Paradise Island Resort and Spa has received three accolades at the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards, with the resort’s General Manager Qaisar Naseem winning the Best General Manager in the world award.

At the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards gala held at the Kulm Hotel St Moritz in Switzerland on Saturday, Paradise Island Resort received the global award for the best Luxury Water Villa Resort and a continental award for the best Luxury Beach Resort.

Meanwhile, Qaisar was crowned the Best General Manager in the world. He had in 2015 won the same award in the Indian Ocean continental category.

The prestigious award comes days after he was appointed Group General Manager of Villa Hotels and Resorts, which runs Royal Island Resort and Spa, Holiday Island Resort and Spa, Sun Island Resort and Spa, and Fun Island Resort and Spa, in addition to Paradise Island Resort.

A native of Fuvahmulah island, Qaisar joined the tourism and hospitality industry in 1997 as a receptionist at Thudufushi resort.

After spending a year in Thundufushi, Qaisar joined Villa Hotels to work as an Administrator at Royal Island Resort and Spa, which was under construction. He oversaw several aspects of the project, including construction, earning himself the position of Assistant Manager when it opened in 2001. While officially holding the title of Assistant Manager, he served as the Acting Resort Manager when the Resort Manager left in 2004.

Qaisar moved to Malaysia in 2006 to pursue a degree in hotel management. Upon his return in 2009, he was appointed the Resident Manager at Paradise Island Resort. A year later, Qaisar assumed the post of General Manager — a title he held until his latest promotion.

Over the past eight years, Qaisar has led Paradise Island Resort to receive several international and local awards, including recognitions in the World Travel Awards, World Luxury Travel Awards and Maldives Travel Awards. His personal accolades include being named the Best General Manager in the Indian Ocean category at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2015, and Tourism Personality of the Year 2017 at the Maldives Travel Awards.

Set on the island of Lankanfinolhu in the North Male Atoll floats a little piece of paradise, which is accessible by just a 15-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport.

Luxury villas and suites overlooking the Indian Ocean are linked to five fabulous dining choices and the nightlife, offering a true Maldivian experience. Paved pathways wind through lush grounds, inter-linking Beach Bungalows, Haven Villas, Haven Suites and Ocean suites as well the Araamu Spa, all contributing to the natural awe-inspiring beauty of the Maldives.

The Villa Water Sports Centre, located at the northern end of the island, offers courses in windsurfing and catamaran sailing in addition to excellent facilities for a variety of water sports, including fun tubing, canoeing, catamaran sailing, water bike, wake boarding, knee boarding, glass bottom boat tours, etc. The centre, is equipped with the best equipment and facilities.

Paradise Island Resort is also home to a Diveoceanus dive centre. The PAD-certified centre offer the full range of diving adventures, including beginner classes.