Featured
Raffaele Solferino on offering ‘Loving Hospitality’ at brand new Grand Park Kodhipparu

When it comes to the Maldives tourism and hospitality industry, almost everything is in abundance. With the rapid expansion the industry has had in the recent years, there is an abundance of supply, abundance of world-class facilities and services, abundance of natural beauty, and certainly an abundance of global brands. It is almost impossible to see a major brand without any presence in the idyllic beach destination.
The latest international brand to enter the Maldives market is Park Hotel Group, Singapore’s premier hospitality company. Established in 1961, the company has grown from its first hotel in Hong Kong to its current portfolio of 16 properties across eight countries and 11 cities, with the latest being the Grand Park Kodhipparu in the Maldives.
As Park Hotel Group expands its portfolio with the official opening last week of its first property in the Maldives, Maldives Insider speaks to Raffaele Solferino, the General Manager at Grand Park Kodhipparu, about the new resort and extending the brand’s service philosophy of providing ‘Loving Hospitality’ to all guests, partners and associates.

Honorary Chairman of Chip Eng Seng Group Lim Tiam Seng sounds the gong at the grand opening ceremony of Grand Park Kodhipparu on Sunday. PHOTO/ KODHIPPARU
Maldives Insider: Can you tell us a little bit about your experience in the industry?
Raffaele Solferino: I started in one of the most exclusive and luxurious tourist places in Capri, Italy.
In 1996, I moved to Middle East where I spent nine years working in different managerial positions with Starwood Middle East, in locations, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain and Beirut.
I moved back to Europe in 2004, and served as the Vice President and Director of Operations at Domina Hotel Group in Italy. After that I was the in-project management of Palmerston Hotels and Resorts, followed by the next position as General Manager in Sardinia until the end of 2009.
I discovered the Maldives in 2010, and managed the first resort, Coco Palm Dhuni Kohlu for two years before taking over the management of all three resorts under the Coco Collection brand. The next venture took me to Azerbaijan for a year, before I was offered the General Manager post at Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort. Importantly, I’m now back in this wonderful destination.

The Beach Pool Villas at Grand Park Kodhipparu. PHOTO/ KODHIPPARU
MI: What are the key features of Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives?
RS: Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives enjoys a superior location, just 20 minutes away from the airport by speedboat.
The resort features a collection of 120 villas, comprising idyllic beachfront villas and breathtaking overwater villas. Out of the 120 villas, 18 are on land and the rest are overwater. Sixty-five of the villas come with their own private pools and the five two-bedroom residences, which are also overwater, feature extensive private terraces. In the Maldives, where one can bask in stunning unblocked views of the ocean or slip into its crystal-clear waters to explore house reef, water villas are very popular, and in many resorts in the Maldives they are a premium category. At Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, we have the water villa as our lead-in category.

The two-bedroom Grand Residence at Grand Park Kodhipparu. PHOTO/ KODHIPPARU
In addition, the resort offers three restaurants and a pool bar, including the overwater Edge restaurant, which offers a wide selection of international culinary creations and fresh live cooking stations. Breeze poolside restaurant and bar serves lunch and light bites throughout the day, followed by inventive cocktails and fine wines in the night. The FireDOOR speciality restaurant is one of the few restaurants in the Maldives that offers contemporary fine-dining cuisine prepared by a culinary team trained in Michelin star restaurants using an impressive Josper grill and sous vide cooking.

The Breeze poolside restaurant and bar at Grand Park Kodhipparu. PHOTO/ KODHIPPARU
The recreational facilities that we offer are diverse: an outdoor infinity swimming pool, which is one of the largest in the Maldives with spectacular ocean views, a gymnasium, sunrise yoga deck, a wellness centre with world-renowned spa and salon treatments, a water sports and dive centre, and a children’s activity centre. The list of activities and experiences is also endless, from cooking classes to introductory spa classes.
MI: What sets Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives apart from others in the Maldives?
RS: For us, it is about location. Within this atoll near Male, we are the latest five-star luxury resort, and just 20 minutes by speedboat away from the international airport, allowing guests to save time getting to paradise.
There was also a lot of thought put behind the design of the resort; we want to provide a sense of place for our guests and had worked closely with Hirsch Bedner Associates to select materials and furnishings that are inspired by the Maldivian island life and its local traditions and crafts. Whether it’s the villas, restaurants, spa or public spaces, each of the location has been designed to make the most of its stunning surroundings, and in overall, we have created a tranquil and inviting sanctuary that exudes chic, comfort and authenticity.

