Featured
Hideaway Beach Resort appoints Amir Badr as Resident Manager
Lily Hotels has announced the appointment of Amir Badr as the Resident Manager of Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa and its new elevated luxury collection, The Signature Collection by Hideaway in the Maldives.
Born to Russian-Palestinian parents and raised in Oman, Amir comes with a diverse background within the hospitality industry with a career in the industry in locations such as Malaysia, Australia, Oman, and Thailand. He joins the operations team at the resort with over 12 years of experience in hotel management.
Amir is a leader with a genuine passion for the hospitality industry and ready to challenge himself and his team by constantly delivering immaculate luxury service to guests and leading the team to success in this endeavour. His career so far is a testament of his drive to build a team that is consistently motivated to go above and beyond to exceed guest expectations in the luxury servicescape. With a solid educational base formed in renowned hospitality schools such as Les Roches and experience earned by the challenge of being a founder/managing director of a hospitality management firm based in Thailand, and by working with renowned brands such as Six Senses in the past, he brings a well-rounded leadership ability to the local owner-operator in a very challenging and epoch time of the organisation and the industry as whole.
Amir mentioned, “Our aim is to create a motivated, hard-working, loyal family who will be proud to represent Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa as well as The Signature Collection. Creating a positive working environment influences the experience guests to receive. Supporting our team, listening to their side of the story, motivating them when times are busy, working on their weaknesses, and appreciating their point of view on our decisions will create such an environment. As a result, we are creating a solid foundation upon which we can build and also ensure that we can offer our guests memorable experiences that will enhance our reputation in the future. Plus, we look forward to providing our guests with extraordinary offers and added value ranging from different experiences on this beautiful natural island”.
Together with General Manager Christophe Adam, this well powered team aims to achieve some exciting milestones in the coming months, especially in running a tight ship in unfamiliar waters to get the bespoke luxury experience over at The Signature Collection with expansive multi-bedroom villas and fine-dining restaurant, bar, and lounge at the Oasis. They are looking to raise the bar in hospitality excellence especially in a heavily competitive industry in the Maldives.
The General Manager Christophe Adam has this to say about his peer’s appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Amir to our team, and we are confident that Amir’s strong attention for detail, passion for luxury service, and appreciation for an authentic sense of place will be a great asset to lead our amazing team members in delivering memorable experiences to our valued guests”.
Amir noted that there are some new and exciting features coming soon to the resort that he is working on with the GM and the team to get them released this year to their guests. These include some new sports and recreation facilities and possibly a new marine experience as well. He also stated that they will be releasing a brand-new menu for the Oasis to showcase the culinary experiences that await the Signature Guests coming to enjoy the brand-new collection’s experience at the resort. In addition to that, he hopes to get a key unique feature of the resort – the Marina – up and running as soon as possible.
With exciting new features and the new collection at the resort, its no doubt that Amir will set a high-performance standards for himself and his team so that to ensure that they maintain a high level of service to delight their discerning guests and to truly offer luxury as expected and beyond in the Maldives.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
-
Business1 week agoFootball legends receive FIFA World Cup 2026 match balls signed by President Muizzu
-
Awards1 week agoAnantara Kihavah, Niyama recognised in Travel + Leisure reader awards
-
News1 week agoAvani+ Fares Maldives introduces poolside reads under global book club programme
-
News1 week agoJW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa introduces immersive island escape across land and sea
-
Cooking6 days agoSt. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort to host Asia’s culinary talents for ‘Across the Table’ dining experience
-
Awards1 week agoMachchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives wins ‘Best House Reef’ at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026
-
Family1 week agoArt, sport and island adventure shape JOALI Maldives Summer Camp 2026
-
Cooking7 days agoMichelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa


