News
Hussain Shahid promoted as Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives’ Resort Manager
After 14 years of loyal service, which commenced as Director of Human Resources back in 2009, Hussain Shahid has developed a broad cross-section of skills in hotel management, resulting in his promotion from Executive Assistant Manager to Resort Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, this month.
Speaking about his time at Kandooma, he reflects on the day he joined, saying it felt like home. Hotels were not in his blood. When Shahid was a teenager growing up in the Maldives, he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps into a Government role. He flashes a bright smile as he recalls, ‘I wanted to wear a tie and look smart, which I did for a couple of years!’ a contrast from the simple, impeccably presented linen shirt adorned with a polished name badge he is wearing today.
Shahid shares that after secondary school, when he formed a music group with friends, his relationship with resorts began, entertaining guests for a couple of years.
“This experience made me really happy. However, I didn’t realise at the time that resorts would become my career one day.” You can see the joy in his eyes that this memory evokes.
He explains that when he married and started a family, his government pay wasn’t enough to cover the bills, “I wanted more for my family and joined the hospitality industry. The pay was much better, and my professional experience landed me in a managerial position.”
Shahid attributes being able to help a guest achieve a ‘once in a lifetime’ dream to being critical to his job satisfaction, “When I know that I was part of a guest achieving their bucket list goal or fulfilling a dream, then that is when my day is done!”
He shares a similar philosophy about his team, “I take great pride in being able to shape and assist a team member to develop a career path and nurture their growth within our industry. Seeing my team succeed, build capability or achieve goals, together or as an individual, gives me inner satisfaction.”
Shahid shares that he derives a tremendous sense of motivation from guest feedback, “Looking back on memories of guests who visited us and their feedback plays a vital part in my daily routine. It inspires me to do better but also makes me smile when we do things right. This feedback and my genuine concern for people drive my passion for the industry.
Talking about the qualities needed to be a great leader, Shahid rates patience at the top of his list, “Patience is significant in everything I do and who I am as a leader. Respect, humility, staying calm, listening, and resilience are the other leadership traits that are core qualities of good leaders that I do my best to embrace.
Shahid shares that this promotion brings him closer to his ultimate career goal, “Being promoted to Resort Manager at Kandooma means more responsibilities and a greater focus on our culinary division. Being more accessible to the team, playing a key role in problem-solving and offering guidance on all operational aspects of the property.”
As a role model for many in the Maldives, Shahid shares his advice for young people looking to join the industry, “I have always believed that a person needs to possess two things to reach a leadership position in the hotel industry: one, an appropriate amount of education and two, experience.
“If I were young again, I would complete my high school education and perhaps a Diploma in Hospitality and start in a branded resort, local or international, to acquire a few years of experience. I would then embark on getting a university degree or an MBA to assist me in climbing the management ladder. I also think that an international stint is equally as important.”
His most important advice is, “Giving everything you’ve got to each job you fill is important for your career’s next steps. Long after you leave a job, others will remember the good or not-so-good things you’ve done and how professional you were. It goes a long way!”
Shahid has his sights set firmly ahead to achieve his goal to not only manage an operation but be responsible for the overall management of a property, “I want to be known as a great operational leader and one that can manage large-scale resort operations”. He will surely achieve this goal one step at a time in the not-too-distant future.
Located in the South Male atoll just 40 mins from the airport by boat, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a beautiful island paradise. White sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and turquoise waters form the backdrop for various leisure pursuits and some of the best diving in the Maldives. Guests can choose from Garden and Beach Villas, two-storey Beach Houses and the popular Overwater Villas. Families are well catered for with a choice of 2- and 3-bed villas, the Kandoo Kids’ Club, and its complete activities programme. Six food and beverage outlets ensure healthy appetites are satisfied and the flavours of the Maldives are explored. For guests who desire the ultimate relaxation, sun loungers and hammocks are located around the island. The Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala offers the ultimate tranquillity and escape for body and mind.
