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S Hotels & Resorts create major public park in Maldives
S Hotels and Resorts PCL, the global hospitality company from Singha Estate PCL, has signed an agreement with the Maldivian government’s Ministry of National Planning, Housing & Infrastructure to develop a new public recreational area for the residents of Malé, as it continues to give back to the communities in which it operates, in line with its deep commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The new Picnic Park will be located at CROSSROADS Maldives, the Indian Ocean’s first multi-island leisure destination. Nestled in the Embhoodoo Lagoon, just 15 minutes from the Maldives’ congested capital city, this inviting waterfront area will feature three hectares of open space and fantastic facilities for up to 500 people, including 200 metres of public beach, a mosque, large gardens, multiple barbecue areas and beach huts. Visitors will also be able to unwind and take part in a range of beach games, such as football and volleyball. Set to be opened in Q4 2022, the park will be accessible for everyone, including local people young and old, families, visiting guests and people with limited mobility.
Easily accessible from Malé via ferry, this impressive park will enable local residents to enjoy family days out and interact in a lively, social setting. They can also combine their day of relaxation with a stroll 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, and a 30-berth yacht marina.
At CROSSROADS Maldives, visitors can learn all about the heritage of the archipelago, above and beneath the waves. The Maldives Discovery Centre, which is located close to the Picnic Park, allows all ages to uncover the country’s rich culture through interactive displays, and see how local arts and crafts have shaped its unique identity. The Marine Discovery Centre meanwhile, is dedicated to protecting the Maldives’ precious underwater ecosystems through important initiatives such as coral propagation and breeding programmes. Following the completion of the Picnic Park, the centre’s marine biologist will host regular talks on key issues such as climate change and zero waste to educate society about the importance of conservation.
The Picnic Park reflects S Hotels & Resorts’ deep commitment to improving the lives of people in the destinations in which it operates. Malé is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and its limited space means that there are few public places for residents to relax. The Picnic Park will alleviate this problem and create an important new social hub for families and friends to relax together and mingle with tourists.
This is an excellent example of S Hotels & Resorts’ pledge to integrate the UN’s SDGs into every aspect of its operations, including SDG11, “Sustainable Cities & Communities” and SDG14, “Life Below Water”. By incorporating social projects into its developments, the company believes that it can spread the benefits of tourism even wider. Previous initiatives have included donating medical supplies and electric vehicles to support the fight against the global pandemic in the Maldives, supporting waste management in southern Thailand by collecting over 8,000kg of marine debris in Koh Phi Phi in 2021, and supporting over 30 local families who provide longtail boat services at SAii Phi Phi Island Village.
“We are delighted to start work on the Picnic Park, which will become an important recreational facility for the people of Malé. All too often, local people do not feel the benefits of tourism. This problem is especially common in island resort areas, where visitors are often separated from their hosts. At S Hotels & Resorts, we want to do things a little differently. CROSSROADS Maldives is a fully-integrated lifestyle destination where guests can enjoy world-class tourism experiences while also connecting with the Maldivian population and learning about their culture. By weaving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into our operations, we strive to make a real difference to people’s lives and have a long-term positive impact wherever we do business,” said Dirk De Cuyper, CEO, S Hotels & Resorts.
The winner of the “Best Leisure Development Maldives (Five-Star)” title at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021-2022, CROSSROADS Maldives is home to The Marina CROSSROADS, Picnic Park and two exceptional resorts: SAii Lagoon Maldives, a five-star lifestyle retreat, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, the iconic music-themed brand’s first Maldivian property. Construction work recently commenced on the project’s third island, which will be home to SO/ Maldives, a brand-new luxury resort.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.
The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.
On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.
As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.
The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.
Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.
Soneva Fushi, situated within the Maldives’ Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been named winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The accolade is one of two special awards announced ahead of the official ceremony on 30 October. The award is based on votes from more than 800 members of the Academy, who were asked to identify the hotel where they experienced their single-best hospitality moment within the two-year voting period.
The award recognises the quality of service that ensures guests feel cared for throughout their stay. It celebrates the work of a property and its entire team, acknowledging excellence in areas ranging from reception and housekeeping to amenities and food and beverage services. Voters were asked to consider ambience, unique experiential elements, and the warmth of the hospitality on offer.
