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.

Heritance Aarah has won Gold in the Leading All-Inclusive Hotel/Resort category at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising its Premium All-Inclusive offering in the Maldives.

Located in Raa Atoll, Heritance Aarah offers beach and overwater accommodation alongside dining, wellness, marine activities and cultural experiences. The resort’s Premium All-Inclusive concept focuses on providing guests with a range of experiences and personalised services throughout their stay.

Stasshani Jayawardena, Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC, attributed the achievement to the resort’s team.

“This award is a tribute to our team, whose commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences brings together the very best of Heritance Aarah while celebrating the beauty and character of the Maldives,” Jayawardena said.

Susith Jayawickrama, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC, said the award recognised the resort’s approach to hospitality and the efforts of its employees.

“This recognition is a proud moment for everyone at Heritance Aarah. Our Premium All-Inclusive experience has always been about going beyond the expected, delivering thoughtful service, exceptional dining, and moments that profoundly connect our guests with the Maldives. This award is a reflection of the passion, commitment and consistency of our team, who continue to raise the bar every day,” Jayawickrama said.

Dining forms a central part of the resort’s offering, with seven restaurants and five bars serving international and Mediterranean cuisine, seafood and overwater dining experiences.

Among its dining venues is Ambula, which combines Sri Lankan and Maldivian culinary traditions through a specially developed menu. Ralu Lounge features one of the largest rum collections in the Maldives.

The resort has also introduced new dining concepts, including Fehi Raha, a garden-to-table experience set within its organic garden. The concept incorporates seasonal produce grown on the island into its menus.

For families, the Ufa Ghadhiya ice cream truck offers ice cream, sundaes and tropical popsicles.

Beyond dining, Heritance Aarah provides a range of recreational and wellness activities, including snorkelling, diving and ocean excursions in Raa Atoll. Guests can also access treatments at IASO Medi Spa and explore Maldivian traditions, craftsmanship and cultural heritage through the resort’s Maldivian Village.

The resort’s adults-only Ocean Suite Wing caters to couples seeking greater privacy, offering overwater accommodation, butler service, private leisure spaces and exclusive dining options. The main island accommodates couples, families and multigenerational travellers.

According to the resort, the SATA 2026 recognition reflects the contribution of its employees across culinary operations, wellness, guest services and recreational activities, as well as its continued focus on developing its Premium All-Inclusive offering.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, part of the Luxury Group by Marriott International portfolio of resorts in the Maldives, have received recognition from MICHELIN Guide, Tatler Asia, and the US and UK editions of Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, including Two MICHELIN Keys for The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and a place among the Best 100 Hotels in Tatler Best Asia Pacific 2026 for The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.

Among the standout recognitions, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands was awarded Two MICHELIN Keys following the unveiling of the global MICHELIN Keys for 2026, advancing from its One MICHELIN Key distinction in 2025 and placing the resort among the world’s most exceptional hotels.

Most recently, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort was named among the Best 100 Hotels in the third edition of Tatler Best Asia Pacific 2026, an annual selection recognising exceptional hospitality experiences across the region. Announced on October 22, the awards celebrate 300 outstanding establishments spanning hotels, restaurants and bars.

Both resorts also earned distinction in the US and UK editions of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, ranking among the Indian Ocean’s top resorts based on the votes of discerning travelers worldwide.

“We are honoured to see our resorts in the Maldives recognised by some of the most respected names in global travel and hospitality,” said Silvio Rosenberger, Vice President of Operations, Asia Pacific (excluding China) and Market Vice President, Maldives at Marriott International. “These accolades reflect the strength of our Luxury Group portfolio and the passion and dedication of our teams in creating exceptional experiences for today’s luxury traveller. We are grateful to our guests for their continued trust and for inspiring the meaningful moments we strive to create every day.”

The recognition comes as the Maldives continues to be celebrated among the world’s leading island destinations, ranking No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the US and UK editions of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 for Best Islands in Africa & the Indian Ocean.

See the complete rankings below:

Global MICHELIN Key Awards 2026 – Two Keys: An Exceptional Stay

• The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Tatler Best Asia Pacific 2026: Best 100 Hotels

• The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Condé Nast Traveler US Readers’ Choice Awards 2026: Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean

• The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort (No. 2)
• The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands (No. 5)

Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Choice Awards 2026: Best Resorts in the World – Indian Ocean

• The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands (No. 14)

The Luxury Group by Marriott International portfolio of resorts in the Maldives comprises The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, W Maldives, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, and JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort.

For more information, visit marriott.com/maldives.