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Soneva, The Ultimate Library to donate 100 books to local schools
Soneva and its partner Ultimate Library has announced the donation of a collection of 100 educational books and classic children’s literature to the Baa Atoll Education Centre and the Bahiyya Pre-School, in celebration of World Book Day.
On World Book Day, which is celebrated on March 7, Soneva Fushi’s Barefoot Bookseller will travel across the sea from the resort, in a boat full of books to Eydhafushi, the capital of the Baa atoll, to celebrate the event with local students and teachers. There will be games, literary workshops, guided reading, and much more as the Barefoot Bookseller installs the selected books, chosen and donated by Ultimate Library.
The collection of books going to Eydhafushi includes these titles: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl), Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll), Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 1 (Jeff Kinney), A Monster Calls (Patrick Ness), The Wreck of Zanzibar (Michael Morpurgo), Why the Whales Came (Michael Morpurgo), Sky Song (Abi Elphinstone), Cogheart (Peter Bunzl), Treasure Island (Louis Stevenson Robert), and The 13-Storey Treehouse (Andy Griffiths).
The donation is made under The Blackwell Community Libraries Project, which gives hotels the opportunity to nominate their chosen school, community centre or local library for Ultimate Library to donate 100 children’s books tailored to their needs.
Ultimate Library provides bespoke book collections and libraries for hotels, resorts, private residences, and retail spaces. Their personalised curating process takes care of every aspect from the design, supply, and installation. Each book collection is designed to inspire, educate and entertain, tailored to the property’s location and client interests. Ultimate Library believes that books add warmth, texture and soul to any project.
Through Ultimate Library, Soneva Fushi now has its own Barefoot Bookseller on the island who oversees the book collection. The Bookseller also provides a range of experiences for guests centred around literature. These include Creative Writing Classes; Bibliotherapy, where guests are introduced to books that expand their reading horizons; Academic Tutoring for ages 9-18; and The Barefoot Bookseller’s Literary Lecture, a presentation on the philosophy of fiction, imagination and artistic empathy which comes with a complimentary drink.
In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.
Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.
Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options. In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.
If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. No pretensions either.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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