Awards
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives secures Readers’ Choice honour in Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Awards
The inaugural Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 have been announced, and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, has secured a place on the list. The resort has been recognised as a Favourite Overseas Leisure Hotel, marking an important milestone for the newly opened property. Known for its privacy, refined elegance, diverse dining options, and holistic wellness offerings, the resort has quickly emerged as one of the region’s most sought-after five-star retreats in the Maldives.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives has been designed to engage the senses, blending elevated elegance with uninterrupted seclusion. Its collection of beachfront and overwater villas and residences has been created for travellers seeking a peaceful Maldivian escape defined by natural surroundings. The contemporary design is softened by organic textures, muted tones, and Thai-inspired elements, resulting in an atmosphere that feels serene, relaxed, and discreetly luxurious.
Elegance and simplicity shape the experience across the island. Private decks offer quiet spaces for reflection, while an array of water sports and marine activities provide opportunities for exploration. The resort’s wellbeing philosophy is anchored by SPA Cenvaree Retreat, a dedicated sanctuary for holistic healing and restoration. Drawing on Thai wellness traditions, each treatment is designed to renew balance and nurture physical and mental wellbeing. Signature therapies, couples’ rituals, and restorative beauty treatments allow guests to slow down and reconnect with their natural rhythm.
Dining is a defining aspect of the resort’s appeal. Guests can enjoy tandoor and teppan live stations at The Gallery, savour Mediterranean-inspired seafood at Bluefin, or end the day with cocktails and sunset views at Sunset Social. For additional exclusivity, The Club offers gourmet breakfasts, curated grape pairings, and intimate culinary experiences, while Coco Drift provides relaxed poolside refreshments.
The recognition from Condé Nast Traveller Middle East highlights the rapid rise of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives within the region. Securing such a prestigious title within months of opening underscores the resort’s commitment to service quality, guest satisfaction, and exceptional experiences. It also reflects Centara’s growing presence and increasing popularity among travellers to the Maldives.
“We are deeply honoured to be recognised by the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East community,” said Andrew Jansson, Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon. “This award reflects the genuine care and commitment our team puts into creating stays that feel calm and personal—experiences that are both distinctly Maldivian and authentically Thai. Our focus has always been on curated journeys, refined elegance, and a meaningful connection to the island’s natural beauty. It is incredibly rewarding to know that our guests feel this throughout their time with us.”
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives continues to welcome guests from the GCC region and beyond, strengthened by the trust of travellers who value authenticity, elegance, and exceptional island 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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