News
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives wins awards & accolades at the International Culinary Challenge Maldives 2016

Maldives.net.mv – Holiday Inn Resort® Kandooma Maldives – for the 2nd consecutive year, hauled the most medals and awards during the recently concluded Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge 2016 held at Maldives September 4th – 7th 2016.
Holiday Inn Resort® Kandooma Maldives Executive Chef Vincent Tan, together with his Culinary Brigade of 14 Chefs and 2 Bar Mixologists recently participated in the 12th Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge 2016 – dubbed as the ultimate culinary challenge held in Male, Maldives.
For the 2nd consecutive year Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives hauled the most medals and awards offered during the competition. The team’s accolade reached a first ever 28 medals which included 8 Gold, 13 Silver & 7 Bronze and 4 “Best in Class” awards. Each team participant brought back medal’s that justifies their hard work and passion which reflects on their well-deserved medals and awards.

The “Best in Class” awards were given for the following categories: Dessert, Creative Asian Dish, Perfect Steak and Omelet and Tea Challenge. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place for the “Perfect Steak” and “Perfect Omelet” Challenge was a clean sweep from the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. This category tests the chef’s basic skills; technique, temperature control and timing.
A new category this year was the “Tea Challenge” which Holiday Inn Resort bagged the 1st and 2nd place respectively. Jasmine Pham who topped the Challenge has won herself complimentary air ticket, accommodation and 3-day training at TWG Tea Institute in Singapore.
Chef Ronnel Go, the Resorts Executive Sous Chef received the award being placed in the top 3 “Most Outstanding Chef in Maldives” – an award that more than 500 chefs from over 40 hotels and resorts who participated in the competition sought for.
“I congratulate and give thanks to the whole culinary team, competitors and staff that without their passion, teamwork and support, achieving these great results would be impossible. A big gratitude for our General Manager and management’s support and encouragement. It really helps to motivate the staffs to perform well in the competition! I was very happy with the results this year as there were many first timers in the team, their hard work really paid off. And our results this time was far better than last year in terms of quantity and quality of awards achieved by the team.” Chef Vincent Tan said.
Meanwhile, Joseph Della Gatta, the Resort General Manager expressed his appreciation on the latest accomplishments by the Resort Culinary Team. “I am so proud on the team’s success in this year’s Culinary Challenge. They have demonstrated gastronomic greatness and excellence, I look forward on having the award winning dishes on the Resort menus to be sampled by our guests”, said Joseph.
Holiday Inn Resort® Kandooma Maldives’ delegation includes chefs Vinh Co, Min, Rungsimet, Ronnel, Dat, Kalim, Hui, Chee Ken, Phuong, Laiju, Cam Nga, Yen & Lucas and the Resort Mixologists, Jasmine and Dinesh.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru plans Easter weekend of activities and dining
Angsana Velavaru is inviting guests to celebrate Easter with a two-day island programme featuring family activities, ocean experiences and seasonal dining from 4 to 5 April 2026.
Located within a lagoon in South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort will host a series of activities designed for families, couples and travellers seeking a seasonal getaway by the sea. The programme includes a combination of wellness sessions, marine experiences and leisure activities intended to bring guests together during the Easter holiday period.
Mornings begin with yoga sessions overlooking the lagoon, followed by opportunities to explore the island’s marine environment through guided snorkelling excursions and discovery experiences organised by the Endheri Marine Centre.
Throughout the day, guests can take part in a range of recreational activities across the island. These include beach kite flying, aqua aerobics sessions and bird feeding at the island’s sanctuary. Adventure-focused experiences are also available, with water sports such as family tube rides and sunset cruises offering guests the opportunity to explore the surrounding lagoon.
Dining experiences form a central part of the Easter programme. Guests can participate in interactive activities including cocktail-making sessions and the Wok & Toss dining experience, which allows visitors to engage with the resort’s culinary team. The programme also includes Easter buffet lunch and dinner at Kaani Restaurant, where seasonal dishes are served in a relaxed island setting.
Evening entertainment includes live music performances, DJ sessions and outdoor film screenings under the stars, creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests to gather and socialise.
Children’s activities are organised through the Ranger’s Club, where a dedicated Easter programme features creative workshops such as bunny mask making, Easter egg painting and string art. Traditional activities including Easter egg hunts and beach races are also planned for younger guests.
The Easter programme at Angsana Velavaru combines marine exploration, family-friendly activities and seasonal dining experiences, offering guests an opportunity to celebrate the holiday while enjoying the island’s natural surroundings.
News
Villa Park introduces Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House at top of villa collection
Villa Park, the lush island escape in the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), has unveiled its newest and most elevated accommodation category: the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House. Spanning 456 square metres, this new addition becomes the highest category available at Villa Park, strengthening the resort’s position as a leading choice for family travel in the Maldives and expanding its reputation for offering one of the widest ranges of Beach Pool Villas.
Designed for families and groups who want space without sacrificing privacy, the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House blends indoor comfort with open-air island living. Set within tropical greenery, it offers a private pool and generous outdoor areas that invite guests to slow down, reconnect, and settle into a true island rhythm, with the lagoon always close and the shoreline just beyond.