Soneva Fushi, the original Soneva resort and regarded as the model for barefoot luxury, is located on one of the Maldives’ largest and least developed islands. The resort comprises 71 private villas, either set amidst dense jungle or positioned above the ocean. Guests are invited to embrace a slower pace of life, with experiences ranging from deserted island picnics and wellness treatments at Soneva Soul to curated events under the Soneva Stars calendar.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “This award celebrates the foundation of hospitality and honours the emotional connection that guests have with a hotel and its team. For three decades, Soneva Fushi has been delivering memorable service at the highest level that puts the guest at the heart of every interaction. A mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the awards’ inception, Soneva Fushi is a worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, setting a benchmark of all-encompassing excellence one stay at a time.”
Each villa offers extensive indoor and outdoor living space, private pools and ocean views. A distinctive feature of the resort is its Barefoot Guardians – dedicated butlers assigned to each villa to provide personalised service. Available at all times, they arrange every aspect of the guest experience, from zipline adventures and snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay to stargazing at the observatory or dining in one of 14 restaurants. The Barefoot Guardians also manage the Soneva Stars calendar, which hosts international chefs, wellness specialists and sporting figures.
Antony Paton, General Manager of Soneva Fushi, said: “This award belongs to the entire team at Soneva Fushi. It is a reflection of our shared purpose to create moments of joy, connection and wonder every single day. Being recognised by The World’s 50 Best Hotels affirms that the quiet magic we strive for is not only felt by our guests, but remembered. And that, to us, is the greatest reward.”
Giancarlo Mancino, Chief Executive Officer of SeiBellissimi, added: “At Soneva Fushi, hospitality is a seamless extension of a lifestyle deeply rooted in sustainability, wellness and mindful luxury. Founded with a slow life philosophy, every experience here is a tribute to living in harmony with nature, honouring health-conscious principles, and crafting each moment with genuine care. This devotion to sustainable elegance and the art of well-being is the perfect mirror of SeiBellissimi’s own values: Italian craftsmanship, conviviality, and a respect for quality that goes beyond the ordinary.”
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on Thursday 30 October, where Soneva Fushi will formally receive the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award.
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group operating nine resorts in the Maldives, has announced that three of its properties were recognised at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2025. The annual awards celebrate achievements across 28 categories, with winners selected through votes cast by guests and travel partners.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives received the award for Best Family Resort. The property is known for offering experiences for all ages, with facilities including a playground, splash park, and gourmet kitchen at its children’s club, alongside an extensive schedule of activities. Young guests are provided with age-appropriate experiences such as snorkelling safaris, cooking classes, surf lessons, and outdoor cinema evenings.
Accommodation includes a variety of spacious villas and pavilions, such as the newly renovated Deluxe Family Beach Pool Villa. Combined with diverse dining options, recreational activities, and personalised service, the resort seeks to provide both adventure and relaxation for families.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort was named Best Beach Resort, reflecting its setting of white sands, turquoise lagoons, and coconut groves within Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort offers contemporary villas, including Beach Pool Villas and Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas, with direct beach access.
Since opening in 2023, Avani+ Fares has aimed to introduce a laid-back approach to Maldivian holidays, combining modern design with the natural environment. Guests can participate in activities ranging from water sports and wellness to dining and cultural programmes.
NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort was awarded Best Dive Resort, recognised for its accessible house reef and marine biodiversity. Located close to the shoreline, the reef offers opportunities for snorkellers and divers of all levels, with frequent encounters with species such as reef sharks, turtles, rays, and tropical fish.
The resort also provides access to the dive sites of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, where PADI-certified instructors guide guests through channels, thilas, and reef walls.
In addition to these three awards, Minor Hotels’ properties received 12 finalist nominations across seven categories. These included its newest addition, NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort, which was shortlisted in three categories.
The group’s nominations at the TTM Awards 2025 were:
- Best Beach Resort: Avani+ Fares and NH Collection Maldives Havodda
- Best Family Resort: Niyama, Avani+ Fares, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
- Best Boutique Resort: NH Maldives Kuda Rah
- Best Culinary Resort: Niyama
- Most Picturesque Resort: NH Collection Maldives Havodda
- Best Surf Resort: Niyama
- Best Dive Resort: Avani+ Fares, NH Collection Maldives Havodda, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
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