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

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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.

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Barceló Nasandhura celebrates World Chocolate Day with sweet surprises in Malé

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This July, Barceló Nasandhura is offering guests a taste of the sweeter side of life through a series of limited-time dessert experiences in the heart of Malé.

In celebration of World Chocolate Day, the hotel hosted a Chocolate Indulgence Station in the Nasandhura Lobby on 7th July. Held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the event featured handcrafted chocolate desserts and tastings led by Head Pastry Chef Mohammed, a certified Continental Judge in Pastry Arts. The occasion attracted a delightful mix of in-house guests and walk-in visitors, who also enjoyed a specially curated photo setup and the opportunity to purchase exclusive, limited-edition treats.

Additionally, from 4th to 7th July, a dedicated Chocolate Dessert Station was presented at the Oivaru dinner buffet, located on the hotel’s third floor, offering a decadent addition to the evening dining experience.

To conclude the month’s celebrations, guests will be able to enjoy a 10% discount on all ice creams at Alimas Coffee Lounge from 20th to 26th July. Featuring house-made flavours, this offering provides the ideal way to cool off and indulge during the warm island afternoons.

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Dive into sustainable luxury at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Baa Atoll

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Surrounded by flourishing reefs and pristine islands with the whitest of soft sands and crystal-clear waters, Coco Collection – a leading resort brand in the Maldives – invites guests to delve into the extraordinary underwater world of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.

Nestled within the crown jewel of the Maldives, the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is renowned for its commitment to everyday sustainability. Setting the standard for sustainable luxury, the resort has once again been recognised as the Maldives’ Leading Green Resort 2025, marking its third consecutive win at the prestigious World Travel Awards.

While the resort continues its efforts to protect and preserve a thriving marine ecosystem, it also encourages guests to immerse themselves in a range of signature marine experiences, all guided by resident Marine Educator Rosalie Bailie and supported by its long-standing partnership with the Olive Ridley Project.

The signature marine experiences include:

  • Guided Snorkelling – Guests may explore the house reef or venture to nearby coral gardens with expert guides. These excursions cater to all skill levels and often include sightings of green sea turtles, parrotfish, and, depending on the season, manta rays and eagle rays. Guests may also encounter hawksbill turtles grazing on coral at nearby turtle points.
  • Coral Planting & Restoration Workshop – Conscious travellers are invited to participate in meaningful conservation work through coral planting. With the guidance of the Marine Educator, guests can affix coral fragments onto reef frames which are then placed on the seabed, helping to regenerate damaged reefs and enhance marine biodiversity.
  • Discover Scuba Diving – From beginners to advanced divers, the island provides access to over 30 dive sites across the region, led by certified PADI instructors. Guests may dive among coral pinnacles, explore historic wrecks, and visit iconic spots such as Hanifaru Bay, famous for sightings of manta rays and whale sharks.
  • ORP Marine Turtle Rescue Centre Tour – Home to the Maldives’ first fully equipped, veterinary-run sea turtle rescue centre, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu offers guests the chance to engage with rescued turtles recovering from injuries or entanglements. Through this partnership with the Olive Ridley Project, guests can feed turtles, learn about conservation challenges, adopt a turtle, and contribute to protecting this endangered species.
  • Night Snorkelling – For a truly unique underwater adventure, the resort offers night snorkelling excursions led by the Marine Educator. As the reef transforms after sunset, guests will discover a different side of marine life, spotting lionfish, resting parrotfish, and other nocturnal sea creatures illuminated by torchlight.

Located in one of the world’s most spectacular hubs of marine biodiversity, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu promises an unforgettable escape. With the Discover Coco offers, travellers can enjoy 35% savings on their villa stay, making it the perfect time to plan an extraordinary Maldivian getaway.

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Timeless romance awaits at award-winning Coco Bodu Hithi

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Nestled in the heart of the Malé Atoll, the Maldivian-owned resort Coco Bodu Hithi warmly welcomes couples to embrace romance and tranquillity this summer in one of the world’s most idyllic island getaways.

Far removed from the bustle of city life, Coco Bodu Hithi serves as a sanctuary where intimacy, nature, and luxury coexist in perfect harmony. Designed for couples in search of meaningful moments, the island offers a captivating escape – from peaceful barefoot strolls and shared experiences to thrilling adventures.

Recently named the Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort at the 2025 World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year, Coco Bodu Hithi artfully blends modern comforts with traditional Maldivian charm. The resort boasts 98 expansive villas, each offering direct access to either the beach or lagoon. Thoughtfully designed to ensure privacy and relaxation, every villa promises a sense of seclusion and serenity.

Amongst the resort’s most celebrated accommodations are the Beach Villa with Pool and the iconic Coco Residence, both of which offer sweeping, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. These settings provide a picture-perfect backdrop for couples to reconnect, with each moment shaped by a spirit of warm island hospitality that is both personal and unmistakably Maldivian.

Honoured as the Best Service Resort at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2025, Coco Bodu Hithi presents a carefully curated selection of personalised romantic experiences. Guests may begin the day with a floating breakfast in their private pool, enjoy a five-course candlelit dinner beneath the stars at Pergola, or embark on a serene sunset cruise – each moment tailored to celebrate connection in the most memorable ways.

Celebrated by Weddings & Honeymoons magazine as one of the Top 50 Honeymoon Resorts in the World, Coco Bodu Hithi offers an exquisite backdrop for couples to honour their love. The thoughtfully designed Forever Yours Package delivers a romantic destination wedding experience in the Maldives, with a dedicated team attending to every detail. The package seamlessly blends the island’s natural beauty with traditional elements, all personalised to reflect the couple’s unique story, style, and preferences.

With its heartfelt hospitality, refined elegance, and awe-inspiring surroundings, Coco Bodu Hithi offers the ideal setting to begin a new chapter of togetherness – a private Maldivian paradise where timeless romance truly comes to life.

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