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Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi: World-class marine biology innovation
Shaviyani Atoll boasts one of the Maldives’ largest lagoons with crystal white sand, turquoise waters and abundant marine life. The Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is located on the western rim of the Atoll and is famous for its tranquil blue vistas across the Indian Ocean to a never-ending horizon. First certified by Green Globe in 2021, the resort has been re-certified for its high standard of sustainable tourism with exceptional contributions to marine biology.
Samuel Dixon, Sustainability Manager, says, “We’re so proud to achieve our second Green Globe Certification as we strive to become market leaders in sustainable practices and innovation that inspires the next generation of eco warriors.”
Sustainability Lab Project
In February 2022, Fairmont Maldives launched the Sustainability Lab, which was officially opened by the Maldives Minister of Environment Aminath Shauna, Maldives Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi, and Maldives’ Special Envoy for Climate Change Ms Sabra Ibrahim Noordeen.
As tourism continues to grow and develop in the Maldives, so too does concern regarding single-use plastic and its impact on the pristine ecosystems. Experts claim that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Fairmont Maldives’ mission is to fully recycle all the plastic waste generated by the resort and surrounding local communities, and ultimately, remove ocean plastic from the Maldivian environment.
The Sustainability Lab is the first of its kind in the archipelago, containing specialised machinery designed by Precious Plastic that transforms and repurposes plastic waste into beautiful bespoke souvenirs for guests, useful school equipment, and unique and exquisite furniture.
The Sustainability Lab has already made a difference by recycling over 3,720kg of plastic into a variety of different products including luggage tags in the shapes of marine animals, school rulers, clip boards, tables, chairs, beach paddles, plant boards and much more. The lab has also started recycling glass by separating bottles by colour before crushing and embedding them into 25mm plastic sheets designed for tables.
Fairmont Award Scheme for Schools
As part of the Sustainability Lab Project the resort launched the Fairmont Award Scheme in December 2021. The scheme is active across 12 schools with numerous workshops, educational presentations and activities being conducted including beach and reef clean ups.
Fairmont Maldives also hosts these schools at the resort where the students are led through a workshop by local Maldivian Sustainability Ambassadors. Students are given a detailed orientation of the Sustainability Lab and the entire process from plastic waste to recycled plastic products. By showing children first-hand how plastic is not just garbage but can be used to make their very own furniture, the resort hopes to clearly demonstrate creative and useful ways of recycling waste. Fairmont Maldives aims to inspire the next generation of eco-warriors, who will lead the change in protecting the local environment and biodiversity from plastic pollution.
Marine Conservation: The Coralarium & Turtle Rangers
The Coralarium is the world’s first semi submerged art installation and most importantly it is the centre of Fairmont Maldives’ coral restoration program. The Coralarium is made using PH neutral non-toxic compounds that contain no harmful pollutants to marine life and help stimulate coral growth by catching vital biomass on its structure. After 5 years underwater, the Coralarium is covered in new live coral and provides the perfect habitat space for over 120 different fish species and marine life.
Protecting the Maldives’ rich biodiversity is essential to Fairmont Maldives sustainability. One of the most endangered marine species in the Maldives is sea turtles. The biggest problem facing sea turtles in the world today, is the large quantity of plastic and ghost nets (discarded commercial fishing nets) polluting the oceans.
In January 2022, Fairmont Maldives launched the Turtle Rangers Programme, where guests come and learn about turtles from the resort’s resident marine biologist. As part of the programme, guests can join guided snorkel tours to the house reef to collect photo ID data of turtles and actively help in the turtle conservation program. The resort has also launched branded rash-guards in collaboration with the Turtle Rangers Program, with all revenue from sales re-invested back into the Sustainability Lab Project.
To further emphasise the importance of tackling the plastics & ghost net problem, the resort has partnered with the Olive Ridley Project, an NGO based in the Maldives focusing on turtle research. A variety of conservation tasks, including nest protection, baby turtle release, rescue missions and photo ID tracking to monitor migration and lifecycle patterns are conducted as part of the program. In the last 18 months, the resort has released over 800 baby turtles born on their beaches, greatly contributing to the survival of the Maldivian Green and Hawksbill population. The resort hopes over the next few years to be able to contribute a larger quantity of photo ID data, essential for tracking migration patterns of the resident turtle population, as well as make new discoveries in turtle animal behaviour.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.
The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.
On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.
As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.
The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.
Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.
Soneva Fushi, situated within the Maldives’ Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been named winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The accolade is one of two special awards announced ahead of the official ceremony on 30 October. The award is based on votes from more than 800 members of the Academy, who were asked to identify the hotel where they experienced their single-best hospitality moment within the two-year voting period.
