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SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS introduces Edhurun: New philosophy of personal hosting rooted in Maldivian culture
Marking International Butler’s Day, SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS unveils Edhurun, a guest philosophy that reimagines the butler tradition through a culturally grounded, psychologically attuned lens. While many luxury resorts in the Maldives reference local heritage, few have embedded it so intentionally into the heart of their service ethos. Edhurun signals a deeper shift—one that translates cultural insight into a refined Maldivian expression of hosting, quiet in tone yet elevated in execution.
Derived from the Maldivian word for “mentor,” Edhurun is not a job title but a principle: the art of knowing—without being asked. It forms a foundation of the brand’s people philosophy, Rayyithun, ‘The People of the Islands,’ and will debut at RAH GILI MALDIVES in early 2026, followed by DHON MAAGA MALDIVES in late 2026, with a portfolio-wide rollout to follow.
“This isn’t about adding another luxury label to service,” says Laith Pharaon, CEO and Co-Founder of SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS. “It’s about removing what gets in the way—and honouring a kind of attention that feels instinctive, not rehearsed. Edhurun reflects that belief.
Why Edhurun
In Maldivian culture, the Edhurun is a mentor—respected not for instruction, but for presence. They guide through example, listen more than they speak, and possess a quiet authority grounded in trust. This is the spirit that defines the new hosting model at SIX & SIX. Hosts aren’t assigned to serve; they’re aligned with intention. Hospitality here is not transactional—it’s a choreography of rhythm, ease, and emotional awareness.
Attention is not announced. It’s simply felt.
More Than a Butler: A Translator of Place
Unlike traditional butler systems that prioritise efficiency and task execution, Edhurun is shaped by emotional intelligence, refined sensitivity, and narrative memory. Guests are not matched by villa category or booking tier, but by intention—whether seeking solitude, celebration, restoration, or creative clarity.
There are no scripts. Instead, subtle gestures signal understanding: a villa layout adjusted to mirror how a guest moved the day before. A note in the guest’s native language—brief, unsigned. A bottle of vintage wine uncorked quietly, timed to the hour it was enjoyed the night before. Even discreet safety arrangements are managed seamlessly. It’s hospitality pared back to its essence—where the rarest gesture isn’t attention, but understanding.
“Edhurun isn’t a role you train into, it’s a mindset you cultivate,” said Marc Gussing, Director of Operations for SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS. “Our guests arrive with high expectations—and rightly so. They notice what’s off before it’s said. What we offer isn’t less service, it’s sharper and more personal. It takes a different kind of awareness to get that right.”
Recruitment Beyond Credentials
This new model challenges traditional ideas of what qualifies someone to host at the highest level. While many will come from leading global brands, the programme also welcomes those with natural emotional depth, cultural fluency, and humility—qualities rarely listed on a CV. Training blends guest psychology, local heritage, and the quiet art of observation. Hosts learn how to hold space rather than fill it. How to recognise when silence carries more meaning than words. How to respond without overtaking.
This approach also informs inclusive recruitment. Alongside seasoned professionals, the programme seeks women, elders, and individuals with intuitive, interpersonal strengths. Their lived experience doesn’t lower standards—it deepens them. Their inclusion isn’t symbolic—it’s strategic.
A Cultural Anchor
Rayyithun—The People of the Islands—anchors the SIX & SIX people philosophy. It reframes hospitality not as performance, but presence. Roles like healer, builder, poet, or guide are treated not as tasks but as expressions of identity and care.
Seasonal apprenticeships, community-based learning, and co-created curriculums with island elders ensure that traditional knowledge systems remain living, not preserved. Through oral traditions, rituals of welcome, and intergenerational exchange, hosting becomes cultural stewardship. For the global traveller who has seen it all, this offers something quietly different—where culture isn’t displayed, but felt.
For the Traveller Who Has Seen It All
In today’s luxury landscape, privacy and comfort are givens. What sets an experience apart is how it makes you feel— without ever needing to announce itself. Here, Edhurun finds its quiet power.
