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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives recognised for HR excellence
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has been recognised for its excellent performance in human resource management to motivate all its employees and drive successful business outcomes.
At the recently-concluded Maldives HR Awards 2019, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives received the coveted accolade of “Staff Recreation Team of the Year”, whilst Ahmed Shazeen, Human Resources Manager of the resort, was named “An Exceptional HR Leader in the Maldives”.
Through organising and conducting a range of sport, leisure and charitable activities, Shazeen and his team are key in empowering the resort’s team to continue working passionately to deliver true hospitality to guests.
“Our Human Resources team, led by Ahmed Shazeen, has paved the way for all colleagues at the resort to deliver 10 years of true hospitality for all our guests. I am delighted by our HR team’s recognition as through their best practices, they have created a winning culture which is the foundation of our success. It is through their vision of providing both our local and expatriate colleagues a ‘home-away-from-home’ that has allowed us to thrive in an environment that fosters creativity, compassion, and collaboration,” Joseph Della Gatta, General Manager at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Accolades awarded by HR Maldives represent individuals and organisations that excel in empowering HR to become a strategic business partner, whilst celebrating and acknowledging organisations and individuals that work passionately towards raising the bar for the profession through constant innovation.
Shazeen and his team are key players in driving many initiatives and events for the resort’s team, including internal and inter-resort sporting tournaments, campaigns and week- to month-long events dedicated to celebrating the employees, and sustainable and charitable initiatives.
Celebrate Service Week, a global IHG campaign that aims to say ‘thank you’ to all staff members as well as celebrate their diversity and common beliefs, is one way the HR team ensures the whole resort team feels valued and appreciated. Through a week-long series of events, games, sporting activities, environmental activities, and evenings of vibrant food from different cultures, Celebrate Service Week is a chance for the team to join their colleagues around the world in celebrating a shared dedication to #TrueHospitality.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives also partake in IHG’s Giving For Good global campaign during a month of volunteering, making positive differences to our environment, and activities focused on health, fitness, and wellbeing. In 2019, the resort was part of a whopping 160,000 IHG colleagues around the world who helped raise USD 400,000 to charitable organisations supporting four causes important to IHG in the areas of water and sanitation; waste reduction; hospitality skills building; and disaster relief.
The resort’s staff also take part in a variety of regular sustainable initiatives throughout the year, including tree planting, harbour cleaning, island cleaning, and reef scaping.
The Green Engage team represents a group of colleagues who actively drive daily sustainability initiatives to reduce water and energy usage.
Within the resort team, the management also emphasises the ‘Room to Grow’ philosophy of prioritising and developing internal talent with cross exposure amongst different departments, along with ‘Room for Her’, taking place on March 8 every year to celebrate all the female team members.
Located in the South Male Atoll, a mere 40 minutes by speedboat from the main Velana International Airport, the 32-acre Kandooma Maldives resort features spectacular architecture inspired by sea barnacles. The resort exudes a tropical island atmosphere; its lush tropical greenery, white sand beaches and turquoise waters are more than enough paradise for guests to enjoy relaxed seclusion and privacy.
All the accommodation has been built around the edge of or on the water. Each villa type is fresh and contemporary in appearance, with clean lines and minimal clutter, incorporating all modern amenities, whilst retaining the warmth of natural wood finishes. Large picture windows mean that you are only a glance away from the great blue outdoors. Choose from four room types: Beach View Villas, Seaview Beach Houses, Family Beach Houses and Seaview Overwater Bungalows.
The Kandoo Kids Club – one of the largest children’s facilities in the Maldives with an outdoor splash pool — and daily activities coupled with the “Kids Stay & Eat Free” programme makes this the perfect retreat for family travellers.
The Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, the proximity to world class diving and surf spots guided by the onsite PADI five-star dive centre and surf school, and “The Marquee” – a fully-fledged indoor event space catering up to 180 attendees — mean that there is something for everyone at Kandooma Maldives.
The Standard, Maldives has announced the launch of a new Premium All-Inclusive experience from May 2026, introducing an enhanced offering aimed at travellers seeking a seamless island holiday in Raa Atoll.
The resort said the new package was designed to combine dining, experiences and entertainment with the natural setting of the Maldives. It added that the offering had been curated with Indian travellers in mind, as India continues to grow as a source market for Maldivian tourism.
The package begins with champagne on arrival and includes access to dining across the resort’s outlets. Guests will be able to choose from three restaurants for lunch and five restaurants for dinner with prior reservation. The resort said the dining programme would range from Mediterranean dishes at Onda to Maldivian cuisine at Guduguda, offering guests a varied culinary experience throughout their stay.
