Last night (8 October), Kandooma Maldives was named Leading Family Resort at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), a title that perfectly matches the resort’s focus on families.

“The timing of this award couldn’t be better,” said Andrew Drummond, General Manager of Kandooma Maldives. “It recognises our commitment to family holidays, but we also know that you can’t stand still. Family expectations change, and we have to keep evolving with them.”

“Whether it is the little ones who enjoy the kids’ club and, for some, a newfound independence from mum and dad or the opportunity to build memories together as a family through shared activities, Kandooma really is a great destination.”

Andrew explains that it is easy to sit still, but that’s not how the resort is winning over families: “I think it is our effort to keep evolving. Recently we realised there was a gap in the family offering that needed a bit more attention, so we have turned our eyes to tweens. It is sometimes a balancing act where young adults are craving independence, the freedom to explore, socialise and make their own choices, while parents still need reassurance that their kids are safe and well looked after.”

“They’re not kids who love going off to the Kids’ Club and they are not yet adults who are content lounging by the pool. We’re focusing on finding a way to engage 13- to 18-year-olds and give them a great holiday. At Kandooma we haven’t forgotten them.”

Villa options at Kandooma cater to different stages of family life, from Beach and Garden Villas with space for additional beds and interconnecting options, to Beach Houses suited to younger families and two- and three-bedroom accommodation for larger or extended families.

At Kandooma kids under 13 stay and eat free and it is one of the reasons young families keep returning to the 146-villa property in South Male Atoll, together with easy accessibility from Velana International Airport by speedboat.

“As a father myself, I understand that travelling with a family can be complicated enough without adding unnecessary steps to the journey,” Andrew said.

“Seaplane transfers can mean additional costs and luggage restrictions. At Kandooma, families can be met by our airport team, have their luggage taken care of and be escorted to their boat for a straightforward transfer to the island. When you’ve travelled a long way to reach the Maldives, these things really matter.”

The South Asian Travel Awards celebrated its tenth anniversary last night, recognising stand-out tourism businesses across India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Kandooma Maldives is an experience-led, all-inclusive island resort located in the South Malé Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. Designed with families, couples, friends and active travellers in mind, the resort features 146 villas across garden, beach and overwater settings, including family villas and multi-bedroom accommodation with private pools.

The Kandooma experience is brought together through five signatures: Kandooma Blue, Kandooma Table, Kandooma Flow, Kandooma Social and Kandooma Ways, spanning ocean adventure, dining, wellbeing, social experiences and Maldivian culture. Facilities include Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, a PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, Perfect Wave Surf Shop, Kandoo Kids’ Club, watersports, a 24-hour gym, restaurants and bars, event and meeting facilities and a changing programme of complimentary and bookable activities, live entertainment and island experiences. Kandooma Maldives is Green Globe Certified.

Visit www.kandooma-maldives.com.

JOALI BEING, the transformative well-living island in the Maldives, has announced its recognition in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler US Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, securing No. 8 in the Best Spa Resorts in the US & Around the World category.

Now in its 39th year, the annual Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate excellence in global travel, recognising the world’s most exceptional hotels, resorts, spas, destinations and travel experiences. This year, Condé Nast Traveler received more than 798,867 survey responses from readers across the United States, reflecting the experiences and preferences of discerning travellers worldwide.

Rooted in the philosophy of the Joy of Well-Living, JOALI BEING offers a transformative approach to holistic well-living, guided by its Four Pillars of Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy. Set amidst the natural beauty of Raa Atoll in the Maldives, the island brings together personalised well-living journeys, expert-led experiences, biophilic design and immersive nature-inspired rituals, inviting guests to reconnect with themselves and discover a renewed sense of balance.

Graeme Freeman, General Manager of JOALI BEING, commented: “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. At JOALI BEING, we believe that well-living is a deeply personal journey, and our purpose has always been to create experiences that inspire meaningful, lasting change. This honour is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust our guests place in us.”

This latest accolade further strengthens JOALI BEING’s position as a leading destination for transformative well-living, reflecting a continued commitment to thoughtful luxury, innovation and meaningful guest experiences.

