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Stories from GM: Amilla Maldives’ journey amid Covid-19

Published

5 years ago

October 11, 2020

By Jason Kruse

Lots of people have been asking me about how we came up with some of the most robust Covid-prevention protocols in the Maldives. Well, I’d like to start by saying there was no playbook for any of this.

Covid-19 caught the world by surprise. We went into a temporary hiatus back in March, but a few guests decided to stay with us in our island quarantine bubble for the next few months. That’s the great thing about having a resort on a private island of its own – we can carefully monitor absolutely everyone who comes in and out, thereby massively reducing risk of transmission. The only people arriving are a controlled number of guests and staff.

Some of our team members went home when the borders reopened in July but myself and many other Islanders have remained on our island this entire time. You might have read about all the things we got up to during lockdown on the Amilla blog, but we decided we had two choices – to sit back and do nothing or to stand up and fight. So, we decided to come up with as many ingenious and inventive ways as possible of enhancing our island with the focus on improving our guest experience, and being more sustainable in our approach.

Everybody got stuck in, it was amazing to see so much spirit! We had spa therapists working in the gardens, butlers building a hen house, we all switched jobs to build and create new things in order to help put us in as strong a position as possible for when we reopened, from creating an organic garden and banana plantation to artwork made from driftwood and aquaponics projects! And during this whole time right up to today, we didn’t even visit any local islands, to avoid any chance of community spread.

When we made the decision to reopen, we carefully considered the government of the Maldives’ guidelines as well as the latest advice from the WHO. We decided we wanted to take our precautions to the next level so that we could assure our guests, our team and our owners that Amilla Maldives will remain Covid-free to the very best of our abilities. But we also needed to ensure we delivered guests that sense of escapism and luxury they so dearly needed (in 2020 more than ever). Not the easiest things to juggle.

We formed a Covid Taskforce with members of the management team who were left on the island, liaised with medical professionals and government officials, recruited a Safety Manager and appointed NSURE to provide hygiene training for all our team members and help establish best practices. Being a Maldivian-owned and managed island, we don’t have the resources of a glitzy global head office. So, we also looked to learn from other resorts and hotels which were developing some good practices and managing risks while reducing the impact on their guests’ experiences.

Armed with all this information and recommendations, we set forth to welcome our guests, offering complimentary PCR tests on arrival for everyone aged over 12 months old, including all team members returning to the island. That’s right, we decided the best form of Covid prevention is testing, testing, testing (at our own cost). This is before the Maldives started requiring all arrivals to the country to have taken a PCR test at home.

Our guests and staff would keep their masks the whole time on whenever they were in communal areas like our restaurants. We took away cutlery and had contactless menus too.

But after a short time, we realised that guests perceived our ‘compromised’ hospitality as compromised service. Obviously, we didn’t want that because everyone comes here for an unparalleled sense of getting away from it all.

We knew during the process we’d have to be adaptable to our guests’ needs (and the constant updates on safety and hygiene requirements), so when the government switched to asking all guests to present a PCR test on arrival in the Maldives we realised if we then also did a complimentary second test on arrival on our island, we could be confident they are very, very unlikely to have Covid-19. That means we could do away with masks once they got the all-clear, because our island is kind of its own quarantine bubble, with everyone coming in and out being tested. We added some extra precautions too, but not many that are visible to guests.

So now, guests arriving at Amilla Maldives are welcomed to their Villa or Residence, then our trained team member or Resort Doctor does a quick PCR test. The samples are packed in special transport containers and sent by seaplane to Male (our capital) to be processed.

While awaiting the test results, guests are free to use most the resort facilities with some basic social distancing protocols in place. Until we receive the results, our guests and the restaurant staff wear masks, they use just one of our restaurants and we give them a separate team of housekeepers and ‘katheebs’ (butlers) who live and work in a ‘quarantine bubble’, separate from the other team members.

That’s just to make sure that if in the worst-case scenario a guest tests positive, it can be contained quickly as they are in a separate ‘bubble’ to the majority of people on the island. We also use enhanced disinfecting protocols.

It’s worth mentioning at this point that since transmission is much worse in high population density areas, a lot of people are reassured by the fact Amilla is one of the country’s largest islands with 23.5 hectares of space (most of it is undeveloped beautiful jungle) and only a selected number of Villas and Residences (which have a great deal of space between them and extensive private indoor and outdoor facilities – in fact, they amongst the largest Villas in the Maldives). So, these factors also help a lot with risk reduction and reassurance.

The PCR results come back fast and as soon as our guests receive their negative results, they are no longer required to wear masks and can roam the entire island. (Bear in mind this is their second PCR test as the Maldives government requires everyone flying to the Maldives to present a negative PCR test on arrival, taken a maximum of 72 hours before flying).

This facilitates a rare situation whereby our guests can holiday with a sense of pre-Covid ‘normality’, while being reassured by the knowledge everyone on the island has been tested twice. Plus, the abundance of space and fresh air combined with our robust hygiene protocols help make Amilla Maldives even safer.

We are proud to have a thought out Covid-prevention protocol that does not compromise on our guest experience, and so far, remain extremely successful in keeping Covid-19 from coming ashore to Our Island Home, Amilla Fushi.

Note: Jason Kruse is the General Manager at Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences.

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Entertainment

Game on! Kandima unveils Maldives’ most exciting all-ages entertainment hub

Published

16 hours ago

July 1, 2025

m@ldives

Kandima Maldives, the bold lifestyle resort known for redefining island getaways, has once again raised the bar with the launch of PlaySpace – an all-ages entertainment destination transforming the leisure landscape of the Maldives.

