Connect with us

Action

Michaelangelo Produces W Hotels’ Seventh Edition of Music CD

Published

on

Maldives Promotion House – Renowned international music expert Michaelangelo L’Acqua as first ever Global Music Director and strategic advisor for the W brand, has strengthened W Hotels’ presence within the music community in new and exciting ways, including producing the seventh edition of W Hotels CD, attracting partnerships within the music industry, and identifying ways to further integrate music into the W guest experience globally.

For more than 10 years, with the opening of the first W Hotel in New York City in 1998, W has continually broken new ground through innovative and first-of-their-kind music programs and partnerships. As W Hotels continues to grow globally, more than doubling its current portfolio of 33 hotels by 2011, the contemporary lifestyle brand has engaged L’Acqua to ensure this passion for entertainment is integrated in authentic and original ways, positively impacting the guest experience in its hotels worldwide.

“Like fashion, which is also a passion of the W brand, music is a global language that is always evolving and reinventing itself,” Global Brand Leader of W Hotels Worldwide and Le Meridien, Eva Ziegler said. “This helps us connect to our loyal jet setting guests, who are always looking out for what’s next and what’s new, and Michaelangelo, who shares both of these passions with us, is the perfect fit to help us globally attract and implement music into our hotels in a credible way and engage guests and locals alike.”

Since being discovered by Tom Ford and brought on as the Music Director of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent in 1999, Michaelangelo L’Acqua, who holds a prestigious music degree from The New School Jazz & Contemporary Music Program, has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion, producing over 150 fashion shows in Paris, Milan, Berlin and New York for the likes of Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, John Varvatos, Jil Sander, Chanel, and Diane von Furstenberg.

As a recording artist working under the name “Onda,” L’Acqua has scored and licensed music for nearly 200 commercials, including campaigns for Revlon, Cotton Inc., and Old Navy. He also served as a producer on The Isley Brothers’ “Taken To The Next Phase” remix project for Sony Music Entertainment’s Legacy Recordings.

L’Acqua recently executive produced a large scale concept record for EMI/Capitol Records, Re: Generations: the Nat King Cole Remix Project, bringing on board the talents of such artists as Cee-Lo, The Roots, will.i.am with Natalie Cole, TV On The Radio, and Brazilian Girls, among others. For this record, he also produced the “Brazilian Love Song” track, featuring Bebel Gilberto. Most recently, L’Acqua was tapped by fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld to produce Elle Germany’s 20th Anniversary event as well as Chanel’s runway show, both at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin.

With his ability to seamlessly meld the worlds of fashion and music, it is fitting that L’Acqua has made his debut as W’s Global Music Director during New York Fashion Week, where W Hotels is hosting its VIP Backstage Lounge for the 12th consecutive season. While the W VIP Lounge has always been a hotspot for celebrities and fashion’s elite throughout the week, L’Acqua is taking things up a notch by implementing new and exciting music programming in the stylish space.

In addition to personally DJing in the lounge, he is bringing in established and emerging artists for surprise performances in the Lounge while debuting tracks that he has hand-picked for the latest instalment of W Hotels’ signature CD, including a preview song by Bebel Gilberto.

“It is such an exciting time to join the W Hotels brand as they are expanding globally,” said L’Acqua. “While the music industry is trying to adapt to change and reconnect to its core audience, W is undertaking innovative ways to offer music to their guests as an integral part of their contemporary lifestyle. I am honoured to have been chosen as the Global Music Director to help execute W’s vision.”

W Hotels has long been an innovator in the world of music. The first hotel brand to produce a CD that captured the vibe of its public spaces, W Hotels’ released its sixth compilation in this exclusive series, The Sound of Wonderlust, in 2008. In partnership with MasterCard Worldwide and SONY MUSIC, W Hotels also sponsors Wonderlust Live, a groundbreaking platform offering W Hotel guests and loyalists exclusive insider access to a world of musical experiences through an exclusively curated series of live performances by award-winning and emerging artists, such as Natasha Bedingfeld, Gavin DeGraw, and Peter Bjorn and John.

Action

Sun Siyam Olhuveli invests in staff wellbeing with upgraded sports facilities

Published

on

Sun Siyam Olhuveli has unveiled newly upgraded volleyball and futsal grounds for team members, reaffirming its commitment to employee wellbeing while advancing responsible, future-focused operations. The renovated volleyball grounds were officially inaugurated on 14 February, while the upgraded futsal ground opened earlier this year—together creating dedicated spaces for recreation, connection, and healthy competition across the island.

Designed to encourage regular physical activity and camaraderie beyond the workplace, the improved sports facilities represent a thoughtful investment in social infrastructure. They reflect a belief that wellbeing is fundamental to long-term performance, nurturing morale, teamwork, and a strong sense of belonging among team members.

Alongside these developments, the resort has implemented NO BIN DAY every Tuesday, a practical initiative aimed at minimising food waste across operations. By encouraging mindful planning and responsible consumption, the initiative challenges teams to rethink habits around food—transforming sustainability into a shared, everyday discipline.

“Taking care of our people and the environment must go hand in hand. By investing in spaces that support our team’s wellbeing and introducing simple disciplines like NO BIN DAY, we are building a culture where responsibility is lived every day—naturally, collectively, and with purpose,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

Both initiatives form part of Sun Siyam Care, the group’s corporate social responsibility platform, and align with the Social Infrastructure and Responsible Consumption and Production pillars under the GDS framework. Together, they reflect a people-first approach to sustainability—where everyday actions create lasting impact for teams, operations, and the wider community.