It doesn’t deliver excitement—it reflects intention. The host becomes an extension of the guest’s rhythm, responding to energy and mood in subtle, almost unspoken ways, yet deeply profound. The luxury lies not in what is offered, but in how it’s received. In presence, not performance. In listening, not leading. In a sense of ease that doesn’t feel curated—it simply is.
A Signature of the Brand
As SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS evolves as a lifestyle-led luxury brand, Edhurun will become a defining signature across all six islands. Following its debut at RAH GILI, the model will be implemented at DHON MAAGA, with future resorts adapting the principle to reflect their own narrative while upholding the same commitment to intention- led hospitality. A structured mentorship and performance framework will guide its consistency and growth.
“This isn’t just a reinterpretation of butler service. It’s a return to something older—and in many ways, more refined,” says Laith Pharaon. “The kind of hosting where nothing is announced, but everything is understood. Where stillness carries weight. And where true luxury doesn’t need to be seen to be felt.”
Edhurun is just one expression of Rayyithun, the brand’s people philosophy that will continue to take shape through other roles rooted in Maldivian life—from the Masverin (Fishermen) and Raaverin (Toddy Tappers), to the Beruverin (Drummers) and Beysverin (Healers). Each reflects a different way of being—and a different way of caring, with more to come as the story unfolds.
This is the way of the Edhurun. And they walk it quietly—beside you.
Headquartered in Malé, SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS operates luxury and ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives. By taking a fresh approach to hospitality—one rooted in simplicity, artistry, intuitive service, and honest, natural connections—SIX & SIX gives guests complete freedom to curate their own, unique journeys. The company will open six independently branded resorts in its first phase of development, with openings scheduled from 2025 through 2029.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has been recognised as the Best Surf Resort in the Maldives at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2025, achieving the accolade for the second consecutive year. The award underscores the resort’s reputation as a leading destination for surf enthusiasts in search of world-class waves and welcoming hospitality.
Located just 40 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort offers direct access to Kandooma Right, a renowned right-hand reef break celebrated for its long rides and playful barrels. Surf operations are exclusively managed by Perfect Wave Travel, ensuring uncrowded line-ups and an emphasis on sustainable surf tourism. The island has cultivated a dedicated surf community, with many guests returning annually, and some multiple times a year, drawn by the consistency of the waves, the warmth of the resort’s service, and expert surf guidance.
Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, commented on the achievement: “Our continued partnership with Perfect Wave and the team’s dedication to creating memorable surf experiences is what makes Kandooma stand out. We welcome surfers of all levels, and our aim is to ensure that every ride is unforgettable. The sense of belonging to the surf community here is what makes the island truly unique.”
In addition to Kandooma Right, surfers have access to nearby breaks such as Tucky Joe’s, Riptides, and Quarters, catering to intermediate surfers, progressive shortboarders, and longboarders alike.
Away from the surf, the resort offers a wide range of leisure experiences including the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, snorkelling and diving excursions showcasing the Maldives’ rich marine life, and diverse dining options serving global cuisine. The combination of surf culture, tropical adventure, and authentic hospitality contributes to a distinct island lifestyle.
This back-to-back success at the TTM Awards follows the resort’s 2023 title as Best Dive Resort, further reinforcing its position as one of the Maldives’ leading destinations for marine-based experiences.
Jumeirah Olhahali Island will celebrate Chinese Golden Week this October with a curated programme titled ‘A Golden Journey Together’. From 1 to 8 October 2025, the island will host experiences designed to bring families and friends closer, combining creativity, wellbeing and discovery with the natural rhythm of Maldivian island life.
Dining will be central to the celebrations, blending Asian traditions with the tropical setting of the island. Guests will be able to enjoy an Asian-Inspired Gala Dinner at Glow, Ocean’s Embrace Hot Pot, and Flavours of Asia at Shimmers, accompanied by live music and culinary offerings from across the continent. Other highlights will include an Asian-Inspired Floating Breakfast, an Afternoon of Bliss tea ritual, and a Maldivian Sharing Beach Dinner under the stars with the rhythmic beat of Boduberu.
