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Maldives Travel Awards celebrates best of Maldives travel and hospitality

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Maldives.net.mv – Maldives Travel Awards 2016 celebrated the very best of Maldives travel and hospitality at the gala event award night held on Sunday, 20th November at the beautiful Olhuveli Beach & Spa.

The event began with welcome speech and word of thanks by Mr. Abdulla Ghiyas, President of Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) followed by awarding of appreciation plaques to panel of expert judges who evaluated the nominations.

This year’s awards received over 300 nominations for 35 categories from 105 resorts, hotels, guest houses and airlines.

The winners of this year’s awards was decided by a judging process which included presentations and onsite visits, along with the SMS and online voting scores. The results were verified by independent audit firm, KPMG.

Maldives Travel Awards

The chief guest for the Gala Event was the Minister of Tourism, Moosa Zameer. The “Lifetime Achievement Award” was awarded to Hon. FDr Ahmed Siyam Mohamed for his contribution to the Tourism Industry and the country as a whole.

The event included entertainment items popular band Eqauatic Vibe.

Maldives Travel Awards 2016 is the fifth edition of the awards and longest running travel awards label in the Maldives. MATATO is the exclusive organizer of Maldives Travel Awards, and this year’s event was managed by Think Advertising.

Maldives Travel Awards

Winners

  • Leading Private Island : Velaa Private Island
  • Leading Luxury Resort : Conrad Maldives Rangali
  • Most Romantic Resort : Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
  • Leading Beach Resort : Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
  • Leading Designer Resort : Velaa Private Island
  • Leading All Inclusive Resort : Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
  • Leading Family Resort : Bandos Maldives
  • Leading F&B Resort : Conrad Maldives Rangali
  • Leading Eco Resort : Sun Island Resort & Spa
  • Leading Dive Resort : Bandos Maldives
  • Leading Surf Resort : Anantara Dhigu
  • Leading Wellness & Spa Resort : The Sun Siyam Irufushi
  • Leading Meeting & Conference Resort : Bandos Maldives
  • Leading Local Hotel/Resort Brand : Bandos Maldives
  • Leading International Hotel/Resort Brand : Conrad Maldives Rangali
  • Leading Wellness & Spa Brand/Chain : Araamu Spa
  • Leading Human Resource Management : Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
  • Leading CSR Program : Soneva Fushi Resort
  • Leading Airport/City Hotel : Hulhule Island Hotel
  • Leading Guest House : Reveries Diving Village
  • Leading Business Hotel : Hotel Jen by Shangri-La
  • Leading Liveaboard : Voyages Gurahali
  • Leading Liveaboard Brand : Carpe Diem Maldives
  • Leading Dive School/Centre : Dive Oceanus
  • Leading Activity/Water Sports Centre : Active Water Sports Maafushi
  • Leading Innovation in Guest House Design : Reveries Diving Village
  • Leading Travel Website : ICOM Tours
  • Leading Domestic Transport Provider : ICOM Tours
  • Leading Airport Lounge : Leeli Lounge
  • Leading Domestic Airline : Villa Air, Flyme
  • Leading Low Cost Carrier : Fly Dubai
  • Leading International Airline : Srilankan Airlines
  • Leading Guest House Island : Maafushi Council

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Photos by Asad Photography

Awards

Lily Beach Resort nominated in 3 prestigious categories at World Travel Awards 2025

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Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives has announced its nomination in three distinguished categories at the upcoming World Travel Awards 2025: Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort 2025, Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2025, and Maldives’ Leading Family Resort 2025. These recognitions celebrate the resort’s enduring commitment to exceptional service, elevated luxury, and family-friendly excellence in the heart of the Maldives.

Renowned for its award-winning Platinum Plan, Lily Beach offers one of the most comprehensive all-inclusive packages in the region. The plan includes premium à la carte dining, top-shelf beverages, three exciting excursions, and a range of water sports—all thoughtfully designed to create a carefree and indulgent experience for guests. With a focus on both value and variety, the Platinum Plan stands as a benchmark for inclusive luxury in the Maldives.

For families seeking both connection and comfort, Lily Beach provides a rare balance of shared experiences and individual space. The resort features multi-bedroom accommodation options such as the Beach Residence and the Beach Family Villa, offering privacy and proximity for loved ones travelling together. The Turtles Kids’ Club is a paradise for young adventurers, complete with daily themed activities and safe, supervised fun. Meanwhile, adults can unwind in serene sanctuaries like AQVA, the adults-only overwater bar and restaurant, or enjoy dedicated adults-only time for quiet romance and uninterrupted relaxation. Additionally, the resort offers a fully equipped gym, along with a beautiful tennis court where adults and children can enjoy!

Dining at Lily Beach is a journey. From gourmet international buffets at Lily Maa to overwater signature Asian fusion at Tamarind, the culinary offering is both diverse and exceptional. Each meal is crafted to delight global palates, enhanced by spectacular ocean views and warm Maldivian hospitality.

Guests can also unwind with rejuvenating treatments at the serene Tamara Spa, set over the water and staffed by expert therapists who deliver deeply healing and restorative massages. Enhancing this holistic escape is Lily Beach’s exceptional dining experience, featuring fresh, wholesome cuisine crafted to nourish both body and soul. As the sun sets, the resort comes alive with curated evening entertainment, offering the perfect blend of laid-back luxury and lively island spirit.