News
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO earn Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice honours
Tripadvisor has named OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO among the top 10% percent of hotels worldwide in its annual Travellers’ Choice Awards. Unlike honours determined by industry panels or internal juries, this recognition originates from a more direct source: the aggregated feedback of guests who have stayed, dined, and lingered on these island shores.
Over thousands of individual reviews, travellers from across the globe have shaped the reputation of both properties. Their collective voice, measured through rating consistency and recency of feedback, has placed THE OZEN COLLECTION alongside an elite cohort of international hospitality leaders.
Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards are unique in that no submission or nomination is required. Rankings are derived algorithmically from the volume, quality, and recency of guest reviews. For OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, this translates to sustained excellence as measured not by a single visit, but by thousands of stays over time.

Where many ultra-luxury resorts operate on a model of à la carte pricing with added fees, THE OZEN COLLECTION pioneered an alternative approach. Both properties operate on all-encompassing holiday plans designed to eliminate unexpected charges and streamline the guest journey.
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO operates under the INDULGENCE™ Plan, which includes unlimited dining across multiple restaurants, premium wines and spirits, a signature spa treatment per guest, and curated excursions – all bundled into a single upfront rate. Guests have access to the underwater M6m restaurant, house reef snorkelling, and other activities without additional charges.
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers the RESERVE™ Plan, which adds a dedicated Hiyani butler operating 24 hours daily, private catamaran airport transfers, unlimited access to the CUVEÉ wine library, and bespoke dining experiences. All villas include private pools, with select overwater units featuring slides providing direct lagoon access.
As THE OZEN COLLECTION looks ahead, this recognition serves not as a final destination but as a quiet reaffirmation of purpose. To every guest who has taken the time to share their experience – whether a sentence or a story – we remain deeply grateful. Your words guide us. Your trust sustains us. And your return is the only accolade we continue to seek. We look forward to welcoming you back to our shores, again and again, for many years to come.
News
Niyama invites travellers to explore the Maldives with new summer escape package
With summer approaching, Niyama transformed, and the Maldives more stunning than ever, those in search of epic adventure and unfettered exploration are invited to visit the world’s most luxurious playground.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives launches its signature escape just in time for summer, with more and more benefits for longer bookings allowing guests to experience the Maldives in all its surreal beauty.
Stays in its sensual beach and overwater villas begin with a welcome bottle of champagne. Half-board dining is included, with nothing ordinary about either breakfast – with its mimosa and gelato bars – or dinner with its sizzling safari game one night and the world’s favourite street foods another. And guests are invited to surrender themselves to the most mesmerising of sunsets at the new Surf Shack with a complimentary cocktail.
Days drift by criss-crossing the resort’s two jungle islands by bicycle, kayaking across the dazzling lagoon in search of baby reef sharks, and snorkelling the outer reef where the corals bloom a riot of colour and the occasional sea turtles stop by to graze.
Stays in the resort’s pavilions are even more decadent, with not only everything bigger and better, but every detail personalised, from the warm welcome of a personalised board out front and a cool coconut waiting inside, to the luxury of breakfast in bed each day. A floating breakfast out in the full-sized pool, sunrise dappling on the water, is also quintessential Maldives in every way – yet out of this world.
For stays of five nights or more, Niyama amps things up with a magical movie night under the stars. Heading to a secret cove on the beach, guests settle into oversized beanbags for a private screening of their choice, a Thakuru (Villa Host) on hand throughout the night to bring icy drinks and unlimited amounts of popcorn.
And finally, for seven nights or more, the spa treatment of each guest’s choice lets any tension drift away with the tide and a sense of renewal to bathe them. Then as sunset paints the sky the most dramatic shades of ochre and flamingo, guests can embark on the adventure of a lifetime, cruising in search of dolphins that dance and play in the boat’s wake.
Nature’s Playground has never been more enticing, as across its two islands its facilities are refurbished, including all of its villas. Avant-garde restaurant Nest is unveiled as a treetop culinary dream, showcasing the fire and spice of Asia, while colourful beach bar Dune is an invitation to laidback lingering. Subsix, meanwhile, surrounded by nothing but open ocean, presents the world’s first and most exquisite underwater Nikkei tasting menu.