A stay at JOALI BEING is a transformative journey where guests return home feeling lighter, happier and more energised.

Villas start from USD 2,442 per night for two guests sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a B&B basis. For bookings and further information, please contact reservations.being@joali.com.

JA Manafaru, the private Maldivian island resort located in Haa Alifu Atoll, has earned a place in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection, bringing international recognition to the island retreat of Dubai-born JA Resorts & Hotels. On this island in the northern Maldives, hospitality takes its character from the destination: Maldivian flavours served among the branches of a living banyan tree, days spent exploring the surrounding waters, and a team whose personal welcome brings guests into island life.

Independently selected by MICHELIN Guide inspectors for its global hotel collection, JA Manafaru offers an experience shaped around privacy, space, and attentive service. Its 84 villas and residences with private pools sit alongside distinctive dining venues, extensive leisure facilities, and a secluded spa sanctuary, with new residences and treetop restaurant Kuriadding fresh dimensions to the stay. The inclusion follows the resort’s Forbes Travel Guide Recommended recognition in the 2026 Star Awards, securing a second notable international acknowledgement this year.

Ralph Porciani, Chief Executive Officer, JA Resorts & Hotels, commented: “JA Manafaru’s selection in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide is a proud achievement for our entire group. Following its Forbes Travel Guide Recommended recognition earlier this year, it is a meaningful acknowledgement of the quality and consistency our island team delivers. Our story began in Dubai in 1981, and seeing that hospitality recognised internationally is particularly special. We continue to invest in our destinations, but it is the care of our people, their knowledge of the island, and the personal experiences they create that give JA Manafaru its character.”

The resort’s new residences expand its appeal for families and groups. Among the highlights is the Three Bedroom Royal Beach Residence, spanning 5,800 square metres across two levels. With two private pools, a dedicated spa pavilion featuring steam and sauna facilities, private cabanas, generous living areas, and personal butler service, it offers an expansive retreat for multigenerational holidays and special celebrations.

Food and a sense of place come together at Kuri, an intimate treetop restaurant within the canopy of a living banyan tree. Meaning “treetop” in Dhivehi, Kuri welcomes up to four guests for a five-course tasting menu led by Executive Chef Moosa Nazeeh. Its 0km philosophy draws on ingredients sourced from the surrounding atoll, including reef fish, coconut, pandan and screwpine, interpreting traditional Maldivian flavours through a contemporary lens. Handcrafted ceramics from JA Manafaru’s own on-island clay studio complete the setting.

Elsewhere, guests can enjoy wine-paired dinners at The Cellar, carved into volcanic rock beneath the island, beachfront dining at Ocean Grill, and Japanese cuisine at White Orchid. Maldivian cooking classes offer a hands-on introduction to the destination’s culinary traditions.

Across the island, experiences balance discovery with time to slow down. Snorkelling, diving and excursions to nearby islands reveal the surrounding marine environment, while kayaking, paddleboarding, and castaway island picnics offer different ways to enjoy the ocean. Guided nature trails introduce guests to the island’s landscape, complementing days spent on the water.

Wellbeing is woven into the stay through treatments and rituals at Calm Spa Sanctuary, nestled within tropical greenery, alongside yoga and fitness sessions. Tennis, cycling, and family activities complete an offering that allows guests to shape their holiday around their own interests, whether seeking adventure, rest or time together.

Roberto Garrone, General Manager, JA Manafaru, added, “This inclusion is a recognition of what the team at JA Manafaru lives every day. Our island offers a rare combination of privacy, natural beauty, and space, but it is the people who bring the experience to life. To see the resort included in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection is a significant moment for our team and a wonderful reflection of the destination we are proud to call home.”

For JA Resorts & Hotels, the recognition brings international attention to a hospitality legacy established in the UAE more than four decades ago. At JA Manafaru, that legacy finds its own island expression through warm service, Maldivian culture, and experiences rooted in the destination.

For more information and bookings, visit the resort’s official website.