Awards
Veligandu Maldives Resort Island celebrates HolidayCheck Award 2025 with 5.9/6 score
Veligandu Maldives Resort Island has been recognised as one of the best recommended accommodations worldwide by HolidayCheck, achieving an impressive score of 5.9 out of 6 for the HolidayCheck Award 2025. This esteemed distinction reaffirms the resort’s dedication to excellence, personalised service, and the delivery of unforgettable Maldivian getaways.
Nestled in the North Ari Atoll, Veligandu Maldives Resort Island is a secluded paradise offering 100 luxurious villas, including overwater sanctuaries with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Guests can relax on soft, pristine beaches, enjoy world-class culinary experiences, and explore a thriving underwater world teeming with life. With its seamless blend of privacy and five-star service, the resort continues to be a preferred destination for discerning travellers from around the globe.
Fathuhulla Ibrahim, General Manager of Veligandu Maldives Resort Island, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. He noted that the feedback and satisfaction of guests inspire the team to consistently exceed expectations. Ibrahim extended heartfelt thanks to the resort’s owners, the CCR team, and the Crown team for their unwavering support, emphasising that this achievement is a collective effort by the entire Veligandu family.
Veligandu Maldives Resort Island has consistently ranked among the top-rated hotels on HolidayCheck, reflecting its ongoing commitment to guest satisfaction and service quality. Notable accolades include:
- 2025 – HolidayCheck Award: Among the best recommended accommodations worldwide | Score: 5.9/6
- 2024 – HolidayCheck Recommended Award
- 2022 – HolidayCheck Special Award: Ranked 5th Most Popular Hotel in the Maldives; one of the Top 10 Most Popular Hotels in the region
- 2021 – HolidayCheck Recommended Award | Score: 5.9/6
- 2020 – HolidayCheck Recommended Award | Score: 5.9/6
- 2020 – HolidayCheck Award – Gold Award: One of the most popular hotels in the world for the fifth consecutive time
- 2019 – HolidayCheck Award | Score: 5.9/6
- 2018 – HolidayCheck Award: Top Hotel Resort in the Maldives
- 2017 – HolidayCheck Award: Maldives’ Top Hotel in “Most Popular Hotels Worldwide”
- 2016–2011 – Multiple recognitions as Maldives’ Top Hotel Resort and ranking among the Top 99 Most Popular Hotels Worldwide
- 2010 – Maldives’ #1 Hotel Resort by guests
Mohamed Solah, Chief Executive Officer at Crown & Champa Resorts, also commented on this achievement, describing the recognition as both humbling and inspiring. He highlighted Veligandu’s longstanding reputation and the deep connection it holds with its guests, emphasising that the award reflects the trust and satisfaction of the loyal HolidayCheck community. Solah attributed the honour to the warmth, dedication, and personalised service that define the Veligandu experience.
The HolidayCheck Awards are among the most respected distinctions in the travel industry, presented annually by HolidayCheck, a leading German-speaking hotel review and travel booking website. Based exclusively on verified guest reviews, these awards are a strong indicator of consistent guest satisfaction and service excellence. The HolidayCheck Special Award, in particular, recognises the top 10 most popular hotels in each region, while the Recommended Award honours accommodations that maintain high average scores and a substantial volume of positive feedback.
Awards
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives secures nine accolades at World Luxury Awards 2026
Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives is celebrating nine accolades at the 2026 World Luxury Awards, including two prestigious Global Winner titles, recognising excellence across resort hospitality, leadership, wellness and gastronomy.
The awards reflect the resort’s philosophy of Connected Island Luxury, where personalised hospitality, restorative wellness, exceptional dining and meaningful encounters with nature come together to create memorable island experiences.
Among the highlights, The Spa at Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives was named Global Winner for Best Luxury Island Resort Spa, while signature fine-dining restaurant FireDOOR received the Global Winner title for Best Sunset Views.
The resort also received recognition as Best Luxury Boutique Resort and Best Luxury Lifestyle Resort in the Indian Ocean, alongside Best General Manager for Raffaele Solferino.

Global Recognition for Wellness and Gastronomy
Perched above the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the resort’s overwater Spa offers a tranquil sanctuary for relaxation and restoration. In addition to its global title, it received two Indian Ocean awards: Best Luxury Boutique Spa and Best Luxury Oceanview Spa.
Meanwhile, FireDOOR’s global recognition celebrates its spectacular sunset setting overlooking the island’s house reef. Combining intimate fine dining with distinctive glass-floor features and panoramic ocean views, the restaurant also received Indian Ocean titles for Best Luxury Boutique Resort Restaurant and Best Luxury Waterside Restaurant.
Together, these achievements highlight the breadth of experiences that define Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, from restorative wellness to memorable moments shared over exceptional cuisine.

Celebrating the People Behind the Experience
For General Manager Raffaele Solferino, who has been part of the resort’s journey since pre-opening, the awards are a testament to the dedication of the island team.
“To receive nine World Luxury Awards, including two Global Winner titles, is an extraordinary honour and a wonderful recognition of our team’s passion and commitment,” said Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives.
“What makes this achievement particularly meaningful is that it celebrates the complete guest experience. We believe true luxury goes beyond beautiful surroundings; it is about genuine connections, thoughtful hospitality and creating moments that stay with our guests long after they leave. As we approach our tenth anniversary in 2027, these awards are both a celebration of our journey and an inspiration for the next chapter.”

A Decade of Island Hospitality
Since opening in 2017, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has established a distinctive identity built around contemporary island luxury, personalised service and a deep connection with its natural surroundings.
As the resort prepares to celebrate ten years of welcoming guests in 2027, the nine World Luxury Awards provide a fitting recognition of its achievements and continued commitment to creating extraordinary island experiences.
Awards
Wellness by Mandara at Barceló Nasandhura named among world’s top 100 spas
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.
Awards
Jalboot Group claims three honours at World Luxury Travel Awards 2026
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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