News

Nominees announced for SATA 2016

Published

9 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

Drink

Master Sommelier Kamal Malik to host exclusive dinner at Ithaa Underwater Gem

Published

17 hours ago

May 16, 2025

m@ldives

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is set to host an exclusive champagne pairing dinner at its iconic Ithaa Underwater Gem on 23 May 2025. Leading the experience is Kamal Malik, India’s only Master Sommelier and judge for the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Guests will indulge in a specially curated six-course menu featuring refined dishes from land and sea, each paired with a selection of Ruinart’s elegant cuvées—including Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blanc and Rosé. This one-night-only event offers a rare opportunity to experience expert wine pairing in one of the world’s most unique dining settings, five meters below the ocean’s surface.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 24 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.

For more information or to book your experience, please visit www.conradmaldives.com or email mlehi.experiences@conradhotels.com or contact +960 6680629.

News

Free transfers, beachside dinners, spa escapes await this summer at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives

Published

17 hours ago

May 16, 2025

m@ldives

If your idea of perfect summer living means uninterrupted 360-degree beach access, private overwater sanctuaries with direct ocean entry, and personalised luxury that lets you craft your own island adventure, then Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is where your sun-drenched story begins. Imagine an intimate dinner beneath a canopy of stars, the gentle touch of a Balinese massage melting away the day’s cares, and dolphins dancing joyfully on the horizon as the sun sets, here, every moment invites you to savour the magic of summer living like never before.

Summer at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is designed for those who seek indulgence and connection in equal measure. The resort features five elegant room categories, including the coveted Sunset Water Bungalows with Jacuzzi. These spacious overwater sanctuaries are ideal for ocean lovers and romantics, offering direct lagoon access where schools of fish glide beneath the surface—and if you’re lucky, a manta ray, reef shark, or even a dolphin may pass by.

This season, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives elevates your summer escape with an exclusive offer for stays of four nights or more. Enjoy complimentary return transfers, the freedom to choose three or more added benefits based on your DISCOVERY loyalty tier or by booking direct, and access to exclusive perks such as complimentary room upgrades and the opportunity to earn DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) to use during your stay or future getaways.

• A four-course beach dinner (Seafood or Steak) – Set on a secluded stretch of beach, this candlelit dinner is a sensory celebration of summer. As waves whisper along the shore and the stars shimmer overhead, the evening unfolds into a private moment of flavour, connection, and romance.
A 45-minute spa treatment – After a day of snorkelling, diving vibrant reefs, or embarking on a fishing adventure, retreat to the Mandara Spa for a blissful Balinese massage that soothes the body and stills the mind.
Island hopping adventure – Step beyond the resort and into the daily rhythms of the Maldives. Visit nearby islands, meet local communities, and experience authentic island life where time slows and hospitality comes naturally.
Dolphin watching delight – A sunset cruise becomes truly magical as pods of dolphins leap through the golden waves. These playful encounters often bring smiles that linger long after you’ve returned to shore.
USD 200 resort credit – Whether it’s used for signature cocktails, unforgettable meals, or more explorations across the atoll, this credit enhances your freedom to savour every moment as you please.

When it comes to dining, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives delivers variety and flair. With four restaurants and four bars, each meal invites discovery. A standout is the Marlin Seafood Restaurant and while it is a haven for seafood lovers, it also caters to those with a taste for premium meats. From tender lobster and perfectly grilled reef fish to expertly prepared steaks, every dish is elevated by a refined wine selection and the soothing soundtrack of the sea just metres away.

Whether you’re basking in barefoot bliss, discovering coral gardens, or raising a glass beneath the stars, summer living at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is a mood, a memory, and a moment all rolled into one.

News

Glamping by beach this Eid at Sirru Fen Fushi Maldives

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2025

m@ldives

This Eid, experience a one-of-a-kind beachfront and/or jungle glamping escape at Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, home to the Maldives’ only Safari Tented Villas with Pool. Tailored for families and couples from the GCC seeking novelty, privacy, intuitive service and Maldivian quintessential experience, this secluded sanctuary blends nature-inspired experience with curated comforts.

Nestled within one of the Maldives’ most untouched atolls, Shaviyani Atoll, Sirru Fen Fushi stands apart as a resort of firsts, featuring the nation’s one of the longest infinity pools, its only Coralarium Coralarium, the world’s first semi-submerged art gallery, rises as a powerful symbol of ocean awareness and marine life regeneration, and the Maldives’ one of the first safari-style tented villas. Perfect for those craving space, halal dining, and their own private pool, it’s a destination that goes beyond the overwater cliché.

A Rare Glamping Experience

Sirru Fen Fushi’s Safari Tented Villas are thoughtfully designed for larger groups and families looking for something offbeat yet refined. Shaded by banyan trees and lush foliage, these villas feature natural textures, freestanding outdoor bathtubs, and translucent walls that invite the jungle in. Inside, guests will find underfloor air conditioning, Each villa has its own sun deck and plunge pool for total privacy under the canopy.

The Ideal Eid Getaway for Middle Eastern Travellers

With direct flights from the Gulf and a bucket-list-worthy scenic seaplane transfer over turquoise atolls, Sirru Fen Fushi offers GCC families effortless access to one of the Maldives’ most extraordinary and secluded escapes. From halal dinings and spacious one-bedroom and multi-bedroom villas to women-only wellness offerings and private experiences, the island speaks to the cultural preferences of Middle Eastern guests. Add to that an engaging Kids’ Club, marine explorations, and full-family stargazing experiences, and you have an Eid break that’s both meaningful and magical.

Eid 3-Night Package Highlights (Starting from USD 2,000 per night):

Return seaplane transfers for two adults
A Jet Lag Recovery massage (30 minutes)
Two à la carte dinners (three courses)
A Beach BBQ dinner: sandpit-cooked delicacies wrapped in banana leaves
A Maroshi Island Expedition with local guide Fazir: mangrove walk, beachfront picnic, and coconut class
A private Jungle Cinema night under the stars, with snacks and custom movie set-up
A traditional Dhoni fishing cruise at sunset, with drinks and snacks
A Stargazing Spectacle on the Sustainability Lab rooftop with telescope, constellation guide, and family-friendly Q&A

Reconnect With Nature, Rediscover Wonder

Beyond its eco-chic villas and immersive experiences, the nine-kilometre house reef which is one of the largest in the Maldives offers world-class snorkelling and diving. When night falls, the island’s remote northern location transforms into a natural planetarium, free from light pollution and full of awe.

This Eid, leave the ordinary behind and embrace an extraordinary escape marked by true exclusivity and purpose.