Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has been named Best Resort of the Year at the 2026 AHA Asia Hotel Awards, held at Capella Bangkok in Thailand. The recognition places the resort among leading hospitality properties across Asia, acknowledging its approach to luxury hospitality, guest experiences, design and service.

The award was presented during the 15th edition of the ceremony, which marked a milestone in the programme’s history. Established in 2010 by LIFESTYLE Magazine as the CHA China Hotel Awards, the programme expanded in 2026 to become the AHA Asia Hotel Awards, bringing together hotels and resorts from across the region.

The decision to host the gala in Bangkok for the first time reflected the programme’s broader ambition to recognise achievements in hospitality beyond China. The ceremony brought together hospitality leaders and industry representatives to celebrate achievements in luxury accommodation, resort experiences, design, wellness and service.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives received the Best Resort of the Year award in recognition of its approach to providing guest experiences that combine contemporary design, personalised service and a connection to the island’s natural surroundings.

“To receive this recognition alongside some of Asia’s most respected hospitality names is a proud moment for all of us at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives,” said Thomas Weber, General Manager.

“Our island has its own character, and we have always believed that the most meaningful experiences come from allowing guests to discover it at their own pace. This award belongs to our team, whose care, dedication and genuine warmth bring that philosophy to life every day. We are equally grateful to our guests for choosing to share their time and special moments with us.”

Located in Raa Atoll, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives features 41 beachfront villas, 36 overwater villas, three two-bedroom beach villas and the Boduge Residence. Each accommodation category includes a private pool, with designs intended to offer privacy while maintaining a connection to the island’s landscape and surrounding Indian Ocean.

The resort offers a range of experiences centred on its location, including guided house reef exploration with marine experts, underwater activities and opportunities to learn about Maldivian traditions through cultural programmes.

Its dining experiences include seafood and international cuisine, as well as private dining arrangements on The Shack, a secluded sand cay. Spa Alila offers treatments and wellness programmes designed around relaxation and wellbeing.

“An award such as this reflects the dedication of many people working together, often through the smallest details that guests may never see,” said Jamal Ahmed, Resort Manager.

“We take great pride in creating an atmosphere where service feels personal and unforced, and where every guest feels genuinely welcomed. It is especially rewarding to see the efforts of our colleagues recognised on a regional stage.”

The latest recognition follows another achievement for Alila Kothaifaru Maldives in 2026, when the resort received the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award. The accolade places the property among the top 10 per cent of hotels worldwide based on traveller reviews and ratings.

The two awards recognise the resort’s performance from both industry and guest perspectives, reflecting its focus on service standards, guest satisfaction and experiences connected to the Maldivian environment.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives continues to focus on delivering personalised hospitality, maintaining service standards and developing experiences that allow guests to explore the natural and cultural attractions of the Maldives.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has won three awards at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, with Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives receiving recognition across three categories.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives secured Gold in the Leading Surf Resort category for the eighth time and fourth consecutive year, while Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives retained Gold in the Leading Beach Resort category for the second consecutive year. Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives also received Silver in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category.

The 10th edition of SATA was held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé on 8 October 2026, recognising achievements across South Asia’s tourism and hospitality industry, including guest experiences, industry leadership and responsible tourism.

Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is home to the Pasta Point surf break, which attracts surfers from around the world. The resort’s eighth Gold award in the Leading Surf Resort category reflects its position among the Maldives’ surfing destinations. In addition to surfing, the resort offers water sports, wellness activities and other guest experiences.

“We remain committed to delivering memorable surf experiences and holidays in the Maldives,” said Marlon Robert, General Manager of Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives.

Robert also acknowledged the continued support of guests, the international surfing community and the resort team in securing the recognition.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives received its second consecutive Gold award as Leading Beach Resort in recognition of its island setting, which features sandy beaches, a lagoon and a selection of beachfront and overwater accommodation. The resort also offers dining, wellness and recreational activities, providing guests with opportunities to explore the surrounding marine environment.

The resort’s Silver award in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category recognised its efforts to provide dive education and career development opportunities for young people from neighbouring island communities.

Implemented in partnership with Dive & Sail, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, the six-day programme enabled nine students aged between 16 and 18 from schools in Keyodhoo and Felidhoo to obtain PADI Open Water Diver certification.

The programme combined theoretical lessons, practical training and supervised dives to promote safe diving practices and reef conservation. It also introduced participants to potential career opportunities in marine tourism.

“These accolades reflect the dedication of our teams and the continued support of our guests, whose trust inspires us to keep raising the standard of our experiences,” said Sanjeeva Perera, Area General Manager, Cinnamon Maldives Resorts.

The three awards recognise the tourism experiences offered by Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, as well as Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ initiatives in environmental awareness and community engagement across its Maldives properties.

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.