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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island appoints Evghenia Popazoglo as Director of Operations

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has announced the appointment of Evghenia Popazoglo as Director of Operations as the iconic twin-island resort prepares for its grand relaunch.

The property is part of Conrad Hotels & Resorts, one of Hilton’s (NYSE:HLT) global luxury hotel brands. An experienced Head of Operations and hospitality expert, Popazoglo will be responsible for elevating the guest experience whilst upholding the high-quality service standard that the resort is renowned for.

With an impressive career spanning 16 years, Popazoglo’s versatile skillset includes a background in guest relations in the MENA region. Most recently, Popazoglo was Head of Operations at OP3 EXPO and prior to this was Director of Rooms at Hilton Algiers Hotel where she successfully oversaw its renovation and re-launch. In addition, she has held leading guest service roles at Emirates Grand Hotel, Jumeirah Vittaveli Resort and Mina A’Salam Hotel.

Her penchant for travel and luxury hotels has led her to Rangali Island. With a strong eye for detail, communication expertise, financial proficiency, and motivational leadership philosophy, Popazoglo will supervise and assist the team in their constant strive to exceed guest expectations at every turn. In addition to having excellent communication and people skills, Evghenia can speak six different languages, including Russian, Greek, and Turkish. Having proficiency in these three languages is particularly important to Conrad Maldives Rangali Island as the property continues to develop these markets.

Commenting on her appointment Evghenia says: “I am delighted to be joining Conrad Maldives Rangali Island at such an exciting time for the property with its grand relaunch just around the corner. Its avant-garde philosophy has set the tone for luxury hospitality in the Maldives for the past 25 years, and it is an honor to be part of the next chapter for this iconic brand.”

Carla Puverel, General Manager, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, comments: “We are delighted to welcome Evghenia as the Director of Operations as Conrad Maldives Rangali Island heads into the final stage of its considerable, property-wide transformation, with reimagined water villas, culinary venues, and innovative guest experiences. It’s important that we continue to pioneer and set the standards for the destination and Evghenia has demonstrated a keen interest in embracing the resort’s dedication to innovation. We look forward to seeing her experience and insight translate into unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

Proudly the first international resort brand to arrive in the Maldives and soon to complete 25 years in time for the grand relaunch in 2022, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island was and continues to be, a pioneer amongst the Maldives’ 150 resorts. Renowned for delivering authentic barefoot luxury, the twin-island property is home to the world’s first undersea restaurant Ithaa, the first underwater bedroom set within the two-level residence The MURAKA, and the first twin-island resort experience in the Maldives, amongst others.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is located in Rangali Island, 20077, Maldives. To book, call +960 668 0629 or visit conradmaldives.com.

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‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.

The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.

During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.

“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.

“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”

The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.

The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.

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Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards

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Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.

Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.

The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.

This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.

The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.

“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.

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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme

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Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.

Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.

On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.

The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.

The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.

At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.

Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.

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