The infinity pool at Grand Park Kodhipparu. PHOTO/ KODHIPPARU
Beyond this, as this is a one-island-one-resort destination with the guests on the island 24/7, there is a lot of interaction between our guests and team members. Hence, the quality of service provided at every service touchpoint is critical. Being part of the award-winning Park Hotel Group, we believe in the service philosophy of providing ‘Loving Hospitality’ by creating unique and memorable experiences that bring joy to our guests. To this end, our lifestyle hosts are fluent in close to 10 different languages so as to cater to the needs of our global guests. Our amenities and collateral have also been thoughtfully sourced and designed.
More than just an unforgettable experience, we hope our guests can also take away from their stay a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination and local culture.

Private beach dining at Grand Park Kodhipparu. PHOTO/ KODHIPPARU
MI: What are the target source markets?
RS: Maldives has always been a popular destination amongst Asian and European travellers, and this is reflected in our guest demographics since our soft opening in June. While China remains a dominant market, we are seeing growth from other countries such as Malaysia, Japan and Korea, which mirror the overall tourism numbers. As for Europe, UK, Germany, Italy and France have always been the traditional source markets. We have also hosted many guests from Thailand and the Middle East in the last six months, which we believe will continue to increase in the future.
MI: What was the initial feedback from the market as well as the guests?
RS: To date, we had received wonderful feedback from our guests, tour operators and business partners. You may have read some of them on review sites such as TripAdvisor that talk about our impeccable services, stunning resort interiors, the nature around the island and snorkelling around their villa. These reviews have confirmed that we are moving in the right direction, and have provided us with further impetus to work harder and do better to ensure we exceed expectations with every stay.
We are entering the peak season very soon, and are very excited to welcome more guests to Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives.

In-villa breakfast experience at Grand Park Kodhipparu. PHOTO/ KODHIPPARU
MI: What are the plans for the future?
RS: With a brand-new resort, our focus is on the guest experience. Our guests are on the island throughout the stay and it is important that we continually refresh and provide a variety of experiences to fill their time.
Upcoming plans include collaborations with our partners and other hotels in the group to introduce guest chef programmes. In addition, Breeze has an intimate wine cellar that houses more than 135 labels from around the world and this is definitely a great opportunity to organise exclusive wine pairing events with international sommeliers. Also in the works are plans to launch an array of health and wellness packages together with spa journey and meditation activities for the body, mind and soul.

A treatment room of the spa at Grand Park Kodhipparu. PHOTO/ KODHIPPARU
MI: How do you see the competition, especially with the new resort developments taking place in and around the greater Male region?
RS: We are the last one to open in the Male region. As far as I know, there aren’t any plans to open up a resort in this region at least in the next two years. All the other developments are in outer atolls, which require guests to get there via a seaplane or domestic flight.
While we may have an advantage over location and enjoys proximity from the airport, a resort’s concept and offerings are also important booking considerations. I am confident that the beautiful villas, wide-ranging facilities and world-class experiences at Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives will stand us in good stead amidst the competition and provide an exceptional experience to all guests.
Excursions
Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.
Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.
Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.
The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.
For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.
Featured
Maldives beaches rated among world’s best for rest and rejuvenation

