Awards
Finolhu wins Best Design Resort in Maldives at Global Destination Awards
Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, has been named Best Design Resort in the Maldives at the Global Destination Awards by World Fashion Channel, celebrating the resort’s distinctive approach to design, creativity and contemporary island living.
The award was announced at the Global Destination Awards ceremony in Moscow, an international luxury travel event bringing together leading hospitality professionals, international hotel brands, travel experts, celebrities and prominent travellers. The awards recognise outstanding destinations, hotels, resorts, restaurants and personalities shaping the global luxury travel landscape.

Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Finolhu is known for an aesthetic that deliberately departs from conventional interpretations of Maldivian luxury. The resort’s design, conceived by London-based design studio Muza Lab, brings together bold colours, expressive patterns, natural textures and playful details to create a contemporary interpretation of island life.

Across its 125 villas, restaurants, bars and social spaces, Finolhu’s visual identity is characterised by an eclectic mix of influences and a sense of individuality. From beachfront and overwater villas to the resort’s celebrated two-kilometre sandbank and the barefoot setting of Crab Shack, design is woven throughout the guest experience.
The recognition also reflects Finolhu’s wider identity as the Island Playground, where design is complemented by a year-round programme spanning art, gastronomy, wellness, sport and entertainment. Visiting artists and creative collaborations form an important part of this approach, allowing guests to engage with creativity through immersive experiences and encounters throughout their stay.

World Fashion Channel is an international lifestyle television network covering fashion, beauty, travel and luxury lifestyle, with an audience of more than 30 million viewers. The channel is distributed through major Russian cable and satellite operators, including MTS, Beeline and NTV-Plus, as well as across premium hotels, shopping destinations, luxury boutiques, restaurants, beauty salons and wellness clubs. It is also an official media partner of Moscow Fashion Week, Sochi Fashion Week and other major fashion and lifestyle events.
The Best Design Resort in the Maldives title adds to Finolhu’s growing portfolio of international recognition and reinforces the resort’s position as one of the Maldives’ most distinctive design-led destinations, where creativity, individuality and the natural beauty of Baa Atoll come together in an unmistakably playful island experience.
For more information and to learn more, visit finolhu.com.
Awards
The St. Regis Maldives named second best resort in Indian Ocean at Condé Nast Traveler Awards
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has been recognised among the Top 20 Resorts in the Indian Ocean, earning the coveted No. 2 ranking in the Condé Nast Traveler US Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.
Widely regarded as one of the travel industry’s most trusted honours, the annual Readers’ Choice Awards celebrates the finest destinations, hotels, resorts, and experiences worldwide, based on authentic guest feedback and voting. The accolade reflects the enduring appeal of The St. Regis Maldives and its continued commitment to delivering exceptional experiences in one of the world’s most sought-after island destinations.
The recognition arrives during a particularly meaningful year for the resort as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of redefining luxury hospitality through bespoke service, distinctive design, world-class dining, and immersive island experiences in one of the Maldives’ most extraordinary destinations.
Nestled on its own private natural island in the pristine Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has captivated guests since its opening in 2016 with its striking architecture inspired by the surrounding environment, expansive overwater and beach villas, vibrant house reef, signature St. Regis Butler Service, and commitment to sustainability. Over the past decade, the resort has become a destination of choice for discerning travelers, couples, families, and multigenerational guests seeking transformative escapes in an unparalleled setting.
“To be recognised as the No. 2 Resort in the Indian Ocean by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler US is an incredible honor and a testament to the passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our hosts,” says Ozgur Cengiz, General Manager of The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, this distinction makes the milestone even more meaningful. For the past decade, we have had the privilege of creating meaningful moments for our guests from around the world, and this recognition reflects the trust they place in us and the extraordinary experiences our team delivers every day. We are deeply grateful to our guests for their continued support and look forward to welcoming them to discover the timeless luxury, exceptional service, and natural beauty that define The St. Regis Maldives.”
From award-winning dining and wellness experiences to bespoke family adventures and immersive marine encounters, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues to elevate the luxury travel experience while remaining deeply connected to the natural beauty of its island surroundings. As the resort enters its next decade, it remains dedicated to setting new benchmarks for exceptional hospitality in the Maldives and beyond.
Discover more about The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort at stregismaldives.com.
Awards
Sun Travels named Best Inbound Travel Agency at South Asian Travel Awards 2026
Sun Travels has been named Best Travel Agency – Inbound at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the company’s contribution to inbound tourism and travel services in the Maldives.
The award acknowledges Sun Travels’ experience in the travel industry, its partnerships with resorts and international travel agents, and its continued investment in technology to support tourism operations.
According to the company, the recognition reflects its development from a traditional travel agency into a technology-driven travel services provider, connecting international travel businesses with resorts across the Maldives.
As part of this development, Sun Travels has recently introduced a business-to-business (B2B) digital platform designed to improve booking processes and connectivity between travel agents and resort partners.
The platform features real-time inventory availability and application programming interface (API) connectivity, including Juniper integration, enabling travel businesses to access resort inventory and manage bookings through integrated digital systems.
Sun Travels stated that the investment forms part of its efforts to improve efficiency and reliability in B2B travel management while strengthening its relationships with international travel partners.
The company also attributed the award to the contributions of its employees, resort partners and global travel agent network, highlighting their role in maintaining service standards and supporting its operations.
Sun Travels said it intends to build on the recognition by expanding its international reach, further developing its technology-driven services and strengthening partnerships across the travel industry.
The South Asian Travel Awards recognise organisations and professionals across the region’s travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, including hotels, resorts, travel agencies and other tourism service providers.
The recognition comes as Sun Travels continues to invest in digital connectivity and partnerships to support inbound tourism to the Maldives.
Awards
Constance Halaveli Maldives secures top 10 spot in Condé Nast Traveller Indian Ocean rankings
Constance Halaveli Maldives has been ranked 10th among the Top 25 Resorts in the Indian Ocean at the Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, joining three other Constance Hotels & Resorts properties recognised in this year’s international rankings.
The recognition places Constance Halaveli among the Indian Ocean resorts selected by readers of the British travel publication, reflecting the resort’s standing in the luxury hospitality sector.
The award forms part of wider international recognition for Constance Hospitality, with four properties across its Indian Ocean portfolio securing positions in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards published by Condé Nast Traveller UK and Condé Nast Traveler.
In the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 – World Resorts rankings, two of the group’s properties in Seychelles were recognised, with Constance Lémuria securing 13th place and Constance Ephelia ranking 17th among the Top 20 Resorts in the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, Constance Tsarabanjina Madagascar was ranked 12th among the Top 15 Resorts in the Rest of Africa category.
According to Constance Hospitality, the recognition across its portfolio reflects the individual character of each destination and the group’s emphasis on personalised service, authenticity and experiences connected to local surroundings.
Headquartered in Mauritius, Constance Hospitality operates properties across the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues and Madagascar. Its flagship brand, Constance Hotels & Resorts, follows the True by Nature philosophy, with a portfolio comprising luxury resorts, lodges and boutique hotels across the Indian Ocean.
The Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts and travel experiences across international destinations, with rankings determined by votes from readers.
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