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CROSSROADS Maldives honoured at Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021-22
CROSSROADS Maldives, the spectacular multi-island tourist destination developed by S Hotels and Resorts, the global hospitality arm of Singha Estate, has achieved yet another major international honour, after it was named as the “Best Leisure Development Maldives (Five-Star)” in the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021-2022.
A world-renowned recognition of excellence, the Asia Pacific Property Awards were designed to celebrate the highest levels of achievement in all sectors of the property and real estate industry.
Judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts, they focus on design, quality, service, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability.
These criteria certainly apply to CROSSROADS Maldives, which became the Maldives’ first fully-integrated resort and a new national icon when it opened its doors in 2019.
Nestled in the idyllic Kaafu Atoll and the Emboodhoo Lagoon, just 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé’s Velana International Airport, this breath-taking destination is centred around The Marina @ CROSSROADS, an 800-metre lifestyle area and beach walk that features a wealth of world-class facilities, including diverse dining options, retail stores, wellness centres, water sports, diving, kids’ clubs, an oceanfront wedding venue and a 30-berth yacht marina.
This makes CROSSROADS Maldives a truly inspiring and immersive setting for leisure breaks, vacations and special occasions.

Two exceptional resorts, including SAii Lagoon Maldives, a tropical lifestyle retreat for millennially-minded guests, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, the iconic music-themed brand’s first Maldivian property, offer outstanding accommodation options for all types of traveller, including experience-seeking couples, honeymooners, families and groups of friends.

What truly sets CROSSROADS Maldives apart however, is its focus on sustainability. During construction, specialist equipment was used to monitor the underwater environment and minimise its impact.
A dedicated Marine Discovery Centre leads conservation initiatives such as coral propagation and breeding programmes, while also serving as an educational hub for Maldivians and visitors alike.
These ecological efforts appear to be succeeding; Olive Ridley sea turtles have been seen nesting at SAii Lagoon Maldives’ beach, and pods of dolphin have been spotted near the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.
The Maldives Discovery Centre, meanwhile, creates a deep connection with the archipelago’s culture, allowing local people to interact with visitors and generate income by selling authentic arts and crafts.
“We are delighted to have won the ‘Best Leisure Development Maldives (Five-Star)’ title at the Asia Pacific Property Awards. This is a wonderful recognition that reflects our tireless efforts to raise the quality of hospitality and tourism in the Maldives, while also actively preserving and promoting its pristine environment,” Dirk De Cuyper, CEO of S Hotels & Resorts, said.
“The last 12 months have been a challenging time for everyone, but the Maldives is leading the recovery. Since it reopened to international visitors last year, this captivating country has shown how tourism can be managed safely and responsibly. We look forward to welcoming even more guests back to CROSSROADS Maldives in 2021 and beyond.”
This year’s Asia Pacific Property Awards were celebrated virtually on 28th May 2021, with an online gala red carpet event. For more information, please visit propertyawards.net.
To learn more about CROSSROADS Maldives, please visit crossroadsmaldives.com. Alternatively, for more information about S Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.shotelsresorts.com.
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ELE|NA marks World Asthma Day with guided wellness experiences
ELE|NA marked World Asthma Day with a series of wellness activities across its properties, focusing on the role of breath in overall wellbeing.
The programme was designed to highlight the connection between breathing, movement and daily health practices. According to the company, the initiative aimed to position respiratory health as an integral part of routine wellness rather than a purely clinical concern.
Activities began with guided breath awareness sessions combined with stretching exercises. These sessions focused on controlled movement and breathing techniques intended to improve mobility and support more regulated breathing patterns. The approach was structured to help participants reduce tension and restore a steady physical rhythm.
The programme also included Floating Sound Healing sessions, where participants were positioned on water while exposed to therapeutic sound frequencies. The sessions were designed to support relaxation and mental focus through controlled sensory input.
The overall programme combined breathwork, movement and sound-based therapy as part of a structured wellness approach. ELE|NA indicated that these practices were intended to support awareness, relaxation and physical balance.
The company operates across 12 properties, including OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi, VARU by Atmosphere, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO and RAAYA by Atmosphere, as well as properties in India.
Through the initiative, ELE|NA presented its wellness framework as extending beyond spa treatments, incorporating routine practices centred on breathing, movement and relaxation.
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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives offers Dive Free programme
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is offering guests access to a range of dive sites in South Malé Atoll through its Dive Free programme, aimed at divers seeking structured and accessible diving experiences during their stay.
Located approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort provides proximity to multiple dive sites within a 10 to 30-minute boat radius. The surrounding waters are known for varied reef structures, current-driven channels and regular marine life encounters, allowing for multiple dives per day.
The Dive Free programme is available to guests staying three nights or more, offering up to two complimentary scuba dives per day for up to two certified divers per villa.
According to Dive Centre Manager Ibrahim Shaan, the location enables access to a range of dive environments within a short distance, including reef and channel dives. He noted that sites such as Kandooma Thila can be reached within minutes, while additional sites offering different conditions are accessible within half an hour.
Director of Marketing and Sustainability Sharon Garrett stated that the programme is designed to integrate diving into the overall guest experience, reducing both time and cost considerations for certified divers.
Water conditions in the area remain suitable for diving throughout the year, with visibility often exceeding 20 metres. The dive sites accessible from the resort include:
- Kandooma Thila, a coral-covered pinnacle known for sightings of reef sharks and eagle rays
- Guraidhoo Corner, a channel dive site with strong currents attracting schools of fish and larger species
- Cocoa Corner, featuring reef walls and drop-offs with occasional pelagic encounters
- Kuda Giri Wreck, a sheltered site with a wreck and reef supporting reef fish and macro life
- Kandooma Caves, characterised by overhangs and reef formations with diverse marine species
Additional nearby sites include Manta Point, Lhosfushi, Medhu Faru and Waggiri, offering a mix of reef and channel diving, with seasonal manta ray sightings.
The resort operates a PADI five-star dive centre with guided excursions and access to multiple sites within short travel distances. The Dive Free programme is positioned as an option for divers seeking to maximise time in the water without the need for domestic transfers, providing direct access to dive locations from a single island base.
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Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives unveils Eid al-Adha experience
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has introduced a curated Eid al-Adha offering aimed at travellers seeking a structured yet flexible way to mark the occasion in a resort setting.
Branded “Island Celebrations: Eid – Connect in Paradise”, the experience is positioned for guests from the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, with a focus on shared experiences, personal time and engagement with the surrounding environment.
Located approximately 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is accessible for short-stay and family travel during peak holiday periods. The property features 120 beach and overwater villas, alongside an overwater spa, house reef and multiple dining outlets.
The Eid experience will begin with an in-villa welcome offering, including Arabic sweets, dates and fruit. The programme is structured around a series of optional activities rather than a fixed schedule. These include lagoon-based experiences, daily yoga sessions at sunrise and sunset, spa treatments, sunset cruises and dining options designed for private or shared settings.
The resort has indicated that the programme is intended to allow guests to engage with activities at their own pace, rather than follow a defined itinerary.
In line with the preferences of Muslim travellers, the resort has incorporated halal-friendly dining options, flexible meal arrangements and an expanded range of non-alcoholic beverages. Villa layouts are also designed to support privacy.
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has reported guest ratings of 9.2 out of 10 on halal travel platforms, reflecting demand within this segment.
The introduction of the Eid programme aligns with broader trends in the Maldives tourism sector, where travel experiences are increasingly structured around personalisation, cultural considerations and smaller-scale experiences.
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