Connect with us

Featured

General Managers appointed for SAii Lagoon, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives

Published

on

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

Reethi Faru Resort reveals festive line-up of dining, entertainment and island experiences

Published

on

Reethi Faru Resort has welcomed the festive season with its annual Fruit Mixing Ceremony, marking the beginning of a programme of celebrations, activities and experiences for guests visiting the resort during the Christmas and New Year period.

The resort has prepared a series of festive events and activities catering to guests of different ages and interests. Families will have the opportunity to participate in Christmas tree decorating, creative workshops and gingerbread house making, while couples can enjoy evening walks along beaches decorated with festive lights.

The festive programme will include a Christmas dinner and a New Year’s Eve gala, followed by a DJ party to welcome 2027. Guests will also be able to participate in coral planting activities alongside a marine biologist, providing an opportunity to learn about the island’s marine ecosystem and contribute to conservation efforts.

For guests seeking relaxation, the resort will offer yoga sessions and spa treatments, while those interested in outdoor activities can participate in water sports, island excursions, sports challenges and PADI diving experiences conducted by certified instructors.

Other events scheduled during the festive period include Reethi Faru Resort’s anniversary celebration, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the arrival of Santa Claus. The programme will also feature live music, Maldivian cultural performances, outdoor movie nights and a selection of dining experiences.

According to the resort, the festive programme has been designed to bring together traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations with activities that highlight the Maldives’ natural environment and cultural heritage.

Through its combination of festive events, recreational activities, marine conservation initiatives and dining experiences, Reethi Faru Resort aims to provide guests with opportunities to celebrate the holiday season while experiencing island life in the Maldives.

Continue Reading

Awards

Condé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts

Published

on

.Here Baa Atoll, a private island retreat in the Maldives, has been named the No. 6 Resort in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts, destinations, airlines and other travel experiences based on votes submitted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

The recognition places .Here Baa Atoll among the highest-ranked resorts in the Indian Ocean and comes during a milestone year for the property.

Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences spread across two natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere.

Somewhere features seven three- and four-bedroom residences extending from the beach towards the lagoon and designed for families and groups travelling together. Each residence offers indoor and outdoor living spaces, multiple pools, private dining and personalised Roohu service. Guests are transferred directly to their residence by private speedboat, avoiding a conventional lobby and check-in process.

Condé Nast Traveler has previously highlighted the resort for its emphasis on privacy, its beach-to-lagoon residences and its discreet approach to luxury.

The resort experience also includes Nowhere Private Island, which is reserved exclusively for a single group at a time. The island features a five-bedroom Presidential Residence and a three-bedroom Lagoon Residence, providing eight bedrooms and 3,329 square metres of private living space, supported by dedicated service and individually curated experiences.

The Readers’ Choice Award follows several other recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll during 2026. The resort was included in the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026, with the publication highlighting its residences and design. It has also received international recognition for its architecture and design, alongside creative collaborators Kulör Group, Muza Lab and Topo Design Studio.

Elina Adiyan, Resident Manager of .Here Baa Atoll, said: “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler so early in our journey is incredibly meaningful. .Here was created around a simple idea: to give guests extraordinary space, genuine privacy and the freedom to experience the Maldives entirely on their own terms. This recognition belongs equally to our team, whose care and dedication bring that vision to life every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us.”

The latest recognition adds to .Here Baa Atoll’s growing international profile within the luxury travel sector, with the resort positioning privacy, spacious accommodation, design and personalised service at the centre of its guest experience.

Continue Reading

Awards

Reethi Faru Resort celebrates culinary team’s success at Hotel Asia and FHAM

Published

on

Reethi Faru Resort has announced three medal wins by members of its culinary team at the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge and the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge.

At the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Chef Rohit Kabdal received a Gold Medal in the Decorated Cake category, recognising his work in cake design, presentation and technical execution.

Chef Abhishek Sharma also represented Reethi Faru Resort at the competition, earning a Bronze Medal in the Hot Cooking Fish category.

At the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge, Chef Mayank Bijalwan secured a Silver Medal in the Dress the Cake category, adding a third medal to the resort’s recent culinary achievements.

The results highlight the range of skills within Reethi Faru Resort’s culinary team, spanning pastry, cake presentation and hot kitchen techniques.

According to the resort, participation in professional culinary competitions provides its chefs with opportunities to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and test their abilities alongside other industry professionals.

The achievements also form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s wider focus on dining and guest experience, with its culinary team involved across the resort’s restaurants and food and beverage offerings.

Reethi Faru Resort congratulated Kabdal, Bijalwan and Sharma on their respective achievements, describing the results as recognition of their commitment, technical ability and creativity.

The three medals add to the resort’s recent culinary accolades and reflect its continued emphasis on professional development within its kitchen team.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.