Featured
Soneva to launch private luxury seaplane in Maldives
Soneva has announced that it will soon be unveiling its new 10-seater luxury seaplane in the Maldives.
The DHC-6 Twin Otter, which normally seats 19, has been overhauled by the IKHANA Group in Canada, custom-painted with Soneva’s branding in a rich purple on the exterior, and outfitted with new chrome and purple leather interiors.

The aircraft has been customised to meet Soneva’s luxury brand standards, with interior panels designed to provide a smoother, cleaner look than the typical commuter aircraft interior. The seats have been reupholstered using Elmosoft leather in Soneva purple with a floor covering that mimics slate. The aircraft has 10 VIP seats (eight front-facing and two rear-facing), with two additional fold-down seats and two pilot seats. There are also signature Soneva design touches on-board, such as handcrafted lighting.
Twin Otter planes have short take-off and landing (STOL) abilities, which makes them ideal float planes as they lift off the water faster. DHC-6 Twin Otters have an average range of 886 miles, a top speed of 184 miles per hour, a cruise speed of 173 miles per hour and a wingspan of 66 feet.
This model of aircraft’s fixed tricycle undercarriage, safety record, twin turboprop engines and high climb rate have made it a successful commuter passenger airliner as well as a cargo and medevac aircraft. The Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations, and is used by the US Army Parachute Team and the US Air Force’s 98th Flying Training Squadron.
Soneva’s plane is currently en route from Canada across Greenland to Iceland in one hop, then through Europe and the Middle East, before landing in the Maldives.
The new plane, which will be in operation by mid-December, will transport Soneva guests roundtrip from Velana International Airport to Soneva Fushi in Baa atoll and Soneva Jani in the Noonu atoll. The cost of the roundtrip seaplane transfer will be USD 1,100 return from Male to Soneva Fushi or Soneva Jani.

Aerial view of Soneva Jani, the newest property of Soneva. PHOTO/ SONEVA
Soneva runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.
Established in 1995, Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 65 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden amongst dense foliage.
The iconic resort has bagged several international awards for eco-friendly tourism and green initiatives, including the 2017 Green Hotelier Award for the Asia Pacific region and the Sustainable Hotel Award by the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) as well as a spot in the Gold List compiled by Condé Nast Traveler China as the Best Hotel in the Maldives and amongst the best resorts in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.
Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and its second resort in the Maldives.
Soneva Jani encompasses a collection of 24 overwater villas and one island villa set in a 5.6 kilometre private lagoon located in the northern Noonu atoll. The resort spans five islands surrounded by pure white beaches, covered in rich tropical vegetation, offering the ultimate in privacy and luxury.
Each of the resort’s multilevel water villas has its own private pool and a retractable roof that allows guests to sleep beneath the stars. Many villas also have slides that transport guests directly from the top level into the lagoon below. Other hotel highlights include a spa, an observatory — home to the largest telescope in the Indian Ocean — and an outdoor cinema.
Since its opening, Soneva Jani has created a lot of buzz amongst luxury travellers with its exciting features such as the retractable roofs and the water slides. It has been named the Best Over-the-Top Luxury hotel of the year by Jetsetter.com, the best new resort in the world by CNN, and the Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort in South Asia and Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort in Maldives.
Celebration
Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort awarded Green Globe certification
Reethi Faru Resort has received Green Globe certification, recognising its compliance with international standards for sustainable tourism.
The certification reflects the resort’s stated commitment to responsible hospitality, with a focus on environmental management, social responsibility and operational practices across the property.
Green Globe certification is awarded following an assessment based on established sustainability criteria and verified through independent third-party audits. The standard reviews performance in areas including environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation, community engagement and sustainable operations.
With the certification, Reethi Faru Resort joins a group of hospitality operators worldwide that have met Green Globe’s sustainability requirements and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improvement in tourism practices.
In a statement, the management of Reethi Faru Resort said the recognition reflects the resort’s continued focus on preserving the natural environment of the Maldives while maintaining the guest experience. The management added that sustainability forms part of the resort’s daily operations.
The Green Globe standard includes more than 40 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, providing a framework for assessing sustainability performance in the hospitality sector.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks loyalty week with member and staff recognition
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is marking IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, a group-wide initiative recognising IHG One Rewards members and the employees who contribute to guest experiences across the brand.
The observance will take place from 11 to 17 May 2026 and is aligned with IHG’s wider theme of “bringing loyalty to life”, focusing on guest recognition and service-led engagement.
As the Maldives’ first all-Club InterContinental resort, InterContinental Maldives is using the occasion to highlight its emphasis on personalised service and guest recognition. During the week, the resort will present a series of experiences and gestures intended to acknowledge IHG One Rewards members through tailored hospitality touches.
A central feature of the programme will be “Member Moments”, which are designed to reflect guest preferences, milestones and individual travel experiences. These will include personalised welcome arrangements, selected in-room amenities, culinary offerings and family-focused gestures.
The resort will also use the week to recognise its employees, whose service contributes to guest loyalty and repeat visits. Under its “Inspire Incredible” service culture, InterContinental Maldives will hold staff appreciation activities and internal recognition initiatives during the week.
Commenting on the occasion, General Manager Reinhold Johann said the initiative highlights the importance of making guests feel recognised and welcomed, while also acknowledging the role of employees in delivering those experiences.
Through IHG One Rewards, members have access to benefits and travel privileges across more than 6,800 hotels worldwide. At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, these benefits are integrated into the resort’s all-Club InterContinental offering, which combines personalised service with resort-based experiences in Raa Atoll.
Through its participation in IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is positioning guest recognition and service culture as key elements of its hospitality approach.
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