Awards
Kuda Villingili ranked 5th in Condé Nast Traveller Middle East’s top overseas leisure resorts 2025
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been ranked fifth in the Top Overseas Leisure Resort (Global Category) at the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. The accolade, decided by readers across the region, is one of the most recognised distinctions in the luxury travel sector.
The resort also earned a place among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveller US Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, marking its second Condé Nast recognition within the same year. Together, the awards underline Kuda Villingili’s growing international profile and its focus on consistent service delivery across different markets.
Commenting on the achievement, Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili, said: “To be recognised twice in a single year by two global editions of Condé Nast Traveller is a profound honour for us. Being voted among the world’s top leisure resorts by Middle Eastern readers is especially meaningful, as this region remains central to our guest community. These accolades reaffirm our dedication to delivering tailored luxury and unforgettable island experiences.”
The latest recognition further consolidates Kuda Villingili’s position as a preferred Maldivian destination for Middle Eastern travellers seeking privacy, space, and curated stays. The resort is located a 30-minute speedboat ride from Malé, which has contributed to its popularity among guests from the GCC due to direct international connections, short transfer times, and ease of access.
Kuda Villingili’s island layout and natural setting support a range of stay types, including privacy-focused holidays, multigenerational travel, couples’ escapes, wellness breaks, and family stays. Its accommodation portfolio includes a mix of overwater villas and spacious beach-based villas, residences, and retreats ranging from two to four bedrooms. These units are designed with generous indoor–outdoor living areas, private pools in selected categories, and direct access either to the beach or lagoon, offering flexibility for families and groups travelling together.
Dining is a central part of the Kuda Villingili experience, with eight signature venues serving twelve cuisines. Guests can choose from Mediterranean, Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei), Teppanyaki, contemporary Asian and surf-and-turf concepts.
SPICE, the resort’s Indian–Arabic restaurant, led in collaboration with the fifth-generation Qureishi brothers, has built strong appeal in the GCC market. Its menu is inspired by Indian, Middle Eastern and charcoal-grilled traditions and is designed around familiar flavour profiles presented with a refined approach. The overall culinary programme at Kuda Villingili combines range with attentive, personalised service.
The resort’s facilities extend beyond accommodation and dining to a variety of leisure and wellness experiences. Its 150-metre freshwater swimming pool, one of the largest in the Maldives, forms the focal point of the island. A dedicated private island spa with eight treatment villas provides a setting for restorative therapies and wellness-focused programmes.
Adventure and sports are also an important part of the offering. Kuda Villingili is located close to Chicken’s Break, one of the world’s best-known left-hand surf breaks, and has positioned itself as a surf-luxury destination for enthusiasts from the region and beyond. Additional experiences for families and couples include ocean excursions, watersports, and tailored activities that encourage time together.
Kuda Villingili has expressed its appreciation to Condé Nast Traveller Middle East readers for the 2025 recognition and to Condé Nast Traveller US readers for the parallel honour in the Indian Ocean category. The resort continues to invite new and returning guests to explore its “Time and Space Redefined” philosophy through its accommodation, service, and range of experiences.
Awards
Atmosphere Core secures British Airways Holidays awards across five Maldives resorts
Atmosphere Core has announced that five of their resorts in the Maldives; VARU by Atmosphere, Atmosphere Kanifushi, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, have been recognised with the prestigious British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award 2025.
This accolade reflects consistently high guest satisfaction, recognising hotels that excel in service delivery, quality of facilities, and the overall holiday experience. Extended only to the top 8% of hotels worldwide, it underscores the strength of the brand’s diverse portfolio, from signature Holiday Plans to adults-only escapes and immersive, nature-inspired island retreats.

Under Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, VARU by Atmosphere and Atmosphere Kanifushi continue to set benchmarks in elevated hospitality. VARU by Atmosphere offers a contemporary island experience with seamless inclusions and warm Maldivian service, while Atmosphere Kanifushi is known for its expansive setting, lush tropical surroundings, and wide range of experiences catering to both families and couples.

Within the COLOURS OF OBLU portfolio, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO each present distinct island escapes. OBLU SELECT Sangeli blends contemporary design in a stylish and tranquil setting. OBLU SELECT Lobigili is a romantic, adults-only retreat thoughtfully designed for couples, centred around intimacy and curated experiences. OBLU NATURE Helengeli stands out for its rich marine life and exceptional house reef, offering an immersive experience for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts.

“We are truly honoured to receive the British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award across multiple resorts within our portfolio. This recognition, driven by genuine guest feedback, is a testament to the passion and dedication of our teams who consistently go above and beyond to create exceptional experiences,” said Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer at Atmosphere Core. “It reinforces our commitment to delivering distinctive and memorable stays across every island, tailored to different guest journeys.”

This achievement further strengthens Atmosphere Core’s position as a leading hospitality brand in the Maldives, driven by guest-centric service, innovation, and authentic island experiences.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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