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Adaaran Select Meedhupparu wins TUI Environmental Champion Award
Adaaran Select Meedhupparu has received the TUI Environmental Champion award for 2020.
Awarded by TUI Group, the world’s leading integrated tourism group operating in more than 100 destinations worldwide, this recognition celebrates outstanding performance in driving sustainable tourism.
TUI, one of the largest tour operators globally, is a keen enthusiast for environmentally responsible hotels, and its Environmental Champion Award is limited to a select group of TUI Germany Hotels and Resorts, worldwide, whose performance achieves exemplary sustainable tourism.
To qualify for the award, TUI Germany guests must rate a resort more than eight out of 10 in the environment section. The hotel or resort must also hold a certificate recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council such as Travelife.
Embracing an eco-friendly approach as a business is nothing new for Adaaran Resorts; it is simply the conventional way of operating their resorts. Adaaran honours the ‘Adaaran Sustainability Policy’ where they endeavour to maintain a high level of environmental consciousness through strategising and executing suitable eco-sustainability practices. Sustainability awareness efforts involve educating employees and guests on the sustainable policy, Travelife training programmes for staff, display of sustainability related messages on notice boards and awareness via social media.
Amongst many sustainable initiatives, installation of bottling plants has helped terminate the use of single-use plastic water bottles altogether. At Adaaran’s resorts, guests are offered only paper straws on request, thus alleviating the use of plastic straws as well.
Good hygiene is practiced at Adaaran’s resorts at all times. No harmful chemicals are utilised other than biodegradable ones. Such practices have been derived from Adaaran’s compliance with their company-wide 7R practice: Reject, Reduce, Reuse, Reclaim, Repair, Replace and Recycle.
Adaaran’s resorts have implemented several measures to keep up with industry best practices and global sustainability trends. One of the measures taken is to operate an energy saving system in all rooms, by the use of a key card to activate the electricity in the room. Guest rooms are installed with inverter type air conditioners. A programme is currently underway to replace light bulbs with energy-efficient LED lamps in all rooms, public areas and gardens.
The group’s resorts also organise projects on island cleaning, tree planting, environmental awareness and coral transplanting.
Adaaran, a subsidiary of Sri Lankan conglomerate Aitken Spence, runs five resorts in the Maldives: Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi and Adaaran Prestige Vadoo.
Adaaran Select Meedhupparu resort is a fabulous five-star property located in the northern Raa atoll. Surrounded by powder soft beaches and sublime turquoise lagoons, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu invites you to surrender to your senses and bask in the majesty of your tropical island surroundings. Guests can relax in the sumptuous Mandara Spa and try their hand at a number of exciting water sport activities, including scuba diving, windsurfing and water-skiing.
Aitken Spence has also recently opened a new property in the Maldives under its Heritance brand, Heritance Aarah in Raa atoll.
Heritance Aarah is the first LEED Gold certified resort in the Maldives. LEED buildings save energy, water, resources, generate less waste and support human health.
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.
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.
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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