Featured
LUX* South Ari Atoll brings culinary, F&B team to new heights

From left to right: Hussain Niyaz – Assistant Director of F&B; Ishan Mark Anthony Perera – Executive Chef; Sangeeth Ambadi – Food & Beverage Manager; Daminda Sanjeewa Hereth Bandarage – Assistant Food & Beverage Manager.
With a strong belief and passion in talent development, The Lux Collective’s well-loved resort LUX* South Ari Atoll has announced its recent internal promotions and names the key players in Culinary and Food & Beverage teams.
Hussain Niyaz – Assistant Director of F&B
Born and raised in the sunny Maldives, Niyaz started his career back in 2001 as a waiter in Four Seasons Kuda Huraa. Along his Food & Beverage career path, he has joined several renowned properties in the Maldives, including One & Only Reethi Rah and Finolhu, where he contributed to the pre-openings. Since 2020, Niyaz has led the Food & Beverage service team of LUX* South Ari Atoll, overseeing a collection of 8 restaurants, 5 bars, and in-villa dining operations. His management capabilities and eye for detail are recognised with his promotion to the position of Assistant F&B Director.
Ishan Mark Anthony Perera – Executive Chef
Growing up in Sri Lanka, surrounded by fresh and colorful ingredients, Mark has always found himself interested in the use of healthy organic produce. His love for food in combination with passion for service brought him to the hospitality industry. Throughout his career, he has worked with numerous luxury brands across different countries and supported several pre-opening properties. Following his dream to work in the Maldives, Mark joined LUX* South Ari Atoll in 2018 as Executive Pastry Chef, and his leadership earned him the role of Executive Chef in 2022. Today, he spearheads the resort’s culinary innovations along with his team, while elevating LUX* Resorts & Hotels signature Keen On Green brand initiative.
Sangeeth Ambadi – Food & Beverage Manager
Coming from India, Sangeeth joined LUX* South Ari Atoll as a bartender back in 2015. From the first days of his journey with the resort, he consistently serves as a role model for the teammates. His leadership skills, and knowledge of operations earned him the role of Food & Beverage Supervisor in just two years. Sangeeth was promoted to Restaurant Manager, and Food & Beverage Assistant Manager in 2019. His new role as Food & Beverage Manager is a result of his continuous strive for perfection and immense support of the island’s operation.
Daminda Sanjeewa Hereth Bandarage – Assistant Food & Beverage Manager
Daminda, originally from Sri Lanka, is another wonderful story of growing talents from within. Joining the resort 2008 as a bartender, he became the Head Bartender in 2011. Daminda is an ambassador of our brand’s purpose to “help people celebrate life”, always ensuring the highest level of service to guests in the outlets. His dedication and inspiration resulted in several promotions over a decade. He has been appointed as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager.
Supporting talents and inspiring growth from within the organisation is one of the top priorities of The Lux Collective hospitality group. Its large team of shining personalities across different resorts globally and also at LUX* South Ari Atoll works day-to-day together on the island, creating memorable experiences for Maldives’ tourists and visitors.
For more information about LUX* South Ari Atoll, please visit www.luxresorts.com, contact stay@luxmaldivesresort.com or call +960 668 0901.
Awards
The Nautilus Maldives honoured in 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Awards

In an increasingly fast-paced world, The Nautilus Maldives stands as a sanctuary where time slows and moments linger — a place that continues to capture the attention of discerning travellers. This haven of unhurried living has once again been recognised in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, as voted by readers in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
The accolade reaffirms the island’s quiet ability to enchant. With just 26 exclusive ocean and beach houses, The Nautilus offers complete privacy and a philosophy built entirely around individual freedom. Dining is available whenever a guest desires, and experiences unfold as inspiration strikes. A secluded sandbank transforms into a private dining room, and the Maldivian night sky becomes a stage for endless wonder.
“To be recognised again by Condé Nast Traveler’s readers is deeply meaningful,” said Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives. “Our guests come seeking beauty, but what they discover and cherish is freedom — the freedom to design their own rhythm and to create moments that are theirs alone.”
At The Nautilus, luxury is defined as liberation. Guests may drift through the UNESCO-protected waters of Baa Atoll, indulge in a Solasta Spa ritual without time limits, or share vintage champagne beneath a canopy of stars. Each stay unfolds as a personal narrative — unscripted, unhurried, and unforgettable.
Now in its thirty-eighth year, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards remain among the most respected distinctions in global travel. The results, drawn exclusively from readers’ experiences and opinions, continue to represent one of the industry’s most prestigious marks of excellence.
Entertainment
Amilla Maldives embarks on ‘Around the World in Wonder’ festive journey

