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)

Up Next

Mega Maldives to start flights to Delhi

Don't Miss

Dhigufaru Island Resort opens in Baa Atoll

Click to comment

News

Sun Siyam Iru Veli introduces new treatments at Ocean Spa

Published

10 hours ago

March 30, 2026

m@ldives

Sun Siyam Iru Veli, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Sun Siyam, enhances its wellness offering with a variety of curated treatments at Ocean Spa, bringing together Maldivian heritage, time-honoured healing practices, and personalised spa journeys.

Available daily, these treatments range from Haveeru Harmony – The Iruveli Ritual, a signature couple’s experience inspired by island twilight, to Nirvana, an Ayurvedic therapy combining Abhyanga and Shirodhara, and the Hiyala Head & Scalp Massage, a locally inspired treatment rooted in traditional coconut oil rituals. Each experience is designed to restore balance, encourage reconnection, and deepen the resort’s holistic approach to wellbeing.

Haveeru Harmony – The Iruveli Ritual

This 150-minute couple’s experience is timed to coincide with the island’s transition into evening, drawing inspiration from the calm and stillness of a Maldivian twilight. Designed as a private experience for couples, the treatment brings together key elements of a full spa journey, including exfoliation, massage, and hydrotherapy. It is curated with couples in mind, creating a more intimate approach to relaxation and shared wellbeing. With only one session available per day, the ritual is positioned as one of the most exclusive offerings within the Ocean Spa’s wellness portfolio.

Ayurveda Treatment Nirvana

Ayurveda forms an integral part of the wellness philosophy at Ocean Spa, offering time-honoured therapies designed to restore balance between body and mind. Building on this, Nirvana offers a 90-minute treatment that focuses on full-body balance, combining both Abhyanga and Shirodhara therapies. The treatment uses warm herbal oils to support circulation, ease physical tension, and promote mental clarity. Designed to restore equilibrium, it reflects the spa’s continued emphasis on holistic wellbeing.

Hiyala Head & Scalp Massage

Rooted in local tradition, this massage offers a 50-minute treatment inspired by Maldivian beauty rituals passed down through generations. Using homemade coconut oil prepared on the island, the treatment focuses on nourishing the scalp and strengthening hair while offering protection against the effects of sun and saltwater. Guests may also witness and take part in the coconut oil-making process during the resort’s Maldivian Roots experiences, connecting the treatment to its cultural origins.

Through this curated collection, Ocean Spa at Sun Siyam Iru Veli continues to evolve its wellness offering, blending global techniques with local knowledge to create treatments that are both meaningful and restorative.

For more information and to book your tropical island getaway, please visit Sun Siyam Iru Veli Offers page.

Cooking

Anantara Veli Maldives continues Michelin guest chef series with female lineup

Published

14 hours ago

March 30, 2026

m@ldives

Ventive Hospitality Limited continues with the fourth edition of its Michelin Star Guest Chef Series at Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, featuring exclusive dining experiences from world-class chef residencies. This year’s edition features an all-female lineup of Michelin-starred and award-winning chefs from across the globe, reflecting the company’s continued focus on delivering differentiated, experience-led offerings while championing greater diversity in global cuisine and gastronomy.

The Michelin Star Guest Chef Series is a proprietary platform developed by Ventive to drive premium guest engagement, strengthen brand equity, and enhance culinary capabilities across its hospitality portfolio. Through this initiative, the company integrates global culinary expertise into its operations while creating high-value, experience-driven propositions for its guests.

At Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, the series is being delivered through curated formats including exclusive tasting menus, collaborative dining experiences, and interactive engagements. These are designed to deepen guest interaction, increase on-property spend, and reinforce the positioning of Ventive’s assets as destinations for experiential luxury.

The participating chefs represent a cross-section of leading culinary markets across Europe and Asia, bringing diverse perspectives shaped by innovation, technique, and cultural storytelling. The all-female lineup further underscores a progressive shift within the global culinary landscape and aligns with Ventive’s commitment to enabling broader representation within the industry.