Inside, the layout is built around togetherness and ease. The master bedroom faces the pool and the beach, creating a calm, ocean-facing retreat, while the second bedroom features twin beds, making it ideal for children or additional guests. The villa also includes two bathrooms, ensuring everyone has room to move through the day comfortably, from early swims to post-sunset wind-downs.

A defining feature of the Beach Pool House is its sense of seclusion. Thoughtful spacing and natural landscaping create a private sanctuary, complemented by an elevated terrace balcony with views through the coconut palm canopy, a quiet perch for morning coffee, late-afternoon reading, or simply watching the light shift over the island.

The launch builds on Villa Park’s identity as one of the Maldives’ most family-friendly tropical getaways, known for its wide beaches, blue lagoons, and a full calendar of experiences designed for all ages. Located in SAMPA, Villa Park is also celebrated for year-round whale shark encounters, offering guests the chance to connect with one of the Maldives’ most iconic marine highlights as part of a relaxed island holiday.
Beyond the beach, Villa Park continues to be defined by variety, from its award-winning Araamu Spa to its signature dining moments, including ZERO, the resort’s treetop dining experience that celebrates island freshness and locally inspired flavours.

With the introduction of the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House, Villa Park raises the bar for spacious, design-led family stays in the Maldives, offering a new standard of comfort, privacy, and island immersion at the very top of its accommodation collection.
News
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi launches ‘She Is Hospitality’ to celebrate women
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026 and its global theme, “Give to Gain,” Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has unveiled “She Is Hospitality” at the resort this 8th of March. This photo portrait exhibition honours the unique personalities, skill sets, and values of the women who drive the resort’s success, highlighting how a culture of empowerment, guided by the Sun Siyam Care philosophy, fosters both professional excellence and personal autonomy.
At the Diving Centre, the manager, Danijela Podlipec, translates the language of the deep blue for those seeking adventure. With a joyful calm, she offers a sense of safety and a feeling of being at home beneath the sea. Nearby, in the sanctuary of the spa, Assistant Spa Manager Anna Vargas serves as a meticulous eye. With eighteen years of experience in the Maldives, she nurtures the next generation of therapists, teaching them that true wellness is a human centred art that begins with details, precision, and a refined attention to the unique needs of each guest.


In the quiet power of technical spaces working as Engineering Coordinator, Ofimaria Deliva proves that hospitality is built on a foundation of resilience. Having transitioned from the world of finance to the complexity of engineering, she stands as a reminder that no department is “too technical” for a heart driven by purpose. Similarly, Rabina Shrestha, Security Officer, navigates the male dominated world of security not by mirroring it, but by leading with a distinct femininity. She proves daily that softness and vigilance are not opposites, but a necessary, graceful balance.


The first light of morning at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is met with the quiet commitment of Mia Sumiati, Kitchen Attendant, whose power lies in her presence and the simple, human value of a genuine smile. Guests encounter this gentle strength at breakfast, as she crafts their first energy drinks to begin the day with vitality. Fathimath Afaa, from the Front Office, radiates a confidence that stems from an inner grace, believing that a warm welcome is a reflection of one’s own radiant spirit. In the heart of operations as a Butler for nine years, Ameni Dahmene bridges worlds; her Tunisian heritage brings a blend of traditional values and a liberal, wandering soul that delights in meeting people from every corner of the earth.



For Nancy Castano, Kids Club Supervisor, dance is more than movement—it is a form of healing and expression that she shares with the youngest travellers, turning the Kids Club into a stage for joy. This same rhythm is found in Lyrio May, Human Resources Executive, who brings the soul of her department to life through music and Maldivian dance, fostering a workplace rooted in empathy. Meanwhile, in the world of Reservations, Radhika Sabharwal guides guests towards their dream holidays while pursuing her own. By travelling with her mother, she honours the path paved by past generations while standing tall as a symbol of the modern, independent woman.



Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, part of the Luxury Collection of Sun Siyam, serves as a sanctuary where talent is nurtured and the unique traits of every woman are celebrated. Beyond professional roles, the women stand as leaders of values, architects of atmosphere, and the very soul of hospitality.
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