The award recognises the quality of service that ensures guests feel cared for throughout their stay. It celebrates the work of a property and its entire team, acknowledging excellence in areas ranging from reception and housekeeping to amenities and food and beverage services. Voters were asked to consider ambience, unique experiential elements, and the warmth of the hospitality on offer.
Soneva Fushi, the original Soneva resort and regarded as the model for barefoot luxury, is located on one of the Maldives’ largest and least developed islands. The resort comprises 71 private villas, either set amidst dense jungle or positioned above the ocean. Guests are invited to embrace a slower pace of life, with experiences ranging from deserted island picnics and wellness treatments at Soneva Soul to curated events under the Soneva Stars calendar.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, said: “This award celebrates the foundation of hospitality and honours the emotional connection that guests have with a hotel and its team. For three decades, Soneva Fushi has been delivering memorable service at the highest level that puts the guest at the heart of every interaction. A mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the awards’ inception, Soneva Fushi is a worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, setting a benchmark of all-encompassing excellence one stay at a time.”
Each villa offers extensive indoor and outdoor living space, private pools and ocean views. A distinctive feature of the resort is its Barefoot Guardians – dedicated butlers assigned to each villa to provide personalised service. Available at all times, they arrange every aspect of the guest experience, from zipline adventures and snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay to stargazing at the observatory or dining in one of 14 restaurants. The Barefoot Guardians also manage the Soneva Stars calendar, which hosts international chefs, wellness specialists and sporting figures.
Antony Paton, General Manager of Soneva Fushi, said: “This award belongs to the entire team at Soneva Fushi. It is a reflection of our shared purpose to create moments of joy, connection and wonder every single day. Being recognised by The World’s 50 Best Hotels affirms that the quiet magic we strive for is not only felt by our guests, but remembered. And that, to us, is the greatest reward.”
Giancarlo Mancino, Chief Executive Officer of SeiBellissimi, added: “At Soneva Fushi, hospitality is a seamless extension of a lifestyle deeply rooted in sustainability, wellness and mindful luxury. Founded with a slow life philosophy, every experience here is a tribute to living in harmony with nature, honouring health-conscious principles, and crafting each moment with genuine care. This devotion to sustainable elegance and the art of well-being is the perfect mirror of SeiBellissimi’s own values: Italian craftsmanship, conviviality, and a respect for quality that goes beyond the ordinary.”
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on Thursday 30 October, where Soneva Fushi will formally receive the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award.
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group operating nine resorts in the Maldives, has announced that three of its properties were recognised at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2025. The annual awards celebrate achievements across 28 categories, with winners selected through votes cast by guests and travel partners.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives received the award for Best Family Resort. The property is known for offering experiences for all ages, with facilities including a playground, splash park, and gourmet kitchen at its children’s club, alongside an extensive schedule of activities. Young guests are provided with age-appropriate experiences such as snorkelling safaris, cooking classes, surf lessons, and outdoor cinema evenings.
Accommodation includes a variety of spacious villas and pavilions, such as the newly renovated Deluxe Family Beach Pool Villa. Combined with diverse dining options, recreational activities, and personalised service, the resort seeks to provide both adventure and relaxation for families.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort was named Best Beach Resort, reflecting its setting of white sands, turquoise lagoons, and coconut groves within Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort offers contemporary villas, including Beach Pool Villas and Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villas, with direct beach access.
Since opening in 2023, Avani+ Fares has aimed to introduce a laid-back approach to Maldivian holidays, combining modern design with the natural environment. Guests can participate in activities ranging from water sports and wellness to dining and cultural programmes.
NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort was awarded Best Dive Resort, recognised for its accessible house reef and marine biodiversity. Located close to the shoreline, the reef offers opportunities for snorkellers and divers of all levels, with frequent encounters with species such as reef sharks, turtles, rays, and tropical fish.
The resort also provides access to the dive sites of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, where PADI-certified instructors guide guests through channels, thilas, and reef walls.
In addition to these three awards, Minor Hotels’ properties received 12 finalist nominations across seven categories. These included its newest addition, NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort, which was shortlisted in three categories.
The group’s nominations at the TTM Awards 2025 were:
- Best Beach Resort: Avani+ Fares and NH Collection Maldives Havodda
- Best Family Resort: Niyama, Avani+ Fares, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
- Best Boutique Resort: NH Maldives Kuda Rah
- Best Culinary Resort: Niyama
- Most Picturesque Resort: NH Collection Maldives Havodda
- Best Surf Resort: Niyama
- Best Dive Resort: Avani+ Fares, NH Collection Maldives Havodda, and NH Maldives Kuda Rah
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