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Soneva’s Maldives resorts welcome new Guardians of the Experience

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Award-winning luxury resorts brand Soneva has announced three new leadership appointments at its Maldives properties. Pjey Mayandi is appointed Guardian of the Experience (General Manager) at Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll, with Manjit Kumar Ghosh named Resort Manager, while Eddie Teh joins the team at the Noonu Atoll’s Soneva Jani as Guardian of the Experience.

Originally from Singapore, Pjey first joined Soneva Fushi as Resort Manager in 2021. His career in hospitality began after 15 years as a commissioned officer in the Singapore Armed Forces, after which he joined The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai and Doha. This was followed by management roles at Naumi Hospitality, Millennium Hotels and Resorts and the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in his native Singapore, as well as being on the pre-launch teams for properties including M Social in Singapore and Suzhou and The Ritz-Carlton in Sanya and Hong Kong.

“It is a true honour to be working for such a ground-breaking industry pioneer – Soneva Fushi continues to innovate and raise the bar 27 years after it welcomed its very first guests back in 1995,” says Pjey Mayandi. “As Guardian of the Experience, I draw my inspiration from our remarkable Hosts, who come from so many backgrounds and have such passion and commitment for the work we do.”

In his spare time, Pjey is a keen marathon runner, road cyclist and golfer, and winds down by reading about inspiring leaders.

Manjit rejoins the Soneva family following a leadership role at Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam. Before that, he was with the Soneva Kiri team on Koh Kood, Thailand, between 2009 and 2019.

Eddie Teh makes the move to Soneva Jani from Soneva Fushi, where he was Guardian of the Experience from May 2021. A veteran hotelier, he has worked across South East Asia and Australia, with leadership roles with the Orient Express, La Residence Phou Vao in Laos and the Belmond group in Myanmar. While at Belmond, he helped establish the Belmond Free Clinic, named the Best CSR Programme for Belmond worldwide.

“I am delighted to join Soneva Jani and am looking forward to bringing my own experience to this iconic destination and work alongside such a strong team of Hosts,” says Eddie Teh. “Ever since I first encountered the Soneva brand back in 2017, I’ve been inspired by its unwavering commitment to responsible, sustainable travel and creating unforgettable rare experiences for our guests.”

Eddie is fluent in English, Bahasa, Hokkien, basic Mandarin and French. In his spare time, he loves art and design, learning about new cultures, rugby, reading and music.

“Both Pjey, Eddie and Manjit are seasoned Soneva Hosts who embody our ‘Slow Life’ ethos and truly represent our focus on a beyond bespoke guest experience,” says Sonu Shivdasani, Co-founder and CEO of Soneva. “As our Maldives resorts continue to evolve, I have every confidence that Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani will thrive under their guardianship and wish them a heartfelt congratulations in their new roles.”

Awards

Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026

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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.

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Cooking

Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day

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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.

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Awards

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition

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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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