Cultural encounters will add depth to the week’s programme. At the MURACA Art Studio, guests will be invited to shape and paint bespoke tea cups, create auspicious pottery designs, or hand-decorate a Tuanshan fan with traditional motifs. Shared culinary experiences will include Kayto’s Family Dim Sum Masterclass, offering parents and children the chance to fold and enjoy dim sum together. Evenings will feature celebrations such as the Lantern Ceremony at Shimmers Beach, a radiant tribute to hope and renewal.
The week will also bring opportunities for renewal and recreation. Gentle face yoga, Pilates by the sea and natural self-care workshops will provide calm, while social and competitive spirit will be encouraged through sunset tennis gatherings and a holiday tournament. Guests seeking adventure at sea will have options ranging from semi-submarine excursions and snorkelling to dolphin quests, parasailing and traditional sunset fishing.
On 6 October, the island will mark the Mid-Autumn Festival with a Sunset Soirée Gathering of canapés and cocktails, a Lunar Wellness Ritual by moonlight, and the International Market Night at Glow, which will take guests on a culinary journey across continents.
Accommodation will be in the resort’s collection of 67 all-villa retreats, each offering sweeping ocean views. One-bedroom villas, with private infinity pools, rooftop terraces and light-filled interiors, will be ideal for families of four, while larger two- and three-bedroom residences will provide ample space for extended families or groups of friends to create shared memories.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced its festive programme for the upcoming season, themed around ‘A Celebration for the Oceans’. Drawing inspiration from the Indian Ocean, the programme will transport guests into the mythical world of Atlantis: The Lost Kingdom, offering a range of cultural, culinary, artistic and wellness experiences. Highlights include a culinary residency by Tom Aikens, art classes and exhibitions led by UK artist Florence Super, physiotherapy sessions with Emma Diani, and entertainment for younger guests provided by Sharky & George. A series of gala dinners, live musical performances, and festive traditions will also form part of the celebrations.
The resort’s calendar of activities is designed to appeal to a wide audience, including families, food enthusiasts, creatives and those seeking wellness. Guests will be able to enjoy themed gala dinners, musical entertainment, Santa appearances, and New Year’s Eve celebrations, alongside time for relaxation at AVI Spa, which will feature holistic treatments and visiting practitioner sessions. The resort’s Resident Astronomer, Aleks, will also offer stargazing sessions.
Situated on the southern tip of Raa Atoll, at the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and near a juvenile manta ray aggregation site, the resort supports manta ray research and has introduced sustainable waste and recycling initiatives. Ocean-focused activities such as diving, seabobbing and coral adoption will also be incorporated into the programme.
Michelin-starred Chef Tom Aikens will take up a 12-day residency at the resort, curating exclusive tasting menus at The Lighthouse restaurant across several gala evenings. His residency will also feature a cooking class, a private yacht dinner for two, and a finale beachside buffet. The programme offers guests the opportunity to combine fine dining with the resort’s island setting.
Florence Super will debut her ocean-inspired art at the resort, delivering five creative sessions for guests. Her work, which often utilises recycled materials, will culminate in an exhibition with select pieces available for purchase. This collaboration complements the resort’s sustainability initiatives and partnership with The Manta Trust.
Wellness practitioner Emma Diani, an experienced physiotherapist, will be in residence from mid-December 2025 to mid-February 2026, offering treatments designed to improve posture, ease chronic pain and restore mobility. The resort’s AVI Spa will also provide a range of therapies, including Maldivian-inspired treatments and specialised body sculpting.
Family entertainment will be provided by Sharky & George, who will return to host activities at the Planet Trekkers Kids Club. Their programme includes treasure hunts, games, cooking classes, gingerbread house making, pirate cruises and mini expeditions, encouraging children to explore the island and its marine life.
Music and live entertainment will play a central role, with Jazzubeat The Band and DJ Levi set to perform. Traditional Christmas elements such as a tree lighting ceremony and Santa visits will accompany the festivities. On Christmas Eve, guests will gather for cocktails and a gala dinner, while New Year’s Eve will be marked with a gala celebration, ballet performances, fireworks and dancing on the oceanfront.
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