Featured
Atmosphere Hotels appoints Simmi Pai as Vice President of Sales
Indian Ocean hospitality brand Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts has appointed Simmi Pai as its Vice President of Sales, as well as the Director of Sales and Marketing for its flagship resort, OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo.
Simmi joins Atmosphere Hotels from AccorHotels, where she had served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for its Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi resort.
Hailing from the Maldives’ closest neighbour India, Simmi has been living in the Maldives for over a decade. An Indian Ocean expert and destination specialist, she brings over 14 years of extensive experience in sales, marketing and revenue management. She has led the commercial teams of some of the leading luxury resorts in the Maldives, including Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives, Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa Maldives, and Jumeirah Vittaveli.
Simmi holds a dual degree in Hotel and Hospitality Management from the Institute of Hotel Management Hyderabad and IGNOU University in India.
Since the inception of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts in 2013, the award-winning Indian Ocean hospitality brand has been rapidly expanding within different market segments: the four-star OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli, entry-level five-star Atmosphere Kanifushi, the luxury all-inclusive OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, and the four-star deluxe OBLU Select at Sangeli.
The fast-growing hospitality brand is gearing up for the October 2019 opening of its fifth resort in Maldives, VARU by Atmosphere, and four more properties that are set to open between 2020 and 2021.
Opening in 2020, OBLU X in the Male Atoll will be the largest of all Atmosphere properties, with 350 villas and suites. This three-star property will have a contemporary approach and positioning, bringing Atmosphere’s high levels of service and experiences to the three-star segment like never before.
A second four-star OBLU property with 220 villas and suites will open in 2020 in the hugely popular Baa atoll, incorporating contrasting elements of nature and a cast-away theme.
Meanwhile, Atmosphere will take its OZEN brand to Sri Lanka with the opening of OZEN by Atmosphere at Tangalle in 2021. Also coming in 2021 is OBLU Select at Tangalle – with 118 rooms and suites – offering its premium all-inclusive holiday plan, The Serenity Plan.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
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.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
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.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
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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