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Soneva Fushi named most eco-friendly hotel in Asia Pacific
Soneva Fushi in Maldives has been named the most eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable hotel in Asia Pacific by Green Hotelier.
Winners of this year’s Green Hotelier Awards were made public on Friday, and Soneva Fushi was conferred the coveted 2017 Green Hotelier Award for the Asia Pacific region.
Naming Soneva Fushi the greenest hotel in Asia Pacific, the publication run by the International Tourism Partnership, which works with the world’s leading hotel groups to drive the responsible business agenda, hailed the five-star luxury resort’s carbon neutral footprint since 2012, self-sufficiency in water management, and its ‘Waste to Wealth’ programme which converts 90 percent of the waste into an income, including turning Styrofoam and glass waste into lightweight bricks for construction. Soneva Fushi’s Youth Career Initiative programme which offers employability training to local young people as well as teaching hundreds of children to swim was also noted.
Winners in other regions include:
- Europe: Landgut Stober, Germany
- Africa and Middle East: Chole Mjini, Tanzania
- The Americas: El Albergue Ollantaytambo, Peru
The annual awards invite applications from hotels of any size anywhere in the world; judging them on their efforts to reduce energy and water consumption, their waste output, their roles as responsible businesses to their employees and in the local community, as well as looking at how they communicate their sustainable and responsible ethos to guests. This year brought the largest number of applications yet from a diverse range of properties from eco-lodges to five-star luxury resorts, from city boutiques to spa retreats and even a distillery inn. Locations spread across the globe reaching from Peru to Ukraine, Australia and China to Tanzania.
Siobhan O’Neill, Editor of Green Hotelier and Awards judge, said: “We were delighted to receive so many fantastic applications this year and reading them all has been wonderful. Every single hotel which entered is performing well above average and it’s truly heartening to see so much effort and commitment to being a responsible business taking place all around the world.”
Nicolas Perin, Awards judge and Programme Manager of the International Tourism Partnership, said: “It was a great surprise to receive so many applications this year — almost 60 percent more than last year’s edition of the awards — and we were even more delighted to see that quality came with quantity. Hotels around the globe are innovating for the environment; taking action on such sensitive issues as modern slavery, and creating solid trends on how to provide fair and meaningful employment for their staff. Some of the applications we received were really off the chart. Congratulations to all our applicants for their initiatives and setting the bar on what a sustainable hotel looks like.”
Established in 1995, Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 57 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden amongst dense foliage.
The iconic resort has bagged several international awards for eco-friendly tourism and green initiatives. Earlier this month, it also received a spot in the Gold List compiled by Condé Nast Traveler China as the Best Hotel in the Maldives.
Awards
TTM Awards 2026 names You & Me Maldives Best Adults-Only Resort
You & Me Maldives has been named Best Adults-Only Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s positioning, guest experiences and continued focus on adults-only hospitality in the Maldives.
The award was presented during the TTM Awards & Gala 2026, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 August 2026, marking the conclusion of the 10th edition of TTM Maldives. The annual awards recognise achievements, innovation and contributions across the Maldivian tourism industry.
Located in Raa Atoll, You & Me Maldives has established itself as an adults-only retreat catering to couples, honeymooners, friends and solo travellers seeking privacy and tranquillity.
The resort combines its island setting with accommodation, personalised service and experiences centred on romance, wellness, gastronomy and exploration, creating an intimate environment designed specifically for adult travellers.
The recognition comes as You & Me Maldives marks seven years of operations and welcoming guests from around the world.
“As we celebrate this important milestone, we are deeply grateful to our loyal guests, partners, and dedicated team members who have been part of this journey,” said Mohamed Imthiyaz, General Manager of You & Me Maldives.
“These seven years represent not only growth and success, but countless love stories, memories, and unforgettable experiences created on our island. Receiving the ‘Best Adults-Only Resort’ award at the TTM Awards is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the passion and dedication of our entire team.”
The Best Adults-Only Resort award further strengthens You & Me Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality sector, recognising its focus on combining an adults-only concept with personalised service and island experiences.
Looking ahead, You & Me Maldives plans to continue developing its concept and guest experience through new activities, offerings and services, while maintaining its focus on the adults-only luxury segment in the Maldives.
