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Meet Nasrulla & Priya: the ‘Island Couple’ at OBLU SELECT Lobigili

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Nasrulla Mohamed and Priya Dubey, popularly known as the Island Couple, are a hospitality power duo at the adult-exclusive resort OBLU SELECT Lobigili, the Island of Love. Nasrulla Mohamed serves as the Island Chief – a role exclusive to OBLU SELECT Lobigili. His wife, Priya Dubey is the Front Office Supervisor. Married long before joining the resort’s pre-opening team, they leave no stone unturned in ensuring that guests have a memorable experience with every little detail taken care of.

Nasrulla Mohamed

Tell us a little about yourself, and how you started your career in hospitality.

Nasrulla: I was born in Ha. Dhidhoo, the northernmost atoll in the Maldives and I studied at the HA Atoll Education Centre. My growing-up years were different from the ones kids experience today: we had extra strong cultural influences and a unified community. Everyone was like family.

Upon finishing my education in 2000 and obtaining my London GCE O Levels, I gained valuable experience by working for renowned international hospitality brands. In 2004, I underwent training at the South African Butler Academy, specialising in butler services. Furthermore, I attended a course at the Australian Butler School in 2007 to further refine my skills. As a result of my dedication, I progressed from Junior Butler to Executive Head Butler by 2015.

My journey with AH&R began in 2015 when I joined the pre-opening team at OBLU NATURE Helengeli as an Assistant F&B Manager. Since then, I have worked at OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OZEN LIFE MADHOO, and for over a year I have been serving as the ‘Island Chief’ at OBLU SELECT Lobigili.

What does it mean to you to be an Island Chief?

Nasrulla: For me, it’s pretty simple: this island is my home, and I treat my guests like family. As the Island Chief and Island Couple, I’m all about making sure they have the best possible time here. It’s not just about guests. My team works very hard to make the magic happen, and I’m here to support them every step of the way. Because when we work together like a family, we can do anything.

Is the concept of ‘Island Chief’ connected to Maldivian culture, if yes, how?

Nasrulla: Yes, very much. Hospitality runs deep in our heritage, passed down from our ancestors. In Maldivian culture, the Island Chief is the leader of each island, and a women’s committee is also present to extend hospitality to important visitors, such as government officials and foreign delegates. They arrange warm welcomes, dining experiences, accommodations, and farewell ceremonies with great care.

What does a day at work look like for you?

Nasrulla: My day starts with a morning island round to ensure everything’s set for guests. I then join the operations meeting to address feedback, concerns, and solutions. We review the day’s highlights, including arrivals, events, and important movements. At breakfast, I interact with guests to gauge their satisfaction levels. I randomly inspect villas to prepare for guest arrivals and personally welcome guests, offering assistance throughout their stay. During the day, I assist colleagues in operational areas. In the evening, I check in with guests at the bar and restaurants. Lastly, I review the follow-up lists to ensure all issues are resolved and prepare for the next day.

Could you pick one element of Maldivian culture that you would most enjoy introducing to visitors?

Nasrulla: When it comes to the Maldives, it’s a true paradise of crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and azure skies. Personally, I often take pleasure in sharing my country’s stories and history with those who come to visit us.

Priya Dubey

Tell us a little about yourself, and how you started your career in hospitality.

Priya: I grew up in Bhopal, India. After completing my schooling, I pursued a course in Aviation, Hospitality and Travel Management at Frankfinn Training Institute. While I was pursuing my hospitality studies, I landed my first job as a Guest Service Associate at Radisson Blu. Apart from Radisson, I have also worked for ITC Hotels in Chennai before moving to the Maldives for work.

When did you join the AH&R family and what has been the experience so far?

Priya: I joined the pre-opening team of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO in 2016 as an F&B Attendant and worked at different F&B Outlets such as Tradition IndoCeylon and M6m, the underwater restaurant. When OBLU SELECT Sangeli was being launched, I got the opportunity to join the pre-opening team in a leadership capacity, as the F&B Captain at Simply Veg restaurant.

After a year, I was keen to work in the front office, and I got a role as the Guest Service Agent at the Front Office at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. Working in F&B helped me a lot in handling guest relations, and I found that I have an intuitive knack for keeping guests happy.

Again, when OBLU SELECT Lobigili was being launched, I was able to join the pre-opening team as the Front Office Supervisor. I enjoyed rising to the challenge of setting up a new team.

What does a day at work look like for you?

Priya: The first thing to do in the morning is chart all the movements of the day. Followed by team briefing, attending all the arrivals and departures, and helping my team wherever they require assistance. Also, as the island couple, together with my husband, I meet all our guests to ensure they are having an amazing stay. Before I clock out, I prepare a plan for the next day’s operation.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Priya: The highlight of my career within AH&R is that I have been given the opportunity to join three pre-openings within the group which has taught me lots of skills and strengthened me as a person as well.