Amilla Maldives will host a festive season celebration titled ‘Around the World in Wonder’ from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, inviting guests to experience a colourful exploration of global culture, curiosity, and joy.
Drawing inspiration from Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, the celebration takes guests on a journey across continents, with each day dedicated to a different country and its unique flavours, music, and traditions. The journey begins and concludes in the United Kingdom, tracing a route through the Maldives, Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, Japan, China, India, Egypt, Brazil, the United States, and Singapore, culminating in a grand finale on New Year’s Eve.
Amilla’s 11th anniversary on 21 December will feature island-wide festivities, including guided tours, tree planting, coconut painting, Maldivian cooking demonstrations, and a cocktail and cake-cutting ceremony. On 23 December, the Tree Lighting Ceremony will adopt an Italian flair with a Venetian-themed celebration, complete with mask-making workshops, Viennese waltz, wine tasting, the Venetian Masquerade Ball, and a special ‘Treasure of the Sea’ dinner.
France will take centre stage on 24 December, featuring the Dance of the Can Can, gingerbread house making, mime face painting, a Christmas Eve buffet, and an aerial hoop performance. The following day, 25 December, will celebrate Argentina with the arrival of Santa Claus, a festive brunch infused with tango rhythms, dance workshops, magic shows, and a lively tango dinner performance.
The festivities will reach their climax on 31 December, with the Around the World in a Cocktail party leading into the spectacular Global Carnival Event. The evening will feature live performances by the Hamilton Band, complemented by bongo drummers, saxophonists, acrobats, and fire dancers. The grand countdown and after party will usher in 2026 with music, energy, and celebration.
Awards
Lily Beach Resort & Spa wins Leading F&B Resort at South Asian Travel Awards 2025

Lily Beach Resort & Spa has been recognised as the Leading F&B Resort at the South Asian Travel Awards 2025, held in Colombo. The accolade reinforces the resort’s position as a destination where culinary excellence is at the heart of every guest experience.
Central to the resort’s success is its renowned Platinum All-Inclusive Plan, a comprehensive concept that offers guests access to a range of premium experiences. The plan includes à la carte dining across several speciality restaurants, unlimited premium wines and spirits, French Champagne such as Taittinger, themed buffets, private dining experiences, and selected excursions. Designed to elevate each stay, it allows guests to indulge fully without additional charges.
Lily Beach offers an array of distinctive restaurants and bars:
- Lily Maa, the main restaurant, features extensive buffets and live cooking stations.
- Tamarind presents refined Indian-Thai fusion cuisine in an elegant overwater setting.
- AQVA serves light fare and cocktails in a relaxed beachfront atmosphere.
- Teppanyaki delivers interactive Japanese dining, combining artistry and theatre.
- Les Turquoise d’Aqua provides a fine dining experience under the stars.
- The Spirit Bar, set beside the ocean, offers a tranquil space for sundowners and late-night drinks.
- Vibes combines a family-friendly pool, games area, and evening entertainment.
The resort’s culinary achievements have earned it continued recognition. In 2024, Lily Beach received the Wine Spectator Award for its exceptional wine cellar and sommelier programme, further affirming its place among the world’s leading resort dining destinations.
General Manager Laurent Driole expressed pride in the achievement, noting: “This award is a tribute to the vision, dedication, and artistry of our F&B team. Every menu, drink, and moment is crafted to delight, and to offer our guests a culinary journey as exceptional as the Maldives itself.”
The award for Leading Food & Beverage Resort is seen as a reflection of the passion and commitment of Lily Beach’s entire culinary team. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Alessio Biondi and F&B Director Adam Shareef, dishes are prepared using the finest ingredients sourced globally, ensuring guests enjoy the highest standards of quality. Their commitment to creativity and innovation means that every visit offers something new—both for first-time guests and returning visitors.
Equally vital to this success are the service teams who bring warmth and personality to each dining experience. Their genuine care and hospitality create a relaxed, homely atmosphere that embodies the essence of Lily Beach—a place where guests feel welcomed as part of a community.
With this latest recognition, Lily Beach continues to define the all-inclusive luxury segment in the Maldives, combining world-class gastronomy, seamless inclusions, and authentic Maldivian hospitality to deliver experiences that remain both refined and heartfelt.
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