Featured
Dusit Thani Maldives wins Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2023
In a significant achievement, Dusit Thani Maldives has been recognized as a winner of the 2023 TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award, placing it in the top 10% of the global listing in the platform. This prestigious accolade honours the world’s best hotels and resorts based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from global travellers.
The resort, known for its unique blend of authentic Thai hospitality and Maldivian luxury, has been recognised for the exceptional service, superior accommodations, exquisite dining options, and an array of luxurious amenities it offers its guests. The award also highlights Dusit Thani Maldives’s dedication to delivering gracious hospitality to the world.
Mr. Reinhold Johann, General Manager of Dusit Thani Maldives, shared his gratitude for the award, stating, “It’s a tremendous honour to be recognized by our guests and TripAdvisor. The Travellers’ Choice Award isn’t just an award; it’s a testament to the heart and soul our team puts into every guest’s stay. We extend our deepest thanks to our incredible team and our guests, without whom this achievement would not have been possible.”
Dusit Thani Maldives is located on its own 16-hectare island, Mudhdhoo Island, in Baa Atoll, which is The Maldives’ first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, just a 35-minute seaplane journey from Male’ International Airport.
The island’s natural beauty comes from the white sandy beaches, extensive lush vegetation, turquoise lagoon and 360-degree house reef, abundant with a huge variety of marine life and three underwater caves.
The resort’s 94 villas combine Thai furnishings with a Maldivian twist to reflect the Dusit Thani heritage and the local Maldivian culture.
Guests can take a dip in one of The Maldives’ largest infinity pools, explore the house reef, take a worldwide culinary journey at the restaurants and bars, or retreat to the award-winning Devarana Wellness, meaning ‘garden in heaven’ in Thai, with elevated treatment rooms among the coconut trees.
Other facilities include a well-equipped fitness centre, island jogging trail, Kids Club with indoor and outdoor play areas, yoga pavilion with resident yogi, two floodlit tennis courts, bicycles per guest, activity centre with conservation programmes, outdoor private cinema, cooking classes, wine tasting with a resident sommelier, behind-the-scenes tours and butler service for each villa.
Guided nature walks show guests the diversity of natural flora and fauna to be found around the island, including Banyan trees which are more than 100 years old, plants and flowers that are indigenous to the country and region, as well as naturally growing fruits and vegetables that are used in some of the chef’s recipes.
Snorkelers and divers can see hundreds of species of fish and underwater marine and plant life just in the house reef alone, plus different varieties of corals. Octopus, turtles, eagle rays are also often spotted in the house reef and is ideally located as one of the closest resort to Hanifaru Bay, where hundreds on Manta rays and whale shark join.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort reveals festive line-up of dining, entertainment and island experiences
Reethi Faru Resort has welcomed the festive season with its annual Fruit Mixing Ceremony, marking the beginning of a programme of celebrations, activities and experiences for guests visiting the resort during the Christmas and New Year period.
The resort has prepared a series of festive events and activities catering to guests of different ages and interests. Families will have the opportunity to participate in Christmas tree decorating, creative workshops and gingerbread house making, while couples can enjoy evening walks along beaches decorated with festive lights.
The festive programme will include a Christmas dinner and a New Year’s Eve gala, followed by a DJ party to welcome 2027. Guests will also be able to participate in coral planting activities alongside a marine biologist, providing an opportunity to learn about the island’s marine ecosystem and contribute to conservation efforts.
For guests seeking relaxation, the resort will offer yoga sessions and spa treatments, while those interested in outdoor activities can participate in water sports, island excursions, sports challenges and PADI diving experiences conducted by certified instructors.
Other events scheduled during the festive period include Reethi Faru Resort’s anniversary celebration, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the arrival of Santa Claus. The programme will also feature live music, Maldivian cultural performances, outdoor movie nights and a selection of dining experiences.
According to the resort, the festive programme has been designed to bring together traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations with activities that highlight the Maldives’ natural environment and cultural heritage.
Through its combination of festive events, recreational activities, marine conservation initiatives and dining experiences, Reethi Faru Resort aims to provide guests with opportunities to celebrate the holiday season while experiencing island life in the Maldives.
