News
Four Seasons Maldives honours 2023 Hospitality Apprenticeship Program graduates
Aim high, celebrate curiosity, discover your source of joy, and become a relentless lifelong learner. This was the message graduates of the Four Seasons Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship Program took away on June 24, 2023 as they celebrated becoming the latest of a total of 809 young Maldivians who have benefited from the longest running and most successful program of its kind in the Indian Ocean.
Now in its twenty-second year, 2023’s Apprenticeship Program saw 59 apprentices gathered for a special ceremony held at Maldives National University Auditorium, Malé. Not only have the cohort graduated in disciplines such as Food & Beverage Service; Food & Beverage Preparation; Housekeeping & Guest Services; Retail; Front Office & Recreation; PADI Dive Master; Safe Maritime Transport (SMT); Engineering, Marine Biology and Watersports, but they’ll also take away an immersive experience of developing a growth mindset for learning and life.
The ceremony was also a welcome to 2024’s Apprenticeship intake of 71 hopeful students from across 30 islands who cannot fail to be inspired by the energy and verve of 2023’s graduates.
Attended by Chief Guest of Honour and Honorable Minister of Tourism, Government of Maldives, His Excellency Dr Abdullah Mausoom, thanked Four Seasons for giving hope to many young Maldivians since the inception of the Apprenticeship program in 2001. He also expressed his concern of the shortage of human resources in the country in relation to the needs of the tourism industry, one industry where he believes AI will not take over the service business.
Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Regional Vice President, Armando Kraenzlin congratulated the graduating class of 2023 as “the Class that included perhaps the most talented culinary apprentices we have ever had. So talented were these young people, some of them won gold
and other medals in the recent national culinary competition and beat many of their much more experienced industry colleagues.”
“For the first time, and very exceptionally – we are graduating three expatriate students from the tiny Micronesian island nation of Palau, who have travelled halfway around the world to participate in the programme. This is part of an exchange agreement between the two governments that will see 21 Maldivians spend a year in Palau from this summer to start up a new Four Seasons venture. What a marvellous opportunity for the youth of both nations.” commented Mr Kraenzlin.

Celebrating dedication and drive, the 2023 graduates are equipped with a range of skills applicable across every area of the industry and beyond. Qualifications included Advanced Engineering with Level 4 certifications in Electrical Installation, Refrigeration and Airconditioning and Level 3 in Plumbing and Welding. 2024 apprentices can look forward to the introduction of a new first-year module in Photography.
Accredited by the Government of Maldives since 2010, the Four Seasons Hospitality Apprenticeship is open to young Maldivians, aged 17 to 20, who meet a number of entry criteria. No previous work experience is required but the youngsters need to have O-Level certifications and fluency in both written and spoken English. Training takes place five days a week and the apprentices live and work onsite in the beautiful surroundings of Four Seasons Resorts of Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru in the Maldives.
Echoing the familial relationships that build amongst long-term staff at the Resorts, the apprentices are supported throughout their learning experience. Performance appraisals and tests are taken at regular intervals to check if and when extra learning support is needed, and a buddy and mentor is assigned to each apprentice to offer encouragement and advice.
Teamwork is at the core of all Four Seasons operations and the youngsters come away with an enhanced commitment to professionalism and perseverance for the good of the whole – an outlook that will serve them for life.
News
Villa Park introduces Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House at top of villa collection
Villa Park, the lush island escape in the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), has unveiled its newest and most elevated accommodation category: the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House. Spanning 456 square metres, this new addition becomes the highest category available at Villa Park, strengthening the resort’s position as a leading choice for family travel in the Maldives and expanding its reputation for offering one of the widest ranges of Beach Pool Villas.
Designed for families and groups who want space without sacrificing privacy, the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House blends indoor comfort with open-air island living. Set within tropical greenery, it offers a private pool and generous outdoor areas that invite guests to slow down, reconnect, and settle into a true island rhythm, with the lagoon always close and the shoreline just beyond.

Inside, the layout is built around togetherness and ease. The master bedroom faces the pool and the beach, creating a calm, ocean-facing retreat, while the second bedroom features twin beds, making it ideal for children or additional guests. The villa also includes two bathrooms, ensuring everyone has room to move through the day comfortably, from early swims to post-sunset wind-downs.

A defining feature of the Beach Pool House is its sense of seclusion. Thoughtful spacing and natural landscaping create a private sanctuary, complemented by an elevated terrace balcony with views through the coconut palm canopy, a quiet perch for morning coffee, late-afternoon reading, or simply watching the light shift over the island.

