News
Small Luxury Hotels of the World reveals mobile browsing/booking trends

Maldives Promotion House – Small Luxury Hotels of the World has revealed how significant the mobile economy is to the luxury travel industry with its latest data on global browsing and booking trends.
Tech gurus hyped 2012 as the year of the mobile boom and the latest figures from the luxury hotel brand really highlight the growing ubiquity of handheld devices over twelve months by comparing visits and bookings on slh.com by iPad, iPhone and Android handsets.
The year on year analysis for SLH’s online activity for January, traditionally one of the most popular booking months, not only reinforces the growing trend for mobile browsing and booking, but also underpins the growing demand for luxury travel in the emerging markets, which saw the greatest percentage increase of traffic to slh.com.
In January 2013, SLH’s website hits in China were up by 406% year-on-year; Brazil saw an increase of 104%, followed by Russia with a more moderate 22% increase. The UK saw a very positive increase, up 15%, whilst in line with expectations other more developed travel markets such as the USA and Germany saw slight increases of 1% and 4% respectively, compared to the same month the previous year.
In terms of website visits by mobile devices, the developed economies saw the most significant growth. The iPad continues to be the most popular handset for searching hotels on slh.com, with iPad visits from the UK recording the largest share of total website visits at 22% in January 2013, up 108% year on year, followed by Canada (19%), France (17%) and Germany (16%).
Website visits by iPhone were also marginally up year-on-year with the Canadian and Chinese markets both seeing the most significant jump, recording a 193% and 105% increase in iPhone traffic.
Android visits were also up in most markets, although it still represents a very small proportion of the total volume of website visits, suggesting there is untapped potential for more mobile-friendly content.
The mobile technology market in the UK continues to surge and accounts for an increasing amount of the total online search volume for accommodation. In January 2013, 30% of visits to slh.com from the UK were from a mobile device, compared to 18% in 2012, representing a 50% increase year on year. This data mirrors a nationwide technology trend for the travel industry according to the results of a Google UK survey revealing that during the third quarter of 2012, 33% of all online searches for accommodation were from a mobile device, a sharp increase from the same quarter in 2011 when mobile accounted for just 5% of searches.
These results do not come as much surprise considering that the UK has one of the highest penetrations of smartphones in the world according to Ofcom. As of December 2012, 58% of the population has a smartphone and almost a fifth (19%) owns a tablet. The iPhone is the most popular device capturing 29% of the UK smartphone market.
Meanwhile, the percentage of website visitors making bookings on slh.com across all mobile platforms remains fairly low worldwide, although the conversion rate is growing. Over 14% of all bookings in the last two quarters of 2012 were made by iPad, iPhone and Android, up from 7% across the same period in 2011.
China and Russia saw a particularly large increase in year on year bookings by iPad, with the iPad accounting for 24% (compared to 0% in 2012) and 15% (up 700%) of total bookings respectively. The steady rise of the iPad fan club in the UK continues with 18% of SLH hotel stays booked via iPad in January 2013, up from 7% in January 2012.
The number of bookings made by iPhone and Android remains very small, with the exception of the world’s leader in technology, Japan, where 7% of all bookings via slh.com were made by iPhone.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World currently has a portfolio of 8 hotels in Maldives and over 520 hotels in more than 70 countries.
Cooking
W Maldives welcomes acclaimed ‘Dessert King’ Reynold Poernomo for Flavours Unscripted culinary takeover

