Connect with us

Awards

Bandos Maldives crowned Indian Ocean’s Best Dive Resort at World Travel Awards 2025

Published

on

Bandos Maldives has once again been awarded “Indian Ocean’s Best Dive Resort” at the World Travel Awards 2025. This marks a consecutive win, underscoring the resort’s ongoing excellence in providing world-class diving experiences and its lasting reputation as a premier dive destination in the Maldives.

A key factor in this achievement is Dive Bandos, recognised as one of the Maldives’ most well-established and respected diving centres. With decades of experience, Dive Bandos offers expertly guided underwater adventures led by a seasoned team of dive professionals. Their dedication to safety, education, and marine preservation ensures that every dive is not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful.

Bandos Maldives provides convenient access to over 40 renowned dive sites, giving guests unparalleled opportunities to explore the Indian Ocean’s vibrant coral reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and rich marine biodiversity. Whether a beginner or an experienced diver, guests are guided by multilingual instructors who prioritise both safety and unforgettable encounters beneath the waves.

Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives, stated, “This award means a great deal to us not just as a recognition, but as a reminder of why we do what we do. Our mission has always been to deliver meaningful, safe, and unforgettable dive experiences. I’m incredibly proud of our dive team and the entire Bandos family for their unwavering commitment to excellence. We are grateful to our guests and industry partners for their continued trust and support.”

Bandos Maldives is conveniently located just 7 kilometres from Velana International Airport, on a pristine coral island spanning 18.66 hectares in the heart of North Malé Atoll, exemplifying the allure of the Maldives as a top travel destination. Since welcoming its first guests half a century ago, Bandos Maldives has remained dedicated to its enduring ethos of “the island of hospitality.”

Nestled amidst the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Bandos Maldives offers a diverse range of 220 rooms. The resort also features three vibrant bars, four restaurants, and relaxation at the Orchid Spa. The state-of-the-art Clubhouse sports complex provides opportunities to stay fit and unwind with beach volleyball, tennis, steam baths, sauna, and a modern fitness suite. For underwater enthusiasts, Dive Bandos, one of the country’s longest-established centres, ensures a safe and exhilarating underwater adventure.

Awards

Condé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts

Published

on

.Here Baa Atoll, a private island retreat in the Maldives, has been named the No. 6 Resort in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts, destinations, airlines and other travel experiences based on votes submitted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

The recognition places .Here Baa Atoll among the highest-ranked resorts in the Indian Ocean and comes during a milestone year for the property.

Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences spread across two natural islands, Somewhere and Nowhere.

Somewhere features seven three- and four-bedroom residences extending from the beach towards the lagoon and designed for families and groups travelling together. Each residence offers indoor and outdoor living spaces, multiple pools, private dining and personalised Roohu service. Guests are transferred directly to their residence by private speedboat, avoiding a conventional lobby and check-in process.

Condé Nast Traveler has previously highlighted the resort for its emphasis on privacy, its beach-to-lagoon residences and its discreet approach to luxury.

The resort experience also includes Nowhere Private Island, which is reserved exclusively for a single group at a time. The island features a five-bedroom Presidential Residence and a three-bedroom Lagoon Residence, providing eight bedrooms and 3,329 square metres of private living space, supported by dedicated service and individually curated experiences.

The Readers’ Choice Award follows several other recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll during 2026. The resort was included in the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026, with the publication highlighting its residences and design. It has also received international recognition for its architecture and design, alongside creative collaborators Kulör Group, Muza Lab and Topo Design Studio.

Elina Adiyan, Resident Manager of .Here Baa Atoll, said: “To be recognised by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler so early in our journey is incredibly meaningful. .Here was created around a simple idea: to give guests extraordinary space, genuine privacy and the freedom to experience the Maldives entirely on their own terms. This recognition belongs equally to our team, whose care and dedication bring that vision to life every day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted for us.”

The latest recognition adds to .Here Baa Atoll’s growing international profile within the luxury travel sector, with the resort positioning privacy, spacious accommodation, design and personalised service at the centre of its guest experience.

Continue Reading

Awards

Reethi Faru Resort celebrates culinary team’s success at Hotel Asia and FHAM

Published

on

Reethi Faru Resort has announced three medal wins by members of its culinary team at the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge and the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge.

At the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Chef Rohit Kabdal received a Gold Medal in the Decorated Cake category, recognising his work in cake design, presentation and technical execution.

Chef Abhishek Sharma also represented Reethi Faru Resort at the competition, earning a Bronze Medal in the Hot Cooking Fish category.

At the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge, Chef Mayank Bijalwan secured a Silver Medal in the Dress the Cake category, adding a third medal to the resort’s recent culinary achievements.

The results highlight the range of skills within Reethi Faru Resort’s culinary team, spanning pastry, cake presentation and hot kitchen techniques.

According to the resort, participation in professional culinary competitions provides its chefs with opportunities to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and test their abilities alongside other industry professionals.

The achievements also form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s wider focus on dining and guest experience, with its culinary team involved across the resort’s restaurants and food and beverage offerings.

Reethi Faru Resort congratulated Kabdal, Bijalwan and Sharma on their respective achievements, describing the results as recognition of their commitment, technical ability and creativity.

The three medals add to the resort’s recent culinary accolades and reflect its continued emphasis on professional development within its kitchen team.

Continue Reading

Awards

RAAYA by Atmosphere wins Best Family Resort in Maldives at Travel Time Awards 2025

Published

on

RAAYA by Atmosphere has received its latest recognition at the Travel Time Awards, held in Moscow in August 2026, where the island resort was named “The Best Family Resort in the Maldives 2025”.

The award marks RAAYA’s second consecutive recognition from Travel Time, following its win as “Opening of the Year 2024”.

The recognition reflects the resort’s growing presence in the Russian travel market and its approach to family holidays in the Maldives, with a focus on shared experiences, exploration and activities designed for guests across generations.

Located on a private island in Raa Atoll, RAAYA is centred around the fictional story of Seb, a shipwrecked artist and adventurer whose narrative is incorporated throughout the resort experience. Guests can take part in island exploration, creative activities and ocean-based experiences, alongside family-oriented facilities and a range of dining options under The RAAYA Plan™.

The award was also presented during a visit to the resort by Russian film actress Katerina Shpitsa, known for productions including “Metro”, “The Crew” and “Poddubny”. During her stay, Shpitsa presented the Travel Time Awards 2025 accolade to RAAYA by Atmosphere General Manager Mario Stanic.

“Receiving this recognition for a second consecutive year is a proud moment for everyone at RAAYA,” Stanic said. “Winning the Travel Time Award 2025 for Best Family Resort is a wonderful recognition of what we stand for — bringing families together through shared experiences and lasting memories within a backdrop of a tropical island paradise.

“We are proud to create experiences that resonate with Russian families and families from around the world, offering a place to connect, discover and create memories together. We thank the awards team, our partners and our guests for their continued trust and support.”

The award adds to the international recognition received by RAAYA by Atmosphere since the resort opened in July 2024. The property has positioned its offering around experiential hospitality, design, family-focused programming and its castaway-inspired narrative.

RAAYA features 167 beach and overwater villas, a collection of dining venues and a range of land and ocean activities within its Raa Atoll setting.

With two Travel Time Awards in consecutive years, the resort continues to develop its position within the family travel segment in the Maldives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.