Furthermore, whether you’re in search of deep relaxation, revitalisation, or a renewed sense of inner balance, this immersive seven-day retreat offers a transformative journey. Blending ancient sound healing practices with the serene beauty of the Maldives, the experience promises unparalleled tranquillity and holistic renewal. Wellness Week with Ali Young, taking place this November at Lily Beach, invites guests to reconnect with themselves in paradise—guided by the expert hands of a seasoned wellness practitioner.

These nominations reflect the resort’s consistent dedication to creating unforgettable experiences for families, couples, and discerning travellers alike. As Lily Beach continues to set new standards for inclusive luxury and family travel in the Maldives, it remains a destination of choice for those seeking the perfect balance of indulgence, adventure, and relaxation.

Voting is now open for the World Travel Awards 2025—show your support and help Lily Beach Resort & Spa claim these well-deserved accolades. To vote, click here.

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Awards

Soneva Secret makes Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Hot List of best new hotels

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Every year, the editors of Condé Nast Traveller dedicate months to exploring new travel experiences around the world, from groundbreaking dining concepts to reimagined retreats and ambitious new hotel openings. Now in its 29th edition, the Hot List is considered one of the most anticipated recognitions in the global travel and hospitality industry. This year’s theme? Joy. A fitting choice for a list that includes zip-lining to dinner in the Maldives, treehouse sleepovers in Kenya, and fine dining in unexpected corners of the world.

One of the standout selections in the 2025 list is Soneva Secret, the newest ultra-luxury concept from Soneva, which continues to push the boundaries of barefoot luxury in the Maldives. Located in Haa Dhaalu Atoll in the far north of the archipelago, Soneva Secret invites guests into a world of intimacy, privacy, and personalised service — reimagined through a hyper-exclusive lens.

Comprising just 14 villas, Soneva Secret embodies the group’s signature sustainable luxury with an even greater emphasis on privacy and bespoke experiences. Each villa comes with a dedicated “Barefoot Guardian” and “Barefoot Assistant,” ensuring every aspect of the stay is curated to the individual preferences of each guest. Some villas even feature retractable roofs for stargazing, waterslides directly into the turquoise lagoon, and direct access to thriving coral reefs.

True to Soneva’s commitment to wellness, sustainability, and fine cuisine, the property offers unique culinary experiences, including dinners on a castaway island, open-air beach kitchens, and a new interpretation of experiential dining that begins with a zip-line ride through the forest canopy. The resort also features glassblowing workshops, wellness therapies, and tailor-made adventures designed around guest interests.

Soneva Secret’s inclusion on the Hot List places it alongside other global trailblazers redefining travel. It also reinforces the Maldives’ position as a leader in ultra-premium, experience-led tourism.

With this recognition, Soneva Secret joins a prestigious global club of new hotels that are not only raising the bar for luxury but are also rethinking what travel can be — joyful, personal, and unforgettable.

For the Maldives, this recognition is more than just another accolade. It is a testament to the archipelago’s continuing allure and its growing portfolio of innovative, world-class hospitality offerings.

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COLOURS OF OBLU’s 3 resorts in Maldives win British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award

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It is a triple celebration at COLOURS OF OBLU, as not one but three of its stunning sister resorts have been honoured with the prestigious British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award for 2024.

British Airways Holidays is one of the UK’s leading tour operators, and prides itself on taking its customers’ holidays seriously. It uses unbiased, independently verified customer feedback to carefully identify top-rated hotels as part of its commitment to provide high-quality holidays.

OBLU SELECT Lobigili has received a perfect score of 5 out of 5. Both OBLU SELECT Sangeli and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO scored an impressive 4.7 out of 5, based purely on genuine guest reviews. This recognition puts them amongst the crème de la crème of British Airways Holidays partners worldwide – no small feat considering over 72,000 reviews were collected this year.

OBLU SELECT Lobigili is a romantic adults’ exclusive resort just a short 15-minute journey from Malé International Airport. Travellers can indulge in a palette of vibrant experiences, from colourful sunsets to exotic under ocean dining at Only BLU, from snorkelling at the marine-rich house reef to relaxing in the garden spa. “This recognition would not have been possible without the dedication and passion of our hardworking team, who continuously strive to deliver exceptional experiences to each guest,” said Christopher Baker, General Manager OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and OBLU SELECT Lobigili.

Nestled in the pristine North Malé Atoll, OBLU SELECT Sangeli offers a chic and vibrant island escape with contemporary villas, a separate One Banyan adults-only island, and gourmet dine-around options. It is no wonder guests have fallen in love with this tropical haven. “Our team works tirelessly to ensure every guest has a magical, memorable holiday. Knowing that our guests have rated us so highly is the greatest compliment we could ask for,” said Jenni Hartatik, General Manager OBLU SELECT Sangeli.

Meanwhile, just a short speedboat ride from Malé, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO continues to impress with its unique island character, vibrant house reef, and down-to-earth, barefoot charm. Known for its incredible diving and snorkelling right off the beach, it’s a paradise for underwater enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Reflecting on the award, Alain Camille Trefois, General Manager OBLU NATURE Helengeli said, “this award is a reflection of our passionate team, the beauty of Helengeli island, and the unforgettable experiences we strive to deliver every single day”.

COLOURS OF OBLU, a lifestyle hospitality brand by Atmosphere Core, is an experience collective that creates Vibrant Destinations designed to awaken the senses, bring balance, and provide the gift of lifetime memories. Travellers can choose from four vivid and refreshing island resort experiences at OBLU SELECT Lobigili, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, and OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi.

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