Connect with us

Featured

Riu Hotels’ twin Maldives resorts open

Published

on

Riu Hotels & Resorts has opened its first properties in Maldives, Hotel Riu Atoll and Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas.

Tourism minister Ali Waheed inaugurated the resorts at a ceremony which took place at the resort on Friday. Environment minister Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan and housing minister Mohamed Aslam also attended the ceremony.

The two 24-hour all-inclusive hotels are located in Dhaalu atoll, a 40-minute flight from the main Velana International Airport plus a 10-minute speedboat ride.

The four-star Hotel Riu Atoll offers 264 villas, 36 of which are suites over the Indian Ocean. The rooms are equipped with all the best comforts such as a minibar, air conditioning, safe box and satellite TV.

Hotel Riu Atoll provides guests with a pool with swim-up bar and impressive views of the sea, and another pool for children. You can also head to the beach and relax in the sun lounger area or go diving to contemplate the underwater beauty of the island paradise.

Guests will enjoy authentic culinary experiences thanks to the delicious dishes prepared by the chefs. The main restaurant serves buffet breakfasts with live cooking stations, and the Italian and steakhouse restaurants offer à la carte dining that is sure to impress you. And if you like to savour an aperitif or soft drink after a relaxing dip or while watching a stunning sunset, you have the Lounge Bar and the Sports Bar, open 24 hours.

The relaxation that pervades the whole of the Maldives is completed by the spa in Hotel Riu Atoll. It offers guests an extensive menu of treatments so that you can find whatever appeals to you the most. Or, if you prefer holidays packed with activities, you have the chance to practice water sports like kayaking, paddle surfing and diving, as well as enjoying the entertainment programmes full of shows and live music. And the little ones in the family can enjoy RiuLand kids’ club, where they will find a heap of activities just for them.

Connected to Hotel Riu Atoll by a walkway surrounded by a lagoon, the five-star Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas offers 176 villas, 72 of which are overwater suites. The rooms — some of which has Junior Suites — are equipped with minibars, drinks dispensers, kettles, air conditioning and satellite tv, amongst many other facilities.

The pool at Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas is one of its most charming places, as it has stunning views of the sea with a swim-up bar and a chill-out zone. But, if you prefer the white sand and crystalline waters of your surroundings, the resort offers you direct access to the beach that fringes the island, so that you can relax on the sun loungers set up for you. Children staying in Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas can also make use of the children’s pool and the RiuLand kids’ club at the neighbouring Hotel Riu Atoll.

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas offers a range of cuisines that will surprise you. The main restaurant serves buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners with live cooking stations, whilst the Japanese and fusion cooking restaurants allow you to enjoy delicious à la carte dishes for dinner. You can also try the Italian restaurant and the steakhouse at Hotel Riu Atoll if you want to try something different.

Guests at Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas are recommended to take advantage of the Hotel Riu Atoll’s facilities to enjoy massages and beauty treatments in the spa, water sports such as diving, kayaking and paddle surf, and the entertainment programmes full of shows and live music.

Awards

Multiple SATA nominations for Lily Beach Resort & Spa and Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Published

on

Two renowned Maldivian resorts, Lily Beach Resort & Spa and Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, have been nominated across multiple categories at the 2025 South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), a prestigious recognition of excellence in hospitality and tourism across the region.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa has secured nominations in the following categories:

  • Leading All-Inclusive Resort
  • Leading Family Resort
  • Leading F&B Resort

These nominations highlight the resort’s sustained commitment to delivering high-quality hospitality, dining, and family-oriented experiences. As a trailblazer in all-inclusive luxury in the Maldives, Lily Beach offers a refined guest experience through its award-winning Platinum Plan, which includes à la carte dining, curated excursions, wellness services, and an extensive selection of premium wines—crafted to suit the needs of today’s discerning traveller.

Guests at Lily Beach can enjoy a variety of dining options across venues such as Tamarind, Lily Maa, Vibes, AQVA, Teppanyaki, and Les Turquoise d’Aqua. The resort’s wine list has been recognised with a Wine Spectator Award. This August, Lily Beach will host Michelin-starred Chef Igles Corelli for an exclusive ‘Flavour’ dining experience.

A preferred destination for families, the resort features a lively Kids’ Club, the Vibes Family Pool, and year-round entertainment suitable for all ages. A range of activities is available, including tennis, water sports, nightly shows, and treatments at the Tamara Spa. Located adjacent to the South Ari Marine Protected Area, the resort also offers extraordinary opportunities to swim with whale sharks and manta rays, as well as explore a vibrant 360° house reef.

The nominations reflect Lily Beach’s enduring focus on culinary distinction, family-friendly amenities, and meaningful island experiences.

