Featured
2 Sun Siyam Resorts recognised with Tripadvisor 2023 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Award
With five resorts dotted across the Maldives, and one soon to reopen in Sri Lanka, Sun Siyam Resorts is proud to announce that two properties of the groups’ portfolio have been recognised with a Tripadvisor 2023 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Award. Barefoot boutique luxury and spa resort Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, makes it into the top 10 of a new category for 2023 which spotlights relaxation, “The Best Hotels with Spas”, and premium all-inclusive five-star luxury Sun Siyam Iru Veli has been included in the top 20 in the highly contended “Best All-Inclusive Hotels” category.
“Congratulations to our teams at both properties who show such dedication and high level of service to our guests. This is incredible news for Sun Siyam Resorts and we are extremely proud to have been recognised by those who matter most: our guests. We will continue to do all possible to provide our guests with the best service and Maldivian hospitality to be able to create memorable experiences and extraordinary holidays for everyone,” said Sun Siyam Resorts’ CEO, Deepak Booneady.
Now in its 21st edition, Tripadvisor announced the winners of its 2023 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards to align with the start of the summer travel season. The awards provide inspiration by revealing the best places to stay around the world through an analysis of the quantity and quality of hotel reviews from real travellers over a 12-month period (January 1 and December 31, 2022) covering more than 1.5 million hotels worldwide. With a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community, each winner has passed the rigorous trust and safety standards, and fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor’s 8 million listings are awarded Best of the Best, signifying the highest level of excellence in hospitality.
The distinguished Top Hotels list is a diverse ranking with winners from 19 countries around the world. Eleven resorts in the Maldives were recognised as among the top hotels in the world across six categories
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef embodies the definition of barefoot luxury and Maldivian holiday feeling. The boutique resort and spa is the ultimate, naturally playful, tropical boutique hideaway with its breath-taking surroundings and its 103 charming island villas. Nestled in Dhaalu Atoll, a mere 35-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport, the resort exemplifies a rustic feel with a Maldivian touch using white interiors to contrast with tropical colour accents. A multitude of world-class amenities make this resort the perfect getaway. Whether it be the succulent tastes and sumptuous dining of all four corners of the globe or the world-class spa and wellness treatments using authentic age-old techniques, this boutique resort is the definition of barefoot holidays.
Located in Dhaalu Atoll, a 40-minute seaplane flight from Velana (Male) International Airport, five-star Sun Siyam Iru Veli offers the premium all-inclusive ultimate tropical retreat with its sleek and spacious combination of 125 beach and overwater suites, that all feature a private freshwater pool. A haven for honeymooners and couples alike, looking for a laid-back vibe and a chic Maldivian experience to live the barefoot idyll. A huge draw of the resort is the extensive Premium All-Inclusive Signature Plan which includes endless dining opportunities within the six restaurants and bars, spa or diving and exciting motorized water sports credit, as well as guided snorkelling and sunset cruises.
To celebrate these achievements, , Sun Siyam Resorts is offering incredible summer getaway deals and family-friendly holiday options this year, where kids stay and eat for free. To find out more about Sun Siyam Resorts, please visit the website or book your stay at www.sunsiyam.com.






Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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