Featured
The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives appoints Jesper Soerensen as General Manager
The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, the brand’s newest resort, has appointed Jesper Soerensen as its General Manage.
A Danish national fluent in English, Danish, and German, Soerensen boasts more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has worked at properties around the world, from England, Singapore, and the US to Qatar.
Soerensen’s extensive branding, leadership, and marketing skills will be welcome assets as he oversees every aspect of the resort’s daily operation and leads team members across multiple departments.
“Jesper’s creativity, touch with guests, boundless energy and positive spirit make him a fantastic addition to our team and it’s a pleasure to welcome him to our paradise,” Amar Lalvani, Chief Executive Officer of Standard International, said.
“He has vast experience throughout the world at some really wonderful properties and I am excited for him to help us bring The Standard’s culture to life in our first island resort, and our first property in the region.”
Soerensen comes to The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives from his role as General Manager at the Six Senses Hotels and Resorts in Singapore, where he was a task force leader for the opening, branding, and management of their two five-star wellness properties, Duxton and Maxwell.
In Singapore, he enhanced the resorts’ identities and drove awareness and consumer demand with strategic branding campaigns, in addition to hiring, training, and managing a staff of 175.
Prior to that role, Soerensen was promoted from Hotel Manager to General Manager at the Shore Club beachside resort under the Morgans Hotel Group in Miami Beach.
During his tenure based in Miami, He generated the property’s highest annual revenue target during his time there and oversaw its retail space, spa, three restaurants, nightclub, bars, pool, and beach. His numerous responsibilities also included managing the property’s entertainment, accounting, security operations, corporate training programs, and human resources functions.
Before moving to Miami, Soerensen served as the Director of Rooms for St Martins Lane, a Morgans Hotel Group property in London. He was proactively recruited as Front Office Manager and quickly promoted to be responsible for the performance of the room division.
Soerensen also controlled the hotel’s multi-million-dollar budget and further developed his experience with guest services, engineering, reservations, retail, and the spa.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of bringing an incredible new property like The Standard to the Maldives and Asia,” Soerensen said.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and health of our guests while maintaining a memorable experience for them. Fortunately, the Maldives is one of the safest remote areas in the world and ideal for social distancing.”
A breathtaking 35-minute seaplane ride away from Velana International Airport, The Standard, Huruvalhi is nestled between the Raa and Baa atolls, on a naturally protected island. Guests can also take a combined 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo and 35-minute speedboat ride to the resort.
Traditionally seen as a couple’s destination, The Standard has taken a fresh approach to its island retreat, offering relaxation, social activities and vibrant cultural experiences that welcome not only couples, but groups of friends and singles looking to reset and recharge in paradise.
Guests are spoilt for choice with a selection of curated experiences and cultural programs that include indigenous basket weaving, a moonlight cinema beneath the stars or join one of their legendary pool parties at the beachside infinity pool.
The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives also has some of the most experienced guides for snorkelling and diving excursions through the resort’s protected house reef and local waters.
Featured
Lily Beach Maldives unveils ‘Black & White Vintage’ festive season
Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives is preparing to illuminate the festive season with an elegant programme themed “Black & White Vintage”, celebrating timeless sophistication and joyful island living. From 20 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the award-winning all-inclusive resort will invite guests to experience the holidays in a setting of pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and unforgettable moments.
During this festive period, the island transforms into a vibrant seasonal haven. Sparkling azure waters meet star-filled night skies, while décor blends tropical charm with classic festive elegance. Guests can look forward to haute cuisine, family-friendly activities, signature wellness experiences, and themed events unfolding on the sands, beneath the waves, and across the horizon.
A key highlight of this year’s celebrations is the presence of renowned marine scientist and storyteller Bill François and astronomer-explorer Bob François, who will lead two captivating programme tracks—marine exploration and cosmic discovery. From dolphin cruises themed “The Truth Behind the Smile” to creative workshops for children and stargazing sessions using high-end telescopes, their participation brings an added layer of wonder to the festive season.
Christmas Eve will begin with a tree-lighting ceremony followed by an elegant gala dinner on the beach. The celebration continues with Santa’s arrival at the Watersports Beach, accompanied by live music and DJ performances.
Families will find engaging activities throughout the holiday period, including sandcastle competitions, beach games, henna art at the kids’ club, coral-garden snorkelling, turtle snorkel tours, and sunset cruises. Wellness enthusiasts can participate in sunrise yoga and meditation at Tamara Spa, while adventure seekers can join the Ocean Adventure programme or the WOW at Vaavu experience.
The grand New Year’s Eve celebration reflects Lily Beach’s flair for immersive storytelling. Guests will enjoy “The Great Menu of Wonders”, a stand-up gastronomic experience by Bill François, followed by a black-and-white-themed gala dinner at Lily Maa, and a DJ-led beach party beneath the stars. The night will conclude with fireworks shimmering over the lagoon.
