Awards
OBLU NATURE Helengeli and OBLU SELECT Sangeli earn top honours in Tripadvisor’s 2025 rankings
Lifestyle hospitality brand COLOURS OF OBLU has received global recognition as two of its standout resorts earn prestigious accolades in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2025.
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO has been awarded the coveted Best of the Best title, placing it among the top 1% of hotels worldwide, as rated by travellers on Tripadvisor. Another of the brand’s resorts, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, has also achieved distinction, securing a place among the top 10% of hotels globally. These honours are based on authentic, first-hand guest reviews over the past 12 months, underscoring COLOURS OF OBLU’s steadfast commitment to heartfelt hospitality and exceptional guest experiences.
Alain Trefois, General Manager of OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, commented on the achievement, noting that “there’s a special kind of magic in Helengeli’s coral-rich waters, vibrant house reef, and soulful island life – a sense of wonder that guests connect with deeply.” Trefois emphasised that the award is a celebration of the passion, care, and genuine warmth the team brings to every guest’s journey, blending marine adventure with relaxed Maldivian charm.
Renowned as one of the best dive spots in North Malé Atoll, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO invites guests to dive and snorkel in its spectacular house reef, conveniently accessible from the island’s shores. A recent transformation of the resort introduced overwater villas, family-friendly accommodations, new culinary experiences, and a refreshed design that seamlessly combines barefoot luxury with a sense of exploration.
The resort’s team continually enhances the guest experience with fresh ideas. Upcoming highlights include Bodegas Martín Códax wine events this August and pioneering collaborations with TGI Maldives, PADI, and ELE|NA Ayur for the inaugural Women’s Dive Month this July, which blends ocean exploration with wellness and relaxation. Throughout July, all travellers can enjoy 20% off stays, along with exclusive savings of up to 20% on dives and selected healing treatments at ELE|NA Ayur spa for women.
At OBLU SELECT Sangeli, General Manager Jenni Hartatik reflected on the recognition, saying, “Sangeli has always been about balancing serenity with lively experiences – from island-chic private villas to pool parties and a delectable dine-around experience. What makes this recognition so meaningful is that it comes straight from our guests. It tells us we’re getting it right – that the Sangeli spirit, brought to life by our dedicated team, leaves a lasting impression.”
Situated on the North-Western tip of Malé Atoll, OBLU SELECT Sangeli is an all-inclusive haven catering to both couples and families. With distinct zones for adults-only and family-friendly experiences, the resort offers vibrant dining options, an overwater spa, and curated experiences that celebrate island life. The resort’s lively atmosphere, contemporary design, and focus on joyful moments make it a favourite for those seeking a stylish yet laid-back escape.
In line with its eco-conscious ethos, OBLU SELECT Sangeli is Green Globe Gold certified and home to a thriving coral conservation garden. The resort recently unveiled a state-of-the-art underwater camera that streams live footage of the reef directly to guest villas, bringing the marine world closer for all visitors, including those who may not snorkel or dive. Looking ahead, Sangeli is set to elevate its culinary offering with a curated selection of exclusive dining concepts and an exciting global wine brand partnership – a first for the Maldives – promising to impress even the most discerning palates.
Angsana Velavaru has received the British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award 2025, recognising the resort for consistently high levels of guest satisfaction and service.
The award is based on verified customer feedback and reflects guest experiences at the resort. Angsana Velavaru achieved an overall score of 4.8 out of 5, with recognition given for service delivery, attention to detail and guest care throughout the stay.
Located within a lagoon in South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort offers a range of accommodation options, including beachfront villas with direct beach access and its InOcean Villas, situated approximately one kilometre from the main island. These overwater villas provide a more secluded setting with open ocean views.
The resort caters to a variety of travellers, including families, couples and individual guests. Family-oriented programmes and shared activities are available, while other guests can take part in leisure, wellness and exploration experiences. Through its 101 Things To Do programme, guests can engage in activities such as snorkelling, marine excursions, cultural experiences and wellness sessions.
The surrounding reef environment provides opportunities for marine exploration, while the resort’s service approach focuses on delivering personalised guest experiences. This combination of natural setting and service delivery forms a central part of the resort’s offering.
The British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award is presented to hotels that achieve high customer ratings, serving as an indicator of guest satisfaction within the travel sector. For Angsana Velavaru, the recognition reflects its continued focus on maintaining service standards and delivering consistent guest experiences.
The resort continues to position its offering around accessibility to nature, varied experiences and a service model aimed at supporting guest comfort and engagement throughout their stay.
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
Villa Park has been recognised with the CHECK24 Top Hotel Award 2026, awarded based on outstanding guest reviews submitted on the CHECK24 platform. The award reflects strong guest satisfaction and reinforces Villa Park’s growing visibility in the German-speaking travel market.
As part of the recognition, Villa Park will be featured with the official Top Hotel Award seal on CHECK24’s travel portal, supporting traveller confidence and strengthening the resort’s positioning across the DACH region. CHECK24 is one of Germany’s best-known travel comparison platforms, and the award is positioned to provide additional exposure through their hotel and package holiday listings.
Villa Park is widely known as a vibrant tropical escape for families, combining lush island greenery and bright lagoon views with a strong mix of experiences. From year-round whale shark encounters in the South Ari region to signature moments like treetop dining at ZERO, the resort offers a wide variety of ways to spend the day. Its broad range of family-friendly accommodation also makes it a natural choice for couples, groups, and multigenerational travel.
The CHECK24 Top Hotel Award adds to Villa Park’s recent momentum in the market, alongside continued recognition across tour operator channels and positive performance on leading review platforms used by German-speaking travellers.
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