News
Partners unveiled for South Asian Travel Awards 2023
The highly anticipated unveiling of partners for the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2023 took place today at Maagiri Hotel in Male on Monday. This event marked the official announcement of the partners for this year’s awards ceremony. SATA Vice President Suraj Khan delivered the welcome remarks, expressing his excitement for the upcoming event.
The partners for SATA 2023 were revealed, showcasing their commitment to supporting the travel and tourism industry in South Asia. Gulf Craft, a renowned name in luxury yacht manufacturing, proudly emerged as the Platinum Partner. The Hawks Pvt Ltd and Velana International Airport were unveiled as the Gold Partners, while Crowe Maldives joined as the Auditing Partner. Maagiri Hotel was announced as the Hospitality Partner, Maldives.
The unveiling event concluded with closing remarks delivered by SATA President Ismail Hameed, who expressed his gratitude towards the partners for their invaluable contributions to SATA. He also shared the exciting news that the South Asian Travel Awards will take place in Bangalore, India in October 2023, bringing together industry leaders and stakeholders from across the region.

Celebrating its 7th year, SATA has consistently recognized excellence in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries in South Asia. The previous editions of the awards were successfully hosted at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, Maldives (2022), SATA Virtual (2020), Amari Galle, Sri Lanka (2019), Taj Mahal Palace, India (2018), Equator Village, Maldives (2017), and Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka (2016).
The South Asian Travel Awards is a premier annual event that acknowledges and applauds the best in the travel and tourism industry in South Asia. With a rigorous selection process conducted by a panel of experts and industry professionals, the SATA recognises outstanding achievements over 52 categories such as Best Domestic Destination, Best International Destination, Best Adventure Destination, and Best Emerging Destination.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents a new chapter in destination dining with the launch of its Secret Garden concept, a thoughtfully designed experience that brings guests into a secluded setting surrounded by nature, soft lighting, and carefully curated details.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, Secret Garden is created for those moments that deserve more than a traditional dinner. The space is styled with flowing drapes, warm candlelight, and natural greenery, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels both personal and special. It is a setting that invites guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
At the centre of the experience is a seven-course menu, crafted to guide guests through a balanced journey of flavours. Each course is presented with care, with live cooking moments adding a sense of theatre and interaction throughout the evening. The service remains attentive yet discreet, allowing the experience to feel seamless and uninterrupted.
Guests can choose between two tailored offerings. The Romantic Escape focuses on the dining experience itself, complemented by a beautifully arranged setup and personalised service. For those looking to extend the evening, the Ultimate Romance Experience adds thoughtful touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, a private cinema moment under the open sky, in-villa breakfast the next day, and special bed decoration to complete the occasion.
The concept also allows for additional customisation, from floral arrangements to bespoke messages and decorative details, giving guests the flexibility to shape the evening around their celebration, whether it is a birthday, proposal, or simply a meaningful time together.
With Secret Garden, Kuredhivaru continues to expand its dining experiences beyond traditional venues, offering guests something more personal and immersive. It reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, where every detail is considered, and each experience is designed to feel natural, effortless, and quietly memorable.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 6563000.
Cooking
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch
Modern travellers increasingly view a destination as a collection of flavours to be explored, often reserving their dining experiences at the same moment they book their stay to ensure a true sense of discovery.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has embraced this trend, aligning its “Premium Island Experience” with exclusive chef residencies that transform an island stay into a sophisticated, curated sensory adventure. This approach reflects the resort’s core philosophy in reimagining the guest experience in its 15 dining venues and bars.

Central to this refined vision, the resort’s Easter programme debuted with a bespoke four-course residency masterminded by Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch. Collaborating closely with Executive Chef Putu Wijana and Beverage Manager & Sommelier Sunil Kumar, Pietsch ensured every ingredient achieved a sensual harmony with its chosen vintage pairing—a true study in the art of culinary chemistry.

