Featured
General Managers appointed for SAii Lagoon, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives

S Hotels & Resorts has appointed two highly-skilled and experienced general managers for its two upcoming resorts at CROSSROADS Maldives, the largest integrated tourism destination in the Maldives.
Swiss hospitality expert Martin van der Reijden, who also serves as Vice President of Operations for CROSSROADS Maldives, has been named as General Manager of SAii Lagoon Maldives, a lifestyle resort created for couples, families and friends in search of a playful destination getaway.
Martin brings 23 years of experience to SAii Lagoon Maldives, much of which has been spent with Hilton Worldwide, managing hotels in Europe and Asia Pacific. He has also spent time in the hotel design sector and has managed luxury resorts in the Maldives with Per Aquum and LUX* Resorts. Most recently, Martin was Director and General Manager of LUX* North Male Atoll.
Meanwhile, 22-year hotel industry veteran Tolga Unan has been appointed as General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, the first Maldivian outpost of the world-famous music-themed resort brand.
With two decades of experience, including spells with Disney, Club Med and Hilton in the US and Asia Pacific, Tolga has comprehensive knowledge of the hospitality industry. He joins Hard Rock Hotel Maldives after serving two years as Managing Director of Naked Retreats, an expanding eco-resort company based in Shanghai.
“CROSSROADS Maldives is not just another integrated resort; it is an extraordinary new development that will redefine hospitality in the Maldives and the entire Indian Ocean region. As such, we need general managers who can think outside the box and create unsurpassed guest experiences. Martin van der Reijden and Tolga Unan have that ability,” Dirk De Cuyper, Chief Hospitality Officer at S Hotels & Resorts, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to SAii Lagoon Maldives and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives later this year. While each resort will deliver very different and distinct experiences, they do have certain elements in common; both feature warm and inviting spaces where guests can unwind with outstanding dining, entertainment and activities. I look forward to working with Martin and Tolga as we embark on an exciting new era of hospitality in the Maldives.”
CROSSROADS, a deeply sustainable development owned by Thailand’s Singha Estate, will encompass nine idyllic islands fringing the Emboodhoo Lagoon in the South Male Atoll, three of which will be used as the first phase of the project encompassing two resorts and The Marina @CROSSROADS, an 800-metre lifestyle area and beach walk featuring retail, entertainment and dining outlets.
Phase one of the integrated resort will feature the two lifestyle hotels, SAii Lagoon Maldives and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, both of which have direct access to extensive facilities at The Marina @CROSSROADS. These include a 30-berth marina, the Junior Beach Club and Camp, the CROSSROADS Event Hall, Maldives Discovery Centre and Marine Discovery Centre – the project’s environmental and educational hub.
A Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, SAii Lagoon Maldives is an original and inspiring resort that will feature a series of rooms and villas, including overwater pool villas, plus world-class dining as well as access to extensive water sports, cultural activities and wellness at The Marina.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, meanwhile, will feature 178 rooms, suites and villas, plus family-friendly experiences and Hard Rock’s branded concepts, including a Hard Rock Cafe, Rock Spa, and two Rock Shops showcasing merchandise and music memorabilia.
Both world-class resorts are scheduled to welcome their first guests in summer 2019.
Photo: Tolga Unan (R) and Martin van der Reijden (L).
Featured
Barceló Nasandhura celebrates World Chocolate Day with sweet surprises in Malé

This July, Barceló Nasandhura is offering guests a taste of the sweeter side of life through a series of limited-time dessert experiences in the heart of Malé.
In celebration of World Chocolate Day, the hotel hosted a Chocolate Indulgence Station in the Nasandhura Lobby on 7th July. Held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the event featured handcrafted chocolate desserts and tastings led by Head Pastry Chef Mohammed, a certified Continental Judge in Pastry Arts. The occasion attracted a delightful mix of in-house guests and walk-in visitors, who also enjoyed a specially curated photo setup and the opportunity to purchase exclusive, limited-edition treats.
Additionally, from 4th to 7th July, a dedicated Chocolate Dessert Station was presented at the Oivaru dinner buffet, located on the hotel’s third floor, offering a decadent addition to the evening dining experience.
To conclude the month’s celebrations, guests will be able to enjoy a 10% discount on all ice creams at Alimas Coffee Lounge from 20th to 26th July. Featuring house-made flavours, this offering provides the ideal way to cool off and indulge during the warm island afternoons.
Featured
Dive into sustainable luxury at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Baa Atoll