Voting for Lily Beach Resort & Spa is open until 15th July 2025.

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, located in the remote and unspoilt Haa Alifu Atoll, has also earned nominations in three categories at SATA 2025:

  • Leading Beach Resort
  • Leading Wellness & Spa Hotel/Resort
  • Most Romantic Resort

Well known for its generous villa sizes and natural surroundings, the resort offers a private and tranquil setting ideal for couples, honeymooners, and families seeking relaxation away from busier destinations. Villas are set among dense tropical greenery and some of the Maldives’ most pristine beaches.

Guests can explore a diverse culinary offering across five restaurants, featuring beachfront fine dining and overwater options. With a focus on fresh seafood and international cuisine, each meal is enhanced by the island’s calm atmosphere and attentive service.

Hideaway is also one of the few natural islands in the Maldives with a double house reef, giving guests direct access to rich marine life from the shore. For those who enjoy staying active, the resort’s Recreation Centre includes tennis courts, a golf simulator, padel, pickleball, a putting green, indoor badminton, beach sports, a waterpark, and a gym.

The Hideaway Spa provides treatments based on Balinese and Ayurvedic traditions, delivered in a serene garden setting. Romantic beachfront dinners and private villa experiences further contribute to the resort’s reputation as a leading destination for couples.

With a focus on space, privacy, and personalised service, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers an experience rooted in the natural beauty of the Maldives, catering to both leisure and wellness seekers.

These nominations collectively reflect the commitment of both resorts to delivering exceptional hospitality, distinctive dining, and memorable stays in the Maldives.

Voting for Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is open until 15th July 2025.

Continue Reading

Featured

Villa Park named leading family resort in Maldives by Travel + Leisure

Published

on

Villa Park has been recognised as one of the Maldives’ top family resorts at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, reaffirming its reputation as a premier destination for families seeking meaningful island escapes. Located in the South Ari Atoll, the resort blends barefoot luxury with a range of immersive experiences tailored for guests of all ages.

The resort offers activities that span from encounters with whale sharks and manta rays to moments of relaxation on the island’s powder-soft beaches. Among its family-oriented facilities is Park Players, one of the Maldives’ largest kids clubs, designed to provide a creative, nature-based environment where children can play, learn, and explore. Meanwhile, parents can unwind at Araamu Spa or dine on sustainable, plant-based cuisine at Zero Restaurant.

Villa Park also features the widest selection of beach pool villas in the country, offering spacious and comfortable accommodations suited to multi-generational travellers. Sustainability is integrated across the guest experience, with initiatives such as solar-powered operations and farm-to-table dining underscoring the resort’s commitment to responsible hospitality.

This accolade from Travel + Leisure highlights Villa Park’s continued efforts to deliver high-quality, family-friendly holidays where nature, comfort, and lasting memories converge in one of the world’s most iconic island destinations.

Continue Reading

Featured

Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours

Published

on

Angsana Velavaru, part of the esteemed Banyan Group, has secured prestigious placements in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, ranking #8 for Best Resort Pool and #3 for Best General Manager in the Maldives. These accolades underscore the resort’s dedication to outstanding service, thoughtfully crafted accommodations, and guest-centric innovation.

Located in the unspoiled South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru features 113 villas—79 of which are equipped with private infinity pools. Among them are the celebrated Beach Villas and the signature InOcean Pool Villas, which extend elegantly over the lagoon’s turquoise expanse. Each villa is designed to offer a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, enabling guests to immerse themselves in nature with both privacy and style.

Central to the resort’s social ambiance is the Kuredhi Pool Bar, a lively and inviting venue that offers more than just refreshments. It serves as a communal hub where guests can enjoy curated experiences such as DJ nights, aqua aerobics, and wellness sessions. This programming reflects the resort’s vision of merging serenity with social vibrancy.

Spearheading this success is General Manager Ahmed Zahir, who was recognised as the #3 Best General Manager in the Maldives. Zahir’s inspiring career began three decades ago as a Laundry Supervisor and has since evolved into a historic milestone—becoming the first Maldivian General Manager within the Banyan Group. His leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of local culture, empathy, and hands-on experience across resort operations.

“This recognition is not only an honour—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come as a team and as an industry,” Zahir shared. “I’m proud to lead with values shaped by the Maldives itself: resilience, hospitality, and heart. At Angsana Velavaru, we aim to deliver something genuine and lasting—for our guests, our people, and our community.”

Under Zahir’s stewardship, Angsana Velavaru has fostered a culture rooted in authenticity, local empowerment, and purposeful guest engagement. The resort remains committed to evolving as a destination that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking experiences.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.