The residency was hosted at Islander’s Grill, the resort’s beachfront destination, where the “Land & Sea” menu showcased technical precision through signatures such as Hand-Cut Beef Tartare finished with a silken yolk and garden botanicals; Lightly Cured Cod jewelled with Beluga Caviar; and a succulent Beef Cheek with Seared Foie Gras and winter truffle.
The experience concluded with a Topfen Dumpling accented by papaya, yogurt, and almond. The menu featured curated pairings, including French Champagne and a selection of prestigious French and Italian wines.

“We strive for a synergy between Michelin-standard precision and the evocative pulse of local and regional provenance. This marriage of world-class craft enables us to elevate our flavour profile, establishing a new lineage of bespoke dishes that honour our heritage while setting a sophisticated benchmark for the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi dining experience,” highlighted Abdulla Atham, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort Manager.
News
The Standard Maldives targets Chinese market with new all-inclusive programme
The Standard, Maldives, part of the globally respected Hyatt portfolio, has announced an elevated lifestyle-led luxury retreat tailored for Chinese travellers in search of a truly memorable Maldives escape. By harmoniously combining Hyatt’s world-class hospitality standards with The Standard’s dynamic and social lifestyle ethos, the resort introduces a new benchmark for premium island living in the Indian Ocean.
Reached via a scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport in Male’, The Standard, Maldives features 115 beautifully designed villas, set either overwater or along the beachfront. Each villa includes a private plunge pool and lounge deck, offering generous space and privacy for families or groups of up to ‘2 adults + 2 children’. Designed to complement the Maldives’ natural surroundings, these stylish accommodations provide direct access to clear lagoons or untouched beaches, ideal for relaxation, play, and exploration.
Enhancing the overall stay, The Standard has recently elevated its Food & Beverage offerings and introduced a Premium All-Inclusive programme, allowing guests to enjoy unlimited access to curated dining, signature cocktails, and bold flavours across its lively culinary venues. From casual beachfront BBQs to all-day dining and sunset bars, indulgence is effortless and uninterrupted throughout the stay.
With the preferences of Chinese guests in mind, the resort offers Mandarin-speaking hosts and personalised services, ensuring seamless communication and thoughtfully tailored hospitality from arrival to departure. Feedback from Chinese visitors consistently praises the warm, attentive service, with particular appreciation for Chinese-speaking hosts who make each experience smooth, welcoming, and stress-free.
Completing the island experience, The Standard, Maldives offers a thoughtfully curated selection of excursions that invite guests to explore both the natural wonders and cultural heritage of the Maldives. From traditional sunset fishing and guided manta ray and sea turtle expeditions in the surrounding atoll waters, to world-class scuba diving across vibrant coral reefs, each experience is designed to connect guests with the beauty of the Indian Ocean. For those seeking cultural discovery, the resort also organises visits to nearby heritage islands such as Kendhoo Island, an 800-year-old living community where guests can gain rare insight into Maldivian traditions, craftsmanship, and local way of life. These immersive experiences add depth and meaning to every stay, creating unforgettable memories beyond the shoreline.
Blending Hyatt’s trusted service excellence, The Standard’s lifestyle-driven spirit, premium all-inclusive offerings, and villa designs created with family comfort in mind, The Standard, Maldives stands out as a leading choice for Chinese travellers seeking a Maldivian holiday that is luxurious, playful, and genuinely distinctive.
-
Love1 week agodusitD2 Feydhoo hosts multi-day wedding buyout with international guests
-
Family1 week agoHilton Maldives Amingiri introduces Candyland experience for Easter 2026
-
Family1 week agoJA Manafaru launches Easter programme with family-focused experiences
-
Family1 week agoHalcyon Private Isles Maldives curates immersive Easter programme
-
Meditation1 week agoSO/ Maldives marks Earth Hour with 120-day wellness challenge
-
News1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi secures multiple nominations at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026
-
News1 week agoThe Standard Maldives curates sustainability-focused Earth Hour programme
-
Cooking6 days agoThe Standard, Maldives introduces Onda with Mediterranean-inspired menu