Surrounded by flourishing reefs and pristine islands with the whitest of soft sands and crystal-clear waters, Coco Collection – a leading resort brand in the Maldives – invites guests to delve into the extraordinary underwater world of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.
Nestled within the crown jewel of the Maldives, the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is renowned for its commitment to everyday sustainability. Setting the standard for sustainable luxury, the resort has once again been recognised as the Maldives’ Leading Green Resort 2025, marking its third consecutive win at the prestigious World Travel Awards.
While the resort continues its efforts to protect and preserve a thriving marine ecosystem, it also encourages guests to immerse themselves in a range of signature marine experiences, all guided by resident Marine Educator Rosalie Bailie and supported by its long-standing partnership with the Olive Ridley Project.
The signature marine experiences include:
- Guided Snorkelling – Guests may explore the house reef or venture to nearby coral gardens with expert guides. These excursions cater to all skill levels and often include sightings of green sea turtles, parrotfish, and, depending on the season, manta rays and eagle rays. Guests may also encounter hawksbill turtles grazing on coral at nearby turtle points.
- Coral Planting & Restoration Workshop – Conscious travellers are invited to participate in meaningful conservation work through coral planting. With the guidance of the Marine Educator, guests can affix coral fragments onto reef frames which are then placed on the seabed, helping to regenerate damaged reefs and enhance marine biodiversity.
- Discover Scuba Diving – From beginners to advanced divers, the island provides access to over 30 dive sites across the region, led by certified PADI instructors. Guests may dive among coral pinnacles, explore historic wrecks, and visit iconic spots such as Hanifaru Bay, famous for sightings of manta rays and whale sharks.
- ORP Marine Turtle Rescue Centre Tour – Home to the Maldives’ first fully equipped, veterinary-run sea turtle rescue centre, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu offers guests the chance to engage with rescued turtles recovering from injuries or entanglements. Through this partnership with the Olive Ridley Project, guests can feed turtles, learn about conservation challenges, adopt a turtle, and contribute to protecting this endangered species.
- Night Snorkelling – For a truly unique underwater adventure, the resort offers night snorkelling excursions led by the Marine Educator. As the reef transforms after sunset, guests will discover a different side of marine life, spotting lionfish, resting parrotfish, and other nocturnal sea creatures illuminated by torchlight.
Located in one of the world’s most spectacular hubs of marine biodiversity, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu promises an unforgettable escape. With the Discover Coco offers, travellers can enjoy 35% savings on their villa stay, making it the perfect time to plan an extraordinary Maldivian getaway.
Featured
Timeless romance awaits at award-winning Coco Bodu Hithi

Nestled in the heart of the Malé Atoll, the Maldivian-owned resort Coco Bodu Hithi warmly welcomes couples to embrace romance and tranquillity this summer in one of the world’s most idyllic island getaways.
Far removed from the bustle of city life, Coco Bodu Hithi serves as a sanctuary where intimacy, nature, and luxury coexist in perfect harmony. Designed for couples in search of meaningful moments, the island offers a captivating escape – from peaceful barefoot strolls and shared experiences to thrilling adventures.
Recently named the Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort at the 2025 World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year, Coco Bodu Hithi artfully blends modern comforts with traditional Maldivian charm. The resort boasts 98 expansive villas, each offering direct access to either the beach or lagoon. Thoughtfully designed to ensure privacy and relaxation, every villa promises a sense of seclusion and serenity.
Amongst the resort’s most celebrated accommodations are the Beach Villa with Pool and the iconic Coco Residence, both of which offer sweeping, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. These settings provide a picture-perfect backdrop for couples to reconnect, with each moment shaped by a spirit of warm island hospitality that is both personal and unmistakably Maldivian.
Honoured as the Best Service Resort at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2025, Coco Bodu Hithi presents a carefully curated selection of personalised romantic experiences. Guests may begin the day with a floating breakfast in their private pool, enjoy a five-course candlelit dinner beneath the stars at Pergola, or embark on a serene sunset cruise – each moment tailored to celebrate connection in the most memorable ways.
Celebrated by Weddings & Honeymoons magazine as one of the Top 50 Honeymoon Resorts in the World, Coco Bodu Hithi offers an exquisite backdrop for couples to honour their love. The thoughtfully designed Forever Yours Package delivers a romantic destination wedding experience in the Maldives, with a dedicated team attending to every detail. The package seamlessly blends the island’s natural beauty with traditional elements, all personalised to reflect the couple’s unique story, style, and preferences.
With its heartfelt hospitality, refined elegance, and awe-inspiring surroundings, Coco Bodu Hithi offers the ideal setting to begin a new chapter of togetherness – a private Maldivian paradise where timeless romance truly comes to life.
-
Action6 days ago
Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah
-
Featured1 week ago
Dusit launches second Maldivian property with all-inclusive dusitD2 Feydhoo
-
Featured1 week ago
JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion
-
Featured1 week ago
Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours
-
Featured1 week ago
Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Game on! Kandima unveils Maldives’ most exciting all-ages entertainment hub
-
Featured1 week ago
Coco Collection secures multiple wins at World Travel Awards 2025
-
Cooking1 week ago
Savour July: Exceptional dining awaits at Barceló Nasandhura Male