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
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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