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
Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
Featured
JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Awards
Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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