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JW Marriott Maldives Resort appoints Bir Yadav as Executive Chef

Chef Bir Yadav comes from a family with a long history of being in the sweets and catering industry in India, and as such he has had a passion for food from an early age.
His love for eating sparked his interest in pursuing a culinary career 19 years ago and he has since worked in multi-cuisine kitchens, learning the secrets and techniques in preparing dishes from all over the world. Starting out with cuisine from his native Indian roots, Chef Bir then pursued European cuisine, specifically Italian, French and Mediterranean, further moved on to learn Asian, Levant and American cuisines.
Chef Bir’s experience of working with luxury hotels include the Four Seasons, The Oberoi Hotel in Hyatt, Maldivian standalone resorts such as Vakkaru, Faarufushi, and Dhigali. He now considers Maldives as his home and joining the luxurious JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa as an Executive Chef.
With his new role, he aims to bring to the resort his creativity and his own techniques, implementing a more sustainable approach in preparing food by keeping the environment in mind. In line with the JW Marriott brand identity of allowing one to focus on their inner self and promoting a healthy lifestyle, Chef Bir plans on developing menus focused on wellbeing, using healthy alternatives where suitable like fresh fruit and vegetables, natural sweeteners, and homemade products.
On his appointment, Chef Bir said, “I am passionate about making the best out of every dish I create, including carefully selecting only the highest quality ingredients. I’m really excited to join JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa which is like a dream project for me as it speaks luxury on all fronts, allowing me to go the extra mile in terms of quality and offerings that I can work on for our guests.”
To add on to the resort’s already diversified dining offerings, Chef Bir intends to implement with his teams what he calls, ‘Mindset Cuisine’ for which he aims to blend various cultures, by incorporating a fragment from multiple cuisines with each other. His goal is to showcase to guests and staff alike the fusion of various tastes, smell, aroma, and textures, allowing one to truly open their palates to all sorts of flavours.
Located on Vagaru Island, Shaviyani Atoll, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa presents everything one needs for a luxurious stress-free family vacation with enriching experiences for the body, mind and spirit through a journey of genuine family friendly experiences, crafted culinary offerings and warm and intuitive service. The resort features 60 stylish villas, located both on the beach and overwater, all with private pools, spacious wooden decks with stunning views across the Indian Ocean and a wide array of amenities with personalised Thakuru (Butler) service. Eclectic dining experiences are offered throughout the resort’s five dining venues, three full service bars, a wine room which houses 1,200 wine collections and private beach dinners. Spa by JW, features six couple’s treatment rooms and one deluxe treatment suite with a wide selection of treatments highlighting four distinct benefits – Renewal, Calmness, Invigoration and Indulgence. The resort also features The Little Griffins Kids Club which offers 100 activities for young adventurers.
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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island achieves PADI Eco Center Certification

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has been officially certified as a PADI Eco Center, becoming one of only two resorts in the Maldives to receive this recognition in 2025. The certification is awarded to dive resorts that extend their efforts beyond standard operations, with a strong focus on protecting marine environments and raising awareness among future generations.
As part of the certification process, the resort’s team adopted the Conrad House Reef through PADI’s Adopt the Blue programme. A Dive Against Debris clean-up dive was conducted around the reef near Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, during which 10 kilograms of marine litter, primarily plastics and metal fragments, were collected.
The team also joined Green Fins in June 2025 and has since introduced a series of sustainable practices. These include paperless dive check-ins, eco-briefings before excursions, reduced use of plastics through the introduction of glass alternatives, and signage encouraging responsible snorkelling and diving across the dive centre.
Guests are also directly engaged in conservation activities through coral restoration initiatives. In 2025, the team has facilitated 17 coral line adoptions, where participants attend an educational session before attaching coral fragments to nursery lines and assisting with their placement underwater.
Jessica Miller, Marine Biologist at Conrad Maldives, commented: “This certification represents a milestone for us. It’s the result of dedicated teamwork and genuine care for the ocean. Watching our guests become part of the solution, whether through coral planting or learning about local marine life, is what makes this so special.”
Nick Flynn, General Manager of Conrad Maldives, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the team’s achievement in making Conrad Maldives a certified PADI Eco Center. This milestone is part of our long-term commitment to sustainability and a testament to how luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Ventive Hospitality, the owning company of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, highlighted the wider significance of the achievement. He said: “The PADI Eco Center recognition for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island underscores our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems while shaping the future of responsible travel. We are proud of Conrad for leading the way in sustainability across the Maldives.”
The certification strengthens Conrad Maldives’ broader sustainability objectives under Hilton’s Travel With Purpose programme. The resort will continue to offer educational dives, coral adoption opportunities, and conservation briefings, encouraging guests to actively participate in marine protection efforts during their stay.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island operates under Hilton and is part of Hilton Honors®, the global guest loyalty programme. Hilton Honors members booking directly through official Hilton channels receive a range of benefits, including exclusive discounts, free standard Wi-Fi, flexible payment options combining Points and money, and contactless technology via the Hilton Honors mobile app, which enables digital check-in, room selection, and access.
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Angsana Velavaru recognised as Best Water Villa Resort at TTM Awards 2025

Angsana Velavaru has been named Best Water Villa Resort at the TTM Awards & Gala 2025, presented by Travel Trade Maldives, the country’s leading travel trade platform.
The award acknowledges the resort’s InOcean Pool Villas, the Maldives’ first standalone water villas located one kilometre from the main island. These villas have become a signature feature of Angsana Velavaru, designed to accommodate both couples and families, with private pools, direct access to the ocean, and spacious interiors.
Beyond the architectural concept, the villas are intended to provide guests with a personal and adventurous connection to the surrounding sea. The resort also offers a wide range of experiences through its ‘101 Things to Do’ programme, which includes marine exploration, wellness activities, and culinary experiences. Cultural engagement is a central element, with opportunities for guests to interact with local island communities and traditions. The resort further integrates sustainability through its ‘Stay for Good’ initiatives, which combine environmental care with community involvement.
Commenting on the award, General Manager Ahmed Zahir said: “We are truly honoured to receive this award from the TTM Awards, a platform that embodies the spirit of the Maldivian travel community. This accolade not only celebrates the uniqueness of our InOcean Pool Villas but also pays tribute to the dedication of our team, who work tirelessly to create moments of discovery, connection and meaning for our guests. At Angsana Velavaru, we believe a stay should be more than a holiday—it should become a journey that remains with our guests long after they return home.”
Angsana Velavaru continues to position itself as a destination offering immersive experiences. Guests are invited to explore coral reefs, engage in island life, and create enduring memories in harmony with the natural environment.
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Barceló Nasandhura Malé named Best City Hotel at TTM Awards 2025

Barceló Nasandhura Malé has been awarded Best City Hotel at the TTM Awards 2025, held on 28 August at Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi.
The recognition reflects the passion, hard work, and dedication of the team at Barceló Nasandhura, whose commitment to excellence has been evident since the property opened earlier this year. The hotel has focused on creating memorable guest experiences and setting new standards for city hospitality, which contributed to this achievement.
The TTM Awards, part of the Maldives’ largest travel trade show, celebrates the country’s hospitality sector across 28 categories, bringing together leading travel and tourism professionals from the region.
As it marks this milestone, Barceló Hotel Group reaffirmed its dedication to shaping the future of city hospitality in Malé.
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