Sun Siyam Care is committed to creating a positive impact for people, communities, and the environment through responsible operations, social investment, and long-term sustainability actions across its destinations in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Guests are encouraged to learn more about these initiatives by visiting the Sun Siyam Care website at sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-care.

Continue Reading

Action

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon celebrates sixth anniversary of Reefscapers collaboration

Published

on

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa marks the sixth anniversary of its partnership with Reefscapers on February 19, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to protecting and restoring the Maldives’ fragile reef ecosystems. Since launching the partnership in 2020, the resort and Reefscapers have worked together to restore coral habitats, support marine biodiversity, and engage guests in meaningful conservation experiences. The milestone also marks one year since the successful relocation of approximately five tons of coral to the resort’s house reefs — one of the partnership’s most significant conservation initiatives.

Over the past six years, the partnership has become a defining pillar of the resort’s sustainability journey, blending scientific restoration with purposeful guest engagement. To date, the initiative has resulted in the planting of 898 coral frames, supporting approximately 33,000 coral colonies now growing across the restoration sites. Through coral propagation, reef monitoring, and awareness programmes, these efforts continue to regenerate reef structures while deepening understanding of the essential role coral ecosystems play in sustaining marine life and protecting coastlines. Each thriving coral frame reflects a shared dedication to preserving the natural wonders that make the Maldives one of the world’s most extraordinary marine destinations.

“What makes this partnership special is seeing how small, consistent actions turn into real change underwater. Watching the relocated corals settle, survive, and begin to grow over the past year has been incredibly rewarding for us and the guests who return and witness how they’ve helped restore a living reef,” shares Katelyn, the resort’s Marine Biologist.

A defining achievement of the collaboration has been the coral relocation project, which carefully transferred coral colonies from Ras Malé, also known as the Maldives Eco City, to the resort’s dedicated restoration site, safeguarding them from potential threats linked to land reclamation activities in the Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon. One year on, these corals continue to flourish beneath the surface, strengthening reef resilience and contributing to the long-term health of the surrounding ecosystem.

At the heart of the partnership lies the resort’s Adopt a Coral programme, part of the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy initiative, which encourages guests to travel with intention through meaningful environmental experiences. Through this hands-on activity, visitors can adopt and name a coral frame while learning directly from marine experts about coral ecology and the importance of protecting marine habitats.

To deepen this connection beyond the stay, guests receive growth updates on their adopted corals every six months, allowing them to follow the progress of their living contribution to the reef. As these corals grow over time, they become enduring symbols of renewal and shared responsibility, transforming a holiday memory into a lasting environmental legacy, and reflecting how travel can positively support local ecosystems and communities.

“Our island is surrounded by a remarkable marine environment, and protecting it is a responsibility we take seriously. Our partnership with Reefscapers reflects our belief that hospitality should go hand in hand with stewardship. Seeing the reef restoration progress over the past six years, and the involvement of our guests and associates in that journey, makes this anniversary especially meaningful for all of us,” comments Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

Through its continued collaboration with Reefscapers, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa remains dedicated to advancing marine conservation while creating purposeful guest experiences rooted in sustainability, education, and connection to nature.

To discover more about the resort’s sustainability initiatives, join the Adopt a Coral programme, or plan a stay that supports reef conservation, visit sheratonmaldives.com or contact the reservations team at Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com.

Continue Reading

Action

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveils expanded marine excursion portfolio

Published

on

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, has introduced an expanded portfolio of water-based experiences designed to showcase the natural environment and marine life of the surrounding atolls. The enhanced programme combines exploration, activity and moments of calm, offering guests new ways to experience the Maldives through curated ocean journeys and personalised excursions.

Building on established activities such as Jet Car rides, SeaBob adventures and windsurfing, the resort has expanded its watersports offering to include private speedboat journeys and bespoke marine experiences. These additions are tailored for small groups seeking intimate and meaningful encounters with the ocean.

Available daily from the resort’s Watersports Centre, the new private speedboat excursions provide a personalised way to explore the hidden marine sites of Dhaalu Atoll. Designed for one to four guests, each journey offers flexibility and individual attention. Guests may choose from four-hour, five-hour or full-day itineraries, all of which include a freshly prepared barbecue lunch. From coral gardens to secluded sandbanks, the excursions highlight the region’s diverse marine landscapes.

The programme’s centrepiece is the Full Day Adventure Trip, which offers an extended exploration of key marine locations. Highlights include the Coral Garden, known for its biodiversity and reef formations; Turtle Point, where sea turtles are frequently sighted; and Nurse Shark Point, which provides opportunities to observe nurse sharks in their natural environment. The experience concludes with a beachside lunch on a private sandbank, set against uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

For guests seeking a balance between activity and relaxation, the Waves of Adventure and Calmness experience combines a private two-hour snorkelling safari or Jet Ski safari with a full-body massage at the resort. The programme is designed to transition smoothly from ocean exploration to restorative island time, reflecting the relaxed pace that characterises Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

As part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef continues to focus on personalised service and experiences rooted in the natural setting of the Maldives. Through its expanded watersports offering, the resort invites guests to engage with the marine environment while enjoying a sense of privacy, discovery and connection to the Maldivian seascape.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.