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Crown & Champa Resorts offers ‘Safe Holiday Experience in Paradise’ with enhanced safety protocols
Crown & Champa Resorts is rolling out enhanced health and safety protocols across its collection of resorts.
Across all of its resorts, CCR has always maintained robust protocols for health, hygiene and safety to safeguard their guests and team members.
In updating their HACCP-certified hygiene regimes to incorporate even more rigorous standards, CCR has partnered with Ecolab and Ian Greaves International, world leaders in hygiene and cleaning technologies and services, as well as Greenpath Maldives, a leading supplier of disinfection solutions.
CCR’s enhanced and expanded hygiene and safety procedures, collectively known as the Safe Holiday Experience in Paradise, include additional Covid-19 protocols and best practices that meet the recommendations set by the World Health Organisation and public health authorities in the Maldives.
The Safe Holiday Experience in Paradise initiative encompasses four main focus areas: sustainability, health, safety and sanitation.
These efforts are complemented by a digital concierge service. This mobile app allows guests to explore the resort before their arrival, access a range of contactless activities, select unique experiences during their stay to ensure their expectations are met upon arrival, and the stay ends with a fast and secure checkout experience.
The teams at CCR resorts have also been trained in cleaning, laundry and waste disposal procedures, as they strive to maintain the highest standards of hygiene following the latest guidelines by health authorities.
“These steps are being taken to ensure a safe holiday experience in paradise awaits you on arrival,” CCR chief executive Martin Vossen said.
“Your wellbeing during your stay with us is our priority and will remain ready when you are to vacation in the Maldives.”
Arrival and transfer
Guests will be welcomed and guided through the airport journey by a CCR airport representatives wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
After a routine temperature check, guests will be given a PPE kit for their journey from the airport to the resort.
Guests will also be asked to strictly adhere to physical distancing guidelines, keeping a distance of at least 1.5 metres at all times, including on the speedboat journey.
For seaplane and domestic air transfers, guests will have to follow health and safety guidelines issued by the respective seaplane operator or airline.
Check-in
Fast contactless check-in is available prior to the arrival via the concierge mobile app, which also has the guest’s reservation details. If the app is unavailable, the font office team will guide guests through the check-in process, maintaining a safe physical distance at all times.
After the check-in, guests will receive their digital key via the app which can then be used to access their room. Alternatively, guests can receive a disinfected room key card.
The app can also be used to contact the guest service team.
Guest rooms
Guests can access resort information, and manage housekeeping and maintenance requests via the mobile app.
Heightened guest safety and cleaning protocols are being implemented with a greater emphasis on high touch point surfaces, while linen and towels will be cleaned and disinfected with internationally approved chemicals.
Non-essential amenities will be removed and will only be available upon request.
Public areas
Effective cleaning protocols are being implemented with additional attention to high touch point surfaces such as waiting areas and washrooms.
Hand disinfection units will be available in all public areas.
Proper spacing and queuing system will be in place, while a safe physical distance of at least 1.5 metres will be strictly observed at all times.
F&B services
A’ la carte restaurant menus will be available from the mobile app and the in-room IPTV for pre-selection. Restaurant reservations can also be made via the app.
All-day dining will be available with a controlled capacity of safe physical distance, of at least 1.5 metres at all times.
Hand disinfection units will be placed at the entrance of each restaurant and bar.
Excursions and activities
The mobile app will allow guests to make contactless reservations for excursions and activities offered by the resort, including watersports, diving and spa.
Seats, life jackets, gym and sports equipment, and pool and beach towels will be regularly disinfected.
Effective cleaning protocols will also be in place for high touch point surfaces and equipment at the watersports and dive centre, as well as the spa to create extremely hygienic conditions.
Spa therapists will be wearing appropriate PPE at all times, especially during treatments.
Group excursions, diving and watersports will have reduced participants, while sports, entertainment and recreational activities will continue at low capacities in accordance with hygiene protocols.
Strict observance of safe physical distance, of at least 1.5 metres, will be ensured in all excursions and activities.
Farewell
Just like at check-in, contactless check-out will be offered to guests.
The bill will be available 24 hours prior to departure on the mobile app. Payments can be made via the app or directly with the front office team.
Effective cleaning and hygiene protocols will be in place for buggy and luggage handling.
“More than ever, Maldives is an attractive destination due to its ‘one island, one resort concept’,” Vossen said.
“All of our resorts are safe havens offering peace of mind with ample space for you to explore the freedom of the island no matter if that choice leads to a diving experience underwater or the enjoyment of our palm-lined beaches. Special attention is being given to shared experiences such as dining, excursions and spa to ensure guests are at ease.”
After closing all of their resorts in April in the wake of the Maldives border closure, CCR is now preparing to reopen their resorts over the coming months.
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Hurawalhi Maldives, Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, Komandoo Island Resort, Meeru Island Resort & Spa, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, and Champa Central Hotel will reopen on September 1.
Kuredu Island Resort and Innahura Maldives Resort will begin welcoming guests from October 1.
“… a heartfelt thank you to our community for supporting us in these uncertain times, and a commitment to our guests – past, current and future – to continue to provide memorable Maldivian experiences, guided by our vision to exceeding expectations,” Vossen said.
“This vision has and always will be propelled forward by our values of respect, empathy, sincerity, openness, reliability, trust and sensitivity, values that the entire CCR team of more than 3,000 employees embodies.”
