Featured
Six Senses Laamu formalises partnership with Olive Ridley Project
Six Senses Laamu has established an official partnership with Olive Ridley Project.
Although Six Senses Laamu has been working together with the Olive Ridley Project since 2016, the official partnership allows the resort to achieve its objective of creating a sanctuary for turtles in Laamu atoll.
As part of the partnership, research on feeding in sea grass habitats and nesting in beach habitats on Six Senses Laamu and surrounding islands will complement the existing photo identification work. Sea turtle biologist Nina Rothe will be based at the resort to facilitate guest interaction with Six Senses’ resident Green and Hawksbill turtles, both of which are on the endangered species list. Kid’s activities and evening presentations at the resort will inform guests about sea turtle biology, the critical role they play in coral reef ecosystems and the threats they face.
Six Senses Laamu is located on Olhuveli island in Laamu atoll, a nesting beach for Green Turtles. In 2017, the resort hosted eight turtle nests and welcomed over 500 hatchlings into the world. The 2018 nesting season has begun with three nests in the last month and it is expected to welcome its first hatchlings in mid-June 2018.
“We are thrilled to formalise the already beneficial relationship we have with Olive Ridley Project and welcome Nina to the team. The great work in sea turtle conservation and plastic pollution they do across the Maldives will be central to achieving our conservation objectives in the Laamu atoll,” General Manager Marteyne van Well was quoted in a statement, as saying.
The Olive Ridley Project is a UK registered charity with the mission of protecting all species of sea turtles, including the Olive Ridley sea turtle for which the organisation is named. Olive Ridley sea turtles are rarely seen in Maldives and most encounters occur when they are unfortunately trapped in discarded ghost nets drifting into the country’s waters by ocean currents. The Olive Ridley Project’s important work involves removing ghost nets and other marine debris from the sea, rescuing and rehabilitating injured sea turtles and raising awareness about the dangers of ocean pollution to the livelihood of sea turtles.
AN Olive Ridley sea turtle trapped in a ghost net. PHOTO/ MARTIN STELFOX
The Olive Ridley Project’s national database consists of over 3,000 individual turtles and Six Senses Laamu’s marine biologists have been contributing photo IDs from Laamu atoll since 2016, while simultaneously building their own database of about 350 individuals. The aim is to study the turtles’ population and reef residency patterns in order to inform significant conservation objectives. Six Senses Laamu also contributes data on the ghost nets found, which the Olive Ridley Project uses to determine the origin of the nets, educate people on the dangers of ghost nets and the importance of preventing them, as well as inform policymakers on net design that is least likely to cause entanglement.
“We are excited to partner with Six Senses Laamu as we continue our charitable aims of rescuing sea turtles, combating plastic pollution and raising awareness,” Martin Stelfox, Founder and CEO of the Olive Ridley Project, said.
Six Senses Laamu is the only resort located in the Laamu atoll, which lies in the southern part of the Maldives. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the resort prides itself on its commitment to sustainable operations and development as outlined by Agenda 21 and Green Globe Benchmarking.
At Six Senses Laamu, most of the villas and facilities are built overwater. However, beach villas and on-land dining is an option. All villas offer a sense of privacy and seclusion, with an amazing view to the Ocean and Maldivian nature.
Six Senses Laamu offers a wide range of dining options, with cuisines from around the world, a swimming pool with a sunken bar, an ice cream parlour, an overwater wine cellar and a signature Chill bar. Many activities, excursions and options are available for everyone to enjoy, both overwater and underwater, in addition to the Six Senses Spa.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has won three awards at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, with Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives receiving recognition across three categories.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives secured Gold in the Leading Surf Resort category for the eighth time and fourth consecutive year, while Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives retained Gold in the Leading Beach Resort category for the second consecutive year. Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives also received Silver in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category.
The 10th edition of SATA was held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé on 8 October 2026, recognising achievements across South Asia’s tourism and hospitality industry, including guest experiences, industry leadership and responsible tourism.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is home to the Pasta Point surf break, which attracts surfers from around the world. The resort’s eighth Gold award in the Leading Surf Resort category reflects its position among the Maldives’ surfing destinations. In addition to surfing, the resort offers water sports, wellness activities and other guest experiences.
“We remain committed to delivering memorable surf experiences and holidays in the Maldives,” said Marlon Robert, General Manager of Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives.
Robert also acknowledged the continued support of guests, the international surfing community and the resort team in securing the recognition.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives received its second consecutive Gold award as Leading Beach Resort in recognition of its island setting, which features sandy beaches, a lagoon and a selection of beachfront and overwater accommodation. The resort also offers dining, wellness and recreational activities, providing guests with opportunities to explore the surrounding marine environment.
