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Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa appoints Nikolaus A Priesnitz as General Manager

Park Hyatt has appointed renowned hospitality professional Nikolaus A Priesnitz as the General Manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, one of the best luxury hotels in Maldives.
A German national with extensive experience across the globe, Priesnitz joined Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa on January 4 and will oversee the reopening of the resort, which is scheduled for February 1.
Priesnitz brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience to Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, in a career holding positions in prestigious hotels and resorts in Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the UAE, the USA, Guam, Thailand and Indonesia.
Priesnitz started his hospitality journey as a culinary apprentice in 1989, and worked his way up through food and beverage roles over the next two decades.
He then ventured into human resources, operations, revenue and compliance roles before his inaugural General Manager role at Hilton Guam Resort & Spa in 2009. He moved to the same position to Hilton Qingdao Golden Beach in 2012.
In 2014, Priesnitz became the Cluster General Manager of Anantara in Bangkok, then Area General Manager for Central and Northern Thailand in 2017.
Since 2019, Priesnitz had been General Manager and Director of Asset Management at Ayana Hotels & Resorts in Indonesia.
Priesnitz holds a degree in Hospitality Management from Hotelfachschule Garmisch-Partenkirchen, an MBA in Hospitality Management from Cornell University and a raft of additional qualifications from Cornell, Hilton and Harvard universities.
Acknowledged for being honest, reliable and imaginative, Priesnitz is a family man and enjoys golfing with his wife and friends and spending time with his three sons, exploring the underwater world, discovering new cultures, dining on home-cooked meals and experiencing new cuisines.
Now in the Maldives, Priesnitz has taken the lead at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa with its team of local talent and hotel Ambassadors.
“My main goal is to influence every member of the team positively and to support their personal and professional development,” he said.
“I plan to create a culture that operates sustainably and with the least possible impact on the environment, and to build relationships with local communities in the spirit of Park Hyatt.”
Priesnitz along with his team are looking forward to the reopening of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.
“All of the staff and myself look forward to introducing our guests to the wonderful culture of the Maldives. Here, we strive to limit our footprint on this wonderful world, and endeavour to share that sentiment to our guests,” he said.
“In Maldives, we live by the values of Park Hyatt where a true sense of ‘Family’ is in our DNA, rooted in family legacy, sharing knowledge, culture and care. We are waiting to welcome our guests into the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa family.”
Located just 55 kilometres (34 miles) north of the equator, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is an ideal place for private and quiet relaxation.
Seamlessly integrating local culture and environment, all 51 luxuriously villas are minimalist in style, designed and built with guests’ privacy and comfort in mind.
From contemporary settings to casual ambiences, worldwide and regionally inspired dishes are offered for dining options.
Our Maldives spa, The Vidhun Spa embraces local holistic wellness with treatments based on Hoonu (Heating), Fini (Cooling) and Hiki (Hydrating).
Situated at the heart of one of the largest natural atolls in the world, Hadahaa is secluded, away from teeming atolls of the north, with pristine waters and 360° house reef where snorkelling and scuba diving in Maldives are steps from each villa.
Blue Journeys, the resort’s PADI five-star certified dive and activity centre provides a variety of water recreations.
Featured
Float & Flow Yoga debuts at Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives now offers guests a unique wellness activity: Float & Flow Yoga. Set amidst the picturesque surroundings of crystal-clear waters, this innovative session blends balance, movement, and mindfulness on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), fostering a joyful connection with nature.
Designed to accommodate both experienced yogis and beginners, Float & Flow Yoga provides a 60-minute session on the resort’s SUP Yoga Dock. This specially designed floating platform, shaped like a flower, features eight “petals,” each securing a SUP board around a central space designated for the instructor. Participants are guided through gentle yoga sequences that emphasise balance, breath, and flow.
Courtney Chambers, the resident Yoga Instructor at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, describes the activity as a joyful and liberating experience. She notes that SUP yoga encourages participants to embrace the playful side of the practice while reconnecting with nature.
Classes take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:00 am, with a maximum of eight participants per session to maintain an intimate and supportive atmosphere. A minimum of three guests is required for each session. The class fee is priced at US$45 per person, inclusive of taxes and service charges.
Additionally, a professional drone photo and video package is available for US$25 per person, providing guests with a memorable keepsake of their experience.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable swimwear or yoga attire and to arrive 10 minutes early at the Perfect Wave Surf Shop for a pre-session briefing.
Whether the goal is mindfulness, gentle movement, or simply a splash of fun, Float & Flow Yoga at Kandooma offers an unforgettable opportunity to reconnect with both self and sea.
Featured
Five-course Indian fine dining by Atrangi to feature at Jumeirah Olhahali Island’s June pop-up

Jumeirah Olhahali Island has announced an exclusive culinary pop-up in collaboration with Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, the renowned Indian restaurant located at Jumeirah Al Qasr in Dubai. Scheduled from 7 to 12 June 2025, this special event will feature Atrangi’s Head Chef, Aniket Chatterjee, who will partner with the resort’s culinary team to present a refined five-course dining experience. This unique collaboration aims to reinterpret regional Indian dishes through a contemporary perspective.
