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Kanuhura Maldives appoints John Allanson as General Manager
Kanuhura Maldives has appointed John Allanson as its new General Manager.
Allanson, a UK national, brings over 35 years’ experience in hotel and resort management in the Maldives, Vietnam and the UK.
Before joining Kanuhura, he was the General Manager of the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort.
For much of his career, Allanson has been a general manager, or in senior management positions including food and beverage.
He has a diploma in Management Studies and earned a scholarship to the General Managers’ Program at Cornell University. He is also a graduate of the International Management Association and a member of the Hotel and Catering International Management Association.
“As the custodian of this little piece of paradise, Kanuhura Maldives, and on behalf of the team, I am excited and look forward to welcoming you to our shores,” Allanson said.
“Leaving your footprints on our beach will be part of the fondest holiday impressions and special moments that last a long time.”
Allanson’s appointment comes weeks after Mauritian hotelier Sun Limited sold Kanuhura, its only property in the Maldives, to Leisure Oceans Private, which is a new subsidiary set up by Hotel Properties Limited (HPL).
HPL owns 70 per cent of a subsidiary company HPL Resorts Maldives (HPLRM), which in turn incorporated Leisure Oceans in March as a hotel enterprise.
Singaporean businessman Ong Beng Seng is the founder, substantial shareholder and managing director of HPL, whose assets in the Maldives already include Gili Lankanfushi.
HPL’s assets under external management in the country include InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives and Six Senses Laamu.
Its hotel division tallies 38 hotels and resorts across 15 countries, also including Bhutan, Italy, Seychelles, South Africa and Vanuatu and other management companies it works with include Hard Rock Hotels, Hilton International, Marriott International, Concorde Hotels and COMO Hotels & Resorts.
COMO was founded by Ong’s wife and fellow entrepreneur Christina Ong, and also features two hotels in the Maldives.
Entirely renovated and redesigned in 2016, Kanuhura is a timeless castaway chic experience for travellers seeking the ultimate luxury retreat at its best with a casual and private atmosphere.
The island resort is home to 80 villas, tastefully furnished with sophistication and a modern touch.
Kanuhura is also known to have one of the most iconic barefoot beaches in the Maldives together with postcard-perfect views and sunsets.
Kanuhura invites you to visit its restaurants and bars where you will discover exquisite cuisines from all over the world.
To complete your experience, The World’s Best Spa’ by National Geographic Traveller magazine, Kokaa Wellness Retreat and Spa offers a world of blissful serenity for travellers in need of pampering.
Featured
World-first overwater padel tennis court launched at Meyyafushi Maldives
Meyyafushi Maldives, a new five-star premium all-inclusive boutique resort, has introduced what it describes as a world-first in resort recreation: a fixed overwater padel tennis court. Positioned above clear lagoons and framed by sweeping sunset views, the court offers guests an opportunity to play and unwind in a distinctive setting surrounded by panoramic ocean vistas.
Located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, the overwater court allows players to take part in a match while immersed in the natural calm of the surrounding seascape. Guests staying at the resort are offered one hour of complimentary padel tennis as part of the premium all-inclusive package. The setting provides a secluded and tranquil space for both beginners and experienced players to practise with the sound of the ocean beneath.
“Padel tennis has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and we wanted to bring it to life in the most spectacular way possible,” said Ahmed Siaar, Cluster General Manager of BeKind Hotels & Resorts. “Playing on water, surrounded by endless blues, transforms the game into something transcendent – it’s active luxury at its finest.”
The overwater court forms part of Meyyafushi’s wider range of facilities, which include an underwater dining restaurant, an overwater wine cellar, water pool suites with slides, a mini bowling lane, and an adults-only sky bar featuring a glass-bottom infinity pool. Each facility has been created to offer experiences that encourage connection, exploration and wellbeing.
With uninterrupted sunset views and a distinctive overwater location, Meyyafushi Maldives’ padel tennis court marks a global first for the sport, bringing together physical activity, landscape and design in a single setting.
Featured
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils ‘White Shores & Golden Lights’ festive season
This festive season, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invites guests to rediscover the joy of togetherness in what it calls the world’s gathering place. From 1 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the resort will transform into a luminous sanctuary under its signature theme, White Shores & Golden Lights – a palette of shimmering whites and sunlit gold inspired by the purity of the season and the golden glow of new beginnings.
The festive spirit officially begins on 1 December with a Tree Lighting Ceremony, setting the tone for a season of warmth, celebration, and community. Following a period of serene island relaxation, the programme resumes in full from 21 December onwards, offering a vibrant calendar of curated experiences that continues until the Orthodox Beach Buffet Dinner on 7 January.
Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere where refined island living meets festive cheer. The line-up includes festive aqua aerobics, barefoot beach games, Gingerbread House Decorating, and the energetic Colour Run & Paint Me Wall Marathon along the shoreline. Younger guests can enjoy themed pyjama parties, while those seeking adventure may explore a variety of water sports and wellbeing rituals.
The highlight of the season is the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner, presented along the oceanfront where waves meet the shore and golden lights illuminate the evening. With live music, seasonal cuisine, and candlelit elegance, the event combines the island’s natural beauty with cherished festive traditions.
On Christmas Day, Santa makes a memorable arrival at Kakuni Beach, delighting guests of all ages. Throughout the festive period, in collaboration with Reefscapers, the resort offers coral frame-building workshops, giving guests the opportunity to support reef restoration efforts and contribute to the preservation of the Maldives’ marine environment.
As the year comes to a close, guests are invited to welcome 2026 beneath the stars. Night Under the Stars, the resort’s New Year’s Eve celebration, features a coastal gala with champagne, gourmet dining, fireworks, and live entertainment that continues well past midnight.
From peaceful mornings at Shine Spa to evenings sampling global flavours accented with Maldivian character, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa offers an elevated festive experience. Whether travelling as a family, as a couple, or alone, guests will find each day filled with moments to remember and each evening touched with a sense of magic.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests to experience the magic of the festive season with us,” says Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. “Each moment of our festive programme has been thoughtfully designed to reflect Sheraton’s ethos of heartfelt hospitality – bringing people together through meaningful experiences in one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.”
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is also presenting a Festive Special Offer for this season. Guests may enjoy exclusive savings on beach or overwater accommodation, along with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, return speedboat transfers, and access to selected festive events and activities. Bookings made before 30 November 2025 will be eligible for stays between 20 December 2025 and 10 January 2026.
Featured
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
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