Awards
Baros Maldives named among top 20 Indian Ocean Resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
Condé Nast Traveler has announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognising Baros Maldives as one of the top 20 resorts in the Indian Ocean.
This year’s awards featured separate surveys conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom for the first time in five years. Over 575,000 readers from the United States and more than 126,000 readers from the UK participated, sharing their global travel experiences. The awards are considered the travel industry’s longest-running and most prestigious accolades, serving as the ultimate benchmark of excellence in the sector.
Baros Maldives has once again been named among the top 20 resorts in the Indian Ocean, as voted by Condé Nast Traveler readers for the second consecutive year. Since its founding in 1973, this locally owned luxury private island resort has set the standard for luxury travel in the Maldives, showcasing the very best the region has to offer.
Boasting pristine white-sand beaches and a world-class house reef, Baros Maldives is a tropical oasis nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Guests are invited to explore the island’s lush surroundings or participate in eco-friendly activities led by resident marine biologists and members of the marine team. These experiences provide guests with the opportunity to learn about the island’s diverse marine life, including turtles, reef sharks, and a variety of other species.
Enhancing the island’s natural beauty, Baros’s Serenity Spa offers guests personalised wellness journeys. Expert therapists provide a range of treatments tailored for individuals and couples, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation. The resort’s luxurious accommodations, personalised service, and exclusive experiences, such as the secluded Piano Deck for vow renewals, private dining, and intimate massages, have made Baros a favoured destination for honeymooners and those celebrating special occasions.
Dining at Baros is an exceptional experience, with three distinguished restaurants: Lime, Cayenne Grill, and the signature Lighthouse Restaurant and Lounge. Each venue offers a variety of culinary options, ranging from perfectly grilled steaks to the finest island dining. At The Lighthouse Restaurant, renowned chefs blend innovative techniques with exotic ingredients to create culinary masterpieces. The menu highlights local flavours, featuring sustainable seafood, coconut, and tropical fruits that reflect the island’s distinct Maldivian essence.
With a longstanding reputation for excellence and numerous accolades, including the recent recognition from Condé Nast Traveler readers in both the UK and US, Baros Maldives continues to set the benchmark for luxury island travel. The resort remains dedicated to delivering exceptional service and unforgettable experiences to its guests.
Expressing his appreciation, General Manager Ibrahim Shijah stated, “On behalf of our team, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to our esteemed guests and trade partners for their loyalty and support, without which we would not be where we are today.”
Awards
ELE|NA recognised for excellence in wellness hospitality at SATA 2026
ELE|NA has been named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the Maldives-based wellness brand’s contributions to the hospitality and wellness industry across the region.
The recognition comes as wellness continues to become an integral part of luxury hospitality, with ELE|NA working alongside resort partners to develop and operate wellness facilities that combine therapeutic experiences, trained professionals and operational expertise.
Guided by its Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, ELE|NA incorporates wellness into different aspects of the guest experience. Its six Pillars of Vitality – TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight – encompass therapeutic treatments, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, restorative sleep and nutrition. The framework allows individual resorts to develop wellness programmes tailored to their locations and guest preferences.
In addition to providing wellness experiences, ELE|NA works with hospitality partners on concept development, spa operations, therapist training and service delivery. Its operational model combines the individual characteristics of each resort with standardised systems and procedures aimed at maintaining service consistency across its properties.
Sustainability also forms part of the brand’s operations. All ELE|NA properties in the Maldives have received Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation, recognising their approach to responsible spa operations, environmental management and community wellbeing.
The brand also invests in professional development through the ELE|NA Wellness Academy, which provides training programmes for therapists and wellness professionals. The academy combines traditional therapeutic practices, practical training and contemporary wellness knowledge to support professional development and strengthen service standards across the industry.
The recognition at SATA 2026 comes as ELE|NA continues to expand its operations beyond the Maldives, extending its wellness concepts and services into India, Nepal and other emerging hospitality destinations.
With wellness increasingly influencing travellers’ accommodation choices and holiday experiences, ELE|NA continues to focus on integrating wellness services into resort operations while supporting the development of trained professionals and sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.
Awards
Atmosphere Core wins Leading Resort/Hotel Brand and Hospitality Development Company titles at SATA 2026
Atmosphere Core has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, receiving the titles of Leading Resort/Hotel Brand and Leading Hospitality Development Company.
The recognition reflects Atmosphere Core’s continued contribution to the hospitality landscape across the Maldives and beyond, and its commitment to creating distinctive guest experiences through thoughtful hospitality, strong brand identities and responsible development.
With a growing portfolio spanning the Maldives and international destinations, Atmosphere Core continues to build a diverse collection of hospitality brands, each shaped by its own identity and approach to guest experience. As its brands expand, the company continues to evolve its portfolio while staying grounded in its philosophy of delivering heartfelt hospitality.

The Leading Hospitality Development Company title further recognises Atmosphere Core’s development journey, which has expanded beyond its established Maldivian portfolio into new destinations and concepts. Most recently, the company marked its debut in Europe with the opening of BORGO MONCHIERO HERITAGE by Atmosphere in Italy, while continuing to develop its pipeline of new hospitality projects across key markets.
Commenting on the recognition, Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director at Atmosphere Core, said: “We are honoured to receive these two recognitions at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. They reflect the dedication of our teams across our resorts, offices and development projects, and the trust of our guests, partners and industry colleagues. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on creating meaningful hospitality experiences while developing brands and destinations with a clear sense of identity and purpose.”

The South Asian Travel Awards are among the region’s recognised platforms celebrating achievements across the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. The 2026 awards recognise organisations and individuals demonstrating excellence and contribution to the industry across South Asia.
The two SATA 2026 recognitions add to Atmosphere Core’s growing list of industry accolades and mark another milestone in the group’s continued development as an international hospitality company.
Awards
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives wins Best Luxury Resort Award at Asia Hotel Awards 2026
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives has been recognised as Best Luxury Resort at the Asia Hotel Awards 2026, marking a significant accolade for the resort and recognising its distinctive interpretation of contemporary Maldivian luxury, where an exceptional lagoon setting, considered design and highly curated experiences come together to shape a refined island experience.

Set within The Atollia by Centara Hotels and Resorts in North Malé Atoll, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives brings together an expansive lagoon setting, refined architecture and a collection of beachfront and overwater residences designed to offer a more contemporary interpretation of island living. Since opening in April 2025, the resort has established a distinct position within the Maldives luxury landscape, with its design, culinary experiences, wellness offering and carefully curated island experiences forming an integrated guest journey.

With 142 villas and residences, including spacious two- and three-bedroom residences with private pools and Jacuzzis, the resort offers a choice of sophisticated beachfront and overwater living. Across the island, guests can discover a world class gastronomic journey spanning diverse flavours and culinary expressions, complemented by dedicated holistic wellness experiences and a considered collection of activities shaped by the natural character of the destination.

“This recognition is particularly meaningful because it reflects the philosophy behind Centara Grand Lagoon from the very beginning. We did not set out to create luxury through scale alone, but through a sense of place, thoughtful design and the quality of every experience. The lagoon is at the heart of the resort, shaping how guests arrive, stay, dine and experience the destination. From the architecture and residences to our culinary and wellness offerings, every element has been considered to create a contemporary expression of Maldivian luxury. We are honoured that the Asia Hotel Awards has recognised this approach, and grateful to our team and partners whose commitment brings the vision to life every day,” stated Jorge Fernandez, Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.
The 15th Asia Hotel Awards 2026 recognition adds to a growing portfolio of accolades for Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, reflecting its emerging position as one of the Maldives’ distinctive contemporary luxury resorts.
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