Featured
William Harley-Fleming assumes new role as Cluster General Manager for JA Manafaru, JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort
William Harley-Fleming, General Manager of JA Resorts and Hotels’ JA Manafaru resort in the Maldives, has assumed a new role within the Dubai-based international hospitality group — the Cluster General Manager for JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort and JA Manafaru.
As part of his new role, Harley-Fleming will oversee all operational responsibilities and the day-to-day management of both resorts. He will also be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to build on the current offering and guest experiences at the award-wining JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort.
“JA Resorts and Hotels commitment to delivering ‘heartfelt hospitality’ and ‘casual luxury’ to its guests as well as bringing in a vast range of unique experiences and offerings is why the brand continues to hold such a strong position in the hospitality sector. Having been part of the brand for many years, I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of the team at JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort and to drive the development of the property and further enhance its offerings,” Harley-Fleming was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Prior to joining JA Resorts and Hotels, Harley-Fleming held a number of roles with renowned hospitality companies, including, Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts and Radisson Blu in the UK and Thailand.
He joined JA Resorts and Hotels in 2007 as Corporate Food and Beverage Concept Director, overlooking the conceptual development of the food and beverage outlets within the group. Soon, he was promoted to a dual role as the General Manager of JA Oasis Beach Tower and JA Ocean View Hotel, having held the position of Resident Manager of JA Oasis Beach Tower and General Manager of Bateaux Dubai.
In 2014, Harley-Fleming became the General Manager of JA Manafaru, the brand’s second oversees property.
Under Harley-Fleming’s management, JA Manafaru has received numerous global awards, including being voted the 10th best hotel in the world in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2017. This ranking is determined by traveller’s comments worldwide, collated on an annual basis and the hallmarks of winners are remarkable service, quality and value.
The resort has been awarded the Best Resort in the Maldives by Maldives Resort Ranking, which represents overall happiness computed from guest reviews and other signals. It has also been recognised as the Best Resort in the Hotel and Resort category at the Seven Star Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards for the third year in a row, and as the Best Honeymoon Resort at the 2017 World Luxury Hotels Awards.
In addition, the resort’s Royal Island Suites have won the World Travel Awards for Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite and Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite for three consecutive years.
David Thomson, Chief Operating Officer at JA Resorts and Hotels, said: “William has been an integral part our team for more than 10 years and possesses a wealth of knowledge and understanding of our brand’s values and vision. The growing success at JA Manafaru under his leadership and his continuous commitment to strengthening the brand’s portfolio is a testament to bringing him on board to further develop and enhance our flagship property and Dubai’s only true resort, JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort.”
Accessible via a 75-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport or by a 45-minute domestic flight to Hanimaadhoo Airport followed by a 35-minute luxury speedboat transfer, JA Manafaru is a peaceful haven situated in the northernmost atoll of Haa Alif, where world-class service is delivered amidst dazzling turquoise waters, white sand beaches, distinct Maldivian architecture and lush vegetation.
A total of 83 villas and suites, each with their own private plunge pool are dotted throughout the spacious island. Additionally, find island bliss with over eight spa treatment rooms at the award-winning Calm Spa, gourmet galore at one of seven restaurants and create lasting memories with water sports such as scuba diving, jet skiing and kayaking.
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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