Featured
From art to island adventures: Marriott International luxury resorts unveil festive programmes
The festive season often brings some of the simplest moments into focus: long lunches that extend into the afternoon, children discovering somewhere new, and conversations without the pressure of being elsewhere. In the Maldives, that time together unfolds naturally between ocean and shore, with each island establishing its own rhythm for multigenerational families, couples and groups of friends.
This year, the Luxury Group by Marriott International portfolio of resorts in the Maldives is inviting travellers to experience the festive season through art and design, marine discovery, local culture, gastronomy, wellness and time spent outdoors. From the creative shores of the Fari Islands and the house reefs of North Ari Atoll to the secluded northern reaches of Shaviyani Atoll, each destination offers a different setting in which guests can reconnect, celebrate traditions and create new ones, with the Maldives itself at the heart of the experience.
Available to book from 15 September to 15 November 2026 for stays between 20 December 2026 and 10 January 2027, the Festive Early Bird Offer adds tailored inclusions to each island stay. These range from resort credits of up to USD 400 per stay and complimentary non-motorised water sports to complimentary stays and dining for children under 12 and festive activities at selected participating resorts.
For guests looking to make the most of their time in the Maldives, two island experiences are within easy reach of Malé. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort are both accessible by speedboat, while scenic seaplane journeys lead farther into the atolls to The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, W Maldives and JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa.
A Canvas of Festive Wonder at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
A 50-minute luxury speedboat journey from Malé leads to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, where the 2026 festive season brings contemporary art into conversation with the light, colour and landscape of the Maldives.
From 20 December, the island will become a festive canvas through bespoke installations by French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet in collaboration with the House of Ruinart. His expressive use of shape and colour will appear throughout the resort, from a specially conceived Christmas tree and ornaments inspired by the destination to playful installations culminating at Beach Shack.
The experience brings a new creative dimension to the resort’s Circle of Island Life, while leaving room for guests to shape their days at their own pace. Couples can move between the spa, lagoon and intimate dining experiences, while families and groups can gather in 100 ocean- and lagoon-facing villas designed by Kerry Hill Architects.
Larger parties can stay in expansive two-bedroom villas or the four-bedroom The Ritz-Carlton Estate, with an Aris Meeha island butler available to personalise their time together.
The Festive Early Bird package includes daily breakfast at La Locanda, New Year’s Eve celebrations and festive experiences.

A Season of Endless Wonder at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort
Close to Malé yet removed from the pace of the capital, JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is preparing a festive season centred on joy, discovery and wellbeing.
A 15-minute speedboat journey from Malé, the island will host ‘Enchanted Soirée: A Season of Endless Wonder’, with a programme featuring culinary experiences, restorative moments at Spa by JW, lagoon adventures and activities for younger travellers. In the evenings, multigenerational families, couples and groups of friends can come together over shared meals and festive celebrations.
Residential-style two-bedroom beach and overwater villas provide space for guests to gather and retreat, while the three-bedroom Ocean Residence includes a private gym, spa treatment room and waterslide with direct lagoon access.
Dedicated Safeeru ambassadors personalise each stay, while the Family by JW Kids’ Club provides creativity and exploration for younger guests. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, nurse shark snorkelling and dining across seven venues inspired by Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, South American and Nikkei cuisines.
The Festive Escape package includes a full-board meal plan, complimentary dining for children under 12, and access to festive activities and celebrations throughout the stay.
Ten Years of Island Stories at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
In Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort will mark its 10th anniversary with ‘Chapter X: Celebrating 10 Years Through the Island’s Story’, a festive programme inspired by the landscapes and communities that have shaped a decade on Vommuli Island.
The celebration follows the resort’s four ecological zones — Lagoon, Beach, Jungle and Coast — providing families, couples and friends with different ways to discover the island through marine life, nature, cuisine, wellness and Maldivian heritage.
Children and grandparents can explore the biodiversity surrounding Vommuli House, turning shared discoveries into new family traditions, while days by the lagoon showcase the resort’s house reef and nature-inspired design.