What motivates you the most?

Priya: It is the culture in AH&R, that we are like a family who takes care of everyone.

What is it like to be the island couple at OBLU SELECT Lobigili?

OBLU SELECT Lobigili is an adult’s exclusive island, and we host a lot of couples. When we introduce ourselves to the guests as the Island Couple, it is a very special feeling. Our guests usually become curious, interested and appreciate that Lobigili Island has everything curated for couples.

What advice would you give to young people looking to work in the industry, especially women? 

It would have been rare to see a woman in a leading role a decade ago, but now women are running five-star properties. I must say the hospitality industry in Maldives offers plenty of opportunities for girls, and as a woman, I am very proud that here at OBLU SELECT Lobigili the majority of our team members are women – who are successfully handling all aspects of operations!

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World-first overwater padel tennis court launched at Meyyafushi Maldives

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Meyyafushi Maldives, a new five-star premium all-inclusive boutique resort, has introduced what it describes as a world-first in resort recreation: a fixed overwater padel tennis court. Positioned above clear lagoons and framed by sweeping sunset views, the court offers guests an opportunity to play and unwind in a distinctive setting surrounded by panoramic ocean vistas.

Located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, the overwater court allows players to take part in a match while immersed in the natural calm of the surrounding seascape. Guests staying at the resort are offered one hour of complimentary padel tennis as part of the premium all-inclusive package. The setting provides a secluded and tranquil space for both beginners and experienced players to practise with the sound of the ocean beneath.

“Padel tennis has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and we wanted to bring it to life in the most spectacular way possible,” said Ahmed Siaar, Cluster General Manager of BeKind Hotels & Resorts. “Playing on water, surrounded by endless blues, transforms the game into something transcendent – it’s active luxury at its finest.”

The overwater court forms part of Meyyafushi’s wider range of facilities, which include an underwater dining restaurant, an overwater wine cellar, water pool suites with slides, a mini bowling lane, and an adults-only sky bar featuring a glass-bottom infinity pool. Each facility has been created to offer experiences that encourage connection, exploration and wellbeing.

With uninterrupted sunset views and a distinctive overwater location, Meyyafushi Maldives’ padel tennis court marks a global first for the sport, bringing together physical activity, landscape and design in a single setting.

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils ‘White Shores & Golden Lights’ festive season

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This festive season, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invites guests to rediscover the joy of togetherness in what it calls the world’s gathering place. From 1 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the resort will transform into a luminous sanctuary under its signature theme, White Shores & Golden Lights – a palette of shimmering whites and sunlit gold inspired by the purity of the season and the golden glow of new beginnings.

The festive spirit officially begins on 1 December with a Tree Lighting Ceremony, setting the tone for a season of warmth, celebration, and community. Following a period of serene island relaxation, the programme resumes in full from 21 December onwards, offering a vibrant calendar of curated experiences that continues until the Orthodox Beach Buffet Dinner on 7 January.

Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere where refined island living meets festive cheer. The line-up includes festive aqua aerobics, barefoot beach games, Gingerbread House Decorating, and the energetic Colour Run & Paint Me Wall Marathon along the shoreline. Younger guests can enjoy themed pyjama parties, while those seeking adventure may explore a variety of water sports and wellbeing rituals.

The highlight of the season is the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner, presented along the oceanfront where waves meet the shore and golden lights illuminate the evening. With live music, seasonal cuisine, and candlelit elegance, the event combines the island’s natural beauty with cherished festive traditions.

On Christmas Day, Santa makes a memorable arrival at Kakuni Beach, delighting guests of all ages. Throughout the festive period, in collaboration with Reefscapers, the resort offers coral frame-building workshops, giving guests the opportunity to support reef restoration efforts and contribute to the preservation of the Maldives’ marine environment.

As the year comes to a close, guests are invited to welcome 2026 beneath the stars. Night Under the Stars, the resort’s New Year’s Eve celebration, features a coastal gala with champagne, gourmet dining, fireworks, and live entertainment that continues well past midnight.

From peaceful mornings at Shine Spa to evenings sampling global flavours accented with Maldivian character, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa offers an elevated festive experience. Whether travelling as a family, as a couple, or alone, guests will find each day filled with moments to remember and each evening touched with a sense of magic.

“We are thrilled to welcome guests to experience the magic of the festive season with us,” says Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. “Each moment of our festive programme has been thoughtfully designed to reflect Sheraton’s ethos of heartfelt hospitality – bringing people together through meaningful experiences in one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.”

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is also presenting a Festive Special Offer for this season. Guests may enjoy exclusive savings on beach or overwater accommodation, along with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, return speedboat transfers, and access to selected festive events and activities. Bookings made before 30 November 2025 will be eligible for stays between 20 December 2025 and 10 January 2026.

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Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight

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Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.

The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.

For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.

A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.

Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.

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