News
Michelin-starred chef Jan Van de Voorde takes helm at Dusit Thani Maldives

he recently appointed Executive Chef and F&B expert is dedicated to expanding the range of cuisine offered at the luxury resort.
Dusit Thani Maldives has announced the appointment of Jan Van de Voorde as the new Executive Chef.
“We are delighted to welcome Jan Van de Voorde to the Dusit Thani Maldives team,” said Mr. Jean-Louis, General Manager of Dusit Thani Maldives. “With his extensive experience and passion for the industry, he is the ideal candidate to lead our food and beverage department’s efforts as we strive to provide the utmost experience to our guests.”
Bringing a wealth of expertise and creativity from his background in Michelin-starred restaurants in Belgium and the Netherlands, Chef Jan will lead the Culinary and Food and Beverage Departments in his new role.
“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Dusit Thani Maldives and to enhance the culinary experience at this stunning resort,” Chef Jan remarked. “I am passionate about using local ingredients and crafting innovative dishes that highlight the flavours of the Maldives.”
Chef Jan has built a career focused on delivering exceptional guest satisfaction, adept problem solving, effective food cost control, and meticulous HACCP hygiene management. His expertise extends to Nikkei cuisine and encompasses strong management skills, including team leadership, decision-making, and budgeting.
Before joining Dusit Thani Maldives, Chef Jan held executive chef positions at Centara Grand Beach Resort Krabi, Dhigali Maldives Resort, and Holiday Inn Resort Pattaya. In these roles, he achieved significant success in reducing food costs, enhancing guest satisfaction scores, and introducing new culinary concepts.
Chef Jan is a graduate of Ter Groene Poorte hotel school in Bruges, Belgium, where he obtained his Bachelor’s in Hotel Management in 1992. He is fluent in Dutch, French, and English, with basic proficiency in German and Thai.
Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll – Maldives’ first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve – Dusit Thani Maldives is just 35 minutes by seaplane from the capital city, Malé, or a 25-minute domestic flight and 10 minutes by speedboat from Dharavandhoo Airport.
Encircled by white sandy beaches, a stunning 360-degree living house reef, and a turquoise lagoon, the resort comprises 94 luxury villas and residences, five restaurants and bars, Baan Sanook Kids Club, and Dusit’s signature Devarana Wellness, which features spa treatments inspired by ancient Thai healing principles and a wide range of healthy, invigorating, and meaningful activities for guests to enjoy.
For more information about Dusit Thani Resort Maldives, please visit the resort’s official website or contact resmaldives@dusit.com.
Awards
Sirru Fen Fushi secures top spots in Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has been honoured in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, securing top rankings in two highly sought-after categories:
- #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives
- #4 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives
These accolades underscore the resort’s unwavering commitment to providing immersive, meaningful, and luxurious experiences for guests of all ages.
Celebrated for its expansive villas tailored with families in mind, Sirru Fen Fushi offers serene sanctuaries in beach, jungle, and overwater settings. Accommodations include the unique Safari Tented Villas, Sirru Residences, and spacious two- and three-bedroom villas, along with deluxe family lodgings—each offering privacy, ample space, and direct access to either the lagoon or beach.
Beyond its thoughtfully designed accommodations, the resort presents a range of family-friendly experiences. Guests can enjoy an interactive Kids’ Club, curated cultural and nature-based activities, hands-on art and sustainability workshops, and unforgettable marine adventures such as turtle discovery, snorkelling safaris, guided dolphin cruises, and stargazing. Each offering is crafted to inspire connection, learning, and joy across generations.
Ranked as the #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi features an awe-inspiring 200-meter infinity pool that spans from the island’s eastern to western shores, symbolically linking sunrise to sunset. Framed by soft white sands and boundless ocean views, the pool has become an iconic centerpiece of the resort—captivating photographers, influencers, and leisure seekers from around the world.
Nestled on a pristine, untouched island, Sirru Fen Fushi seamlessly blends the quintessential Maldivian experience with sustainability, artistic expression, and cultural immersion. With this latest recognition, the resort continues to set new standards for modern luxury through meaningful travel and exceptional hospitality.
Awards
Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific awards Villa Nautica Best Resort Pool in Maldives

Villa Nautica’s signature infinity pool has been awarded the title of Best Resort Pool in the Maldives by readers of the Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific Luxury Awards 2025. More than just an architectural feature, the pool serves as the heart of the resort—a tranquil expanse of water that seamlessly mirrors the sea beyond and transforms swimming into a meditative experience. Here, thoughtful design blends effortlessly with the natural environment, creating a space where the boundaries between land, water, and sky dissolve into serenity.
Located in the North Malé Atoll, only a short speedboat ride from the capital, Villa Nautica’s 1,350-square-meter pool is both a focal point and a design statement. It does not clamor for attention but draws it gently, extending confidently toward the horizon and creating the illusion of merging with the open ocean—while still offering the comfort and stability of land.
What distinguishes this pool is not merely its size or the flawless infinity illusion, but the way it quietly becomes part of the guest’s daily rhythm. Sun loungers are thoughtfully spaced and positioned, offering just the right amount of shade and always seeming to face the light at its most flattering angle. From morning sunbathing to lazy midday naps and sunset refreshments, the space is designed for lingering.
Adjacent to the pool is Press & Pot, a favoured spot among guests who enjoy pairing their swim with an artisanal coffee. The scent of freshly brewed espresso mingles with the sea breeze and the subtle aroma of sunscreen. Here, pastries come warm from the oven, tropical fruits are sliced to order, and coffee is served to a standard that rivals any urban café—with the added luxury of an uninterrupted ocean view.
Villa Nautica’s approach is not one of ostentation but of elegance. Its luxury lies in the details: the coolness of the stone underfoot, the soft rustle of palm leaves, and the way the water reflects the sky like glass as dusk approaches. It is an environment where nature and design exist in perfect, understated harmony.
This is what set Villa Nautica apart and earned it top honors. Among a competitive field of exceptional Maldivian resorts, the Travel + Leisure panel identified a timeless quality here. This is not simply a pool to swim in—it is one to experience. A space that encourages guests to pause, disconnect, and simply be.
Featured
Global recognition for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort at 2025 T+L Luxury Awards

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been named the #1 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives and secured the #7 position in the Best Resorts in the Maldives category at the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, held on 19 June at Capella Bangkok.
Organised by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau, the T+L Luxury Awards celebrate excellence in luxury travel across the Asia-Pacific region. Voted on by readers, these prestigious awards honour outstanding hotels, resorts, and destinations throughout the region.
This recognition underscores the resort’s dedication to providing enriching, multi-generational experiences through carefully curated family-friendly offerings. Highlights include the Planet Trekkers Kids Club, Teen Escapades, and Family Beach Pool Villas, along with educational programmes such as the Junior Marine Biologist experience in collaboration with the Manta Trust. These features reflect the resort’s unique approach to combining luxury with meaningful and age-inclusive activities.
General Manager Reinhold Johann expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the accolades represent the team’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for guests of all ages in a breathtaking setting.
Nestled in the remote Raa Atoll and surrounded by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a rare blend of expansive space and barefoot luxury—ideal for family getaways, special celebrations, and immersive island adventures.
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