The launch builds on Villa Park’s identity as one of the Maldives’ most family-friendly tropical getaways, known for its wide beaches, blue lagoons, and a full calendar of experiences designed for all ages. Located in SAMPA, Villa Park is also celebrated for year-round whale shark encounters, offering guests the chance to connect with one of the Maldives’ most iconic marine highlights as part of a relaxed island holiday.
Beyond the beach, Villa Park continues to be defined by variety, from its award-winning Araamu Spa to its signature dining moments, including ZERO, the resort’s treetop dining experience that celebrates island freshness and locally inspired flavours.

With the introduction of the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House, Villa Park raises the bar for spacious, design-led family stays in the Maldives, offering a new standard of comfort, privacy, and island immersion at the very top of its accommodation collection.
News
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi launches ‘She Is Hospitality’ to celebrate women
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026 and its global theme, “Give to Gain,” Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has unveiled “She Is Hospitality” at the resort this 8th of March. This photo portrait exhibition honours the unique personalities, skill sets, and values of the women who drive the resort’s success, highlighting how a culture of empowerment, guided by the Sun Siyam Care philosophy, fosters both professional excellence and personal autonomy.
At the Diving Centre, the manager, Danijela Podlipec, translates the language of the deep blue for those seeking adventure. With a joyful calm, she offers a sense of safety and a feeling of being at home beneath the sea. Nearby, in the sanctuary of the spa, Assistant Spa Manager Anna Vargas serves as a meticulous eye. With eighteen years of experience in the Maldives, she nurtures the next generation of therapists, teaching them that true wellness is a human centred art that begins with details, precision, and a refined attention to the unique needs of each guest.


In the quiet power of technical spaces working as Engineering Coordinator, Ofimaria Deliva proves that hospitality is built on a foundation of resilience. Having transitioned from the world of finance to the complexity of engineering, she stands as a reminder that no department is “too technical” for a heart driven by purpose. Similarly, Rabina Shrestha, Security Officer, navigates the male dominated world of security not by mirroring it, but by leading with a distinct femininity. She proves daily that softness and vigilance are not opposites, but a necessary, graceful balance.


The first light of morning at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is met with the quiet commitment of Mia Sumiati, Kitchen Attendant, whose power lies in her presence and the simple, human value of a genuine smile. Guests encounter this gentle strength at breakfast, as she crafts their first energy drinks to begin the day with vitality. Fathimath Afaa, from the Front Office, radiates a confidence that stems from an inner grace, believing that a warm welcome is a reflection of one’s own radiant spirit. In the heart of operations as a Butler for nine years, Ameni Dahmene bridges worlds; her Tunisian heritage brings a blend of traditional values and a liberal, wandering soul that delights in meeting people from every corner of the earth.



For Nancy Castano, Kids Club Supervisor, dance is more than movement—it is a form of healing and expression that she shares with the youngest travellers, turning the Kids Club into a stage for joy. This same rhythm is found in Lyrio May, Human Resources Executive, who brings the soul of her department to life through music and Maldivian dance, fostering a workplace rooted in empathy. Meanwhile, in the world of Reservations, Radhika Sabharwal guides guests towards their dream holidays while pursuing her own. By travelling with her mother, she honours the path paved by past generations while standing tall as a symbol of the modern, independent woman.



Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, part of the Luxury Collection of Sun Siyam, serves as a sanctuary where talent is nurtured and the unique traits of every woman are celebrated. Beyond professional roles, the women stand as leaders of values, architects of atmosphere, and the very soul of hospitality.
Awards
Baros Maldives honoured with Agoda Gold Circle Award 2025
Baros Maldives has received the 2025 Agoda Gold Circle Award, recognising outstanding performance, service excellence and strong partnership with Agoda.
Presented annually, the award celebrates properties that consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining competitive value and reliable availability. It recognises hotels that continue to adapt and innovate while upholding the highest standards of hospitality.
For Baros, this recognition reflects the dedication of its team, whose commitment to genuine Maldivian hospitality continues to shape memorable stays for guests from around the world.
“This recognition is a testament to the passion and professionalism of our team,” said Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager of Baros Maldives. “We are honoured to be acknowledged by Agoda and remain deeply grateful to our guests and partners whose trust inspires us to continually refine the Baros experience.”
The Agoda Gold Circle Award celebrates excellence in three key areas—superior service, competitive value and responsive availability—qualities that remain central to the Baros philosophy of hospitality.
Among the Maldives’ most iconic island resorts, Baros welcomes travellers seeking an intimate retreat defined by natural beauty, authentic service and timeless elegance.
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