Lily Beach’s festive programme blends luxury, nature, and culture, with a strong emphasis on sustainable celebration. Décor incorporates locally sourced materials, events highlight marine conservation, and each activity embodies the island’s signature spirit of barefoot elegance. Guests will leave with not only photographs, but meaningful memories that capture the essence of the Maldives.
Featured
Festive spirit arrives early at Ayada Maldives with cake mixing tradition
Ayada Maldives marked the early arrival of the festive season with its traditional Cake Mixing Ceremony, bringing guests and resort chefs together for a cherished celebration rooted in warmth, community, and good fortune.
Held on the island’s tranquil shores, this year’s ceremony invited guests to join Ayada’s culinary team in mixing a vibrant selection of fruits, nuts, and aromatic spices—an age-old ritual believed to symbolise prosperity and sweet new beginnings. With each stir of the mixture, participants embraced the spirit of the season, contributing to a tradition that continues to hold special meaning for travellers and locals alike.
The atmosphere was filled with laughter and lively music, accompanied by the gentle ocean breeze that provided a distinctly Maldivian charm to the gathering. Guests from around the world came together to share in the experience, transforming the long-standing ceremony into a joyful moment of connection on the island.
Ayada Maldives’ annual Cake Mixing Ceremony remains an integral part of its festive calendar, celebrating unity, culture, and the anticipation of the holiday season. As the resort looks ahead to the weeks of celebration to follow, this year’s event stands out as a memorable start to a season filled with warmth and shared traditions.
Featured
The Nautilus Maldives unveils ‘An Easter Canvas’ of colour and creativity
This Easter, The Nautilus Maldives is inviting guests to step into “An Easter Canvas”, a celebration where colour, creativity, and island freedom come together in a week of joyful expression. At this ultra-luxury bohemian hideaway, Easter unfolds like a living artwork, with days washed in colour, moments shaped by imagination, and time flowing as gently as the tides.
At the centre of An Easter Canvas is a collection of immersive artistic experiences inspired by the island’s radiant spectrum of colours. From family art sessions hosted by a visiting Maldivian artist to a collaborative beach canvas that evolves with each guest’s contribution, the Easter programme becomes a tapestry of renewal and joy—crafted by the hands and hearts of those who take part.
Solasta Spa embraces Easter with a curated palette of healing and renewal.
- Radiant Awakening draws from sunshine hues with a rejuvenating body polish and signature massage.
- Harmony Within reflects tranquil greens through aloe-based treatments, crystal sound healing, and grounding techniques.
- Ocean Stillness mirrors the calm blues of the sea, beginning with a salt exfoliation followed by a meditative Shirodhara ritual.
- Tender Renewal and Soulful Reflection explore soft pink and violet tones through rose quartz, aromatherapy, and gentle facial therapies.
Each ritual offers a sensory immersion designed to awaken, soothe, and restore—one colour at a time.
Dining at The Nautilus is treated as an art form. As the island shifts through its Easter-inspired palette, culinary experiences transform with it—from colour-changing cocktails at Naiboli’s Shades of the Horizon sunset pop-up to vibrant beach dinners and lively Easter brunches at Thyme. Without menus or fixed hours, each meal becomes a spontaneous creation shaped by guest preferences and the island’s creative spirit.
This Easter season will also feature a special appearance by Chef Gregor Zimmermann, Swiss State Chef and Executive Chef of the iconic Bellevue Palace in Bern. A distinguished member of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, he will present two exclusive five-course dinners and a chocolate masterclass. His creations will form a dialogue between the refined flavours of the Swiss Alps and the treasures of the Maldivian seas, expressed through authenticity, emotion, and technical mastery.
Easter at The Nautilus promises a world of discovery for younger guests. Activities include the lively “Bunny Kickoff” party, ocean-inspired crafts, pastel tie-dye sessions, treasure hunts, and the island’s signature event—the “Every Bunny Wins Easter Egg Hunt”.
Children may also explore purposeful creativity through ecoBirdy Ocean Lab workshops, which introduce young minds to the beauty and fragility of marine environments. Each session guides children in transforming recycled plastics into small functional artworks. Through storytelling and hands-on making, young guests learn about sustainability while creating keepsakes inspired by the ocean around them.
At The Nautilus, Easter is more than a seasonal holiday—it is a celebration of renewal, artistry, and the simple joy of creation. Whether crafting upcycled treasures during ecoBirdy workshops, contributing to the island’s living art installation, enjoying spontaneous feasts shaped by personal tastes, or sharing sunlit moments on white sands, every guest becomes part of a story painted in freedom, colour, and flow.
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