Featured
The Signature Collection by Hideaway: Redefining luxury at Hideaway Beach Resort
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has announced the launch of an iconic brand for the world’s most discerning traveller, seeking bona fide opulent experiences.
The Signature Collection by Hideaway will offer secluded luxury and villa-style living on the far Northern Point of the 33-hectare island. It is a novel concept – a ‘resort within a resort’ – in one of the most sought after, award-winning destinations in the world: The Maldives.
The Signature Collection by Hideaway features nine ultra-luxurious villas, offering the sophisticated luxury traveller a unique sense of exclusivity and indulgence.
All the villas have been designed with Middle Eastern influences and finishing touches with an enhanced signature architectural style inspired by five-star villa living combined with ‘barefoot luxury’.
Signature Beach Residence with Sunrise Pool
The most luxurious single bedroom beach residences on the island. It offers opulent Middle Eastern interiors and finishes and is the exemplar of privacy and seclusion.
At 350 sqm (just under 4000 square feet), luxury guests can indulge in the stylish, spacious interiors that are filled with wonderous inclusions like a king-sized marble bathtub, a handcrafted wooden private deck leading onto a private swimming pool, and direct access to the luminous white sandy beaches.



Grand Beach Residence with Sunrise Pool (Three-Bedroom Villa)
The open-plan, unique villa offers an air of exploration, with a blend of Middle Eastern styles and textures, complimented by artisan-made furniture and enticing glass fittings.
These villas are set at 700 sqm (just over 7500 square feet), offering sophisticated, signature designer-style living.
The crowning glory of this villa is the recessed gazebo in the large curved private swimming pool, with an expansive wooden deck and direct private access to the classic Maldivian beaches and turquoise waters of the island’s North Point.
Well-being is key, with private outdoor treadmill and exercise bike located on the expansive wooden deck, offering spectacular ocean views, which is complimented with floor to ceiling mirror style television experience, which reflects the splendour of the natural surroundings.
Guests can then go on to indulge themselves in a relaxing sauna bath, conveniently located nearby in the villa, to feel well rested after the workout.



Sultan Beach Residence with Sunset Pool (Four-Bedroom Villa)
At 1100 sqm (almost 12000 square feet), this villa offers an elite private luxury residence experience.
Guests will enjoy contemporary designs, with floor to ceiling glass windows that provide a luminous interior and exemplary ocean views across the spatial and secluded Northern Atoll.
Access is gained through a private entrance, which leads into a spacious living area and outdoor wooden deck – the ideal location for lounging at sunset.
A unique feature of this villa is the distinctive water slide feature that extends into the scintillating and ostentatious swimming pool with a Gazebo, truly a unique concept in the Maldives.
The captivating outdoor wooden deck boast a luxurious living area, with plush sunbeds and designer couches and Signature umbrellas on each side.
The four-bedroom villa is comprised of private bedrooms, all offering a standalone suite with walk-in rain showers. Two of the bedrooms offer king-size beds, while the other two bedrooms feature luxurious double beds.
Well-being is also a key element of the experience in this villa as guests can enjoy a private indoor gym with modern, state of the art treadmill and designer equipment available, which is all complimented by an indulgent and relaxing steam bath right inside the villa.
This is the ultimate restorative needed to rejuvenate after a strenuous workout while enjoying the experience together with loved ones.


The Signature Collection of villas are all complimented by the finest dining, bar, and lounge area, found at The Oasis. Here, guests will be invited to delight in al fresco dining experiences, with local and international culinary dishes, all prepared and hosted by world-renowned Chefs. The experience will be paired with personalised Signature Collection choice wines and rare champagnes.
The private library in The Oasis offers a comfortable spacious interior and contemporary furnishings, which is complimented with the ‘Signature Collection’ hand-picked selection of local Maldivian books, filled with inspiration, culture and history of the Maldives.
Soak up the unhindered views across the Indian Ocean from the lounge area, while relaxing in comfort and style and enjoying the finest of drinks.
Find a moment’s reprieve to take it easy, relax, and recharge around a little pool shaped like ‘an oasis in the desert’. In the evenings the space is turned into one where guests can socialise and trade stories and is purposed to become the ‘best watering hole’ at the resort.



