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Velaa Private Island Maldives crowned Fine Dining Champion at Boutique Hotel Club Awards

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The 2024 Boutique Hotel Club Awards, often likened to the Michelin Guide for boutique hotels, has unveiled its winners, showcasing the pinnacle of global luxury and hospitality. Among the celebrated properties, Velaa Private Island in the Maldives made an indelible mark by clinching the award for ‘World’s Best Fine Dining Hotel’, solidifying its reputation as a beacon of exclusive experiences and culinary excellence.

Renowned for its unparalleled offerings, Velaa Private Island is a secluded paradise in the Noonu Atoll, surrounded by pristine azure waters. The accolade highlights its commitment to delivering curated dining experiences that transcend luxury, blending world-class cuisine with the serene beauty of its surroundings. The judges lauded the property as “an exclusive private island surrounded by an azure sea and curated experiences to go beyond luxury.”

The Boutique Hotel Club, celebrated for its meticulous vetting process, evaluated over 500 nominees across 80 countries. Properties undergo rigorous on-site assessments, with over 400 gold standards of hospitality excellence shaping the selection process. This year’s winners represent the pinnacle of creativity, sustainability, and immersive guest experiences.

While Velaa Private Island shone as the standout destination for fine dining, other winners in various categories celebrated unique aspects of boutique hospitality. The overall title of ‘World’s Best Boutique Hotel/ was awarded to Akademie Street Boutique Hotel in Franschhoek, South Africa, known for its style, charm, and exceptional guest service.

The awards also emphasised sustainability, with Munduk Moding Plantation in Bali earning ‘World’s Best Eco Hotel’ for its dedication to environmental impact and community support. This reflects a broader trend in the boutique hotel industry: integrating sustainability into the luxury travel experience.

Velaa Private Island is renowned for offering a harmonious blend of natural beauty, bespoke services, and extraordinary culinary adventures. Whether dining under the stars or exploring the vibrant marine life of the Maldives, guests are immersed in an exclusive escape tailored to their desires. This latest recognition further cements Velaa’s position as a leader in luxury hospitality.

For 15 years, the Boutique Hotel Club has celebrated the world’s finest boutique properties, meticulously curating destinations that embody exceptional quality, emotional resonance, and a unique sense of place. With Velaa Private Island leading the charge, the 2024 awards highlight a new era of boutique excellence, where luxury meets heart and innovation.

Awards

Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas

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Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura has been named among the Top 100 Spas of the World 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, recognising the spa’s wellness services in Malé.

Located on Level 3 of Barceló Nasandhura, Wellness by Mandara caters to both international visitors and local residents, offering spa treatments and wellness services within the capital. Unlike spas located at island resorts, the facility provides an urban wellness option for guests seeking relaxation, physical recovery and regular self-care.

The spa draws on traditional Eastern healing practices and offers a range of treatments, including Mandara’s signature multi-hand massage therapies, ELEMIS facials, body treatments and specialised nail care packages.

Treatments are tailored to individual requirements by the spa’s therapists, with services designed to relieve muscle tension, support physical recovery and promote relaxation.

Trent Munday of Mandara Spa said the recognition reflected the team’s commitment to providing Asian spa therapies in Malé while serving both hotel guests and the local community.

Wellness by Mandara operates daily, offering treatments and spa packages to Barceló Nasandhura guests, Malé residents and day visitors.

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Jalboot Group claims three honours at World Luxury Travel Awards 2026

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Jalboot Group has won three awards at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards, marking the second consecutive year the marine leisure and transport services provider has received recognition at the event.

The awards were presented during a gala ceremony held on 24 October at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.

Jalboot Group and its marine leisure brand, Koamas by Jalboot, received awards in three categories:

  • Best Diving Experience in Maldives: Koamas by Jalboot
  • Best Luxury Water Transfer in Indian Ocean: Jalboot Group
  • Best Water Sport & Activities in Indian Ocean Islands: Koamas by Jalboot

The awards recognise the company’s operations across marine leisure and transport services in the Maldives, including watersports, resort-based recreational activities and inter-island water transfers.

RJ Reddy, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Jalboot Group, said the recognition reflected the contributions of the company’s team across its operations.

“We are deeply honoured to be recognised across three categories at the 2026 World Luxury Travel Awards. This milestone reflects the passion, professionalism and teamwork of everyone at Jalboot. Our goal has always been to create experiences that reflect the essence of luxury and the warmth of Maldivian hospitality, both on and beneath the water.”

Jalboot Group continues to expand its operations in the Maldives as a provider of integrated maritime solutions, including luxury yacht charters, marine transport and resort-based leisure services.

The three awards further recognise the company’s presence in the Indian Ocean’s marine tourism and transport sectors.

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Soneva Fushi takes top honour for sustainable childcare in luxury hospitality

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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.

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