The resort’s Silver award in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category recognised its efforts to provide dive education and career development opportunities for young people from neighbouring island communities.
Implemented in partnership with Dive & Sail, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, the six-day programme enabled nine students aged between 16 and 18 from schools in Keyodhoo and Felidhoo to obtain PADI Open Water Diver certification.
The programme combined theoretical lessons, practical training and supervised dives to promote safe diving practices and reef conservation. It also introduced participants to potential career opportunities in marine tourism.
“These accolades reflect the dedication of our teams and the continued support of our guests, whose trust inspires us to keep raising the standard of our experiences,” said Sanjeeva Perera, Area General Manager, Cinnamon Maldives Resorts.
The three awards recognise the tourism experiences offered by Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, as well as Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ initiatives in environmental awareness and community engagement across its Maldives properties.
ELE|NA has been named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the Maldives-based wellness brand’s contributions to the hospitality and wellness industry across the region.
The recognition comes as wellness continues to become an integral part of luxury hospitality, with ELE|NA working alongside resort partners to develop and operate wellness facilities that combine therapeutic experiences, trained professionals and operational expertise.
Guided by its Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, ELE|NA incorporates wellness into different aspects of the guest experience. Its six Pillars of Vitality – TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight – encompass therapeutic treatments, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, restorative sleep and nutrition. The framework allows individual resorts to develop wellness programmes tailored to their locations and guest preferences.
In addition to providing wellness experiences, ELE|NA works with hospitality partners on concept development, spa operations, therapist training and service delivery. Its operational model combines the individual characteristics of each resort with standardised systems and procedures aimed at maintaining service consistency across its properties.
Sustainability also forms part of the brand’s operations. All ELE|NA properties in the Maldives have received Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation, recognising their approach to responsible spa operations, environmental management and community wellbeing.
The brand also invests in professional development through the ELE|NA Wellness Academy, which provides training programmes for therapists and wellness professionals. The academy combines traditional therapeutic practices, practical training and contemporary wellness knowledge to support professional development and strengthen service standards across the industry.
The recognition at SATA 2026 comes as ELE|NA continues to expand its operations beyond the Maldives, extending its wellness concepts and services into India, Nepal and other emerging hospitality destinations.
With wellness increasingly influencing travellers’ accommodation choices and holiday experiences, ELE|NA continues to focus on integrating wellness services into resort operations while supporting the development of trained professionals and sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.
Milaidhoo Maldives is set to welcome award-winning chef James Knight-Paccheco, widely known as Chef JKP, on 11 and 12 December 2026 for two culinary events focusing on cooking techniques, culinary experiences and the exploration of new flavours.
On 11 December, Chef JKP will conduct a culinary workshop, offering guests the opportunity to cook alongside him, learn professional techniques and exchange ideas in the kitchen. The following evening, he will host a wine-pairing dinner featuring dishes prepared in his signature style, accompanied by wines selected by the resort’s resident sommelier to complement each course.
With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Chef JKP has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and restaurant projects across the UK and the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside renowned chefs including Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines. He is also the creator and host of The Chef JKP Podcast, which has recorded more than 6.5 million downloads.
At Milaidhoo Maldives, the culinary experience draws inspiration from the island’s surroundings, Maldivian flavours and traditional cooking methods, combined with international influences introduced by the resort’s team of chefs. This approach encourages the exchange of culinary knowledge and techniques, allowing guests to explore local dishes, learn new cooking methods and engage with the chefs responsible for their dining experiences.
Located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo offers a setting where dining experiences focus on personalised service and interaction between guests and culinary professionals. Chef JKP’s visit is intended to provide guests with opportunities to engage directly with the visiting chef, gain insights into his approach to cooking and experience his culinary creations.
The culinary workshop will take place on 11 December 2026, followed by the wine-pairing dinner on 12 December 2026.
-
News1 week agoWomen’s football stars Lucy Bronze, Ona Batlle join Kandima Maldives festive line-up
-
Awards1 week agoCondé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts
-
Awards1 week agoJOALI Maldives named Indian Ocean’s best resort as Maldives claims 20 of top 25
-
News1 week agoVietjet to connect Maldives and Vietnam with new service via Sri Lanka
-
Awards1 week agoKandooma Maldives wins Leading Family Resort award at SATA 2026
-
Action1 week agoMachchafushi Maldives brings Nikon photographers to South Ari Marine Protected Area
-
News1 week agoMilaidhoo Maldives named among Indian Ocean’s top resorts in 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards
-
Awards1 week agoJA Manafaru earns place in 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection