Featured
SAii Lagoon Maldives appoints Ibrahim Inaz as Resort Manager
SAii Lagoon Maldives, the first Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in Maldives, has appointed Ibrahim Inaz as its Resort Manager.
Prior to joining SAii Lagoon Maldives, Inaz had served as the Director of Operations at the iconic Huvafen Fushi Maldives resort.
Inaz brings almost a decade of hospitality expertise, having worked with leading international hotel chains, including Hilton, One&Only and Four Seasons. He has also worked with popular local hotel groups such as Universal Resorts, which owns and operates one of the largest resort collections in the Maldives, and The Small Maldives Island Co., which manages the trendsetting Amilla Fushi and Finolhu Maldives resort.
A CIMA certified accountant, Inaz holds an ABE Diploma in Business Management.
Slated to open in June 2019, SAii Lagoon Maldives is a 198-room luxury resort located in Emboodhoo Lagoon – an enchanting natural wonder surrounded by white sands and cerulean seas. The resort will be 15 minutes by speedboat from Velena International Airport and offers easy access to CROSSROADS, the first and largest integrated tourist destination in the Maldives developed by leading Thai developer Singha Estate.
SAii Lagoon Maldives will offer modern travellers a private sanctuary enhanced by creative art and design, artisanal cuisine, a soundtrack of curated music and heart-made hospitality.
The modern resort will feature spacious deluxe rooms, beach villas and overwater villas with inspired tropical designs created by acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, who has conceptualised some of the world’s most iconic hotels, resorts and spas such as The Royal Istana, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, St. Regis Resort, Bali and the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Bangkok.
All accommodations come with artisanal furnishings, outdoor decking as well as playful family elements, such as handcrafted puzzles and ‘creature comfort’ pillows – complemented by comfortable social spaces, quality restaurants and access to the super-hip beach club brand, Café del Mar.
Managed by Singha Estate’s hospitality arm S Hotels & Resorts under a franchise agreement with Hilton, SAii Lagoon Maldives is part of CROSSROADS, the first and largest integrated tourist destination in the Maldives.
CROSSROADS spans nine islands in the Emboodhoo Lagoon and will have a plethora of dining, retail, entertainment, recreational and leisure-lifestyle offerings, including a 50-berth marina. In addition to the Curio Collection resort, CROSSROADS will be home to Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and Hard Rock Cafe Maldives — the first development in the Maldives by world-class entertainment and lifestyle brand Hard Rock International.
Awards
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo wins triple honours at World Luxury Awards 2025
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort has received three titles at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, named Luxury Adults Only Resort, Luxury Island Resort, and Luxury Cultural Resort in the Indian Ocean.
The awards highlight the brand’s focus on locally rooted hospitality, with stays shaped by place, service and community. The resort presents Maldivian culture through curated experiences, pairing contemporary comforts with island traditions.
Positioned as an adults-only retreat, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo integrates culinary influences and cultural programming to offer guests a stay informed by the rhythm of local life and delivered with consistent service standards.
“These awards are a true reflection of our team’s passion for creating experiences that feel both local and memorable. Every detail, from the design to the service, is guided by the authenticity that defines Mercure. We are grateful to our guests for being part of this journey,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, honouring properties that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and celebrate diversity across the travel sector.
Awards
Hat-trick for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa at 2025 World Luxury Awards
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has received three honours at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, securing titles for Best Luxury All-Inclusive Hotel, Best Luxury Wellness Hotel, and Best Luxury Family Hotel in the Indian Ocean.
The awards underscore the resort’s approach to experience-led hospitality, combining design, wellbeing and guest engagement. The recognition also reflects Pullman’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity and sustainability, which sit at the centre of the brand’s strategy.
Since opening, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has developed an all-inclusive offering that brings together adventure, wellness and a close connection to the natural environment. Its portfolio includes an underwater villa, wellness concepts and family-oriented experiences.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition at the 2025 World Luxury Awards. These awards celebrate the heart of what we do—creating inspiring moments for every guest, whether they come to reconnect, recharge, or simply play. This achievement belongs to our incredible team, whose passion and dedication make Pullman Maldives Maamutaa what it is today,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, highlighting hotels that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and demonstrate innovation in service and design.
Featured
Halloween at Sun Siyam Iru Veli turns fantasy, not fright
Sun Siyam Iru Veli marked Halloween with a one-day island celebration, “Whimsy Over Wicked,” reimagining the tradition of fright as a fairytale of fantasy on 31 October. The programme invited guests of all ages to immerse themselves in themed workshops, entertainment, and dining experiences designed to encourage creativity and the joy of make-believe.
At the Turtle Kidz Club, children joined a full-house Pumpkin Workshop, decorating pumpkins with gemstones, bright colours, and playful patterns. As the sun set over Fresh Water Beach, the festivities shifted to a Masquerade Evening, where guests enjoyed island beats and signature cocktails and mocktails against a golden horizon. The celebration continued at Turtle Beach with a Beach BBQ Dinner, presenting a Halloween-inspired menu in a storybook setting with live music by the sea.
The night concluded with a private “Cinema Under the Stars” screening, offering an open-air experience that captured the spirit of the occasion.
Through “Whimsy Over Wicked,” Sun Siyam Iru Veli highlighted creativity, connection, and the island’s natural setting. Guests departed with memories shaped by laughter, imagination, and a shared celebration under the Maldivian night sky.
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