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Starwood Preferred Guest members choose W Maldives and Sheraton Maldives as one of their favorites in 2013

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Starwood Properties

Maldives Promotion House – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) program today announced the winners of the 2013 Member Favorite Resorts list. Selected by members worldwide, SPG’s third annual survey identifies their favorite Starwood worldwide resorts across nine categories. Seventy one unique destinations from the Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai to the W Singapore-Sentosa Cove made the list with 11 resorts appearing on the list for the first time ever.

W Retreat & Spa – Maldives earned the most votes and appeared in five categories, the most of any resort which included Most Romantic Retreat, Best Island Paradise, Best Exotic Escape, Best Small Wonder and Best Spa Indulgence. Sheraton Maldives made it in three categories which included Most Romantic Retreat, Best Island Paradise and Best Beach Resort.

“The SPG Member Favorites List represents some of the most luxurious destinations worldwide. We are delighted that Sheraton Maldives and W Maldives have been selected by our members and are deeply honored to be recognized with this distinction in so many categories.” said Peter Foreman, Director of Sales & Marketing for Sheraton Maldives and W Maldives.

W Retreat

The annual list recognizes the most loved luxury resorts chosen from more than 200 properties as part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio of more than 1,100 destinations globally including The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, W Hotels, Westin, Le Méridien and Sheraton resorts. Members vote on the resorts they adore most from the Maldives, to Costa Rica, Hawaii, Phuket and beyond each year to curate a list of must-see destinations of – Best Beach Resorts, Most Romantic Retreats, Best Exotic Escapes, Best Family Experiences, Best Golf Getaways, Best Island Paradise, Best Spa Indulgences, Best Winter Adventures and Best Small Wonders.

“The list allows our well-traveled members to identify their most beloved resorts around the world,” said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President of Starwood Preferred Guest. “Being recognized by our members as a part of this distinguished list is a true honor for our resorts.”

Among the highlights for the 2013 SPG Member Favorites list:

  • In its very first year, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami Beach has enamored our members so much it found its place in two categories – Best Beach Resorts and Best Spa Indulgences.
  • The W Retreat & Spa – Maldives earned the most votes and an appearance in five categories, the most of any resort.
  • The W Retreat Koh Samui, Thailand and The St. Regis Princeville Resort, Kauai followed with placement in four unique categories.

The full 2013 SPG Member Favorite Resorts list can be found at SPG.com/memberfavorites and for more information about Sheraton Maldives and W Maldives, visit starwoodhotels.com/maldives

Awards

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI celebrates retention of MICHELIN Key

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In the rarefied realm of the MICHELIN Key, with nearly 500 bestowed worldwide across a multitude of extraordinary properties, true distinction is found not in abundance, but in scarcity. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI is counted among just 15 resorts in the Maldives to receive this coveted honour, a distinction that speaks volumes about its unwavering commitment to excellence.

While international hospitality superpowers have long staked their claim on the Maldives, there remains room for something more intimate, a vision both all-encompassing and uncompromising. THE OZEN COLLECTION, an exclusive luxury brand within the island nation, has nurtured a flagship that stands shoulder to shoulder with the most recognisable names in the region. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI commands its own private island and lagoon in the South Malé Atoll, where a curated collection of suites, villas, pavilions, and RESERVES redefines the art of refined Maldivian living.

The MICHELIN Key serves as a powerful endorsement of the brand’s philosophy of refined elegance, one where every aspect of the guest journey is meticulously curated, from the moment of arrival to the final farewell. At its heart lies the signature RESERVE™ Plan, a comprehensive paradigm of all-encompassing indulgence that ensures a seamless continuum of bespoke experiences: unlimited gourmet dining across multiple specialty restaurants, a curated selection of premium international beverages, and the dedicated service of a private Hiyani butler who anticipates every desire with discreet precision.

Beyond the table and the villa, the resort offers dedicated sanctuaries for wellbeing and connoisseurship. The award-winning ELE|NA Elements of Nature Spa invites guests into transformative wellness journeys. Meanwhile, the exclusive CUVEÉ wine library, housing over 300 prestigious labels, offers a sophisticated enclave for curated tastings, where rare vintages and expert guidance converge.

Speaking on the recognition, Abnash Kumar, General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, remarked: “To retain the MICHELIN Key is a profound honour. It is not simply an award, it reflects the passion and dedication that our team brings to every guest, daily. It speaks to our commitment to creating experiences that go beyond expectation, where every detail matters, every moment is meaningful, and every guest feels genuinely seen. This recognition belongs to them, and to the guests who inspire us to keep raising the bar.”

Each element of the island converges to create something rare: a holiday that feels both boundless and intimately yours. As OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI looks ahead, it does so with quiet confidence, continuing to redefine what it means to experience the Maldives at its most extraordinary.

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Hideaway Beach Resort combines running and wellness for World Wellness Weekend

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Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa successfully concluded the second edition of the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026 on Friday September the 18th as part of World Wellness Weekend, bringing together running, wellness and the spectacular natural surroundings of the beautiful all-natural Island of Dhonakulhi.

The event welcomed 68 runners, with esteemed athletes Sunny Schippers leading the 10K race and Clara Abbona leading the 5K race, inspiring participants through three scenic island runs (including a relaxing shake out run) surrounded by the turquoise waters and lush tropical landscape of Hideaway.

Held in line with World Wellness Weekend, the programme extended beyond running to embrace a more holistic approach to wellbeing. Participants enjoyed a series of wellness experiences, including sound healing with Naga Healing, Yoga with in-house instructor Shubham, alongside fitness sessions led by Shaffa – Fitness Expert from TfG, and Ask a PT and Physio sessions with Yoosuf as the Personal Trainer Consultant.

