Awards
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi bestowed prestigious Les Clefs d’Or in recognition of service excellence and elegance
First individuals in the Maldives and first concierge team in South Asia to receive
The Golden Keys
Five members of the personal concierge team at Waldorf Astoria Maldives have been awarded the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or, becoming the first Hilton team in South Asia to receive the honor.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team and our united commitment to welcoming our guests to experience unforgettable moments that are unique to this beautiful corner of the Indian Ocean,” explains Etienne Dalançon, General Manager, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. “Each award we have won in the past three years has brought new impetus to our mission to deliver exceptional and intuitive service. The Les Clefs d’Or is truly a special honor, and I am confident our future guests will discover how the award has helped our signature brand of Waldorf Astoria hospitality evolve and mature.”
The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi concierge team delivers their award-winning service with the remarkable natural beauty of the Maldives as the backdrop. The resort is an unforgettable island escape nestled among white sands and caressed by crystal azure waters, with a wealth of experiences to discover. It features 119 reef, beach and overwater villas spanning across three interconnected islands, including an independent private island with dedicated staff and luxury amenities. Guests can experience culinary excellence through 11 distinctive dining venues, a world-class lifestyle spa sanctuary and fitness center, a children’s club, a watersports and diving center, and diversified activities for all generations. The exclusive tropical enclave captures the essence of timeless luxury, allowing guests to create memories that last a lifetime.


Les Clefs d’Or, known as the Golden Keys, is an international association of the world’s finest hotel concierges. Founded in Paris in 1929, the association embodies a tradition of excellence, service, and integrity that has thrived for nearly a century. The Golden Keys emblem is worn proudly and symbolizes unparalleled service and expertise. For a concierge to wear Les Clefs d’Or, they must demonstrate exceptional dedication, knowledge, and the ability to deliver the highest level of personalized service.
In a remarkably short space of time since opening in 2019, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has risen to become the ultimate host for guests seeking a one-of-a-kind vacation and cultural experience against the scenes of the South Malé Atoll’s natural beauty. In addition to winning Les Clefs d’Or, the resort has also earned remarkable accolades in the 2022 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, securing the title of the No. 1 Best Resort Hotel in Asia and a listing as No. 3 Best Resort Hotel in the world. Furthermore, Forbes Travel Guide, the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, has honored the resort with the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award.
Adds Dalançon, “Les Clefs d’Or is a beautiful metaphor for unlocking unforgettable guest experiences. This accolade will add further momentum to our mission to reimagine modern-day luxury and craft experiences that uphold the Waldorf Astoria’s iconic heritage and reflect the fabric of the Maldives.”
Awards
Grand Park Kodhipparu retains Green Globe Certification for seventh year
Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives has received its seventh consecutive Green Globe Certification, attaining Gold Member status for the third time and continuing its sustainability programme across island operations.
The resort’s sustainability model is guided by the philosophy of “From Reef to Roof”, linking marine conservation with operational management to support both environmental protection and long-term guest experience.
A central part of this approach is the resort’s house reef, which supports corals, turtles and other marine life. Conservation work led by the resort’s Resident Marine Biologist includes coral restoration, reef clean-ups and guided snorkelling experiences aimed at helping guests engage more closely with the marine environment.
Sustainability measures are also integrated across the resort’s wider operations. These include renewable energy initiatives such as solar power, which help reduce dependence on diesel-generated electricity. The resort also operates an on-site desalination system that converts seawater into drinking water, alongside its own water bottling plant.
According to the resort, this has enabled the complete removal of single-use plastic water bottles since 2020, marking a step in its waste reduction efforts.
Waste management is also structured around reducing, reusing and recycling materials where possible, with composting systems in place to reduce food waste and support day-to-day operations.
Like other island resorts in the Maldives, Grand Park Kodhipparu operates independently of mainland infrastructure, producing its own energy and water while managing waste on site. The resort says this model supports both lower environmental impact and greater operational resilience.
While Green Globe Certification provides international recognition of sustainability performance, the resort describes the certification as part of an ongoing process rather than a fixed milestone. Sustainability, it says, is embedded in operations, guest experiences and long-term planning.
Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, said the certification reflected the resort’s long-term direction. “From the very beginning, our vision was to create a resort that works in harmony with its environment. Achieving Green Globe Gold status for the seventh consecutive year reflects the consistency of that approach,” he said.
“‘From Reef to Roof’ connects everything we do — from protecting our marine life to how we generate energy and manage resources. It is a responsibility we take seriously, for both our environment and our guests.”
Quoting environmentalist Robert Swan, he added: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. That idea resonates strongly with us — we believe it is our responsibility to act, here on our island, every day.”
The resort is also promoting a “Pay 4, Stay 6” package, aimed at encouraging longer stays and allowing guests more time to experience the property’s reef, wellness and nature-based activities.
Located around 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu continues to position itself as a luxury resort with a focus on environmental responsibility and island-based guest experiences.
Awards
Atmosphere Core secures British Airways Holidays awards across five Maldives resorts
Atmosphere Core has announced that five of their resorts in the Maldives; VARU by Atmosphere, Atmosphere Kanifushi, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, have been recognised with the prestigious British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award 2025.
This accolade reflects consistently high guest satisfaction, recognising hotels that excel in service delivery, quality of facilities, and the overall holiday experience. Extended only to the top 8% of hotels worldwide, it underscores the strength of the brand’s diverse portfolio, from signature Holiday Plans to adults-only escapes and immersive, nature-inspired island retreats.

Under Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, VARU by Atmosphere and Atmosphere Kanifushi continue to set benchmarks in elevated hospitality. VARU by Atmosphere offers a contemporary island experience with seamless inclusions and warm Maldivian service, while Atmosphere Kanifushi is known for its expansive setting, lush tropical surroundings, and wide range of experiences catering to both families and couples.

Within the COLOURS OF OBLU portfolio, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO each present distinct island escapes. OBLU SELECT Sangeli blends contemporary design in a stylish and tranquil setting. OBLU SELECT Lobigili is a romantic, adults-only retreat thoughtfully designed for couples, centred around intimacy and curated experiences. OBLU NATURE Helengeli stands out for its rich marine life and exceptional house reef, offering an immersive experience for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts.

“We are truly honoured to receive the British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award across multiple resorts within our portfolio. This recognition, driven by genuine guest feedback, is a testament to the passion and dedication of our teams who consistently go above and beyond to create exceptional experiences,” said Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer at Atmosphere Core. “It reinforces our commitment to delivering distinctive and memorable stays across every island, tailored to different guest journeys.”

This achievement further strengthens Atmosphere Core’s position as a leading hospitality brand in the Maldives, driven by guest-centric service, innovation, and authentic island experiences.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
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