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Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort appoints Rahim Flynn as General Manager

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Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has appointed Rahim Flynn as the General Manager for Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa in Maldives.

Flynn has been with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts since 2006, first joining the pre-opening team at the Hong Kong based hospitality company’s Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Since then, he has served in several management positions at Shangri-La group properties in Malaysia, Thailand and Oman.

Flynn, who is skilled in food and beverage, hotel management, customer experience and facility management, has been in the Maldives since 2016, working as the General Manager at Hotel Jen, a Shangri-La group business hotel in capital Male.

From October, he has assumed the expanded role of the General Manager for the two Shangri-La properties in the Maldives, Hotel Jen and Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa.

A private hideaway, in a world of its own, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is the perfect setting for couples, with its secluded location as part of the Maldives southernmost atoll.

For the ultimate luxury experience, Villa Muthee, is the epitome of tropical refinement. The presidential villa nestles in its own luxurious environment with its private walkway entrance, a spacious deck with a private infinity pool and direct access to the ocean, a separate living room, yoga pavilion and even its own spa treatment room to let guests relax without leaving the villa.

Beyond Villa Muthee, the resort offers an extensive choice of accommodation, such as the unique Tree House Villas, Perched on stilts among the emerald green treetops, the villas offer intimate settings with marvellous views of the ocean and a large deck with its own private infinity pool. For true ocean lovers, the Water Villas, positioned over the lagoon, offer the perfect seascape for those who cannot resist slipping into the aquamarine waters teeming with tropical marine life. These open and airy villas come with overwater hammocks for languorous lounging.

The resort offers many options for water adventurers, such as turtle-quest snorkelling, diving to a unique shipwreck site, surfing with half a dozen great wave setups or parasailing for a bird’s eye view of the island. Tropical ‘havenists’ will also find their own piece of paradise in the unique flora and fauna that can be explored while cycling around Villingili’s jungle and coastal pathways or while playing on the only golf course in the Maldives. Couples can also enjoy a range of cultural experiences like no other in the Maldives, with guided tours of the neighbouring islands of Addu atoll, visits to the local farms and samplings of Maldivian cuisine.

The brightest gem in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, Villingili island is a haven for those seeking true romance. As if it was meant to be, the resort is located in the heart-shaped Addu atoll, just a five-minute boat ride away from Gan International Airport.

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Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling

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Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.

The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.

Turtle encounters

Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.

The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.

Manta ray season

From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.

Night diving experiences

Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.

At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.

Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.

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The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem

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The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.

Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.

During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.

The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.

The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.

As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.

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Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel

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Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.

The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.

At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.

Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.

As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.

Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.

The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.

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