Centrally located within the island resort, PlaySpace blends nostalgic retro flair with cutting-edge fun, offering a dynamic mix of activities for families, thrill-seekers, and social guests alike. From action-packed bowling and immersive virtual reality to escape room challenges and private karaoke sessions, the venue strengthens Kandima’s position as the Maldives’ leading active lifestyle destination.

According to Dermot Birchall, General Manager at Kandima Maldives, “At Kandima, we’re constantly evolving the island experience. PlaySpace adds a new dimension – it’s immersive, social, and above all, wildly entertaining.”

Key Highlights of PlaySpace Include:

Bowling Lanes with a Twist: Themed experiences such as Team Challenge, Date Night Deluxe, and Family Blitz, complemented by snacks, drinks, and curated playlists.
Karaoke & Cocktails: Private singing rooms paired with wine, beer, or bubbly under the Karaoke & Cocktails Package.
VR & Arcade Zone: Thrilling VR adventures, air hockey, billiards, and timeless arcade classics.
Escape Rooms: Brain-teasing challenges for up to three guests – ideal for team bonding or friendly competition.
Eats & Treats: A variety of gourmet snacks including paninis and mini pizzas, plus refreshing beverages like Tropical Dreamscape and Lychee Breeze – all alcohol-free.

With its vibrant 80s-inspired design and bold approach to leisure, PlaySpace perfectly reflects Kandima’s playful luxury ethos. Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, it promises guests a unique and energetic addition to their island stay.

Adding to the excitement, Kandima has also introduced Fast Track, the Maldives’ first and only oceanfront e-go-kart circuit. Spanning 500 metres with 10 turns and speeds reaching up to 80 km/h, this professional-grade asphalt track brings a high-octane edge to island adventure.

As Kandima continues to innovate and launch new experiences, guests can expect even more surprises in the near future – with fun, flair, and freedom at the heart of it all.

Awards

Equator Village wins Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Hotel 2025 at World Travel Awards

Published

19 hours ago

July 1, 2025

m@ldives

Equator Village has once again been honoured as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2025, held on 28 June in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This marks the third consecutive year the resort has received this prestigious accolade, following earlier wins in 2023 and 2024, underscoring its commitment to service excellence and consistent guest satisfaction.

Mohamed Waheed, Resort Manager at Equator Village, expressed pride in the achievement, stating that the recognition reflects the dedication, creativity, and hard work of the entire team. He highlighted their commitment to delivering warm, personalised service and creating welcoming spaces that resonate with the charm and hospitality of the south. Waheed also extended gratitude to the resort’s guests and partners for their continued support and trust.

Celebrating over three decades of recognising hospitality excellence, the World Travel Awards is regarded as one of the most esteemed honours in global tourism. Winners are selected through a rigorous international voting process involving both travel professionals and the public.

Located just a five-minute drive from Gan International Airport, Equator Village offers exceptional convenience along with the relaxed charm of the southern Maldives. The resort features 78 spacious bungalows surrounded by lush flower gardens, alongside facilities including a beachfront restaurant, bar, pool, gym, and meeting spaces – all infused with tropical flair and heartfelt southern hospitality.

Awards

Dhawa Ihuru recognised among Maldives’ Best House Reefs by Travel + Leisure Asia

Published

20 hours ago

July 1, 2025

m@ldives

Dhawa Ihuru has been named one of the Best House Reefs in the Maldives by Travel + Leisure Asia in its esteemed Luxury Awards 2025. Renowned as a stylish retreat for diving enthusiasts, the resort’s house reef—home to reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and vibrant coral ecosystems—continues to attract and inspire travellers from across the globe.

This accolade goes beyond recognition, reflecting over two decades of steadfast dedication to marine conservation, scientific research, and coral restoration. These efforts have transformed the house reef into a living testament to sustainable tourism.

Since the establishment of the Banyan Group’s Marine Lab in 2004—the first resort-based conservation and research facility in the Maldives—Dhawa Ihuru has been at the forefront of environmental responsibility. Through long-term coral preservation projects and guest-focused educational initiatives, the resort has consistently promoted biodiversity and sustainability.

Guests at Dhawa Ihuru are invited to participate in a range of conservation efforts, including:

Coral planting and reef regeneration
Reef monitoring alongside marine biologists
Turtle identification and tracking
Sustainability workshops and marine talks
Community engagement programmes

These hands-on experiences not only aid in ecosystem restoration but also nurture awareness and a sense of shared responsibility among travellers.

“This recognition is a reflection of our long-standing commitment to marine protection,” said Elias Pertoft, General Manager of Dhawa Ihuru and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. “What began as a vision nearly three decades ago has evolved into a living legacy of conservation. We are proud to continue nurturing one of the Maldives’ most biodiverse reefs—not only for our guests, but for future generations.”

Nick, Marine Lab Manager at the resort, added, “Over the past 20 years, our immersive marine biodiversity programmes, including hands-on conservation activities, have provided both educational and inspiring experiences. By involving our guests, we are enriching their stay and fostering a global community of marine stewards.”

To commemorate this achievement and celebrate the resort’s flourishing marine environment, Dhawa Ihuru will host the Rannamaari Dive Fest on 24 July 2025—a full-day celebration running from 10 AM to 10 PM. Inspired by the legendary Rannamaari shipwreck, the event will showcase the vibrancy of island life both above and below the waterline.

Event highlights include:

Underwater treasure hunts for divers and non-divers
Marine conservation talks and activities with the resort’s Marine Lab team
Cultural and creative island experiences, such as Maldivian arts & crafts with local artists, a Maldivian cooking class, a DIY wellbeing workshop, and family-friendly activities
A sunset cocktail celebration at Velavani Bar, followed by a beachfront DJ night

Travellers are invited to take part in this unique celebration that blends adventure, culture, and conservation—honouring one of the Maldives’ most iconic house reefs and contributing to its protection for generations to come.