Signatures escapes begin at three nights priced at USD 730++ per night. For reservations or more information, call +960 676 22 22 or email reservations@niyama.com
News
Global Wellness Day at Joy Island features giant floating breakfast experience
Joy Island Maldives transformed Global Wellness Day into an unforgettable celebration of well-being, connection, and island living, bringing together wellness experiences, healthy cuisine, and joyful moments in a day designed to nourish the mind, body, and soul.
The celebrations began as the first rays of sunlight painted the Maldivian skies in shades of gold and pink. Guests were welcomed aboard a traditional Maldivian dhoni, gently anchored in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island, for a serene Sunrise Gentle Hatha Flow Yoga Session. Surrounded by endless ocean views and the soothing rhythm of the sea, participants moved through a mindful practice focused on breath, balance, and connection with the natural elements. The gentle morning breeze, the warmth of the rising sun, and the calming sounds of the ocean created an atmosphere of complete tranquility, allowing guests to reconnect with themselves and the beauty of the world around them.
Following the yoga session, guests returned to the island for the highlight of the day: a spectacular wellness-inspired breakfast experience unlike anything ever seen before.
Taking centre stage at the resort’s Main Pool was a breathtaking 24-foot floating breakfast, believed to be the largest floating breakfast tray ever created in the world. Designed and curated by Joy Island Maldives’ Executive Chef and culinary team, the extraordinary floating display featured an abundant selection of wholesome breakfast favourites, freshly baked pastries, tropical fruits, nutrient-rich dishes, healthy refreshments, and a dedicated herbal tea station.
Beautifully arranged and adorned with the iconic Joy Island Maldives logo, the floating breakfast was more than a culinary experience, it was a celebration of wellness, creativity, and the joy of sharing meaningful moments together. Guests gathered around the impressive floating installation, enjoying nutritious cuisine while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the island.
The day continued with a lively Healthy Mocktail Making Competition, where members of the resort team showcased their creativity, passion, and talent through a collection of refreshing wellness-inspired beverages. Featuring fresh tropical ingredients, herbs, fruits, and innovative flavour combinations, the competition brought guests and team members together in a fun and interactive experience while highlighting the skill and personality of the Joy Island family.
“Global Wellness Day is about taking a moment to appreciate the importance of living well and embracing a healthier lifestyle,” said Ahmed Jihad (Jay), Chief Operating Officer of The Cocoon Collection. “At Joy Island Maldives, we wanted to create experiences that celebrate wellness in a joyful and memorable way. From greeting the sunrise through a peaceful Hatha Flow Yoga session on a traditional dhoni, to unveiling what we believe to be the world’s largest floating breakfast, and celebrating the creativity of our team through healthy mocktail creations, the day perfectly reflected the spirit of Joy.”
The Global Wellness Day celebrations formed part of Joy Island Maldives’ ongoing commitment to creating meaningful experiences that inspire guests to slow down, reconnect with nature, embrace wellness, and discover the simple joys of island life.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons, pristine beaches, and endless shades of blue, Joy Island Maldives continues to redefine the art of hospitality through innovative experiences that bring people closer to themselves, to nature, and to one another.
-
News1 week agoV Villas Maldives at Mirihi joins MGallery Collection portfolio
-
News1 week agoAmilla Maldives unveils first dedicated pottery and ceramics studio on the island
-
News1 week agoTwo islands, one wellness journey: Coco Collection launches restorative retreat
-
Excursions1 week agoAnantara Maldives celebrates 10,000 coral milestone with Dr Oriana Migliaccio
-
News7 days agoNH Maldives Kuda Rah celebrates World Ocean Day through hands-on marine conservation
-
Cooking1 week agoKandolhu Maldives unveils exclusive dining collaboration with Chef Benjamin Peifer
-
News1 week agoInterContinental Maldives invites guests to reconnect through yoga and mindfulness
-
News1 week agoFrom Barefoot Luxury to Bare Luxury: Soneva charts a new chapter