W Maldives is turning up the flavor dial this August with a high-profile culinary collaboration that is equal parts bold, artful, and wildly indulgent. As part of the resort’s Dare To Taste programming under the Flavors Unscripted series, W Maldives will welcome acclaimed chef and culinary creative Reynold Poernomo for a two-part takeover on August 10 and 12, 2025. This exclusive collaboration is set to redefine island dining—one plate at a time.
Born in Indonesia and raised in Sydney, Chef Reynold is no stranger to pushing culinary boundaries. A self-taught prodigy who rose to fame as a finalist on MasterChef Australia, he quickly became known as the nation’s “Dessert King” for his intricate, art-driven creations. In 2016, he co-founded KOI Dessert Bar with his family, which has since become one of Sydney’s most iconic culinary destinations with a cult following. The brand expanded in 2017 with KOI Dessert Kitchen, a production space that also hosts exclusive masterclasses and guest chef collaborations. Reynold’s approach to food is anything but ordinary—his plates are immersive, imaginative, and unapologetically bold. This August, he brings that same creative fire to W Maldives.
The main event unfolds on August 12, when guests will have the rare opportunity to experience Chef Reynold’s culinary artistry firsthand at FISH, the resort’s signature overwater venue renowned for its sustainable ocean-to-table fine dining. For one night only, Chef Reynold will present a specially curated three-course dinner inspired by island ingredients, global technique, and his unmistakable visual flair. Guests can expect bold plating, layered flavors, and a few unexpected turns—this is Reynold unleashed, Maldives-style.
As part of this exclusive collaboration, W Maldives presents Marriott Bonvoy Moments–a once-in-a-lifetime experience for members to bid on a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold, paired with a luxurious four-night villa stay in a Premier Overwater One-Bedroom Villa from August 9 to 13, 2025. The package includes roundtrip shared seaplane transfers from Velana International Airport, daily breakfast, and a one-time signature treatment at AWAY Spa for the bid winner and their guest.
The highlight of the stay begins on August 10, with an intimate starlit dinner on Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ private castaway island, where Chef Reynold will personally host and curate a bespoke tasting menu. On August 12, the duo will receive front-row seats to his culinary showcase at FISH. With only one package available, anticipation is high and competition will be fierce.
To mark the collaboration, Chef Reynold will also unveil an exclusive signature dessert, created just for W Maldives and available on the menu for six months following his visit. Daring, decadent, and destined to be the most photographed dish on the island, it is a lasting tribute to this unforgettable partnership.
“There’s something electric about the Maldives—its textures, its moods, its light,” said Chef Reynold Poernomo. “This menu is my response to that. A dreamscape of flavor brought to life through technique, imagination, and a little island heat.”
Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, added, “At W Maldives, we’re all about pushing boundaries—on the plate, behind the bar, and in the guest experience. Reynold brings a daring, creative energy that aligns perfectly with our vision. This isn’t just a dinner; it’s a story told in flavor.”
This collaboration is part of Flavors Unscripted, W Maldives’ platform for culinary expression where global tastemakers meet untamed island creativity and nothing is ever scripted. It is food without rules. Flavor without borders.
Tucked away in the heart of the North Ari Atoll and a 25-minute scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, W Maldives is a bold luxury escape featuring 77 private villas—each with a plunge pool and unobstructed access to the Indian Ocean. Following a recent design refresh, the resort seamlessly blends contemporary luxury with the island’s raw natural beauty.
Members can now bid for a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold Poernomo and a four-night stay at W Maldives until July 21, 2025 through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
Guests looking to stir things up in paradise can book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or contact reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Awards
JOALI Maldives ranked Asia’s best and No. 7 in world’s top 100

JOALI Maldives has been named the #1 Resort in Asia and #7 Resort in the World in the prestigious Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025, reaffirming its place as one of the leading luxury destinations globally and the hallmark of excellence of the Maldives.
Each year, Travel + Leisure readers rate the world’s most exceptional hotels based on rooms and facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. JOALI Maldives’ consistently high ratings reflect an enduring commitment to thoughtful luxury and heartfelt guest experiences.
With an outstanding score of 99.46 this year, the resort stands among the highest-rated properties in the world in this year’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. Guests praised every element of the experience, from the design of the villas to the warmth of the service, with one reader declaring Saoke, the resort’s signature Japanese restaurant, as “the best food in the world.” This level of acclaim reflects not only exceptional facilities, but also the resort’s unwavering commitment to curating personalised, soulful journeys for every guest.
This award adds to an ever-growing list of honours for the resort. JOALI Maldives has proudly upheld Forbes Five-Star status consecutively, has been celebrated in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards most recently as the #1 Resort in the Indian Ocean, and continues to earn praise in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards and previous editions of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best.
“We are truly humbled by this recognition from Travel + Leisure readers,” says Shifaz Hassan, General Manager of JOALI Maldives. “It’s especially meaningful because it comes from our guests — many of whom return year after year, sharing heartfelt feedback about our island. Our team works with quiet dedication to anticipate needs, honour privacy, and create moments of true joy. The recognition reflects the connections we have built with our guests, and I am immensely proud of this achievement”
A beacon of creativity and conscious living in the Maldives, JOALI continues to elevate luxury hospitality by meaningfulness, beauty, and soul.
Awards
Villa Park, Villa Nautica crowned among world’s top 100 hotels

Villa Resorts has been recognised in the TopHotels “Top 100 Hotels of the Year 2024” list, with two of its properties, Villa Park and Villa Nautica, featured among the highest-rated hotels based on guest reviews from Russia and the CIS.
TopHotels is one of the most widely used hotel review platforms among Russian-speaking travellers, and its annual ranking reflects feedback from thousands of verified guests. Earning a place in this list highlights the strong appeal of Villa Resorts’ offerings in these markets and the high level of satisfaction experienced by guests throughout the year.
Villa Park, located in South Ari Atoll, is well known for its lush landscapes, vibrant marine life, and wide range of activities suited for families, couples, and nature enthusiasts. Villa Nautica, situated near Malé, offers a more energetic island setting with beachfront villas, lively experiences, and a relaxed yet refined atmosphere.
While each resort offers something unique, both share the brand’s signature focus on heartfelt service, comfortable luxury, and a strong sense of place inspired by the Maldives.
This recognition reflects Villa Resorts’ longstanding relationship with guests from Russia and the CIS. The brand has continually invested in understanding the needs of these travellers, offering multilingual support and culturally considerate service across its properties.
With roots in the Maldives since the early 1980s, Villa Resorts remains one of the country’s most established hospitality brands. This recent acknowledgment from TopHotels reinforces its position as a trusted choice for international travellers seeking authentic island experiences grounded in comfort, care, and connection.
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