Featured
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton: Microcosm of Maldivian sustainability
Set on the breathtakingly, beautiful lagoons of South Male Atoll, SAii Lagoon Maldives has led the resort group’s quest for Green Globe certification across its portfolio. SAii Lagoon Maldives is the first resort to complete certification this year, with sister resorts, SAii Phi Phi Island Village, SAii Laguna Phuket having also completed their final on-site audits this month.
SAii Lagoon Maldives management is committed to maintaining the ecological balance and wildlife of their island, including marine species, vegetation, and land-based creatures. Vegetation around the island has been restored using only native plants and trees.
A comprehensive Sustainability Management Plan and Environmental Policy are in place and other policies such as Environmental Purchasing Policy, Pollution Management Plan, Code of Conduct are also documented and adhered to. LED lights are in place throughout the premises, all ACs are inverter type and office equipment is energy efficient.
The resort provides sustainability training for all colleagues including topics such as climate change, waste management and nature conservation. A dedicated hour of sustainability and environmental protection training is mandated in the resort’s orientation programmes and management and staff stay up to date on environmental events and issues which are displayed on the team’s notice board.
A comprehensive training is done on the “Zero Waste” Project and this is supported by Hilton internal programs. Earth Hour and World Environment Day are observed each year, along with regular island and reef clean-ups among the green events organised by the resort with invitations extended to all guests.
Local culture is incorporated in the SAii Lagoon Maldives’ operations, for example a traditional Bodu Beru performance is organised once a week; all paintings in the rooms and public areas have been made by a local artist; and a traditional local boat (dhoni) is displayed in the main restaurant and used for the floating breakfast. And resort guests are encouraged to take part in cultural awareness with visits to the Maldives Discovery Center where they learn more about Maldives history, culture and environmental issues.
SAii Lagoon Maldives purchases FSC certified printing paper and other certified paper products such as facial tissue, toilet paper and C-fold towels. Guests room amenities are made with natural ingredients and are USDA organic certified. Liquid soap and lotions are in ceramic containers and non-woven, biodegradable material is used on all amenity packaging, which reduces the amount of plastic that arrives at the resort.
To eliminate the use of more than 100,000 plastic bottles a year, SAii Lagoon Maldives has partnered with Eco Pure (UK) to introduce glass bottles for drinking water in all areas. When it comes to food purchasing, preference is given to locally produced items such as banana, papaya, watermelons, reef fish and tuna. All local varieties of fish are caught by the local fisherman.
Wastewater generated at the resort is treated through an STP facility and used for irrigation purposes, which saves a considerable amount of fresh water. This grey water is also used for, SAii Lagoon Maldives organic garden, where they grow fruits and vegetables and recycle green waste into compost for fertilisation.
In the future, the resort will introduce new ways to handle food waste via a digester and biogas plant which can generate fertiliser for the gardens and cooking gas for the team members’ kitchen. And embracing the lack of available land on the atoll, a floating solar panel platform will be launched to contribute to the resort’s energy needs.
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.
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.
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.
-
Action1 week agoSix Senses Kanuhura participates in international COASTS Project on blue carbon ecosystems
-
Cooking1 week agoAnantara Veli Maldives continues Michelin guest chef series with female lineup
-
Action1 week agoBaros Maldives introduces ‘Lines of Respect’ fishing programme
-
News1 week agoReethi Faru Resort joins global Earth Hour campaign with conservation efforts
-
News1 week agoSun Siyam Iru Veli introduces new treatments at Ocean Spa
-
Cooking6 days agoSun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch
-
Awards1 week agoVilla Park recognised with CHECK24 Top Hotel Award
-
Action1 week agoMichael Owen leads Easter football camp at Avani+ Fares Maldives