Following a rise in searches for ‘calmcations’, long-haul travel specialists Travelbag have revealed the best destinations for a tranquil escape in 2025, with the Maldives named among the world’s most serene beachside getaways.
According to Travelbag, 72 per cent of British travellers go on holiday to relax and recharge, while 47 per cent seek experiences that help them feel more grounded and mindful. Searches for the term ‘calmcation’ – holidays focused on peace, quiet, and switching off – have doubled in the past three months, reflecting a growing shift away from busy itineraries towards more restorative travel.
To identify the most relaxing destinations, Travelbag analysed 36 global locations and ranked them against key serenity indicators, including noise and light pollution, cleanliness, the quality of green spaces, and local travel congestion.
Queenstown, New Zealand, secured first place as the world’s ultimate destination for tranquillity. Framed by the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu, the town recorded exceptionally high scores for cleanliness (91.7) and quality of green spaces (94.4), alongside low levels of travel congestion and minimal noise and light pollution.
The Seychelles followed in second position, celebrated for its unspoiled natural beauty and exceptionally low noise and light pollution score of 16.7. Its islands, including La Digue, Praslin and Silhouette, remain havens of peace and natural charm.
Cairns, Australia, rounded out the top three, combining tropical serenity with well-maintained green spaces and an impressive cleanliness score of 69.6.
Also ranking among the top global destinations is the Maldives, long regarded as one of the world’s premier escapes for those seeking peace and seclusion. With its iconic turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and private island resorts, the country continues to attract travellers in search of restorative experiences.
According to Travelbag’s analysis, the Maldives achieved an impressive average beach rating of 4.63, placing it alongside the world’s leading beachside destinations. Beaches such as Bikini Beach, Baros Beach, and Reethi Beach were highlighted as examples of the country’s serene appeal.
Danny Hugill, Destination Executive for the Maldives at Travelbag, commented: “The Maldives is one of our most cherished destinations – an idyllic collection of tiny islands that offer unmatched opportunities to unwind. Long celebrated as a top honeymoon destination, it remains the ultimate place to escape, slow down, and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.”
The findings underline the Maldives’ continued appeal in a market increasingly shaped by wellness, mindfulness, and relaxation. While destinations such as New Zealand and the Seychelles excel in specific indicators of serenity, the Maldives’ unique combination of luxurious seclusion, natural beauty, and consistently high-rated beaches ensures its position as a global ‘calmcation’ favourite for 2025.
Featured
October at Soneva: culinary journeys, wellness retreats and world-class guests

As the golden light softens the edges of the day and autumn arrives in the Maldives, Soneva’s resorts are inviting families to embrace a slower pace. Surrounded by settings where jungle meets shoreline and barefoot living is part of everyday life, October brings immersive experiences, diverse dining and guest appearances designed to create memorable moments.
Soneva is renowned for its sense of space – and this October, that space is offered as a place to connect, explore and dream. Guests are accommodated in expansive villas, whether set above the water or nestled within the forest, with each generation free to follow their own rhythm. Younger visitors are welcomed at The Den, where activities include chocolate-making, coral reef discovery and storytelling beneath the stars. Adults are offered opportunities such as sailing excursions, wine tastings by the beach and relaxed days defined by a tropical tempo.
The Soneva Stars programme in October features a notable guest line-up. Tennis player Andy Murray will lead sessions on the courts, Olympic swimmer Therese Alshammar will conduct family swimming classes, and British astronaut Tim Peake will introduce guests to stargazing alongside stories from his career in space. The atmosphere is intended to remain relaxed, with experiences that are both engaging and uncommon.
Culinary experiences remain central to the Soneva offering. October’s highlights include Michelin-starred chefs joining the Soneva Stars programme: Tim Siadatan of Trullo and Padella will appear at Soneva Fushi for the first time, while Chet Sharma of Bibi will prepare a Diwali dinner at both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani. Dining venues range from Flying Sauces, a treetop experience reached by zipline, to So Hands On by Chef Akira, an intimate six-seat sushi counter crafted in sake-finished pine. At Soneva Secret, each villa includes a private chef, offering a personalised dining experience.
For guests seeking tranquillity, October also marks the return of the SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi, taking place from 9 to 13 October. This retreat gathers global figures in wellness, movement and transformation, offering barefoot rituals, sunrise breathwork and reflective discussions.
October at Soneva is framed by golden hours and starlit nights, with experiences designed to be shared across generations.
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