Featured
Veligandu Island Resort gets facelift ahead of Sept reopening
The global novel coronavirus outbreak has evolved from one of general alerts and watchfulness to an escalating public health issue. This crisis forced Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, like its peers in the Crown & Champa Resorts portfolio and many others across the world, to close down resort operations for the past few months.
But the management at Veligandu took it as an advantage to give the team a time off from work and spend some quality time with their family, relatives and friends. Some team members also remained on the island to look after the secluded haven, and had completed some repairs and maintenance work.
They managed to renovate most of the resort facilities and few minor repairs around the island, especially a new landscaping throughout the island creating a vista with more greenery and exotic blooms, which looks stunning.
The resort team is now fully ready to welcome guests to a safe and comfortable environment, from September 1.
“We are confident and have no doubt that all our guests will enjoy their anecdote at our forevermore secluded haven even under new normal operation guideline,” General Manager Fathuhulla Ibrahim said, in a message ahead of the reopening.
Safe holiday experience
A well trained Crown & Champa Resorts airport representative will receive you and provide guidelines through the airport journey until the seaplane transfer.
The seaplane operator, Trans Maldivian Airways, strictly follows the required guidelines from the government authorities. A safe physical distance between guests will be maintained while seated and the seats will be disinfected after each transfer.
Your designated island host will assist you upon arrival to the resort following the internal resort operation and local government guideline to operate during the ‘new normal’ without compromising any service standard and the true Veligandu hospitality.
In the main restaurant, Dhonveli, waiters will serve your selected food directly on to your table from a carefully-developed buffet with live cooking stations. In addition, the guest experience has been enhanced with the addition of two BBQ beach dinner and one theme night on the beach per week under the weekly dinner schedule.
In order to assure safety, only a limited number of guests will be confirmed to enjoy the facilities at once; like at Madivaru Restaurant, the spa and on excursions.
You can download the resort’s mobile application, which will be launched at the end of August, so that you can view all the menus and book all the desired services, offerings or any other request before your arrival.
Internationally approved chemicals are used to disinfect and clean all areas and the highest standard of hygienic protocols are implemented across the services provided by strictly observing the required health protection agency guidelines. Sanitising dispensers are placed at the entrance of all facilities including public toilets and public areas.
A well-established and trained medical team is available on the island to ensure the well-being of each guest in corporation with the health protection agency.
For a hassle-free holiday, the resort is offering complimentary PCR testing for guests who stay for more than seven nights and has a compulsory requirement by the airline or home country. Each PCR test will be conducted by the resort’s well-trained medical team on the island and test result will be sent to the guest prior to their departure.
Resort operations will continue as normal as possible with safety protocols in place and maintaining safe physical distance between guests.
The resort staff continue to receive comprehensive training with the guidance of established, accredited international partners to assure the highest and latest standards are understood and followed.
“With these safety guidelines in place, guests can confidently start packing their bags and trust to have a safe holiday experience in paradise,” Ibrahim said.
“We all look forward to our valued guests to stay with us, enjoying true Maldivian hospitality, making their story of a one resort one island a meaningful experience. We are ardently waiting to welcome you for an indelible tale at your forevermore secluded haven.”
Veligandu, surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and a long stretch of white sandy beach, is the only resort on the island of Veligandu in North Ari Atoll. The resort, which is accessible by a scenic 20-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, has 91 rooms, including 54 Jacuzzi Water Villas, 10 Water Villas, 16 Jacuzzi Beach Villas and 11 Beach Villas.
Veligandu offers one of the best value all-inclusive packages in the Maldives, whether you’re looking for peace and tranquillity for quiet walks along the beach, a place to sip champagne and celebrate your love, or to indulge in an intimate meal under the stars.
Veligandu is offering a host of offers for your Maldives holiday in 2020 and 2021. For more information and bookings, please visit www.veligandu.com.
Featured
Six Senses Laamu unveils 17 new overwater villas across four categories
Six Senses Laamu has introduced 17 new overwater villas across four accommodation categories as part of a multi-year transformation programme aimed at upgrading guest accommodation and shared facilities at the resort.
The new villas feature expanded living spaces, redesigned interiors and additional amenities, while maintaining the resort’s focus on marine conservation and its surrounding natural environment.
The interiors incorporate a coastal colour palette featuring white and neutral tones alongside shades of blue inspired by the surrounding lagoon. Natural materials are used throughout the villas, including driftwood coffee tables, handcrafted hanging lamps and decorative features.
A notable design element is a textured surface pattern inspired by the structure of a turtle shell. The design references the hawksbill and green turtles found in the waters surrounding the resort, reflecting Six Senses Laamu’s marine conservation initiatives.
Each villa features panoramic windows overlooking the ocean, alongside indoor seating and dining spaces.
Outdoor amenities include an 18-square-metre private swimming pool, an overwater hammock, dining and lounge areas, and an upper deck offering views across the lagoon. The villas also feature bathtubs positioned to provide ocean views.
The four new accommodation categories are Ocean Water Villa Suite with Pool, Laamu Water Villa Suite with Pool, Horizon Water Villa Suite with Pool and Family Water Villa with Pool.
