Featured
JOALI Maldives supports Ungoofaaru school to enhance facilities
JOALI Maldives opens a Reading Park and Special Education Needs (SEN) classroom at Ungoofaaru School to enhance the school’s educational facilities.
Since their opening in 2018, JOALI Maldives, the first art-immersive luxury resort in the Maldives, has worked with a passion and dedication to support local communities across Raa Atoll.
JOALI Maldives donated USD 20,000 to Ungoofaaru School to finance the project. This included building one of the largest Reading Parks in Maldives, inclusive of a Brain Gym. The Brain Gym is a space to teach students games such as puzzle, chess, scrabble, and Rubik’s Cube to stimulate their brains. A new SEN classroom was also built, with the aim to create an inclusive learning space for children with disabilities. The project was built in a sustainable manner, to ensure there was minimum disruption to the environment and for the longevity of the project.
On opening the facilities, General Manager of JOALI Maldives, Enver Arslan highlighted the importance of education to build the future generations: “Supporting education and capacity building is vital for community development – and is one of our key focus areas. We will continue to partner with local institutions and organisations, and collectively work to educate and inspire the future generations.”
Earlier this year, JOALI Maldives donated classroom materials to the two schools in Raa Ungoofaaru; Ungoofaaru School and Saif Preschool. The resort also does regular school visits, teaching students about the hospitality sector and about marine life and sustainability.
The resort prides itself in promoting education and inspiring the future generations of Raa Atoll. In May-June 2022, the resort participated in Raa Tourism Expo 2022, Culinary Arts Exhibition in Raa Meedhoo and Water Sports Exhibition in Raa Hulhudhuffaaru to showcase the incredible talents of their Hosts and inspire students and young people from across Raa Atoll to potential opportunities in the hospitality sector. In January 2022, the resort also donated to Women in Tech Maldives to teach coding skills to 30+ girls in Raa Atoll School in Raa Dhuvaafaru.
In June this year, JOALI Maldives donated USD 30,000 and two eight-seater buggies worth $ USD 14,900 to the Raa Dhuvaafaru Council to support the community.
JOALI Maldives’ Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, Joy of Caring, focuses on Joy of Preserving, which promotes environmental initiatives; Joy of Supporting, which fosters community engagement; Joy of Empowering, which supports women empowerment; and Joy of Conserving, which drives operational sustainability.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
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.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
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.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
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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