A host of privileges accompany a stay with The Signature Collection, such as private check-in and check-out services, all Signature Guests will be hosted by private butlers during their stay, preferential reservations in the resort’s restaurants, exclusive access to The Oasis, and many more.
Signature Collection guests will be invited to choose from the list of activities that are available at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, whether it is world-class scuba diving, private sundowner cruises, or stand-up paddle boarding.
Hideaway Spa is surely the most sought after; located just moments away from the collection, offering ultra-indulgent experiences with exquisite Asian treatments, combined with tailor made packages.
In addition, there are multiple dining experiences and bars, a litany of wellness and fitness experiences in the sports complex (like yoga, golf simulator, basketball, and tennis), and a Water Sports Centre with a floating aquatic water park.
“The Signature Collection will offer the luxury 5-star discerning traveller an experience that exudes exclusivity and privacy, combined with the captivating and unspoiled beauty of Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. The collection is the ideal escape for those who wish to retreat from the modern world in style,” Group Director of Sales and Marketing Desislav Gospodinov said.
The Signature Collection is set to be unveiled in early November. More detailed information will be provided over the coming weeks for the luxurious brand located at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, which has been awarded The Best Luxury Hideaway Resort in the Maldives by Luxury Lifestyle Awards in 2021, offers a secluded and private villa style experience and is a mere one hour and 25-minute private seaplane ride from Velana International Airport, just a stone’s throw away from the country’s capital – Male.
For all booking enquiries and sales related enquiries, please email Desislav Gospodinov, and copy the resort’s dedicated Signature Reservations Team, who will be on hand to facilitate your requests: desislav@lilyhotels.com or reservations@signaturecollectionmaldives.com
Please visit The Signature Collection by Hideaway website, by following www.signaturecollectionmaldives.com.
Excursions
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives reports rare whale shark encounter
Divers from Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives recorded a whale shark sighting last month during a dive at Kandooma Thila in South Malé Atoll.
The encounter took place on 13 April during a guided dive led by Dive Centre Manager Ibrahim Shaan. The whale shark, estimated to be approximately six metres in length, is believed to be a juvenile aged between eight and 15 years. The animal remained in the vicinity of the divers for more than 30 minutes before leaving the area.
Shaan said the whale shark entered the dive site calmly, circled alongside the group and remained present for an extended period. He described the encounter as one of the most notable experiences observed at the site.
Whale shark sightings are considered uncommon in South Malé Atoll, where the species is not typically resident. They are more frequently associated with the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area, one of the primary aggregation areas for whale sharks in the country.
The Maldives is regarded as a key destination for whale shark encounters due to environmental conditions including warm waters, nutrient-rich currents and seasonal plankton blooms. Whale sharks are filter feeders and migrate across large distances, often following food sources.
The sighting at Kandooma Thila is understood to be linked to broader migratory movement through the atoll system, with the animal potentially following plankton concentrations or feeding opportunities created by ocean currents.
Kandooma Thila is known for its coral-covered structure, current-driven conditions and marine biodiversity, factors which may attract larger pelagic species on a temporary basis.
Following the sighting, the resort has submitted photographs and video footage to the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) for potential identification through its national database. Whale sharks can be identified through unique spot patterns located behind the gills and along their flanks.
The MWSRP’s Big Fish Network database has recorded more than 800 individual whale sharks in the Maldives, contributing to long-term research on migration patterns, population dynamics and species health.
Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing and Sustainability at the resort, said the data collected would support ongoing research and conservation efforts. She noted that such information contributes to understanding seasonal movement patterns, assessing environmental conditions and informing marine protection measures.
The resort has also reiterated the importance of responsible interaction with marine wildlife. Recommended practices include maintaining distance, avoiding physical contact, refraining from flash photography and ensuring appropriate buoyancy control.
Boat strike incidents remain a recognised threat to whale sharks in Maldivian waters, highlighting the need for careful vessel operation in areas where marine life is present.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is located approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport and provides access to multiple dive sites in South Malé Atoll. The resort also operates a Dive Free programme, offering up to two complimentary dives per day for certified divers staying a minimum of three nights.
Celebration
Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort awarded Green Globe certification
Reethi Faru Resort has received Green Globe certification, recognising its compliance with international standards for sustainable tourism.
The certification reflects the resort’s stated commitment to responsible hospitality, with a focus on environmental management, social responsibility and operational practices across the property.
Green Globe certification is awarded following an assessment based on established sustainability criteria and verified through independent third-party audits. The standard reviews performance in areas including environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation, community engagement and sustainable operations.
With the certification, Reethi Faru Resort joins a group of hospitality operators worldwide that have met Green Globe’s sustainability requirements and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improvement in tourism practices.
In a statement, the management of Reethi Faru Resort said the recognition reflects the resort’s continued focus on preserving the natural environment of the Maldives while maintaining the guest experience. The management added that sustainability forms part of the resort’s daily operations.
The Green Globe standard includes more than 40 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, providing a framework for assessing sustainability performance in the hospitality sector.
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