News
The Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards return to Marbella
Maldives.net.mv – After the resounding success of the 2015 Gala Ceremony which took place at the Trans Resort Bali the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards are returning to Marbella for their 4th annual event on October 15th at the magnificent Villa Padierna Palace Hotel.
The event will play host to Royalties, Ambassadors, celebrities, CEO’s, Presidents and Managing Directors as well GM’s of the finest and most luxurious Hotels & Resorts from around the world who will all be in attendance to be presented with the Signum Virtutis, the seal of excellence, the highest most exclusive award for the luxury hospitality and lifestyle industry.
October 15th will also see the launch of the world’s first International Hospitality Hall of Fame, headed by President & Founder Mr Frank M Pfaller. This ultra-exclusive event is designed to acknowledge, reward and immortalize the extraordinary achievements and careers of the most exceptional leaders of the Hospitality industry both past and present, which were elected by an esteemed board of fellow professionals. “The International Hospitality Hall of Fame has been conceived to celebrate brilliance in our industry. It is dedicated to recognizing the people who are making outstanding contributions to the global luxury Lebensart, and thus inspiring and educating a new generation of hoteliers and hospitality service providers.” Said Mr Pfaller.
The owner of Villa Padierna Hotels & Resorts, Don Ricardo Arranz de Miguel, Honorary Chairman and 1st. Custodian of IHHOF has graciously offered the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel to become the permanent home of The International Hospitality Hall of Fame so that tourists, guests as well as industry professionals will be able to visit and learn about the amazing achievements of the individuals that helped shape and form the Luxury Hospitality Industry.
The SSLHLA Gala Ceremony will once again be hosted by the beautiful and talented Turkish Celebrity & Luxury Panel Member Ms Ece Vahapoglu.
Notable Panel Members such as His Serene Highness Prince Massimiliano della Torre e Tasso, Her Serene Highness Princess Costanza della Torre e Tasso, Princess Bhargavi Kumari Mewar, Countess Alicia de Villapadierna-Klein, Hollywood star Antonio Banderas, the three mayors of ‘The Golden Triangle’, Marbella, Estepona and Behnahavis, Chairman-President/Founder Khalil El-Mouelhy, CEO of the SSLHLA Mrs Nicola El-Mouelhy, Hon.Chairman Frank M Pfaller, Karine Lackner, Thanos Liontos, Kenelm Jenour, SPA industry expert Berni Hawkins as well as Jean Christophe Rousseau will also be in attendance.

SSLHLA is delighted to announce Ligne St Barth, the premiere lifestyle Spa Sun & Beauty brand as an official partner of 2016 as well as WorldWide Kids, Gold Emotion, Sphere Travel Media Exhibitions & Events, Adria Exclusive, The Luxury Choice, Bestof-theworld, Nichole de Carle,
SSLHLA would also like to thank the 2016 Media Partners: Essential Marbella Magazine, i-Marbella, Home & Lifestyle, Marbella Rocks, Ogee Design Magazine, The Top Tier, Horizon & Beyond, Eye of Riyadh, Eye of Dubai, Voyagers World, e-Global Travel Media, MV Hotels, On TV Channel, Carmen’s Luxury Travel, Highend-Traveller, FTN News, ELUXE Magazine, Maldives.net.mv, Caprice Café de Femme, Signature Media, Thesout.
Chairman, President/Founder Khalil El-Mouelhy said: “Villa Padierna Palace Hotel was the location of our first ceremony, it is where it all started for the SSLHLA . We are big fans of Spain and Marbella and we are delighted to return to this exceptional venue. The organization as well as the event have grown tremendously and continuously attract the leading lights of this exciting industry. This is not an award that everybody has nor is it an award that everybody can have. This will be a very memorable and exclusive night and we are looking forward to welcoming our winners on the 15th of October and celebrating their extraordinary achievements together with them”
News
‘Endless Summer’ brings wellness and family escapes to Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
Known for its turquoise lagoons and impossibly soft white sands, the Maldives continues to rank high on the bucket lists of travellers in search of an ideal island escape. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort invites travellers to plan their next escape through its exclusive ‘Endless Summer’ offer, designed for those seeking perpetual sunshine, effortless island living, and holistic wellness.
