Awards
SO/ Maldives wins Best Luxury Architectural Design at Liv Hospitality Design Awards
Recently opened luxury lifestyle resort SO/ Maldives has garnered a prestigious award at the Liv Hospitality Design Awards. Recognized for its captivating architectural design, SO/ Maldives was named the Winner in Architectural Design Resort – Luxury.
Drawing inspiration from the world of high fashion, SO/ Maldives transforms guests into models, offering a luxurious “seen-and-be-seen” experience. The resort’s public areas are interconnected, resembling a captivating catwalk that winds its way across the pristine private island.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the Liv Hospitality Design Awards. This achievement resonates profoundly with our commitment to embodying the essence of our Stylish Dress Code pillar. Our ethos revolves around a design standard that celebrates the art of making striking statements through refined and deliberate designs.” said Kay Dimacali, Director of Brand at SO/ Maldives.

A Runway Through Paradise
SO/ Maldives officially opened its doors on March 23rd, 2024. Designed by Eco-Id Architects Pte Ltd with Calvin Sim serving as Lead Designer, the resort seamlessly blends the tranquility of a castaway haven with the undeniable elegance of a high-fashion runway.
Guests are welcomed upon arrival by a breathtaking over-water pavilion, setting the tone for their luxurious stay. Clean lines, cool neutrals, and natural wood create a sophisticated backdrop, accented by vibrant pops of color and a show-stopping central staircase crafted from a sculptural red lattice. This architectural focal point winds its way upwards, connecting the Lobby Bar with the Specialty Restaurant on the upper level. As guests ascend this “vertical runway,” they are treated to breathtaking sunset views from either vantage point.
The resort’s unique walkways continue the fashion-inspired theme. Adorned with billowing fabrics or architectural timber canopies, they create a captivating contrast with the island’s lush natural flora, echoing the dramatic presentations seen in high fashion shows.

A Collaboration of Expertise
The success of SO/ Maldives is a testament to the collaboration between S Hotels & Resorts, Eco-Id Architects Pte Ltd, lead designer Calvin Sim, and construction company ALIA Construction. Their combined vision has resulted in a truly remarkable resort experience, one that is both luxuriously sophisticated and undeniably captivating.
Planning Your SO/ Maldives Experience
For those seeking a luxurious escape unlike any other, SO/ Maldives offers an unforgettable experience. With its award-winning architectural design and commitment to guest experience, the resort is poised to become a leading destination for discerning travelers. Visit the SO/ Maldives website to learn more and start planning your dream getaway.
Awards
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas named to 2026 T+L 500 list
Minor Hotels has announced its most successful year to date in the Travel + Leisure annual hotel rankings, with ten properties included in the 2026 T+L 500 list of the best hotels in the world, including one of its flagship resorts in the Maldives.
Representing the Maldives is Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, which was once again recognised among the Indian Ocean’s leading luxury resorts. The property was noted for its overwater villas, underwater dining experiences and location within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll.
The inclusion highlights continued international recognition for the Maldives as a premium tourism destination, with luxury hospitality brands maintaining a strong presence in global travel rankings.
Minor Hotels, which manages more than 640 hotels worldwide across operation and development, said this year marked a record performance in the T+L 500, with properties recognised across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
Asia recorded the strongest representation, with five Anantara resorts featured on the list. Alongside the Maldives property, resorts in Vietnam and Sri Lanka were also recognised.
Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International, the parent company of Minor Hotels, said the recognition reflected the strength of the group’s portfolio.
“To see ten of our properties recognised in the T+L 500 underlines the scale and quality of our global luxury portfolio,” he said. “It reflects the breadth of what we’re doing in luxury today, and the consistency with which those experiences are resonating with guests across our brands and regions.”
The T+L 500 list is compiled from the results of the 2025 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. It features hotels and resorts that readers repeatedly select for service, quality, amenities and guest experience.
The 2026 edition appears in the May issue of Travel + Leisure, with selected highlights also published online.
Awards
Family Fun Summer returns to JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
As multigenerational travel continues to influence the luxury hospitality sector, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa has reintroduced its Family Fun Summer programme, aimed at families seeking more time together through a combination of accommodation, activities and dining benefits.
Built around the brand’s “Stay in the Moment” philosophy, the programme includes a USD 300 resort credit that can be used across dining, spa and recreational experiences, allowing different generations to shape their stay according to their interests.
At the centre of the offer are the resort’s Overwater Duplex Villas and Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Villas with Pool, which are designed to accommodate multigenerational travel through larger layouts and private space. These villas are supported by Thakuru service and complimentary bicycles, giving guests flexibility in how they move around and experience the island.
Beyond the villa, the programme includes a range of activities intended to support family engagement and shared experiences. Younger guests have access to the Family by JW™ Little Griffins Kids’ Club, one of the larger children’s clubs in the Maldives, with more than 100 programmes focused on play and discovery. Families can also take part in culinary classes at the JW Garden, where the resort offers a farm-to-table experience linked to the natural setting of the island.
Mohit Dembla, General Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, said the programme responds to changing guest expectations around luxury travel.
“Today’s luxury traveller isn’t just seeking a beautiful destination, they’re seeking time,” he said. “Time together, time to be present, time away from the noise. ‘Family Fun Summer’ is our answer to that, a sanctuary where every generation finds something meaningful.”
The Family Fun Summer package includes the USD 300 resort credit, which can be used for spa treatments, dining or island activities. It also includes daily breakfast, as well as three-course lunches and dinners for two adults and children under 12 at selected venues. Families will also receive a floating breakfast served in the privacy of their villa.
In addition, the package offers 60 per cent savings on dining at the resort’s signature restaurants, Hashi and Shio. Other inclusions include Thakuru service, complimentary use of non-motorised watersports equipment, and private bicycles for island use. The package also includes a 30-minute photography session and one printed photograph as a keepsake.
Through the relaunch of Family Fun Summer, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is positioning itself within the growing multigenerational travel segment, combining larger villa accommodation with dining, leisure and family-focused experiences.
Awards
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau secures Readers’ Choice Awards nomination
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been nominated in the “Resort” category of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, one of the travel industry’s recognised measures of guest preference and brand standing.
Located in Raa Atoll, the resort is continuing to build its profile through its all-Club concept, service model and guest experiences shaped by both location and programme. As the Maldives’ first all-Club InterContinental resort, the property includes a set of signature benefits with each stay, including daily breakfast, afternoon tea and evening aperitif.
The resort features 81 beach, lagoon and overwater villas and residences, along with seven restaurants and bars. Its guest offering combines private accommodation with a range of tailored experiences, including manta ray encounters in the Maamunagau lagoon, customised Dining by Design experiences, visiting wellness practitioners and its Artist in Residence programme.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is also positioned to serve both couples and families, through its family offering and adults-only Retreat enclave.
The nomination reflects continued recognition for a resort that combines service, experience-led programming and a natural setting within one of the Maldives’ established tourism atolls.
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