Coco Bodu Hithi, part of Coco Collection, has been named Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort at the World Travel Awards 2026, marking its third consecutive win in the category.

The recognition highlights the resort’s appeal to couples, with its combination of private accommodation, personalised experiences and natural surroundings offering opportunities for romantic getaways in the Maldives.

Located approximately 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Coco Bodu Hithi combines accessibility with the privacy of an island resort. Surrounded by turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and tropical vegetation, the property features villas equipped with private pools, providing couples with secluded accommodation.

The resort offers a range of experiences designed for couples, including private beachfront dining, sunset cruises and couples’ treatments at Coco Spa. Guests can also explore the island’s house reef, enjoy dining experiences and take part in activities that showcase the surrounding marine environment.

In addition to its regional award, Coco Collection and Coco Bodu Hithi have received two global nominations at the World Travel Awards 2026. Coco Collection has been nominated for World’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand, while Coco Bodu Hithi is competing for the title of World’s Most Romantic Resort.

The resort attributed its achievements to the efforts of Coco Collection’s team, comprising employees from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Their contribution to guest services, attention to detail and personalised hospitality has played a role in maintaining the resort’s standards and guest experiences.

Meanwhile, Coco Bodu Hithi is preparing to host its festive programme, Island Glow: Moments Made to Remember, from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

The programme will feature festive dining, live entertainment, ocean activities and wellness experiences, catering to couples, families and groups of friends spending the Christmas and New Year holidays in the Maldives.

The resort’s latest recognition adds to its achievements at the World Travel Awards and reinforces its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality sector, particularly in the romantic travel segment.

Heritance Aarah has been named Indian Ocean’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2026 at the World Travel Awards, recognising the resort’s Premium All-Inclusive offering in the Maldives.

The award was announced at the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean ceremony in the Maldives. The World Travel Awards recognises achievements across the global travel and tourism industry, including hotels, resorts and destinations, with regional awards acknowledging hospitality offerings across established tourism markets.

Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 40 minutes from Malé by seaplane, Heritance Aarah offers a Premium All-Inclusive experience encompassing personalised service, dining, wellness, marine activities and cultural experiences.

Stasshani Jayawardena, Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotels, said: “Being recognised as the Indian Ocean’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort is a significant achievement for Heritance Aarah and a proud moment for the entire Aitken Spence Hotels team. This recognition reflects the dedication of our colleagues in delivering a Premium All-Inclusive stay that combines thoughtful service, distinctive moments and a strong connection to the destination. It is particularly rewarding to see Heritance Aarah recognised within the Indian Ocean, and we remain committed to continually elevating what we offer our guests.”

Heritance Aarah features seven restaurants and five bars, offering a selection of international and regional cuisines. Among its dining venues is the Ambula Overwater Restaurant, which combines Sri Lankan and Maldivian flavours through an eight-course tasting menu accompanied by wine pairings.

The resort also offers activities that allow guests to explore the marine environment and cultural heritage of Raa Atoll. These include guided house-reef snorkelling, diving, water sports and excursions. Its IASO Spa provides wellness treatments, while the Maldivian Village introduces guests to aspects of local culture and island life.

The Premium All-Inclusive concept incorporates these experiences alongside personalised butler service and a range of inclusions designed to provide guests with flexibility during their stay.

The recognition at the World Travel Awards adds to Heritance Aarah’s international accolades and highlights Heritance Hotels and Resorts’ continued focus on developing its hospitality offerings across its destinations.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has won three awards at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, with Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives receiving recognition across three categories.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives secured Gold in the Leading Surf Resort category for the eighth time and fourth consecutive year, while Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives retained Gold in the Leading Beach Resort category for the second consecutive year. Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives also received Silver in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category.

The 10th edition of SATA was held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé on 8 October 2026, recognising achievements across South Asia’s tourism and hospitality industry, including guest experiences, industry leadership and responsible tourism.

Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is home to the Pasta Point surf break, which attracts surfers from around the world. The resort’s eighth Gold award in the Leading Surf Resort category reflects its position among the Maldives’ surfing destinations. In addition to surfing, the resort offers water sports, wellness activities and other guest experiences.

“We remain committed to delivering memorable surf experiences and holidays in the Maldives,” said Marlon Robert, General Manager of Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives.

Robert also acknowledged the continued support of guests, the international surfing community and the resort team in securing the recognition.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives received its second consecutive Gold award as Leading Beach Resort in recognition of its island setting, which features sandy beaches, a lagoon and a selection of beachfront and overwater accommodation. The resort also offers dining, wellness and recreational activities, providing guests with opportunities to explore the surrounding marine environment.

The resort’s Silver award in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category recognised its efforts to provide dive education and career development opportunities for young people from neighbouring island communities.

Implemented in partnership with Dive & Sail, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, the six-day programme enabled nine students aged between 16 and 18 from schools in Keyodhoo and Felidhoo to obtain PADI Open Water Diver certification.

The programme combined theoretical lessons, practical training and supervised dives to promote safe diving practices and reef conservation. It also introduced participants to potential career opportunities in marine tourism.

“These accolades reflect the dedication of our teams and the continued support of our guests, whose trust inspires us to keep raising the standard of our experiences,” said Sanjeeva Perera, Area General Manager, Cinnamon Maldives Resorts.

The three awards recognise the tourism experiences offered by Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, as well as Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ initiatives in environmental awareness and community engagement across its Maldives properties.