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Six Senses appoints Michael Vance as Regional Director of Sales, Marketing for Maldives
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has announced the appointment of Michael Vance as Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for the Maldives, where he will oversee two Six Senses properties.
Michael brings more than 15 years of international experience in the high-end hospitality sector to the role.
Michael spent the last four years as the Head of Sales & Marketing at Perowne International in London where he oversaw a global portfolio of more than 20 independent luxury hotels, resorts, and lodges. He is no stranger to Six Senses having previously spent six years as Director of Sales, based in London, looking after the UK market on behalf of the group.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Michael back to Six Senses to oversee the sales and marketing strategies for our two properties in the Maldives: Six Senses Laamu and Six Senses Kanuhura,” explains Marteyne van Well, Regional General Manager.
Opening in December 2022, the re-launch of Kanuhura under the Six Senses brand represents a new beginning in the island’s rich history in the Maldives, and Michael will oversee the reopening strategy, alongside driving the continued success of Six Senses Laamu.
“A great addition to the team, I am confident that Michael’s inspirational and results-oriented leadership will lead to a successful launch of our second property, while also ensuring growth and further strengthening relationships with our key partners,” adds Marteyne.
“Both of the Six Senses properties in the Maldives will offer incredible experiences for guests, and I am looking forward to working with our teams on the ground to develop these further and share our stories and plans with guests and partners around the world,” says Michael.
“Having such a connection to the brand and to the Maldives, I have long aspired to take on such a role. To have the opportunity to do so at this pivotal time in the development of Six Senses and its growth in the Maldives is something incredibly special.”
Michael and his family will remain based in the UK but needless to say his two young children are very much looking forward to becoming two of Six Senses Laamu’s newest Junior Marine Biologists. Michael has always been an avid traveler and his passion for the Maldives stems from his first visit more than 25 years ago. Michael’s personal passions are good food (both cooking and eating) as well as scuba-diving and exploring the world with his partner and children.
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.
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.
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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