Featured
Heritance Aarah awarded at Tea Masters Sketch Contest 2020
Aitken Spence Hotel’s Heritance Aarah resort in the Maldives has added to its accolades recently, with a prestigious recognition at The Tea Masters Sketch Contest.
The resort’s R&B Manageress Panchali Mandakini, who represented the Maldives, received the Audience Awards and was placed third in the overall competition.
Held to commemorate International Tea Day in May, the competition was organised by The Tea Master’s Cup with Ceylon Tea. The competition comprised of a freestyle tea service where Ceylon Tea was incorporated into the mix, to be presented with a snack and a narrative.
With global participation including previous winners of the National Tea Master title from 22 countries, Mandakini’s achievement was praised by the panel of judges for its innovative nature. Manadakini was the 2018 Sri Lankan winner and she got selected to participate the world championship.
The underlying objective of the Tea Masters Sketch competition was to focus on finding new formats and solutions wherein to help the promotion and growth of online tea promotion and creating a new community of tea ambassadors from around the world.
The ambassadors will work on online and offline platforms to disseminate the message of the significance of tea consumption across the world.
Mandakini has been part of the Heritance Aarah family since 2019, following a stint at Heritance Kandalama Sri Lanka from 2014.
With a bubbly personality and curiosity to learn new techniques and increase her culinary prowess, she is among the rising stars at Heritance Aarah.

Heritance Aarah is part of Heritance Hotels and Resorts brand of the Aitken Spence Hotels, the hospitality arm of Sri Lankan blue-chip conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC, which operates 23 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka, Maldives, Oman and India.
The company’s owned hotels are reflected under the Heritance, Adaaran and Turyaa brands, popular around the world for exceptional service, undisputed product and curated lifestyle experiences.
The company’s Sri Lankan porttolio includes 11 resorts spread across the island, while the Maldives resorts totals to seven, four in Oman and one in India.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
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.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
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.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
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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