News
COMO Hotels undergoes major rebrand

Maldives Promotion House – COMO Hotels and Resorts, the parent company of Cocoa Island in South Malé Atoll has unveiled an updated brand identity. COMO’s nine properties will keep their individual logos while underpinned with “by COMO,” conveying the company’s distinctive personalised approach to hospitality.
In line with this update, COMO also launched a new website that includes, amongst other features, a news-driven COMO blog for friends of COMO to stay connected with their favourite COMO properties.
Founded by Singaporean entrepreneur Christina Ong, COMO Hotels and Resorts comprises The Halkin by COMO in London, Metropolitan by COMO in Bangkok and London, Parrot Cay by COMO in the Turks and Caicos, Cocoa Island by COMO in the Maldives, Uma by COMO, in Paro, Bhutan, and Ubud, Bali, as well as COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali. This September, Uma by COMO, Punakha opens in Bhutan, to be followed by hotels in Phuket and other key destinations in 2013. Each handpicked property reflects the deeply personal philosophy of hospitality and service shared by the owner and COMO employees.
Every experience “by COMO” is inspired by its destination, but also paired with COMO’s accurate and intuitive service, sympathetic and elegant aesthetic, outstanding cuisine and award-winning spa and wellness retreats.
Friends and guests of COMO will recognise COMO’s signature thoughtful style in its new website, comohotels.com. Tablet- and mobile-friendly rich content, such as locally-researched destination guides, chef profiles and even downloadable COMO Shambhala Cuisine recipes, channel the COMO experience to the home or office. Accommodation and event venue floor plans make planning easier, while intuitive design and stunning imagery allows an immersive customer experience. Trade partners and media professionals will find an improved, one-stop resource library.
The website also features a new COMO blog, comohotels.com/blog, which covers Destination News and COMO’s hallmarks of Wellness, Cuisine, Lifestyle, Adventure and Culture. “Tales from the Front Desk” provides behind-the-scenes glimpses of life on property; “Out and About” offers insider destination tips from the best shopping in London to the richest dive sites in the Maldives. Guests can also share their personal experiences and interact with COMO’s General Managers, Chefs, Activity Directors and COMO Shambhala Wellness Experts.
Says Kuno Fasel, Chief Operating Officer for COMO Hotels and Resorts: “COMO Hotels and Resorts is, and has always been, far more than a collection of hotels. COMO is a community of like-minded employees, partners and guests, who prize authenticity and quality. Our branding reflects how every detail in every property is intrinsically “By COMO”. Our new website’s interactive and social features welcomes guests to share their stories – they are part of COMO, on-property and online.”
Says Gabriela Henrichwark, Global Marketing Director for COMO Hotels and Resorts: “COMO’s new website was designed to deliver a user-friendly customer experience to facilitate comprehensive travel planning from research to booking. Demonstrating our commitment to engage further with our customers online, the new COMO blog extends our existing active social media presence. Our fresh branding retains each property’s uniqueness while extending COMO’s group-wide promise of a highly personalised, luxury travel experience.”
Featured
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives introduces spacious villas for families and groups

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has introduced new two-bedroom villa accommodations designed for families, couples, or friends travelling together. These villas expand on the resort’s existing collection of one-bedroom pool villas, available in both beach and overwater options. The new additions feature an eco-minimalist design that combines sustainable luxury with a relaxed barefoot style, providing a sense of space and privacy for guests seeking connection or tranquillity.
The Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa is located on the island’s sandy shores and spans 265 square metres, offering a seamless indoor and outdoor living experience. Inside, it includes a king-size bed and twin beds, an enclosed bathroom with separate shower and bathtub, a spacious dining area, a living room, and a full set of amenities. The 97-square-metre outdoor area features a private pool, sundeck, and garden. A dedicated villa host is available to assist throughout the stay.

For those seeking even more space, the Boduge Residence offers 395 square metres of living area on a pristine beachfront with ocean views. It includes two bedrooms with a king and twin bed, a large dining table, a living room, a kitchenette, a maid’s room, and full amenities. The residence opens to a 160-square-metre outdoor space with a 45-square-metre private pool, sundeck with sunbeds and a wooden swing, and a poolside BBQ area. The Boduge Residence can also connect to a neighbouring villa to create a three-bedroom retreat. Guests here are also supported by a dedicated villa host.
To mark the launch of these new accommodations, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is offering complimentary round-trip seaplane transfers for up to four children on bookings of seven nights or more in either the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa or the Boduge Residence. The offer is valid for stays between 10 January and 30 June 2026, with bookings required by 30 September 2025.
Celebration
Boduberu, craft and cuisine highlight National Day at Grand Park Kodhipparu

Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, marked Maldives National Day with a cultural programme designed to highlight the traditions and heritage of the islands. Guests were offered opportunities to experience aspects of Maldivian culture in the natural surroundings of North Malé Atoll.
The resort organised a Boduberu workshop where visitors were introduced to the rhythms of the traditional Maldivian drum. Local artisans guided participants in traditional jewellery making, sharing techniques that have been passed down through generations. Guests also took part in palm weaving, once an essential island skill, and were able to dress in traditional attire to connect with Maldivian customs.
Culinary traditions were featured through tastings of Maldivian dishes prepared by the resort’s chefs, showcasing local flavours and long-established recipes. Visitors explored a display of Maldivian arts and crafts, with works produced by local artisans representing the country’s creative and artisanal heritage.
The day concluded with a Boduberu performance at sunset, combining music, dance and rhythm in a communal expression of cultural identity.
Citra Suriah, Director of Marketing at Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, said: “At Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, we believe in the quiet power of culture to connect, ground, and inspire. This celebration is both a tribute to the beauty of the Maldivian way of life and an invitation for our guests to witness and take part in something deeply authentic and enduring.”
The resort continues to focus on cultural preservation and community support, curating experiences that reflect and honour the spirit of the Maldives while offering guests a meaningful connection to local heritage.
Featured
Research places Maldives among best winter sun destinations

New research by long-haul travel specialist Travelbag has placed Malé, Maldives, among the top destinations for winter sun seekers this year. With average temperatures of 28°C and around eight hours of sunshine a day during the UK’s winter months of October to January, the capital city offers one of the warmest and most reliable escapes for those looking to leave behind grey skies.
The findings highlight Malé’s appeal not only for its climate but also for its consistently low rainfall during the winter season, averaging just 10 millimetres. While the cost of a beer in Malé is higher than in many of the other destinations listed, at an average of £3.54, the Maldives remains a leading choice for travellers seeking a balance of tropical warmth, clear seas, and relaxation.
The research reflects a broader trend in which holidays are increasingly being recognised as important for mental wellbeing, particularly during winter months. A recent survey found that half of British travellers view holidays as vital for their mental health, with winter escapes offering a chance to recharge and find respite from the seasonal gloom.
Helen Wheat, Destination Manager for Asia at Travelbag, noted that the Maldives continues to stand out for those seeking total relaxation. She explained that the country’s tropical temperatures and soft sandy beaches make it an ideal choice for unwinding, contrasting with city-based winter sun destinations where nightlife and cultural activities often take precedence.
The Maldives’ inclusion among the top ten destinations underscores its enduring reputation as a haven for travellers in search of sun and tranquillity during the colder months in the UK. For those wishing to trade winter blues for blue skies, Malé offers a dependable and inviting option.
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