Residencies Already Completed

Chef Caterina Ceraudo kicked off the series in January, bringing her Calabrian-rooted cuisine that reflects the landscapes and traditions of Southern Italy through a contemporary lens. Known for her thoughtful approach to ingredients and refined techniques, her dishes honoured the connection between land, heritage, and modern Italian creativity.

Chef Gabriela Chamorro brought the vibrant spirit of Dubai’s cosmopolitan dining scene to the island last February. Her residency showcased bold flavours and contemporary flair, with standout dishes such as a Buñuelo with tuna tartare, guava jam, and black garlic aioli, balancing sweetness, richness, and bright coastal notes in a single elegant creation.

Upcoming Residencies

Chef Kelly Rangama, a Michelin-starred chef and winner of Top Chef France, is known for weaving her Creole heritage into refined French cuisine. Her signature Rougail Saucisse elevates the beloved Réunion Island classic of smoky sausage, tomato, and aromatic spices with contemporary finesse.

Chef Emily Roux, of the legendary Roux family, brings elegant and inventive French-inspired cuisine to the series. Having earned her Michelin star through her restaurant Caractère in London, Chef Emily holds a proud place within one of Britain’s most iconic culinary dynasties. Her seared John Dory with beurre blanc and seasonal vegetables showcases her refined technique and mastery of balanced, expressive flavours.

Chef Nao Motohashi of Restaurant JULIA brings the precision and quiet elegance of Japanese cuisine to the series. Known for her refined approach to seasonal ingredients and meticulous technique, Chef Nao creates dishes that balance purity, harmony, and visual artistry. Her cooking reflects the philosophy of Japanese gastronomy, where flavour, texture, and presentation come together in thoughtful simplicity —offering guests a dining experience that is both delicate and deeply expressive.

Rising Chefs

Expanding the chef list beyond its usual Michelin-starred lineup, visiting chefs for the rest of the year include Chef Iris Jordan Martin of Restaurant Ansils in Aragón, Spain, winner of the 2025 Michelin Guide Young Chef Award; Chef Ash Valenzuela-Heeger of Riverine Rabbit in Birmingham, UK; and Chef Niyati Rao of Ekaa in Bombay, India.

“As a hospitality platform, our focus is on building assets that stand out through differentiated experiences. Culinary plays a central role in that strategy. The Guest Chef Series enables us to bring together global talent, local context, and immersive formats to create experiences that go beyond traditional dining. The all-female lineup this year is both timely and important, reflecting the changing dynamics of the global culinary industry while reinforcing our commitment to inclusive growth,” said Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer, Ventive Hospitality Limited.

“We’re excited to have an all-female lineup this year. The culinary scene is a male-dominated industry, but there are many female chefs out there whom we believe deserve the same recognition and our team of chefs would benefit tremendously from this experience,” said Chef Francis Purification, Culinary Director, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort.

“Each residency features collaborative dinners with our chefs, cooking classes and a long table dinner, hosted by a member of our family, allowing guests to engage not only with delicious food but with the stories and inspirations behind it.”

Awards

Villa Park recognised with CHECK24 Top Hotel Award

Published

15 hours ago

March 30, 2026

m@ldives

Villa Park has been recognised with the CHECK24 Top Hotel Award 2026, awarded based on outstanding guest reviews submitted on the CHECK24 platform. The award reflects strong guest satisfaction and reinforces Villa Park’s growing visibility in the German-speaking travel market.

As part of the recognition, Villa Park will be featured with the official Top Hotel Award seal on CHECK24’s travel portal, supporting traveller confidence and strengthening the resort’s positioning across the DACH region. CHECK24 is one of Germany’s best-known travel comparison platforms, and the award is positioned to provide additional exposure through their hotel and package holiday listings.

Villa Park is widely known as a vibrant tropical escape for families, combining lush island greenery and bright lagoon views with a strong mix of experiences. From year-round whale shark encounters in the South Ari region to signature moments like treetop dining at ZERO, the resort offers a wide variety of ways to spend the day. Its broad range of family-friendly accommodation also makes it a natural choice for couples, groups, and multigenerational travel.

The CHECK24 Top Hotel Award adds to Villa Park’s recent momentum in the market, alongside continued recognition across tour operator channels and positive performance on leading review platforms used by German-speaking travellers.