Featured
Solah on Komandoo’s ‘champions’
Komandoo Resort Maldives is one of the best-ranking resorts for romance and a firm favourite to anyone looking for an adults-only, small island getaway in the Maldives.
One of the charms of this 65-villa gem in the north of Lhaviyani atoll is its passionate team.
Mohamed Solah, Komandoo’s General Manager, shares some insider tips and secrets behind the amazing team of champions at the small boutique resort.

What would be your top ‘must-do experiences’ on Komandoo?
Since Komandoo is a very romantic ‘adults only, 18 years+’ resort, my top must-do experiences are the ‘Him & Her Massage’ in our Duniye Spa, the Romantic Beach Dinner and Early Morning Breakfast by the Sea.
What makes Komandoo so different from other resorts you’ve worked at?
Komandoo has the charm of a quintessential Maldivian resort.
I have worked at different kinds of hotels from luxury to boutique but Komandoo tops it all with a very warm hospitality and the bond between the champions and the guests. The service culture at Komandoo is something that you won’t see at any other resort because of the personalised and proper service with a ‘soul’ from our champions.
On top of this, Komandoo has the perfect ‘dreamlike’, barefoot, authentic Maldivian island feeling without any vehicles on the island. Komandoo is truly magical with perfect scenery and a lively house reef with an abundance of marine life on our doorstep.
What’s your favourite dish at Aqua?
I love all food in Aqua! The tuna steak is my favourite with garlic and butter sauce on top, yummy!
Your ‘champions’ are such a highly rated part of the Komandoo experience. What’s the secret to a good team?
Komandoo has a service culture of 21 years and the team plays to their strengths. And thanks to our owners, who have always looked after the team, the retention of the team is very good. We have a lot of ‘champions’ who have been here for a long time.
I have led them in the direction of 21st century hospitality to guide them, but they have always had excellent service instincts in their blood; it comes naturally and the whole team lives and breathes warmest hospitality. They are so guest focused and their team work is the best I have ever seen in my 19 years in the hotel industry.
I think the secret is that our team understands the royalty of serving others and it makes me so proud to have changed our team to ‘champions’ because to win — to be a champion — there is lot of hard work and sacrifices behind it. This team goes out of their way to serve our guests – they are spontaneous and anticipate our guests needs very well.
We see from your activities on social media that you’re a football fan. How many football stars have you met?
I have met a few while travelling to England as a pilgrim to watch football and by meeting some at hotels that I used to work at.
My first time was meeting Robbie Savage while waiting outside the stadium in Derby. Most recently, when I watched Arsenal during the last two visits to England, I was lucky enough to be in the Directors Box and Players Lounge meeting all the players! It is difficult to put a number on it but I know a few of them in person now.




Finally, you use #ilovemyjob a lot on social media. Can you tell us more?
I use social media a lot to socialise with friends and our guests from all around the world and it is a great way to connect. I started using #Ilovemyjob few years back when I was working in Abu Dhabi as the shifts were 12 hours a day and I thought to myself, if I use positive affirmations, I would love it more. As a General Manager, I wake up before sunrise and work late at night, mostly seven days a week. I’m always around guests, champions or working from the office and I honestly love it.

Located in Lhaviyani atoll, Komandoo offers 65 villas in five categories. Each of them is independent well-appointed villas spaced adequately to provide privacy.
Since first opening in 1998, the resort has provided its guests with a unique take on the Maldivian dream holiday with its quiet, adult-only vibe, understated luxury and excellent service. It has remained one of the country’s best-ranking resorts for romance and a firm favourite to anyone looking for an adults-only, small island getaway in the Maldives.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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