Reethi Faru Resort has announced three medal wins by members of its culinary team at the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge and the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge.

At the Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Chef Rohit Kabdal received a Gold Medal in the Decorated Cake category, recognising his work in cake design, presentation and technical execution.

Chef Abhishek Sharma also represented Reethi Faru Resort at the competition, earning a Bronze Medal in the Hot Cooking Fish category.

At the FHAM Global Culinary Challenge, Chef Mayank Bijalwan secured a Silver Medal in the Dress the Cake category, adding a third medal to the resort’s recent culinary achievements.

The results highlight the range of skills within Reethi Faru Resort’s culinary team, spanning pastry, cake presentation and hot kitchen techniques.

According to the resort, participation in professional culinary competitions provides its chefs with opportunities to develop their skills, exchange knowledge and test their abilities alongside other industry professionals.

The achievements also form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s wider focus on dining and guest experience, with its culinary team involved across the resort’s restaurants and food and beverage offerings.

Reethi Faru Resort congratulated Kabdal, Bijalwan and Sharma on their respective achievements, describing the results as recognition of their commitment, technical ability and creativity.

The three medals add to the resort’s recent culinary accolades and reflect its continued emphasis on professional development within its kitchen team.

RAAYA by Atmosphere has received its latest recognition at the Travel Time Awards, held in Moscow in August 2026, where the island resort was named “The Best Family Resort in the Maldives 2025”.

The award marks RAAYA’s second consecutive recognition from Travel Time, following its win as “Opening of the Year 2024”.

The recognition reflects the resort’s growing presence in the Russian travel market and its approach to family holidays in the Maldives, with a focus on shared experiences, exploration and activities designed for guests across generations.

Located on a private island in Raa Atoll, RAAYA is centred around the fictional story of Seb, a shipwrecked artist and adventurer whose narrative is incorporated throughout the resort experience. Guests can take part in island exploration, creative activities and ocean-based experiences, alongside family-oriented facilities and a range of dining options under The RAAYA Plan™.

The award was also presented during a visit to the resort by Russian film actress Katerina Shpitsa, known for productions including “Metro”, “The Crew” and “Poddubny”. During her stay, Shpitsa presented the Travel Time Awards 2025 accolade to RAAYA by Atmosphere General Manager Mario Stanic.

“Receiving this recognition for a second consecutive year is a proud moment for everyone at RAAYA,” Stanic said. “Winning the Travel Time Award 2025 for Best Family Resort is a wonderful recognition of what we stand for — bringing families together through shared experiences and lasting memories within a backdrop of a tropical island paradise.

“We are proud to create experiences that resonate with Russian families and families from around the world, offering a place to connect, discover and create memories together. We thank the awards team, our partners and our guests for their continued trust and support.”

The award adds to the international recognition received by RAAYA by Atmosphere since the resort opened in July 2024. The property has positioned its offering around experiential hospitality, design, family-focused programming and its castaway-inspired narrative.

RAAYA features 167 beach and overwater villas, a collection of dining venues and a range of land and ocean activities within its Raa Atoll setting.

With two Travel Time Awards in consecutive years, the resort continues to develop its position within the family travel segment in the Maldives.

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been named Highly Commended for Best Long-Haul Family Stay in the Family Traveller Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s thoughtful approach to family and multigenerational travel, where considered design, generous space and experiences for every generation allow families to holiday together while enjoying the freedom to create their own time and space.

Organised by Family Traveller, the UK’s leading family travel publication, the awards attracted hundreds of entries across 19 categories. An independent panel of expert family travel journalists selected the finalists before thousands of public votes determined the winners and highly commended properties, announced at an awards ceremony in London on 11 September 2026.

Just 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili combines easy accessibility with an island experience thoughtfully designed for families. Its 75 private-pool villas and residences include spacious multi-bedroom Villas, Residences and Retreats particularly suited to extended and multigenerational stays. Individual bedrooms and living areas feature separate external entrances alongside internal connecting doors. This allows families to stay together while retaining a sense of privacy and independence – particularly useful for grandparents, parents, couples and older children travelling together.

For younger guests, Kuda Fiyo Kids Club offers its own expansive beach beside the island’s shallow lagoon, giving children space to explore while parents enjoy time of their own. With supervised outdoor adventures, creative activities, games and island discoveries, the programme encourages young guests to experience the island independently. The daily Kuda Villingili train ride has become a much-loved ritual for little explorers.

Family-friendly thinking continues throughout the island. The resort’s spectacular 150-metre swimming pool features dedicated shallow areas for younger swimmers, while the surrounding lagoon opens the door to kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and other ocean adventures.

Budding surfers can also take their first steps into the sport with certified surf instructors at Baby Chickens, the beginner-friendly section of the island’s renowned Surf Chickens break, where they can gradually build their confidence and skills in the ocean.

Older children and teenagers are equally considered, with tennis, padel, pickleball, futsal, volleyball, watersports, diving and other recreational experiences offering plenty of independence and adventure beyond the Kids Club years. Across eight distinctive restaurants, diverse cuisines provide something for every generation, with children under 12 dining complimentary, while parents can retreat to the overwater Spa or enjoy time of their own as younger guests explore the island.

This balance between togetherness and individuality lies at the heart of Kuda Villingili’s family experience. Families can share a villa without sacrificing privacy, pursue different experiences during the day, and come together again over dinner, beside the pool or for a Maldivian sunset – allowing each generation to experience the island in their own way.

Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, said: “We are incredibly proud to be Highly Commended for Best Long-Haul Family Stay by Family Traveller. At Kuda Villingili, we have always believed that a family holiday should give everyone the freedom to enjoy the island in their own way – whether that means children discovering new adventures, parents finding time to unwind, or several generations coming together to share memorable experiences. This recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of our team and the experiences we strive to create for every family who stays with us.”

The accolade further highlights Kuda Villingili’s family-focused offering in the Maldives, where “Time and Space Redefined” takes on a special meaning: more time to reconnect, space for every generation, and experiences designed to become part of the family story.

For more information and reservations, visit www.kudavillingili.com or contact reservations@kudavillingili.com.