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
ELE|NA recognised for excellence in wellness hospitality at SATA 2026
ELE|NA has been named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the Maldives-based wellness brand’s contributions to the hospitality and wellness industry across the region.
The recognition comes as wellness continues to become an integral part of luxury hospitality, with ELE|NA working alongside resort partners to develop and operate wellness facilities that combine therapeutic experiences, trained professionals and operational expertise.
Guided by its Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, ELE|NA incorporates wellness into different aspects of the guest experience. Its six Pillars of Vitality – TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight – encompass therapeutic treatments, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, restorative sleep and nutrition. The framework allows individual resorts to develop wellness programmes tailored to their locations and guest preferences.
In addition to providing wellness experiences, ELE|NA works with hospitality partners on concept development, spa operations, therapist training and service delivery. Its operational model combines the individual characteristics of each resort with standardised systems and procedures aimed at maintaining service consistency across its properties.
Sustainability also forms part of the brand’s operations. All ELE|NA properties in the Maldives have received Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation, recognising their approach to responsible spa operations, environmental management and community wellbeing.
The brand also invests in professional development through the ELE|NA Wellness Academy, which provides training programmes for therapists and wellness professionals. The academy combines traditional therapeutic practices, practical training and contemporary wellness knowledge to support professional development and strengthen service standards across the industry.
The recognition at SATA 2026 comes as ELE|NA continues to expand its operations beyond the Maldives, extending its wellness concepts and services into India, Nepal and other emerging hospitality destinations.
With wellness increasingly influencing travellers’ accommodation choices and holiday experiences, ELE|NA continues to focus on integrating wellness services into resort operations while supporting the development of trained professionals and sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.
Awards
Atmosphere Core wins Leading Resort/Hotel Brand and Hospitality Development Company titles at SATA 2026
Atmosphere Core has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, receiving the titles of Leading Resort/Hotel Brand and Leading Hospitality Development Company.
The recognition reflects Atmosphere Core’s continued contribution to the hospitality landscape across the Maldives and beyond, and its commitment to creating distinctive guest experiences through thoughtful hospitality, strong brand identities and responsible development.
With a growing portfolio spanning the Maldives and international destinations, Atmosphere Core continues to build a diverse collection of hospitality brands, each shaped by its own identity and approach to guest experience. As its brands expand, the company continues to evolve its portfolio while staying grounded in its philosophy of delivering heartfelt hospitality.

The Leading Hospitality Development Company title further recognises Atmosphere Core’s development journey, which has expanded beyond its established Maldivian portfolio into new destinations and concepts. Most recently, the company marked its debut in Europe with the opening of BORGO MONCHIERO HERITAGE by Atmosphere in Italy, while continuing to develop its pipeline of new hospitality projects across key markets.
Commenting on the recognition, Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director at Atmosphere Core, said: “We are honoured to receive these two recognitions at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. They reflect the dedication of our teams across our resorts, offices and development projects, and the trust of our guests, partners and industry colleagues. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on creating meaningful hospitality experiences while developing brands and destinations with a clear sense of identity and purpose.”

The South Asian Travel Awards are among the region’s recognised platforms celebrating achievements across the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. The 2026 awards recognise organisations and individuals demonstrating excellence and contribution to the industry across South Asia.
The two SATA 2026 recognitions add to Atmosphere Core’s growing list of industry accolades and mark another milestone in the group’s continued development as an international hospitality company.
Awards
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives wins Best Luxury Resort Award at Asia Hotel Awards 2026
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives has been recognised as Best Luxury Resort at the Asia Hotel Awards 2026, marking a significant accolade for the resort and recognising its distinctive interpretation of contemporary Maldivian luxury, where an exceptional lagoon setting, considered design and highly curated experiences come together to shape a refined island experience.

Set within The Atollia by Centara Hotels and Resorts in North Malé Atoll, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives brings together an expansive lagoon setting, refined architecture and a collection of beachfront and overwater residences designed to offer a more contemporary interpretation of island living. Since opening in April 2025, the resort has established a distinct position within the Maldives luxury landscape, with its design, culinary experiences, wellness offering and carefully curated island experiences forming an integrated guest journey.

With 142 villas and residences, including spacious two- and three-bedroom residences with private pools and Jacuzzis, the resort offers a choice of sophisticated beachfront and overwater living. Across the island, guests can discover a world class gastronomic journey spanning diverse flavours and culinary expressions, complemented by dedicated holistic wellness experiences and a considered collection of activities shaped by the natural character of the destination.

“This recognition is particularly meaningful because it reflects the philosophy behind Centara Grand Lagoon from the very beginning. We did not set out to create luxury through scale alone, but through a sense of place, thoughtful design and the quality of every experience. The lagoon is at the heart of the resort, shaping how guests arrive, stay, dine and experience the destination. From the architecture and residences to our culinary and wellness offerings, every element has been considered to create a contemporary expression of Maldivian luxury. We are honoured that the Asia Hotel Awards has recognised this approach, and grateful to our team and partners whose commitment brings the vision to life every day,” stated Jorge Fernandez, Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.
The 15th Asia Hotel Awards 2026 recognition adds to a growing portfolio of accolades for Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, reflecting its emerging position as one of the Maldives’ distinctive contemporary luxury resorts.
-
Cooking1 week agoMilaidhoo Maldives welcomes JAG Head Chef Laurence Tan for October culinary residency
-
Cooking1 week agoV Villas Maldives at Mirihi brings Thai flavours from Phuket to the Maldives
-
Action1 week agoFrom zero experience to professional careers: Atmosphere Foundation celebrates Divemaster graduates
-
News1 week agoThe St. Regis Maldives celebrates 10 years with global chefs, bartenders and artists
-
News1 week agoThe Standard, Maldives introduces complimentary upgrade to new Ocean Reef Pool Villas
-
News1 week ago‘Circle of Light’ to illuminate RAH GILI MALDIVES’ first festive season
-
News1 week agoWomen’s football stars Lucy Bronze, Ona Batlle join Kandima Maldives festive line-up
-
Awards1 week agoCondé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts


