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Minor Hotels opens first Avani property in Maldives
Poised to bring laid back luxury to the shores of the Baa Atoll, Minor Hotels’ Avani brand made its Maldives debut with the opening of Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort on 1st April 2023. Set on the natural tropical island of Fares at the western edge of this renowned heart-shaped atoll, the 176-key resort is Minor’s sixth property in the country, strengthening the company’s position as a key player in the Indian Ocean destination.
Answering global demand for competitively priced escapes without compromise, the new upscale resort launched with a series of enticing opening offers set to shake up the Baa Atoll’s hospitality landscape. From Avani Beach Studios from USD 650 per night, to Four Bedroom Beach Pavilions from USD 2,800 per night, vibrant couples, honeymooners, families and groups of friends can reconnect and make paradise their own.
Reachable within 35 minutes of Velana International Airport, the new-build resort unlocks paradise with multiple accommodation options, from beach pool villas and four-bedroom beach pavilions, to expansive three-bedroom over water villas that fan out across the island’s turquoise bay.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort has been designed to welcome group getaways and memorable multigenerational family stays with two, three and four bedroom beach pavilions, and two and three bedroom over water villas.
Through their multi-facted design, they strike a balance between privacy and connectivity, offering spaces for both relaxing and entertaining. Indoor- outdoor living can be enjoyed with tribal themed rooms that lead onto private swimming pools and sun decks, with the island’s pristine white sands and glistening shores just steps away. Breezy palm lined pathways lead guests to a selection of unique bars and restaurants, a water sports centre, an AvaniFit gym and a contemporary AvaniSpa. The AvaniKids and Teens Club are a hive of activity with daily programming and adventures in the great outdoors.
Fares is one of just 61 islands that enjoys the marine protected waters of Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort is in close proximity to two of its most famed landmarks; Hanifaru Bay where guests can spot whale sharks and snorkel with manta rays, and a beautiful chain of ring shaped islands known as the five islands landmark. With 12 individual dive sites off the beach, a 220-metre house reef teeming with marine life including turtles and dolphins, and the nearby Fares reef which is 600 metres off the shore, the resort offers guests all the bounties of the biosphere’s enchanting underwater world.
Avani+ Fares offers seven restaurants, in addition to private beach and in-villa dining. Guests will be treated to Maldivian and international cuisine at main restaurant Ocean Terrace and poolside bar, Skipjack, as well as delights from the grill at Charcoal. In the lobby, Hammock supplies grab-and-go snacks and kombuchas, whilst Tribe and Smuggler’s Shack offers sundowners and after dark tipples with molecular cocktails and the largest collection of rum in the Maldives. Organic produce are sourced from the resort’s mini farm and catch of the day delivered daily by local fishermen. Young guests have the run of the first kids-only restaurant in the Maldives serving nutritious, universally loved food.
From swimming, snorkelling and diving by day to moonlit parties and dancing on the sands by night, guests can fully enjoy the natural beauty of the Maldives in true Avani style.
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.
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