Awards
Condé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts
.Here Baa Atoll, a private island retreat in the Maldives, has been named the No. 6 Resort in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.
The annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts, destinations, airlines and other travel experiences based on votes submitted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.
The recognition places .Here Baa Atoll among the highest-ranked resorts in the Indian Ocean and comes during a milestone year for the property.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences spread across two natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere.
Somewhere features seven three- and four-bedroom residences extending from the beach towards the lagoon and designed for families and groups travelling together. Each residence offers indoor and outdoor living spaces, multiple pools, private dining and personalised Roohu service. Guests are transferred directly to their residence by private speedboat, avoiding a conventional lobby and check-in process.
Condé Nast Traveler has previously highlighted the resort for its emphasis on privacy, its beach-to-lagoon residences and its discreet approach to luxury.
The resort experience also includes Nowhere Private Island, which is reserved exclusively for a single group at a time. The island features a five-bedroom Presidential Residence and a three-bedroom Lagoon Residence, providing eight bedrooms and 3,329 square metres of private living space, supported by dedicated service and individually curated experiences.
The Readers’ Choice Award follows several other recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll during 2026. The resort was included in the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026, with the publication highlighting its residences and design. It has also received international recognition for its architecture and design, alongside creative collaborators Kulör Group, Muza Lab and Topo Design Studio.
Elina Adiyan, Resident Manager of .Here Baa Atoll, said: “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler so early in our journey is incredibly meaningful. .Here was created around a simple idea: to give guests extraordinary space, genuine privacy and the freedom to experience the Maldives entirely on their own terms. This recognition belongs equally to our team, whose care and dedication bring that vision to life every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us.”
The latest recognition adds to .Here Baa Atoll’s growing international profile within the luxury travel sector, with the resort positioning privacy, spacious accommodation, design and personalised service at the centre of its guest experience.
Awards
Reethi Faru Resort celebrates culinary team’s success at Hotel Asia and FHAM
Reethi Faru Resort has announced three medal wins by members of its culinary team at the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge and the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge.
At the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Chef Rohit Kabdal received a Gold Medal in the Decorated Cake category, recognising his work in cake design, presentation and technical execution.
Chef Abhishek Sharma also represented Reethi Faru Resort at the competition, earning a Bronze Medal in the Hot Cooking Fish category.
At the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge, Chef Mayank Bijalwan secured a Silver Medal in the Dress the Cake category, adding a third medal to the resort’s recent culinary achievements.
The results highlight the range of skills within Reethi Faru Resort’s culinary team, spanning pastry, cake presentation and hot kitchen techniques.
According to the resort, participation in professional culinary competitions provides its chefs with opportunities to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and test their abilities alongside other industry professionals.
The achievements also form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s wider focus on dining and guest experience, with its culinary team involved across the resort’s restaurants and food and beverage offerings.
Reethi Faru Resort congratulated Kabdal, Bijalwan and Sharma on their respective achievements, describing the results as recognition of their commitment, technical ability and creativity.
The three medals add to the resort’s recent culinary accolades and reflect its continued emphasis on professional development within its kitchen team.
-
News1 week ago50 visits, hundreds of dives: Bandos Maldives honours loyal guests with coral garden
-
Cooking1 week agoV Villas Maldives at Mirihi brings Thai flavours from Phuket to the Maldives
-
Cooking1 week agoMilaidhoo Maldives welcomes JAG Head Chef Laurence Tan for October culinary residency
-
Action1 week agoFrom zero experience to professional careers: Atmosphere Foundation celebrates Divemaster graduates
-
News1 week agoGrand Park Kodhipparu unveils seasonal journey from quiet escapes to festive celebrations
-
News1 week agoThe St. Regis Maldives celebrates 10 years with global chefs, bartenders and artists
-
News1 week agoThe Standard, Maldives introduces complimentary upgrade to new Ocean Reef Pool Villas
-
News1 week ago‘Circle of Light’ to illuminate RAH GILI MALDIVES’ first festive season