For a limited time, guests can escape to this year-round summer paradise and recharge in the resort’s wellness sanctuary with a comprehensive package that transforms an ordinary vacation into an extraordinary wellness journey. This exclusive offer is valid for two guests and available to book from now until February 28, 2026, with a minimum four-night stay, for stays through December 20, 2026.
The Endless Summer offer features a Full Board meal plan that ensures guests are nourished throughout their stay, with daily breakfast at Island Kitchen and their choice of lunch and dinner at either Island Kitchen or Hawker. The culinary experience is further elevated with a one-time dinner at The Pearl, the resort’s signature Japanese restaurant, where guests can savour expertly crafted dishes while taking in breathtaking ocean views.
Families are especially welcome with this offer, as children under 12 eat free, making it an ideal choice for memorable multi-generational getaways. Each stay also includes USD 150 in resort credit, allowing guests to personalise their experience with spa treatments, excursions, or special dining.
The wellness-focused package invites guests to embrace the resort’s complimentary recharging activities, including rejuvenating Yoga sessions, invigorating scenic running routes, and fun-filled water volleyball. Young travellers can enjoy enriching experiences at the Westin Family Kids Club, while fitness enthusiasts have 24/7 access to the state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, ensuring wellness routines remain uninterrupted.
For those drawn to the Maldives’ legendary marine life, the package includes complimentary snorkelling equipment and one-hour kayaking sessions, perfect for exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystem of Baa Atoll. Guests can also enjoy the multipurpose court, offering additional opportunities for active recreation during their stay.
Nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort presents a holistic wellness retreat inspired by nature and designed for shared moments of restoration. Contemporary overwater and beach villas provide generous space for couples and families, while nearby Hanifaru Bay draws marine enthusiasts each year with its seasonal gatherings of manta rays. Those seeking cultural immersion can join the resort’s weekly Liye Laajehun workshops, discovering traditional Maldivian craftsmanship as part of Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy.
Whether planning a romantic escape, a family getaway, or a restorative solo retreat, the Endless Summer offer delivers an unforgettable island experience in one of the Maldives’ most pristine locations. Begin your journey at westin-maldives.com.
News
Kandooma champions collaboration as cornerstone of sustainability progress
At a time when the global tourism industry is being called upon to take greater responsibility for its environmental and social footprint, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is reinforcing a clear message: meaningful sustainability progress is not possible in isolation. Collaboration, transparency and partnerships are essential to achieving long-term impact.
In 2025, the resort placed sustainability and regeneration firmly at the centre of its operations, taking the decisive step to be independently audited as part of the process to achieve Green Globe certification. According to General Manager Mark Eletr, the process underscored the importance of working alongside like-minded partners to tackle some of the Maldives’ most complex sustainability challenges – particularly waste management.
“Waste is one of the most difficult aspects of sustainability for any island resort, but it is also a destination-wide challenge,” said Eletr. “As an archipelago, the Maldives faces unique constraints, and no single resort can solve these issues alone. Collective effort and shared responsibility are critical.”
Eletr emphasises that guest education is a critical first step in effective waste management and resource conservation, alongside working closely with procurement partners to reduce packaging and replace materials such as polystyrene and single-use plastics with more sustainable alternatives.
“It’s an uncomfortable reality we face, but education is fundamental to addressing these challenges,” he said.
“Many visitors don’t always realise that the Maldives is an island nation where each resort operates like a self-contained village, responsible for everything from wastewater treatment and drinking-water production to the management of all waste streams. There are no quick fixes – only sustained action, cooperation, and a collective willingness to rethink how we operate.”
He cites a simple but powerful example: “In many of our guests’ home countries, waste systems are highly advanced, with compulsory recycling, careful sorting, and specialised collection for hazardous items such as batteries. Here in the Maldives, we do not yet have safe, large-scale facilities to process certain materials. That is why we ask guests to take used batteries home with them, where they can be disposed of responsibly through established recycling systems.”
Rather than viewing these challenges as insurmountable, Kandooma has embraced collaboration as a catalyst for progress. While the resort acknowledges it is still early in its journey, Eletr believes sharing both successes and lessons learned is vital.
“For us at Kandooma, building partnerships has been transformative. Even small wins matter if they encourage others to take their first steps, adapt our ideas, or find solutions that work for them,” he said. “Opening ourselves up to scrutiny and criticism is part of that process. If we keep our efforts behind closed doors, we miss the opportunity to inspire change or discover better solutions together.”
