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Seaside Finolhu appoints Edyta Peszko as sales, marketing director
Seaside Finolhu, the newest addition to the German company Seaside Collection, has appointed Edyta Peszko as its Director of Sales and Marketing.
She will be responsible for leading and further improving all aspects of commercial, marketing and brand positioning of Seaside Finolhu.
Edyta joins Seaside Finolhu from Minor Hotels, where she held the position of Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing at Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Private Island Maldives. Prior to relocating to Maldives, Edyta held senior managerial positions in sales and marketing departments of Diethelm Travel Group, AccorHotels and Hotelbeds whilst being based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Originally from Poland, Edyta has been working in Asia for 18 years, and brings extensive experience in the international hospitality and travel sectors. Her passion and strength in driving sales, generating business leads, as well as developing and managing client relationships has been recognised by Corporate Maldives, landing her a spot in the Top 20 Most Influential Sales and Marketing Personalities in the Maldives last year.
“It is great to welcome Edyta to the growing Finolhu Family. Whilst she will oversee and direct all aspects of sales and marketing activities in the property, from planning to implementation, she will also be working closely with me in taking Seaside Finolhu to a global level,” Marc Reader, the General Manager at Seaside Finolhu, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Edyta possesses great leadership skills, strong dedication for excellence, and talent for developing teams to maximise their full potentials. Outside work, she enjoys yoga, travelling and trying new vegetarian restaurants.
Luxury hotel chain, Seaside Hotels, which now operates as Seaside Collection, has successfully acquired Finolhu, a luxury island resort in Baa atoll of the Maldives. Modern and fun, Finolhu is the hotel chain’s 11th boutique property and its first in the Maldives.
German sibling hoteliers, Gregor and Anouchka Gerlach, purchased the resort early this year after an extensive search for a winter-sun resort that would appeal to the European market.
Gregor Gerlach commented: “Whilst the long stretches of beach, crystal clear waters and the abundance of marine life were almost enough to seal to the deal, it was also important that the resort aligned with the Seaside Collections’ brand values. Environmental protection is an important theme at the Seaside Collection and is something we have won awards for. Finolhu is largely self-sufficient and works closely with marine biologists and environmental experts, so it was a good fit for us.”
Finolhu, meaning sandbank, is considered one of the finest resorts in Baa atoll, a biosphere reserve protected by UNESCO. An environmental study for each hotel on the Baa atoll determines what can be built and how things need to be maintained. In addition to working closely with the Parley for Oceans organisation, an in-house marine biologist takes care of the responsible interaction of guests and the environment. To avoid plastic pollution, Finolhu has created its own facility for bottling drinking water, stopped the use of plastic straws and discouraged guests from bringing plastic bottles to the resort.
“Another key focus for the Seaside Collection is gastronomy. We pride ourselves on providing high quality dining experiences for our guests and look forward to putting the Seaside gastronomy stamp on Finolhu,” Gerlach said.
Finolhu’s partner hotel will be the award-winning Seaside Hotel, Grand Hotel Residencia. The grand luxury five-star hotel is located in Gran Canaria and belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World.
The hotel’s Michelin-starred chef, Wolfgang Grobauer, has been working closely with the chefs at Finolhu to optimise the menus across all four restaurants. In addition, after recognising that the Fish & Crab Shack restaurant at Finolhu is a favourite amongst guests, opening hours are now extended for sunset cocktails and snacks.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.
The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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