News
Coco Collection adds Sankhara Villas to its portfolio of luxury resorts
Maldives Promotion House – Coco Collection has announced the addition of Sankhara Villas in Mauritius to its portfolio of luxury resorts. Sankhara Villas by Coco Collection will join the prestigious portfolio from 01 April 2013 and is the group’s first venture outside of the Maldives.
Situated in the picturesque village of Poste-la-Fayette on the East coast of Mauritius, Sankhara Villas by Coco Collection offers discerning travellers an authentic haven of tranquility in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.
Nestled on almost an acre of lush private gardens the beachfront property comprises of two luxurious villas, Villa Tiara and Villa Almira. Both feature eclectic Balinese architecture and luxe living, with each offering unique interior design aspects drawn from different regional references.
Villa Tiara features 550m² of well-appointed living space, with interiors paying homage to the rich heritage of Indonesia. Spacious and light, the villa’s five bedrooms can accommodate up to 14 guests and each bedroom comes complete with an en-suite bathroom and dressing room. Villa Tiara also boasts its own private hammam for the enjoyment of its guests. The villa also offers two fully equipped kitchens and three dining areas, one interior and two exterior, and boasts an integrated surround sound entertainment system and a quiet office space.
Villa Almira features 430m² of living space incorporating contemporary Moroccan design. Its teak wooden roof, balustrades, pillars and floors blend harmoniously with the multi-colored basalt stones sourced from ancient sugar factories. The colourful villa comprises of three large en-suite double bedrooms which can be configured to accommodate a total of nine guests, a large dining and sitting room, a second lounge and TV room, a kitchen and two dining areas – one interior and one exterior.
Both villas feature a heated swimming pool with al-fresco rain showers. Each villa also has its own private beachfront garden complete with a spectacular veranda that promises uninterrupted views over the untamed beauty of the lagoon and beyond.
As part of the Sankhara Villas by Coco Collection experience, guests benefit from a dedicated kitchen team lead by Chef Arlando. As an awarding-winning chef, Arlando has developed his own signature cuisine that combines style with delectable gastronomy. His culinary repertoire, which includes à-la-carte and tailor-made dishes, spans French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Arabic, Mauritian and vegetarian cuisine ensuring all guests tastes can be catered for.
A team of efficient lifestyle hosts are on hand to ensure that guests’ needs and desires are met throughout their stay, and also benefit from an array of à-la-carte services and leisure facilities. Activities available include aqua-gym, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, star-gazing, live classical and jazz music, complimentary pedalos & kayaks, boat excursions, deep-sea fishing and dolphin watching. Additionally, the resort is in close proximity to no fewer than five world-class golf courses.
JEN Maldives Malé has introduced the Shangri-La Circle (SLC) loyalty programme, offering dining benefits for guests from 1 April to 31 December 2026.
The programme provides free and instant membership, allowing guests to access discounts and earn reward points on dining experiences at the property. Members receive a 15 per cent discount on their first dining purchase upon joining, along with ongoing 15 per cent savings on food and beverage.
Guests can enrol in the programme through the Shangri-La Circle mobile application. Membership benefits include reward points on eligible spending, which can be redeemed for future dining and hotel experiences.
The offer applies to regular dining experiences and excludes tobacco, special theme buffet nights, and other ongoing promotions.
JEN Maldives Malé stated that the programme is designed to provide value to guests while enhancing dining experiences at the hotel. The initiative also reflects Shangri-La’s focus on strengthening guest engagement through loyalty-based offerings.
Members are required to present their digital membership card at the time of billing to access the benefits.
The hotel is promoting the programme through its social media channels, in-house displays, and digital platforms. Guests can download the Shangri-La Circle application or sign up at the hotel to begin using the programme.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
-
Cooking7 days agoSun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch
-
Action1 week agoMichael Owen leads Easter football camp at Avani+ Fares Maldives
-
Cooking7 days agoKuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
-
Action1 week agoRadisson Blu Maldives image shortlisted for Monaco environmental award
-
News1 week agoThe Standard Maldives targets Chinese market with new all-inclusive programme
-
Business1 week agoCoca-Cola Maldives launches World Cup-themed promotion
-
News1 week agoMilaidhoo Maldives welcomes visiting Thai healer for spa residency
-
News1 week agoBeneath and beyond the reef, Machchafushi Island tells a story of nature