Featured
The Emerald Collection doubles in Maldives, acquires Faarufushi resort
The Emerald Collection – the luxury resort group behind Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa – is delighted to announce its exciting expansion with the acquisition of Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa.
A luscious 7-hectare private island in the Raa Atoll, framed by one of the Maldives’ most languid and extensive lagoons of 100-hectares.
Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa will open on 1st May 2022 and it is currently in the process of affiliation with The Leading Hotels of the World.
Wild at heart, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa encapsulates barefoot elegance at its finest while paying homage to the thriving Maldivian environment that surrounds the resort.
The island has 80 appointed villas, split into six different categories: Beach Villas (10), Family Villas with Pool (10), Beach Villas with Pool (17), Water Villa with Pool (39), Superior Water Villa with Pool (3) and one Presidential Villa beautifully located on the pristine beach.
Championing a minimalistic, sophisticated design which incorporates natural elements of stone and wood, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa’s water and beach villas will cater for couples looking for seclusion and privacy, families seeking quality time together and groups of friends looking for the ultimate bucket-list experiences.
With five fantastic restaurants and two bars to choose from, as part of its signature Deluxe All-Inclusive formula, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa will offer a level of variety, quality, and creativity that’s simply unmatched in the Maldives.
A true highlight is the signature Italian restaurant, Mediterraneo, and Eclipse Bar, both located on the resort’s scenic jetty. Mediterraneo will serve up the finest Italian dishes under the starred Maldivian sky, while Eclipse invites guests for delicious cocktails and aperitifs, as the sun sets into the water.
A true destination for barefoot, holistic wellness, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa houses the Emerald Spa, a state-of-the-art wellness facility hidden amongst the lush vegetation.
The spa comprises 8 air-conditioned spa suites elevated among the palm trees – where the unique design and oval roofs resemble eco-friendly spaceships. There is a steam room, a manicure and pedicure corner, a yoga pavilion, plunge pools, a spa boutique, and an immersive relaxation area – the perfect spot for forest bathing.
The spa menu draws from Balinese tradition and includes a host of relaxing body massages and detoxifying facials.
Designed with sports and fitness lovers in mind, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa has one large tennis court and one paddle court in the marina, and an air-conditioned Gym & Sports Centre with Technogym equipment.
Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa will offer extensive water sports facilities and some of the best diving in the Maldives at the five-star Diving Centre, where guests can achieve the coveted PADI licence.
A dedicated Dolphin Kids’ Club is under construction and will comprise of complimentary indoor and outdoor facilities for children aged 3-12.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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