All four categories offer expanded interiors, dedicated seating and dining areas, additional wardrobe space and outdoor decks.
The Horizon Water Villa Suite with Pool is designed to provide uninterrupted views of the ocean horizon.
The Family Water Villa with Pool is a new accommodation concept for Six Senses Laamu, featuring a separate children’s bedroom with an adjoining bathroom.
The family villas also include private pools and outdoor decks, providing shared recreational spaces alongside separate accommodation areas for children.
Families staying in the new villas can participate in the resort’s Junior Marine Biologist programme, which introduces younger guests to marine life and conservation activities.
The introduction of the new accommodation categories marks the first phase of a wider redevelopment programme at Six Senses Laamu.
The multi-year project will include further improvements to guest accommodation and shared facilities, while retaining the resort’s existing marine conservation programmes, house reef and environmental initiatives.
The 17 new villas will be available for stays from 6 December 2026, with rates starting from USD 2,185 for an Ocean Water Villa Suite with Pool.
Awards
.Here Baa Atoll secures triple win at World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026
.Here Baa Atoll has received three awards at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026, including the title of World’s Best Luxury New Resort.
The private island retreat was also recognised as Best Luxury Private Island Resort in the Indian Ocean and Best Luxury Boutique Resort in the Maldives.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences across two secluded islands, Somewhere and Nowhere. The resort focuses on providing private accommodation, personalised services and experiences tailored to individual guest preferences.
The recognition as World’s Best Luxury New Resort marks a significant achievement for the property, which has positioned itself within the ultra-luxury hospitality segment since its opening.
At Somewhere, the resort offers three- and four-bedroom residences combining beachfront accommodation with overwater architecture. The residences feature indoor and outdoor living spaces, private infinity pools and views of the Indian Ocean.
Guests are supported by dedicated Roohu hosts, who coordinate services and experiences according to individual requirements throughout their stay.
Nowhere Private Island offers an eight-bedroom private island accommodation option designed for families and groups seeking exclusive use of the facilities.
The island features a private cinema, spa, gym, swimming pool and dedicated dining and entertainment spaces. Guests can also arrange personalised culinary experiences and other activities during their stay.
The resort’s dining offerings include SAFAR Restaurant and private dining experiences tailored to guest preferences.
Marine excursions are also available aboard the resort’s private yacht, ASMAS, allowing guests to explore the surrounding waters and marine environment of Baa Atoll.
The resort operates under its Embrace the Now philosophy, which focuses on personalised experiences and allowing guests flexibility in how they spend their time on the islands.
The three awards add to several international recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll in 2026.
These include its inclusion in the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List, two awards at the AHEAD Asia Awards, recognition in DestinAsian’s Luxe List and a place among the top resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards recognise hotels and resorts across various categories based on their luxury hospitality offerings, service standards, design and guest experiences.
The latest awards recognise .Here Baa Atoll’s accommodation, facilities and personalised hospitality services within the luxury tourism sector in the Maldives and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Awards
Milaidhoo Maldives’ Serenity Spa wins Best Hotel Spa at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2027
Milaidhoo Maldives’ overwater Serenity Spa has received the Best Hotel Spa award at the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, recognising the resort’s personalised wellness services and spa experiences.
The awards ceremony was held at The Montcalm Mayfair in London on Monday, 2 November 2026. Milaidhoo Maldives was represented by Georgie Westley, Corporate Director of Marketing and Communications at Versa Hospitality, alongside representatives from ROVE PR UK.
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Serenity Spa offers a range of wellness treatments and services in an overwater setting.
The spa provides personalised wellness programmes supported by an on-island wellbeing consultant, daily yoga classes and an extensive selection of treatments designed to meet individual guest requirements.
Guests can receive treatments at the overwater spa or in the privacy of their villas. The treatment menu includes massages, beauty therapies and specialised wellness treatments incorporating advanced technologies.
Among the technologies available at Serenity Spa are the LYMA Laser, Archedaway Cupping Therapy and M2T Blade. The spa also uses products from wellness and beauty brands including Natura Bissé, Aromatherapy Associates, Obsidian for Men and Margaret Dabbs.
Milaidhoo Maldives incorporates wellness into other aspects of its guest experience, including its culinary offerings. The resort’s approach includes meals prepared using fresh ingredients from its Chef’s Garden, alongside daily yoga sessions and activities centred on relaxation and wellbeing.
Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo Maldives, said the award recognised the spa team’s commitment to delivering personalised services.
“We are incredibly proud of this recognition. Our Serenity Spa is a special part of the Milaidhoo experience and our team, the Milaidhoo Family, takes great care to ensure every guest receives the attention and personalisation they deserve. From expert treatments to the simple pleasure of taking time for yourself, we want guests to leave feeling refreshed and reconnected,” he said.
The recognition highlights Milaidhoo Maldives’ wellness offerings, which combine spa treatments, specialist therapies, personalised services and wellness-focused dining experiences.
The resort continues to incorporate wellness into its hospitality offering through its Serenity Spa, culinary programmes and recreational activities.
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