During the Green Globe audit, Kandooma’s partnerships were closely examined, highlighting the role collaboration plays in strengthening sustainability outcomes.
In 2024, the resort partnered with Parley for the Oceans, supporting the Maldives tourism industry’s commitment to Parley’s AIR strategy – Avoid, Intercept, Redesign. Through this ongoing partnership, Kandooma actively intercepts plastic waste, participates in clean-ups on uninhabited islands, and continues to reduce single-use plastics across its operations, something that IHG Hotels & Resorts embraces globally as part of its Journey to Tomorrow.
In 2025, the resort established a partnership with Secure Bag, a company that purchases waste materials and transforms them into new, usable products. Guided by the belief that every resource deserves a second life, this collaboration supports a circular economy approach, reducing landfill impact while giving materials renewed purpose and value.
As a four-star resort, Kandooma recognises it does not have the same resources as ultra-luxury properties. Instead, it has embraced creativity and collaboration to support causes aligned with its values. One such partnership is with the Manta Trust, an organisation dedicated to the conservation of manta rays and their habitats.
Unable to fund a full-time, tertiary-qualified marine biologist on-site, the resort developed an alternative approach that engages guests directly. Kandooma introduced a collection of silver and gold manta ray pendants, with US$5 from every piece sold, donated to the Manta Trust.
“It’s a modest contribution, but it’s realistic, sustainable for our business, and it sparks conversations with our guests,” Eletr explained. “It brings people into the story of what we’re trying to protect and why it matters.”
Beyond this donation based effort, the resort also hosts the annual “Manta Month” each September to draw more attention to the graceful creatures which can be observed in their natural environment in the waters surrounding Kandooma.
As part of its commitment to openness, Kandooma has developed a publicly available Sustainability Guide, outlining key initiatives, partnerships and actions across environmental, social and governance areas. The guide known as the Green Book is accessible online and designed to inform guests, partners and industry peers alike.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is proud to be Green Globe certified, joining a global community of tourism businesses meeting one of the industry’s most respected sustainability standards. Green Globe certification requires verified compliance with more than 40 rigorous criteria covering environmental stewardship, social responsibility, cultural heritage and sustainable management, with a strong emphasis on transparency, continuous improvement and measurable outcomes.
Looking ahead, Kandooma remains committed to strengthening partnerships, engaging guests in responsible travel choices, and contributing positively to the protection of the Maldives’ unique natural and cultural heritage.
For more information, visit the resort’s website.
Cooking
Patina Maldives, Khyber unite for Holi festival dining experience
This Holi, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands welcomes iconic Indian restaurant Khyber for a three-night takeover that brings the spirit of the festival to life through shared tables, bold flavours and joyful connection.
Rooted in craft and culture, the collaboration brings together two brands that value authenticity, thoughtful hospitality and meaningful experiences. Khyber’s time-honoured recipes from India’s North-West Frontier meet Patina’s design-led, modern sensibility, creating a dining moment that feels both grounded and forward-looking.
More than a pop-up, the takeover is a celebration of heritage meeting place. Set against the Indian Ocean, guests are invited to gather, connect and mark Holi in a way that feels communal and elevated.
A name that for over five decades has embodied heritage and excellence, Khyber has become a cultural landmark, welcoming global travellers, dignitaries and tastemakers from around the world, including Shakira, Brad Pitt and, most recently, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“This association with Patina Maldives is a celebration of elevated hospitality,” said Sudheer Bahl and Ishaan Bahl, Founders of Khyber. “Both brands share a commitment to authenticity, excellence and crafting memorable experiences that go beyond expectations. With Khyber’s enduring legacy rooted in Indian heritage and culture, we are honoured to bring this rich narrative to one of the world’s most acclaimed resorts.”
Adding to the celebration, Tom Bray, Director of Lifestyle at Patina Maldives, shared, “This is about bringing people together through flavour, colour and easy island energy.”
Taking place from 3 to 5 March the experience features a festive menu designed to be shared and savoured, capturing the warmth and generosity of Holi.
To book email reservations.maldives@patinahotels.com, tel. +960 4000555, or visit the resort’s website.
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