News
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives joins Hyatt Elevate programme: Empowering employees to reach new heights
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has announced its participation in Hyatt’s innovative Elevate programme, a transformative initiative designed to empower and support employees in their personal and professional growth. This programme aligns seamlessly with Alila’s commitment to cultivating a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, ensuring that team members have the tools and resources they need to excel in their careers.
The Elevate programme offers a comprehensive suite of resources, including mentorship opportunities, professional development workshops, wellness initiatives, and access to tailored training programs. By fostering an environment of support and encouragement, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives aims to inspire employees to take charge of their career journeys and realise their full potential.
“We believe that investing in our employees is essential to our success as a resort,” said Director of HR Rif-aath Fareed at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “Participating in the Elevate programme underscores our commitment to nurturing talent and providing our team members with the resources they need to thrive. By empowering our employees to grow both personally and professionally, we are building a stronger, more engaged workforce that can deliver exceptional service to our guests.”
As part of the Elevate programme, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has appointed Elevate Champions Abdul Salam Ahmed, Front Office Assistant Manager, and Ali Nisham, Restaurant Assistant Manager. Their dedication and exceptional performance have set a remarkable standard within the team. Both Abdul Salam and Ali have consistently gone above and beyond in their roles, exemplifying outstanding service and commitment to guests. These champions will serve as mentors and advocates for their peers, guiding them through the programme, sharing their experiences, and fostering a culture of collaboration and support.
“We are thrilled to join the Elevate programme and see how it will enhance our workplace,” said Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “By creating a platform for growth and connection, we are not only enriching the employee experience but also ensuring we provide the highest level of service to our guests. Our Elevate Champions, Abdul Salam and Ali Nisham, will be instrumental in this journey, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our teams. Their exceptional dedication truly embodies the values of Alila.”
The Elevate programme reflects Hyatt’s core values of empathy, integrity, respect, and inclusivity. By promoting a culture that encourages continuous learning and development, Hyatt and Alila Kothaifaru Maldives aim to attract and retain top talent while fostering a sense of belonging among employees.
As Alila Kothaifaru Maldives embarks on this exciting journey, the resort remains dedicated to creating a work environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
News
Fushifaru Maldives blends cultural experiences with new in-house activities
Fushifaru Maldives has introduced a refreshed programme of guest activities and experiences as it enters 2026, combining cultural elements with new forms of entertainment across the resort.
The boutique resort has expanded its in-house activities to cater to a wide range of age groups. New offerings include circus-style sessions for children, hula hoop classes, aerial performances, fire shows and CYR wheel displays, aimed at providing structured entertainment for both families and adult guests.
The resort marked the end of 2025 with a Gatsby-themed farewell event, featuring a cocktail evening where guests were invited to dress in period-inspired attire. New Year’s Eve celebrations centred on a dinner service prepared by the resort’s culinary team, with a menu that included beef ribs, roasted turkey, grilled lobster, salmon and oysters, alongside seafood selections, Japanese dishes, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and live cooking stations. The evening concluded with desserts and tropical fruit offerings.
For 2026, Fushifaru Maldives has also updated its daily activity schedule. Themed dinner nights continue to form a core part of the guest experience, with a Maldivian-themed dinner held every Friday. This includes a live cooking demonstration based on traditional Maldivian preparation methods, highlighting the step-by-step process of making local curries.
According to the resort, the updated programmes are designed to strengthen guest engagement while maintaining links to Maldivian heritage. The focus remains on offering structured experiences that reflect both cultural practices and contemporary resort entertainment.
Fushifaru Maldives stated that it plans to continue developing its activity and dining concepts throughout the year, with further updates to be shared with guests and industry partners.
Action
Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.
Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.
Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.
Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.
While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.
Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.
“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”
Featured
Intimate island experiences shape Valentine’s Day at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
This Valentine’s Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites couples to celebrate love through a collection of carefully curated experiences designed to unfold in intimate moments across the island.
Framed by the natural beauty of Maamunagau Island, the resort’s Valentine’s programme centres on a series of limited-edition dining and wellness experiences created exclusively for the occasion. From private beachfront dining and moonlit dinners along Café Umi Beach to an elevated Valentine’s evening at the signature Lighthouse venue, romance is conveyed through setting, atmosphere and thoughtful detail rather than elaborate gestures.
Culinary experiences sit at the heart of the celebration, with bespoke Valentine’s menus intended to be savoured slowly, paired with curated wines and accompanied by uninterrupted ocean views. Each dining experience is crafted to feel personal, whether enjoyed beneath the night sky or in one of the island’s more private spaces.
Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to reconnect through shared wellness experiences at AVI Spa. Signature rituals and indulgent treatments offer a quieter expression of romance, giving guests the opportunity to unwind together in a calm, oceanfront environment. Those seeking complete privacy may opt for bespoke in-villa treatments, allowing the occasion to be marked within the comfort of their own surroundings.
Throughout Valentine’s Day, subtle touches across the resort—from crafted cocktails to curated wine moments—enhance the celebration without overwhelming it, reflecting InterContinental Maldives’ belief that genuine luxury is rooted in balance, intention and authenticity.
At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Valentine’s Day is shaped not by excess, but by considered, enduring moments that create shared memories long after the day has passed.
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