Crown & Champa Resorts, a leader in the Maldivian hospitality industry with over 40 years’ experience, currently runs eight resorts — each targeting a unique traveller with the aim of offering great quality and value in different segments.
Its diverse collection of resorts include Hurawalhi Maldives, Kudadoo Maldives Private Island by Hurawalhi, Innahura Maldives Resort, Komandoo Maldives, Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, Kuredu Resort Maldives, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, Meeru Island Resort & Spa, and one city hotel, Champa Central Hotel.
The group will also open its ninth resort, Kagi Maldives Spa Island, later this year.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.
The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.
On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.
As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.
The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.
Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.
Soneva Fushi, situated within the Maldives’ Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been named winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The accolade is one of two special awards announced ahead of the official ceremony on 30 October. The award is based on votes from more than 800 members of the Academy, who were asked to identify the hotel where they experienced their single-best hospitality moment within the two-year voting period.
The award recognises the quality of service that ensures guests feel cared for throughout their stay. It celebrates the work of a property and its entire team, acknowledging excellence in areas ranging from reception and housekeeping to amenities and food and beverage services. Voters were asked to consider ambience, unique experiential elements, and the warmth of the hospitality on offer.
Soneva Fushi, the original Soneva resort and regarded as the model for barefoot luxury, is located on one of the Maldives’ largest and least developed islands. The resort comprises 71 private villas, either set amidst dense jungle or positioned above the ocean. Guests are invited to embrace a slower pace of life, with experiences ranging from deserted island picnics and wellness treatments at Soneva Soul to curated events under the Soneva Stars calendar.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “This award celebrates the foundation of hospitality and honours the emotional connection that guests have with a hotel and its team. For three decades, Soneva Fushi has been delivering memorable service at the highest level that puts the guest at the heart of every interaction. A mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the awards’ inception, Soneva Fushi is a worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, setting a benchmark of all-encompassing excellence one stay at a time.”
Each villa offers extensive indoor and outdoor living space, private pools and ocean views. A distinctive feature of the resort is its Barefoot Guardians – dedicated butlers assigned to each villa to provide personalised service. Available at all times, they arrange every aspect of the guest experience, from zipline adventures and snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay to stargazing at the observatory or dining in one of 14 restaurants. The Barefoot Guardians also manage the Soneva Stars calendar, which hosts international chefs, wellness specialists and sporting figures.
Antony Paton, General Manager of Soneva Fushi, said: “This award belongs to the entire team at Soneva Fushi. It is a reflection of our shared purpose to create moments of joy, connection and wonder every single day. Being recognised by The World’s 50 Best Hotels affirms that the quiet magic we strive for is not only felt by our guests, but remembered. And that, to us, is the greatest reward.”
Giancarlo Mancino, Chief Executive Officer of SeiBellissimi, added: “At Soneva Fushi, hospitality is a seamless extension of a lifestyle deeply rooted in sustainability, wellness and mindful luxury. Founded with a slow life philosophy, every experience here is a tribute to living in harmony with nature, honouring health-conscious principles, and crafting each moment with genuine care. This devotion to sustainable elegance and the art of well-being is the perfect mirror of SeiBellissimi’s own values: Italian craftsmanship, conviviality, and a respect for quality that goes beyond the ordinary.”
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on Thursday 30 October, where Soneva Fushi will formally receive the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award.
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group operating nine resorts in the Maldives, has announced that three of its properties were recognised at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2025. The annual awards celebrate achievements across 28 categories, with winners selected through votes cast by guests and travel partners.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives received the award for Best Family Resort. The property is known for offering experiences for all ages, with facilities including a playground, splash park, and gourmet kitchen at its children’s club, alongside an extensive schedule of activities. Young guests are provided with age-appropriate experiences such as snorkelling safaris, cooking classes, surf lessons, and outdoor cinema evenings.
Accommodation includes a variety of spacious villas and pavilions, such as the newly renovated Deluxe Family Beach Pool Villa. Combined with diverse dining options, recreational activities, and personalised service, the resort seeks to provide both adventure and relaxation for families.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort was named Best Beach Resort, reflecting its setting of white sands, turquoise lagoons, and coconut groves within Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort offers contemporary villas, including Beach Pool Villas and Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas, with direct beach access.
Since opening in 2023, Avani+ Fares has aimed to introduce a laid-back approach to Maldivian holidays, combining modern design with the natural environment. Guests can participate in activities ranging from water sports and wellness to dining and cultural programmes.
NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort was awarded Best Dive Resort, recognised for its accessible house reef and marine biodiversity. Located close to the shoreline, the reef offers opportunities for snorkellers and divers of all levels, with frequent encounters with species such as reef sharks, turtles, rays, and tropical fish.
The resort also provides access to the dive sites of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, where PADI-certified instructors guide guests through channels, thilas, and reef walls.
In addition to these three awards, Minor Hotels’ properties received 12 finalist nominations across seven categories. These included its newest addition, NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort, which was shortlisted in three categories.
The group’s nominations at the TTM Awards 2025 were:
- Best Beach Resort: Avani+ Fares and NH Collection Maldives Havodda
- Best Family Resort: Niyama, Avani+ Fares, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
- Best Boutique Resort: NH Maldives Kuda Rah
- Best Culinary Resort: Niyama
- Most Picturesque Resort: NH Collection Maldives Havodda
- Best Surf Resort: Niyama
- Best Dive Resort: Avani+ Fares, NH Collection Maldives Havodda, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
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