Awards
Atmosphere Core scoops 3 trophies at World Travel Awards 2023
Atmosphere Core, a dynamic hospitality company, bagged three top World Travel Awards 2023 prizes at the Grand Final Gala Ceremony held in Dubai on 15 October 2023.
The awards are:
- Maldives’ Leading Family Resort 2023 for Atmosphere Kanifushi
- Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2023 for the Royal RESERVE at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI
- Maldives’ Leading Resort 2023 for VARU by Atmosphere
This latest win further solidifies Atmosphere Core’s position in the global hospitality scene and showcases its expertise in curating and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Recognised as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence, World Travel Awards™ acknowledges, rewards and celebrates excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The awards were accepted by Ms. Sarah Walker-Kerr, Vice President of Communications at Atmosphere Core, and Ms. Mei P Pun, General Manager of VARU By Atmosphere.
For the fourth year in a row, Atmosphere Kanifushi bagged Maldives’ Leading Family Resort 2023 at World Travel Awards 2023. The lush isle offers villas dotted along a dreamy 2km long beach and indulgent water villas perched on a crystalline lagoon. Watersports, snorkelling boat trips, complimentary bicycles, and exotic dine-around options are just some of the delights that await travellers here. A thrilling 35-minute Sea Plane ride from Malé International Airport brings guests to the secluded resort in Lhaviyani Atoll.
The Royal RESERVE won the Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 20232023 at World Travel Awards 2023. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI resort’s iconic three bedroom sanctuary is replete with the fine tunings of indulgence, absolute privacy, charming comforts, and privileged amenities. Features include a private beach, spa pavilion, open-air jacuzzi, gym, pool, stunning bathrooms, an overwater bar, a room for the nanny, and a dedicated Teppanyaki restaurant as well as a fully stocked professional kitchen with a wine cellar.
A naturally Maldivian resort, VARU by Atmosphere earned the Maldives’ Leading Resort 2023 at World Travel Awards 2023. This popular five star resort invites guests to stay close to the brilliant turquoise lagoon, relish authentic Maldivian food, and immerse in the island rhythm of this scenic Indian Ocean destination. Situated on the north-western edge of the Malé Atoll, Varu Island is just a 45 minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.
Awards
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura has been named among the Top 100 Spas of the World 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, recognising the spa’s wellness services in Malé.
Located on Level 3 of Barceló Nasandhura, Wellness by Mandara caters to both international visitors and local residents, offering spa treatments and wellness services within the capital. Unlike spas located at island resorts, the facility provides an urban wellness option for guests seeking relaxation, physical recovery and regular self-care.
The spa draws on traditional Eastern healing practices and offers a range of treatments, including Mandara’s signature multi-hand massage therapies, ELEMIS facials, body treatments and specialised nail care packages.
Treatments are tailored to individual requirements by the spa’s therapists, with services designed to relieve muscle tension, support physical recovery and promote relaxation.
Trent Munday of Mandara Spa said the recognition reflected the team’s commitment to providing Asian spa therapies in Malé while serving both hotel guests and the local community.
Wellness by Mandara operates daily, offering treatments and spa packages to Barceló Nasandhura guests, Malé residents and day visitors.
Awards
Jalboot Group claims three honours at World Luxury Travel Awards 2026
Jalboot Group has won three awards at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards, marking the second consecutive year the marine leisure and transport services provider has received recognition at the event.
The awards were presented during a gala ceremony held on 24 October at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.
Jalboot Group and its marine leisure brand, Koamas by Jalboot, received awards in three categories:
- Best Diving Experience in Maldives: Koamas by Jalboot
- Best Luxury Water Transfer in Indian Ocean: Jalboot Group
- Best Water Sport & Activities in Indian Ocean Islands: Koamas by Jalboot
The awards recognise the company’s operations across marine leisure and transport services in the Maldives, including watersports, resort-based recreational activities and inter-island water transfers.
RJ Reddy, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Jalboot Group, said the recognition reflected the contributions of the company’s team across its operations.
“We are deeply honoured to be recognised across three categories at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards. This milestone reflects the passion, professionalism and teamwork of everyone at Jalboot. Our goal has always been to create experiences that reflect the essence of luxury and the warmth of Maldivian hospitality, both on and beneath the water.”
Jalboot Group continues to expand its operations in the Maldives as a provider of integrated maritime solutions, including luxury yacht charters, marine transport and resort-based leisure services.
The three awards further recognise the company’s presence in the Indian Ocean’s marine tourism and transport sectors.
Awards
Soneva Fushi takes top honour for sustainable childcare in luxury hospitality
Soneva Fushi in the Maldives has won the Excellence in Sustainable Childcare award at the Luxury Childcare Association (LCA) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s approach to incorporating environmental education and sustainability into experiences for younger guests.
The award was among five categories announced by the association following a voting process held last month. The awards recognise luxury hotels and resorts that provide childcare facilities, programmes and family experiences, with winners selected through votes cast by families, guests and industry leaders.
Located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi received the recognition for The Den, its children’s club, where activities are designed to introduce younger guests to environmental responsibility through play and learning.
The programme includes tree planting, environmental scavenger hunts, nature-inspired arts and crafts, and recycled paper-making. Children can also visit the resort’s Eco Centro, where waste materials are separated, composted, reused or transformed into new products.
Beyond The Den, the resort offers guided nature walks, marine conservation activities and opportunities to learn about the island’s wildlife. These experiences aim to help children develop an understanding of the natural environment and the importance of conservation.
The Excellence in Sustainable Childcare category recognises properties that integrate environmental responsibility into their childcare programmes, encouraging young guests to develop respect for nature through practical activities and everyday experiences.
Soneva Fushi was the only resort in the Maldives among the five category winners announced for 2026.
Other winners included JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa in Greece, which received the Excellence in Children’s Programming award, and The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa in Mauritius, which won Excellence in Family Experiences.
Paradisus by Meliá Bali in Indonesia received the Excellence in Childcare Facilities award, while MarBella, part of the Mar-Bella Collection in Greece, won Excellence in Baby & Toddler Care.
The 2026 awards follow the association’s inaugural awards in 2025. The five categories were developed to recognise different aspects of family hospitality, including childcare facilities, programming, environmental responsibility and services for younger children.
The Luxury Childcare Association is a membership organisation that accredits luxury hotels and resorts providing professional childcare services and family experiences. Its membership includes more than 70 properties, with the association promoting standards in childcare safety, professionalism and guest experiences across the luxury hospitality sector.
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