual guest requirements.
Guests can receive treatments at the overwater spa or in the privacy of their villas. The treatment menu includes massages, beauty therapies and specialised wellness treatments incorporating advanced technologies.
Among the technologies available at Serenity Spa are the LYMA Laser, Archedaway Cupping Therapy and M2T Blade. The spa also uses products from wellness and beauty brands including Natura Bissé, Aromatherapy Associates, Obsidian for Men and Margaret Dabbs.
Milaidhoo Maldives incorporates wellness into other aspects of its guest experience, including its culinary offerings. The resort’s approach includes meals prepared using fresh ingredients from its Chef’s Garden, alongside daily yoga sessions and activities centred on relaxation and wellbeing.
Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo Maldives, said the award recognised the spa team’s commitment to delivering personalised services.
“We are incredibly proud of this recognition. Our Serenity Spa is a special part of the Milaidhoo experience and our team, the Milaidhoo Family, takes great care to ensure every guest receives the attention and personalisation they deserve. From expert treatments to the simple pleasure of taking time for yourself, we want guests to leave feeling refreshed and reconnected,” he said.
The recognition highlights Milaidhoo Maldives’ wellness offerings, which combine spa treatments, specialist therapies, personalised services and wellness-focused dining experiences.
The resort continues to incorporate wellness into its hospitality offering through its Serenity Spa, culinary programmes and recreational activities.
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