News
Marriott Bonvoy resorts in Maldives sweep major awards at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023
Travel + Leisure South East Asia Hong Kong & Macao recently unveiled its prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 winners in Bangkok on 5 June 2023 to celebrate the brands and people shaping the travel industry.
Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of luxury hotels in the Maldives collected 8 awards in total. The awards are based on the votes of Travel + Leisure South East Asia readers and they celebrate excellence in the luxury travel industry and highlight the exceptional experiences offered by the resorts.
- Top 10 Best Resorts – The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives has secured a position among the top ten best resorts in the Maldives, showcasing its commitment to providing unparalleled luxury and exceptional guest experiences.
- Top 5 Best Resort Spas – The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands: Recognised for its exceptional The Ritz-Carlton Spa, offering guests a sanctuary of rejuvenation and wellness amidst breathtaking surroundings.
- Top 5 Most Outrageous Villas – The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort: The John Jacob Astor Estate at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has been recognised as one of the most outrageous in the Maldives, setting a new standard for luxury accommodations.
- Top 5 Best GMs – Idu Ribeiro, W Maldives: Idu Ribeiro, General Manager of W Maldives, has been honoured as the best general manager in the Maldives for the second consecutive year. His exceptional leadership and management skills play a vital role in creating unforgettable guest experiences.
- Top 5 Best GMs – Marc Gussing, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa: Travel + Leisure also paid tribute to Marc Gussing for leading a winning team and for putting the Maldives on the forefront as an ideal destination.
- Top 5 Best House Reefs – W Maldives: W Maldives has been acknowledged for its breathtaking house reef, offering guests unparalleled opportunities to explore the vibrant marine life of the Maldives on their doorstep.
- Top 5 Best Family Hotels – JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa: Praised as one of the top ten best family hotels, the resort provides a range of amenities including the FAMiLY by JW Little Griffins Kids Club and fun-filled activities for families to create cherished memories.
- Top 5 Best Resort Pools – JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa: The stunning swimming pool at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa has been commended for its beauty and elegance, providing guests with the ultimate relaxation and leisure experience.
Managing Director, Marriott International Luxury Asia Pacific (excluding China), Oriol Montal, expressed his delight at the outstanding performance of the four luxury resorts in the Maldives.
“We are honoured to receive this accolade from Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023. These awards are a testament to the unparalleled dedication of our associates in providing extraordinary experiences for our guests and will motivate us to continue delivering exceptional experiences,” he said.




Marriott Bonvoy’s luxury portfolio of resorts in the Maldives comprises of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa and W Maldives, each located on their own private island and offering the ultimate dream getaway.
For further information, visit www.MarriottBonvoy.com/Maldives
News
Fushifaru Maldives blends cultural experiences with new in-house activities
Fushifaru Maldives has introduced a refreshed programme of guest activities and experiences as it enters 2026, combining cultural elements with new forms of entertainment across the resort.
The boutique resort has expanded its in-house activities to cater to a wide range of age groups. New offerings include circus-style sessions for children, hula hoop classes, aerial performances, fire shows and CYR wheel displays, aimed at providing structured entertainment for both families and adult guests.
The resort marked the end of 2025 with a Gatsby-themed farewell event, featuring a cocktail evening where guests were invited to dress in period-inspired attire. New Year’s Eve celebrations centred on a dinner service prepared by the resort’s culinary team, with a menu that included beef ribs, roasted turkey, grilled lobster, salmon and oysters, alongside seafood selections, Japanese dishes, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and live cooking stations. The evening concluded with desserts and tropical fruit offerings.
For 2026, Fushifaru Maldives has also updated its daily activity schedule. Themed dinner nights continue to form a core part of the guest experience, with a Maldivian-themed dinner held every Friday. This includes a live cooking demonstration based on traditional Maldivian preparation methods, highlighting the step-by-step process of making local curries.
According to the resort, the updated programmes are designed to strengthen guest engagement while maintaining links to Maldivian heritage. The focus remains on offering structured experiences that reflect both cultural practices and contemporary resort entertainment.
Fushifaru Maldives stated that it plans to continue developing its activity and dining concepts throughout the year, with further updates to be shared with guests and industry partners.
Action
Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.
Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.
Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.
Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.
While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.
Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.
“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”
Featured
Intimate island experiences shape Valentine’s Day at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
This Valentine’s Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites couples to celebrate love through a collection of carefully curated experiences designed to unfold in intimate moments across the island.
Framed by the natural beauty of Maamunagau Island, the resort’s Valentine’s programme centres on a series of limited-edition dining and wellness experiences created exclusively for the occasion. From private beachfront dining and moonlit dinners along Café Umi Beach to an elevated Valentine’s evening at the signature Lighthouse venue, romance is conveyed through setting, atmosphere and thoughtful detail rather than elaborate gestures.
Culinary experiences sit at the heart of the celebration, with bespoke Valentine’s menus intended to be savoured slowly, paired with curated wines and accompanied by uninterrupted ocean views. Each dining experience is crafted to feel personal, whether enjoyed beneath the night sky or in one of the island’s more private spaces.
Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to reconnect through shared wellness experiences at AVI Spa. Signature rituals and indulgent treatments offer a quieter expression of romance, giving guests the opportunity to unwind together in a calm, oceanfront environment. Those seeking complete privacy may opt for bespoke in-villa treatments, allowing the occasion to be marked within the comfort of their own surroundings.
Throughout Valentine’s Day, subtle touches across the resort—from crafted cocktails to curated wine moments—enhance the celebration without overwhelming it, reflecting InterContinental Maldives’ belief that genuine luxury is rooted in balance, intention and authenticity.
At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Valentine’s Day is shaped not by excess, but by considered, enduring moments that create shared memories long after the day has passed.
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