The package also includes a beverage programme featuring premium spirits, wines, cocktails and beers, as well as a fully stocked minibar in each villa.
The culinary programme is led by Director of Culinary Nandakumar Dharuman. The resort said his Indian background adds familiarity for Indian travellers, with Indian breakfast options available alongside international selections. Vegetarian and Jain meals can also be prepared on request.
The Standard, Maldives said the resort would continue to offer a lively atmosphere through activities held during the week, including DJ nights, fire dance performances, bingo evenings and other social events. Breakfast DJ sessions are also part of the programme. In addition, guests booking the Premium All-Inclusive package will receive one complimentary 30-minute spa treatment and one island excursion.
Sonika Adlakha, commercial director of The Standard, Maldives, said India remained an important and growing market for the resort. She said the new Premium All-Inclusive experience was intended to offer Indian travellers a stay that combined dining, entertainment and the natural appeal of the Maldives.
Alongside its social spaces, the resort said it also offers quieter areas for guests seeking a more relaxed experience. All villas at the property include private pools and spacious living areas, allowing guests to stay close to the resort’s dining and entertainment facilities while also enjoying privacy.
Following a season of culinary collaborations, Kandolhu Maldives has announced that Executive Chef Fabrizio Zanetti will visit the resort this October for a series of dining events.
The resort said the programme would offer guests an opportunity to experience Zanetti’s cuisine through a number of exclusive dining experiences.
Originally from St Moritz, Zanetti has led the kitchens at Hotel Suvretta House in St Moritz for more than a decade. The five-star Suvretta House, built in 1912 by Swiss hotelier Anton Bon, recently opened a new 4,670-square metre spa for the 2025-2026 winter season.
Zanetti has also worked at Michelin-starred establishments including Baur au Lac in Zurich and Savoy Grill in London. His work has been recognised with 17 points in the Gault-Millau Guide 2025 and the Mérite Culinaire Suisse award. In 2024, he was also named Gault-Millau Rising Star of the Year.
The collaboration at Kandolhu Maldives will begin on Wednesday, 14 October, with a three-course à la carte lunch at The Market.
A four-course dinner will follow on Saturday, 17 October, at Olive Restaurant. The evening will begin with a meet-and-greet with Chef Zanetti before dinner is served.
On Wednesday, 21 October, Olive Restaurant will also host a five-course Wine and Dine event, which will include a personal introduction from the chef.
Kandolhu Maldives said each evening event at Olive Restaurant would be limited to 22 guests, offering an intimate dining setting overlooking the Indian Ocean. The resort has encouraged guests to reserve early for the programme.
Coco Collection, a Maldivian-owned resort brand, has invited guests to experience a more conscious approach to luxury at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Bodu Hithi.
Across its two island resorts, Coco Collection has incorporated environmental responsibility into the guest experience through its Coco Cares philosophy. From nature-led experiences inspired by the islands’ ecosystems to culinary offerings based on fresh, locally grown ingredients, the resorts have been designed to reflect the natural setting of the Maldives while integrating sustainability into daily operations.
At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, this commitment is reflected in the Maldives’ veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, which is operated in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project. As a founding partner of the facility, the resort provides care for injured sea turtles and supports marine conservation awareness. Since its establishment, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, with a rehabilitation success rate of 60%. The resort also continues seagrass preservation efforts aimed at protecting marine habitats and supporting biodiversity in the surrounding waters.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu also applies low-waste practices, mindful sourcing, and resource-conscious operations across the resort. This approach extends to Coco Farm, where homegrown produce, handcrafted preserves, and garden-to-table dining experiences are used to bring local flavour and seasonality to the table.
At Coco Bodu Hithi, the same approach is reflected in its food and beverage offerings. To mark Earth Day, the resort has introduced a green-inspired cocktail experience focused on eco-conscious mixology, using fresh ingredients grown on the island.
The resort said its low-waste approach informs all aspects of the guest experience, with attention given to responsible resource use. From the choice of herbs and fruits to preparation and presentation, the offering is intended to reflect respect for the natural environment.
This approach also extends across the resort’s wider culinary programme, which focuses on locally sourced ingredients, house-made preserves, and dishes inspired by the Maldives’ natural produce. Through seasonal menus, conscious sourcing, and resource management, Coco Bodu Hithi aims to offer an experience that combines hospitality with environmental responsibility.
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