Along the coast and beach, shared meals, storytelling and seasonal gatherings draw on the Maldives’ fishing and seafaring heritage. Christmas celebrations will include a tree-lighting ceremony, Santa’s arrival and family programming, while curated dining and wellness experiences will lead into a New Year’s Eve celebration overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The Festive Getaway includes breakfast for two and resort credits ranging from USD 200 to USD 400 per stay, depending on the villa category. St. Regis Butler service will also be available throughout each stay.
Children aged 11 and below stay and dine with compliments.

Made the Revelry List at W Maldives
For travellers looking for a more energetic festive season, W Maldives brings together North Ari Atoll’s marine life, newly refreshed villas and the resort’s social island atmosphere.
A 25-minute seaplane journey from Malé takes guests to the resort’s house reef, where days can begin underwater, continue with a nurse shark excursion or sunset cruise, and end with dinner by the beach.
From 23 December to 1 January, ‘Made the Revelry List’ will move between relaxed daytime experiences and after-dark celebrations. Christmas Eve will bring guests together at FIRE Beach for flame-grilled dining and live entertainment, while New Year’s Eve will take its cue from ‘The Velvet Revelry’, a speakeasy-inspired soirée moving from golden-hour cocktails and dinner to performances, music and a midnight countdown on WAVE Beach.
Beyond the festive programme, 77 beach and overwater villas with private pools provide space for couples and friends to settle into island life, while the two-bedroom Oasis Beach Villa with Slide is designed for families and groups.
For a change of setting, Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ private island, offers an intimate location for private dining and time away from the main island.
The Festive Favors package includes a full-board meal plan for two adults and USD 200 in daily resort credit.
An Enchanted Island at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
The journey north forms part of the experience at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, which is reached by a scenic 50-minute seaplane flight from Malé.
In the quieter reaches of Shaviyani Atoll, spacious villas, tropical gardens and open stretches of ocean provide a setting for different generations to spend time together. Duplex Overwater Pool Villas and Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Pool Villas provide generous living spaces for families and groups of friends, while dedicated Thakuru private butler service takes care of arrangements throughout the stay.
This year, ‘Enchanted Island, Midnight in Paradise’ will bring aerialists, fire performances, live music and a DJ into a festive calendar that balances celebrations with opportunities for families to spend time together.
Younger travellers can choose from more than 100 activities at the Family by JW Little Griffins Kids’ Club, one of the largest children’s clubs in the Maldives. Cooking experiences using ingredients from the JW Garden and Boduberu evenings will also bring different generations together during the festive period.
The Festive Splendor package includes daily breakfast for two at Aailaa and a one-time 30-minute photography session with one printed photograph.
Guests booking a Duplex Overwater Pool Villa receive a complimentary upgrade to half board, while children aged 11 and below stay and dine with compliments.
Featured
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands to celebrate Diwali with Atul Kochhar residency
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will welcome Indian chef and restaurateur Atul Kochhar for a culinary residency from 7 to 9 November 2026, coinciding with Diwali.
Kochhar, the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, will bring the culinary approach of his London restaurant, Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, to Helios. The residency will present his contemporary interpretation of India’s regional cuisines, drawing on the traditions and influences that have shaped his cooking.
Rooted in Kochhar’s connection to India, the menu will combine regional flavours with contemporary techniques and carefully selected ingredients. It will reflect his approach to developing Indian cuisine while retaining its cultural foundations.
With more than 30 years in the industry, Kochhar has built an international reputation for his contribution to Indian dining. He received his first Michelin star in 2001, followed by another in 2007. His culinary philosophy brings together India’s regional diversity, traditional cooking practices and contemporary methods.
At Patina Maldives, this philosophy will be interpreted through the resort’s Indian Ocean setting and the multicultural character of the Fari Islands. The residency will give Kochhar an opportunity to adapt his culinary identity to the island and the Diwali celebrations, creating an experience shaped by the occasion and its surroundings.
Kochhar leads the Atul Kochhar Hospitality Group, whose portfolio includes Kanishka in Mayfair, Vaasu and Sindhu in Marlow, Riwaz in Beaconsfield, Masalchi in Wembley Park, Indian Essence in Petts Wood and Essence in Tunbridge Wells.
The residency forms part of Patina Maldives’ culinary programme, which connects guests with different cultures, perspectives and creative disciplines. Through Kochhar’s cooking, guests will have an opportunity to explore India’s regional food traditions and celebrate Diwali through shared dining experiences.
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