Awards
Hideaway Beach Resort secures major victories at Haute Grandeur Awards 2023
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, Maldives has once again affirmed its position as a beacon of luxury in the hospitality industry by winning the prestigious Haute Grandeur Award for 2023 for:
- Best Hideaway Resort (Global),
- Best Family Resort (Indian Ocean),
- Best Pool Villa Resort (Indian Ocean)
- Best Family Villa (Indian Ocean) – Sultan Beach Residence with Sunset Pool
These esteemed accolades recognise the unparalleled excellence and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences that the resort constantly demonstrates.
This year, one of the most special titles to be awarded to Hideaway includes the ‘Best Hideaway Resort – Global’ title. The unique positioning of the island, in the Haa Alifu Atoll (north of Maldives) leaves the island untouched, undisturbed, and disconnected from the rest of the world, in the best possible ways. The privacy, the quiet serenity, and the remarkably untouched waters and beaches add a certain attraction in addition to the lush, thick vegetation of the island. The flora and Fauna of the island are worth noting for any guest who visits the island.
Hideaway is famously known as a top-notch family resort. As one of the largest, most spacious resorts in the Maldives, with a relatively less number of villas, guests often feel as if they are on a private island experience whilst in the space at their villa. As such, couples can stay as private and uninterrupted as they want, and families can still enjoy their boisterous, exciting family getaway – there is tons of space for everyone. It the ideal destination for families as it is a resort that offers an exceptional kids’ club, and multiple arrays of family-friendly activities for children of all ages. Hideaway has always been on top of its game in offering innovative, unique experiences for its guests, making it an exciting playground of fun all-day round for all its guests.
As a winner of the Best Pool Villa category, Hideaway shines as one that offers private pools, and a common pool to all its guests. Out of 12 beautiful categories of villas and residences, only the entry-level category does not have a private pool – but even for this, guests can use a family pool out by Meeru Bar, and couples can enjoy their pool time at the Infinity pool at Sunset Pool Café.
The Signature Collection at Hideaway is a set of nine exclusive, super luxury and spacious villas that came into being just a mere few years ago, and since then, has been paving the way for innovative, luxurious, and comfortable stays in the Maldives. The accommodations within the Signature Collection are a true embodiment of luxury and sophistication. Each villa is meticulously designed to harmonise with the stunning natural surroundings of the Maldives while offering the highest level of comfort and indulgence. From private infinity pools to breathtaking ocean views, every detail is thoughtfully crafted to create an unforgettable retreat.
It is no surprise that the Sultan Beach Residence of the Signature Collection won the Best Pool Villa resort in Indian Ocean. Designed in true form with nods at the traditional Maldivian Royalty, unique personalised services including personal butler services 24/7, Anytime-Anything-Anywhere service, a senior private guide (Mr. Moodhu) for water excursions and provided with luxury amenities. Every guest staying at any of these residences is made to feel like a Sultan or Sultana.
Complementing the opulent accommodations, the restaurants at the Signature Collection elevate dining to an art form. Culinary delights inspired by both local flavours and international cuisine take guests on a gastronomic journey. With world-class chefs curating exceptional menus, dining becomes an immersive experience, harmonising delectable flavours with the captivating ambiance of the Maldives. But this applies to the entire Hideaway resort. The multicultural buffet restaurants, a la carte options, and exquisite bars, the options are limitless.
Speaking about this new addition, Christophe Adam, the General Manager of Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, said: “We are immensely proud and honoured to receive these prestigious Haute Grandeur Awards. They not only validate our commitment to excellence in luxury hospitality but also reflect the unique experiences we offer at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. Winning the Best Hideaway Resort – Global award is particularly special to us. It underscores our dedication to providing a sanctuary where guests can immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the Maldives, away from the bustle of the world.”
“Our focus has always been on creating a space where families can make lasting memories and where every guest feels like royalty. These awards are a tribute to our team’s relentless pursuit of perfection and our commitment to ensuring that every moment at Hideaway is an unforgettable experience.”
The Haute Grandeur Awards are globally renowned for celebrating the crème de la crème of luxury hospitality establishments that exhibit unrivalled levels of service, innovation, and overall guest satisfaction. The accolade serves as a testament to the resorts dedication to exceeding expectations, redefining opulence, and providing an unforgettable retreat in the heart of the Maldives.
For more information on the resort, click here.
Hulhule Island Hotel (HIH) has announced its win as “World’s Leading Airport Resort 2025” at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards (WTA), held this year in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Tourism leaders and industry pioneers from around the globe gathered for the Grand Final Gala Ceremony to celebrate the finest achievements in global travel, tourism, and hospitality.
