Awards
Finolhu earns five Luxury Childcare Association Awards nominations
Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort has received five nominations at the Luxury Childcare Association Awards 2026, with recognition spanning sustainable childcare, children’s programming, family experiences, childcare facilities, and baby and toddler care.
The nominations place particular focus on the breadth of Finolhu’s family offering, which has been developed to cater to different stages of childhood rather than centring on a single children’s programme. Alongside dedicated facilities for younger guests, the resort has separate spaces and activities for teenagers, as well as experiences designed for families to enjoy together.
The resort’s Kids Club forms the centre of its younger guests’ programme, combining indoor and outdoor spaces with a changing schedule of creative workshops, games, sports and island-inspired activities. Rather than being entirely removed from the destination, elements of the programme draw on Finolhu’s surroundings, introducing children to the natural environment through activities connected to the island and ocean.
Older children have their own dedicated space at the Teens Hut, conceived as a more independent and informal alternative to the Kids Club. Games, entertainment and social activities give teenagers a place to spend time together, while the separation between the two facilities allows programming to be adapted more closely to different ages and interests.
Provision for babies and toddlers is another element of the resort’s family infrastructure, with dedicated childcare services and age-appropriate facilities intended to make longer stays in the Maldives more practical for families with very young children. This is complemented by family-friendly amenities across the resort, allowing parents to balance time together with opportunities for children to take part in supervised activities.
Finolhu’s setting within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve also plays a role in its approach to younger guests. Marine education and environmental awareness are incorporated into selected activities, connecting children with the ecosystem surrounding the island. These experiences sit alongside the resort’s wider conservation work, including its coral restoration programme, which maintains two coral nurseries with more than 40 coral trees and has worked with thousands of coral fragments.
Beyond organised childcare, much of the family experience takes place outdoors. Finolhu’s two-kilometre sandbank, beaches and lagoon provide the setting for watersports and island activities, while creative workshops, recreational facilities and entertainment offer alternatives away from the water. The intention is to give families the flexibility to alternate between shared experiences and age-specific activities throughout their stay.
The five nominations at the Luxury Childcare Association Awards reflect this broader approach. Finolhu is nominated for Excellence in Sustainable Childcare, Excellence in Children’s Programming, Excellence in Family Experiences, Excellence in Childcare Facilities and Excellence in Baby & Toddler Care, covering areas that range from physical facilities and supervised care to programming and environmental engagement.
For a resort long associated with its “Island Playground” character, the nominations highlight how that concept extends to its youngest visitors, with dedicated spaces for children and teenagers alongside experiences shaped by the distinctive natural setting of Baa Atoll.
For more information and to learn more, please visit finolhu.com.
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.
Awards
Atmosphere Core wins Leading Resort/Hotel Brand and Hospitality Development Company titles at SATA 2026
Atmosphere Core has been recognised with two prestigious honours at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, receiving the titles of Leading Resort/Hotel Brand and Leading Hospitality Development Company.
The recognition reflects Atmosphere Core’s continued contribution to the hospitality landscape across the Maldives and beyond, and its commitment to creating distinctive guest experiences through thoughtful hospitality, strong brand identities and responsible development.
With a growing portfolio spanning the Maldives and international destinations, Atmosphere Core continues to build a diverse collection of hospitality brands, each shaped by its own identity and approach to guest experience. As its brands expand, the company continues to evolve its portfolio while staying grounded in its philosophy of delivering heartfelt hospitality.
The Leading Hospitality Development Company title further recognises Atmosphere Core’s development journey, which has expanded beyond its established Maldivian portfolio into new destinations and concepts. Most recently, the company marked its debut in Europe with the opening of BORGO MONCHIERO HERITAGE by Atmosphere in Italy, while continuing to develop its pipeline of new hospitality projects across key markets.
Commenting on the recognition, Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director at Atmosphere Core, said: “We are honoured to receive these two recognitions at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. They reflect the dedication of our teams across our resorts, offices and development projects, and the trust of our guests, partners and industry colleagues. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on creating meaningful hospitality experiences while developing brands and destinations with a clear sense of identity and purpose.”
The South Asian Travel Awards are among the region’s recognised platforms celebrating achievements across the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. The 2026 awards recognise organisations and individuals demonstrating excellence and contribution to the industry across South Asia.
The two SATA 2026 recognitions add to Atmosphere Core’s growing list of industry accolades and mark another milestone in the group’s continued development as an international hospitality company.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives has been recognised as Best Luxury Resort at the Asia Hotel Awards 2026, marking a significant accolade for the resort and recognising its distinctive interpretation of contemporary Maldivian luxury, where an exceptional lagoon setting, considered design and highly curated experiences come together to shape a refined island experience.
Set within The Atollia by Centara Hotels and Resorts in North Malé Atoll, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives brings together an expansive lagoon setting, refined architecture and a collection of beachfront and overwater residences designed to offer a more contemporary interpretation of island living. Since opening in April 2025, the resort has established a distinct position within the Maldives luxury landscape, with its design, culinary experiences, wellness offering and carefully curated island experiences forming an integrated guest journey.
With 142 villas and residences, including spacious two- and three-bedroom residences with private pools and Jacuzzis, the resort offers a choice of sophisticated beachfront and overwater living. Across the island, guests can discover a world class gastronomic journey spanning diverse flavours and culinary expressions, complemented by dedicated holistic wellness experiences and a considered collection of activities shaped by the natural character of the destination.
“This recognition is particularly meaningful because it reflects the philosophy behind Centara Grand Lagoon from the very beginning. We did not set out to create luxury through scale alone, but through a sense of place, thoughtful design and the quality of every experience. The lagoon is at the heart of the resort, shaping how guests arrive, stay, dine and experience the destination. From the architecture and residences to our culinary and wellness offerings, every element has been considered to create a contemporary expression of Maldivian luxury. We are honoured that the Asia Hotel Awards has recognised this approach, and grateful to our team and partners whose commitment brings the vision to life every day,” stated Jorge Fernandez, Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.
The 15th Asia Hotel Awards 2026 recognition adds to a growing portfolio of accolades for Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, reflecting its emerging position as one of the Maldives’ distinctive contemporary luxury resorts.
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