Atrangi, inspired by the vision of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, is celebrated for its bold and eclectic approach to Indian cuisine. Ritu Dalmia, a self-taught chef, began her culinary journey by launching Delhi’s first standalone Italian restaurant at just twenty-two. Over the years, she has established a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants across India and Europe, earning her widespread recognition in the culinary world. Representing her creative vision in the Maldives, Chef Aniket Chatterjee brings a modern sensibility and a profound respect for Indian culinary traditions, promising a dining experience that is both sophisticated and soulful.
For this special occasion, Chef Aniket has curated a bespoke menu that masterfully blends traditional Indian techniques with global influences. Guests will be treated to intimate oceanfront dinners and relaxed beach grills under the stars, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian tasting menus available.
The dining journey will commence with a playful twist on the nostalgic chilli cheese toast, followed by pickled doodhi and smoked dahi. Main course offerings include Malvani chicken tikka with confit garlic, or for vegetarians, paneer peeli mirch tikka accompanied by spring onion curry. A whipped butter board will serve as a palate cleanser before guests savour dishes such as kappa meen curry or satu pulao with dalma, parwal, and burnt tomato chutney, celebrating the rich diversity of Indian flavours. The meal will conclude with an indulgent Indian sweet, followed by mignardise featuring pistachio soan papdi and a mini jalebi with rabri.
Chef Ritu Dalmia expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “The Maldives has always been a special country for me, having visited several times. It is a thrill to bring Atrangi to Jumeirah Olhahali Island, where we can showcase community-inspired dishes while celebrating the best produce the Maldives has to offer.”
The beach grill dinner at Shimmers Beach on 10 June will be priced at USD 225 plus taxes per person. On other evenings, the five-course set menu will be served at a designated ocean-view location for USD 195 plus taxes per person.
Featured
Summer of discovery awaits at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has launched ‘The Summer Collective: Masters, Explorers, & Extraordinary Moments,’ a carefully curated program of immersive experiences designed to inspire guests of all ages. Rooted in the resort’s core pillars—Nature, Exploration, Responsibility, and Culture—this summer-long celebration promises an unforgettable blend of adventure, discovery, and enrichment in one of the world’s most stunning destinations.
Running from June through August, the program offers guests the chance to engage with global experts and renowned personalities, each bringing unique knowledge and passion. Highlights include surfing sessions with professional big-wave surfer Nic Von Rupp, mindfulness and sound healing experiences with Susy Markoe Schieffelin, and hands-on science workshops with acclaimed educator Sergei Urban, widely known as TheDadLab. Each activity is designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections.
For younger guests, the Ritz Kids program will feature a vibrant lineup of interactive activities that combine education with play. Children will embark on exciting journeys focused on science, sustainability, and creativity, while parents can enjoy world-class wellness treatments, bespoke experiences, and other luxury offerings at the resort.
Program Highlights:
- June – Nic Von Rupp: From June 17th to June 20th, professional surfer Nic Von Rupp will host an exclusive ocean adventure. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to ride the waves alongside the surfing icon through expertly guided sessions. The program includes four surf lessons, two for beginners and two for intermediate and advanced surfers, providing an unforgettable experience in the Maldives’ pristine waters.
- July – Susy Markoe Schieffelin: From July 10th to July 24th, renowned sound healer and mindfulness expert Susy Markoe Schieffelin will return to the resort for a transformative wellness journey. Guests will participate in daily yoga, sound healing, and energy healing classes designed to balance chakras, uplift energy, and promote inner radiance. Complementary food and beverage offerings will align with the seven chakras to enhance the experience. Special sessions for children will focus on self-expression and emotional well-being through sound, including ‘Throat Chakra & Kids’ Sound Healing’ and ‘Expression & Authenticity’ workshops.
- August – Sergei Urban (TheDadLab): From August 14th to August 16th, Sergei Urban, the creator of TheDadLab, will conduct a series of interactive workshops aimed at inspiring young minds and families. These hands-on learning experiences will engage children with themes of nature, engineering, sustainability, and culture in a fun and immersive way. One of these workshops will be integrated into the resort’s on-site programming for six months, allowing future guests to continue enjoying interactive discovery.
Additionally, Line, a contemporary cocktail bar from Athens, Greece, ranked No. 6 on The World’s Best Bars 2025 list, will bring its innovative cocktail creations to the resort’s EAU Bar. Bartender Vasilis Kyritsis will showcase Line’s sophisticated yet playful drinks, while Chef Panagiotis Polychronis will elevate the culinary experience with a zero-waste concept menu.
To round off a summer of family fun, Marriott Bonvoy invites families to enjoy an unforgettable stay across eight private island resorts in the Maldives, including The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. Offers include complimentary full-board upgrades, free stays and dining for children, and curated experiences for all ages.
‘The Summer Collective at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands’ promises a season filled with adventure, learning, and connection, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a truly extraordinary journey.
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