This prestigious accolade marks HIH’s 14th consecutive win in this category — a milestone that underscores the hotel’s unwavering commitment to excellence, comfort, and world-class service. In addition to this achievement, HIH has also been honoured as “Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Hotel” nine times, first earning recognition from the World Travel Awards in 2009.
Speaking on the achievement, Ali Shakir, Group General Manager, said: “It is an honour to receive such a prestigious global award once again. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our guests. Hulhule Island Hotel continues to stand proudly in all its glory, delivering exceptional experiences year after year. We remain committed to setting the gold standard for airport hospitality in the region and beyond.”
Hulhule Island Hotel extends heartfelt gratitude to its valued guests, partners, and dedicated team members for their continued support in achieving this extraordinary milestone.
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the world’s largest seaplane operator, has once again strengthened its position as a global aviation leader with new accolades at the World Travel Awards 2025. The airline was named the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025 and the Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025, acknowledging its continued contribution to air connectivity across the Maldives. The 32nd Annual World Travel Awards ceremony took place at Exhibition World Bahrain and was attended by more than 300 leaders from the international tourism industry.
Established in 1993, TMA has played a central role in shaping the Maldives’ aviation and tourism sectors. Operating the world’s largest seaplane fleet with 65 DHC-6 Twin Otters and serving over 80 resort destinations, the airline provides vital connectivity across the archipelago with a focus on safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. Conducting more than 400 flights daily, TMA remains essential in enabling access to resort islands nationwide.
Commenting on the achievement, A.U.M. Fawzy, CEO of Trans Maldivian Airways, said: “This prestigious recognition from the World Travel Awards, year after year, reflects the trust placed in our team by our partners and guests, and the responsibility we carry as the primary air service provider connecting resort destinations across the Maldives. At TMA, our focus remains on continuous improvement and building on decades of service excellence. As the tourism industry in the Maldives continues to evolve and grow, we will continue strengthening our operations and supporting the long-term development of the Maldives as a world-leading destination.”
TMA continues to enhance its operational capabilities through ongoing investments in fleet upgrades, infrastructure, staff training, and technology-driven improvements, ensuring it meets rising demand while maintaining its hallmark of dependable service.
As the Maldives prepares for further growth in visitor arrivals, Trans Maldivian Airways remains committed to working closely with industry partners, supporting national tourism objectives, and ensuring a seamless and reliable travel experience for guests visiting the country’s island destinations.
The Maldives has once again secured its position as a global tourism leader after being named World’s Leading Destination 2025 for the sixth consecutive year and World’s Leading Green Destination 2025 for the second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony, held at Exhibition World Bahrain.
The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, are recognised worldwide as the highest honour in the global travel and tourism industry. The awards celebrate excellence across all sectors of travel and tourism and are determined through international voting from industry professionals and the public.
Winning the title of World’s Leading Destination for six years in a row marks a historic achievement for the Maldives, reflecting the destination’s long-term consistency, strong brand presence, and sustained global appeal. The Maldives’ second consecutive win as World’s Leading Green Destination highlights its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable tourism development, and the protection of its fragile marine ecosystems.
These recognitions come during a year of record-breaking performance for the Maldives. Visitor arrivals reached the two million milestone earlier than any previous year, and the destination is firmly on track to achieve the national target of 2.3 million arrivals by the end of 2025. Strong market performance has been supported by strategic global campaigns, high-impact partnerships, expanded trade engagements, and improved destination visibility across key markets.
Throughout 2025, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) delivered a series of coordinated global initiatives that strengthened the Maldives’ leadership position. These included major ambassador programmes, large-scale digital campaigns, targeted roadshows, co-branded partnerships, and the launch of the 2026 “Ocean Nation” theme. The Maldives also increased its presence at international trade fairs and executed successful collaborative marketing efforts with industry partners across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
In addition to the two world titles, the Maldives received three regional honours at this year’s awards:
- Indian Ocean’s Best MICE Destination 2025: Maldives
- Indian Ocean’s Best Incentive Destination 2025: Malé
- Indian Ocean’s Best Tourism Authority Website 2025: VisitMaldives.com
These regional recognitions reflect the Maldives’ expanding tourism portfolio, which now includes MICE travel, incentive markets, urban tourism, and digitally enhanced visitor engagement.
The Maldives’ success at the World Travel Awards is a result of the collective efforts of the tourism industry, local communities, government stakeholders, and the global travel trade. The awards reinforce the Maldives’ position as a leading premium destination and affirm the effectiveness of continuous, year-round destination promotion carried out by VMC and its partners.
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