The second edition celebrated movement in all its forms, combining physical activity with recovery, mindfulness, and connection with nature. From the energy of the starting line to restorative wellness experiences, the event brought guests and participants together through a shared appreciation for healthier living.

Following another successful edition, the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run continues to build its identity as a unique resort island running and wellness experience, bringing together sport, community and the beauty of the Maldives at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.

The initiative is endorsed by Visit Maldives and delivered in partnership with TFG as race partner, with race consultation, registration, timing, and bib services powered by TFG Races. Maldivian joins as transport partner, Coral Glass as content partner, and Sporting Vacanze as agent partner. This partnership reflects continued collaboration between tourism, aviation, media, sports, and lifestyle stakeholders in supporting wellness tourism in the Maldives.

Participants received a race timing bib powered by TfG Races, a partner goodie bag compiled of little treats by the partners, and the official Flora & Fauna Greenery Run T-shirt. Trophies were awarded to the top three male and female finishers in both the 5K and 10K categories. And the esteemed 1st place winners all received a scaled Maldivian Flight model kit by Maldivian Airways.

“Following the success of the historic inaugural edition in 2025, we are delighted to run the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run in 2026,” said Mohamed Muzaffar Ahmed, Business Development Manager of Lily Hotels. “With the continued endorsement of Visit Maldives and the support of our partners, this event reflects the growing opportunity to position the Maldives as a destination for luxury wellness, sports, and active travel. Our ambition is to develop the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run into one of the country’s and inevitably the world’s leading luxury destination running events, offering participants an experience that is truly unique to the Maldives. I am proud of the fact that we are the first luxury running event focused on the sporting tourism niche which has trophies, timing, and medals making Lily Hotels yet another pioneer in experiences in the tourism sector.”

Maldives Hideaway Resort Run – The 2nd Edition might be over, but its revelry carries on with celebrating the runners on social media. In addition to that the resort is looking to clear the remaining stock of the runner’s kit which consists of a goodie bag, t-shirt, and medal via any resort guest running at least a 5k in the official mhrr2026 route at the resort during this year. More details will be available on their social media.

As an intended annual event after celebrating sunrise in the original run in 2025 and flora and fauna in this year, the resort aims to launch its theme for Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2027 – Visit Maldives Year Edition in February next year so stay tuned for any teasers about what they have got in store for the next edition of this spectacular destination running event with amazing views to be experienced by being there and experiencing running in a destination like no other.

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Awards

The Nautilus Maldives earns Two MICHELIN Keys in first year of inclusion

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The Nautilus Maldives has announced its debut in The MICHELIN Guide’s global hotel selection with Two MICHELIN Keys, earning Two MICHELIN Keys in its first year of inclusion.

This remarkable achievement places The Nautilus among the world’s most exceptional hotels and represents a defining milestone for the independently spirited Maldivian hideaway. Described by The MICHELIN Guide as representing “an exceptional stay,” Two MICHELIN Keys recognise hotels that are truly unique, memorable and distinguished by their character, sense of place and consistently outstanding hospitality.

For The Nautilus, entering the MICHELIN Key selection with Two Keys is a powerful affirmation of the philosophy that has shaped the island since its inception: that true luxury is not defined by convention, but by liberation.

Set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, The Nautilus is an intimate collection of just 26 immensely private beach and ocean Houses and Residences. Conceived as a world of one’s own making, it offers the exclusivity of a private-island experience without requiring an island buyout. Here, every guest is invited to live entirely according to their own rhythm. There are no fixed check-in or check-out times, no prescribed schedules and no expectations of where—or when—anything should happen. Breakfast may be enjoyed at sunset, dinner can unfold on a deserted sandbank, and deeply personal experiences are created in the moment rather than selected from a predefined itinerary.

“To receive Two MICHELIN Keys in our first year of inclusion is an extraordinary honour for The Nautilus. It affirms the vision on which our island was founded: that true luxury is deeply personal and that the greatest privilege we can offer our guests is the freedom to live entirely on their own terms. This distinction is a reflection of our team who bring that vision to life each day. It is their genuine warmth, intuition and unwavering care that transform our philosophy of unscripted hospitality into something guests can truly feel. We are immensely proud of this milestone, and we will continue creating a world where time stands still, nothing is fixed and every guest is free to simply be,” said Philippe Cavory, General Manager, The Nautilus Maldives.

The MICHELIN Key distinction recognises hotels according to five universal criteria: excellence in architecture and interior design; quality and consistency of service; overall personality and character; value in relation to the experience; and a meaningful contribution to their setting.

At The Nautilus, these qualities take shape through an experience built around absolute freedom. Its spacious, bohemian-inspired Houses and Residences are conceived as personal sanctuaries, each with a separate living room, private pool and uninterrupted connection to the ocean. Dining is completely unscripted, allowing guests to enjoy what they wish, wherever and whenever they choose. Wellness journeys are shaped around individual needs, while encounters with Baa Atoll’s extraordinary marine environment foster a deeper appreciation of the natural world surrounding the island. More than a recognition of exceptional accommodation, the award celebrates a distinctive vision of hospitality, one that replaces formality with warmth, schedules with spontaneity and traditional service with something more instinctive, personal and human.

With Two MICHELIN Keys, The Nautilus joins a distinguished collection of hotels recognised by The MICHELIN Guide for delivering exceptional stays. Yet the spirit of the island remains beautifully unchanged: a private world where nothing is fixed, anything is possible and every moment belongs entirely to the guest.

To book, contact The Nautilus at hello@thenautilusmaldives.com or visit the resort’s website.

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