Featured
Jumeirah Vittaveli celebrates year of industry recognitions
Jumeirah Vittaveli is wrapping up a year of astounding industry recognition with its success at this weekend’s World Luxury Hotel Awards at the enchanted Arctic Circle in Finland.
To be named global winner for ‘Best Luxury Island Resort’, and having the lavish five-bedroom Royal Residence recognised as ‘Best Luxury Hideaway Villa’ in the Indian Ocean region is the crowning achievement of Jumeirah Vittaveli in a year that has seen not only the resort itself but its Talise spa, two of its restaurants and the Royal Residence bring home nine industry trophies.
The year 2019 has been an exciting year at Jumeirah Vittaveli – guests can now slide into the crystal clear lagoon on the destination’s longest private water slides from the privacy of their own free standing Private Ocean Retreats with Slides, or embark on an ocean adventure on the 85 foot Azimut superyacht ‘MY Vittaveli’.


Together with many other milestones, such as the opening of the five-bedroom Royal Residence in 2017, the launch of the first eco-friendly open air ice rink in the Maldives in 2018, and the extension of dining venues to 20 distinct concepts, including an underground whisky and chocolate salon and an overwater wine library – this achievement has completed the journey of Amit Majumder as General Manager of Jumeirah Vittaveli.
Majumder has recently been named Vice President Boutique Resorts at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, and will bring his in-depth expertise as well as his drive to constantly push the envelope to this new branch of the Jumeirah Group, whilst still overseeing Jumeirah Vittaveli.
Majumder attended the World Luxury Hotel Awards gala in Finland on behalf of Jumeirah Vittaveli and commented: “To receive the global award for ‘Best Luxury Island Resort’ as voted on by our industry peers and guests is an honour beyond compare. I count myself incredibly lucky to have had the pleasure of working with the passionate team Jumeirah Vittaveli for seven years – without each and every one of them, our resort wouldn’t be what it is today. Having achieved such recognition for Jumeirah Vittaveli gives us further confidence to grow the Boutique Resorts portfolio.”
Jumeirah Vittaveli has consistently been recognised for outstanding achievements, such as the award for ‘Maldives Leading Luxury Resort’ at the South Asian Travel Awards, or the recognition for ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’ at the World Travel Awards.
The Royal Residence has been named ‘Most Luxurious Hotel Villa’ by the HIDEAWAYS awards, and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ at the World Travel Awards.

The resort’s signature restaurant Swarna has been named ‘Best Indian Cuisine in Asia’ four years in a row by the World Luxury Restaurant Awards, just like French fine dining restaurant Fenesse received the title of ‘Best French Cuisine in the Indian Ocean region’.
The Talise spa at Vittaveli has received the title of ‘Best Luxury Wellness Spa’ each year since 2016 at the World Luxury Spa Awards.
With a traditional Maldivian welcome and more activities to fill your days with than you can dream of, Jumeirah Vittaveli is the perfect place for all the family to speed things up or slow things down. Land and water-based activities include the destination’s first ice rink, a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, Talise Spa, six restaurants and bars, a wine library, an overwater lounge, an underground whisky and chocolate salon and a cigar lounge.
Jumeirah Vittaveli has curated a collection of all of the most remarkable experiences the Maldives has to offer in one place. Shape your own unique Maldives experience at the resort.
Established in 2006, World Luxury Hotel Awards is the pinnacle of achievement in the luxury hotel industry offering international recognition as voted by guests, travellers and industry players alike. Over 300,000 international travellers vote each year, during a four-week period to select the winners. Properties from over 120 countries competed in the 2019 awards and it is truly an honour to be one of the selected nominees and winners.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
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.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
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.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
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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