Business
Soneva Jani introduces private residences for sale
Soneva has introduced extraordinary beachfront private residences for sale at their newest resort, Soneva Jani in one of the world’s most breathtaking locations, the Maldives.
The new luxurious villas, which have mesmerising views over a white-sand beach and turquoise lagoon, come with five star services and playful waterslides. Daily sunshine is a given.
The first four-bedroom beachfront residence has been completed. The proud owners are a British family, who have been regular visitors to Soneva’s sister resort in the Maldives Soneva Fushi, and now want to spend more time in the island paradise.
There will be only a limited number of villas built on the island of Medhufaru, which is part of an uninhabited five-island cluster in the Noonu Atoll. The island stretches around five kilometres, making Soneva Jani one of the lowest density resorts in the world, ensuring privacy and exclusivity for its owners.
The luxury beachfront residences, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms, have direct access to the powder white sand beach and westerly facing views over the crystal-clear lagoon. Spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining areas look out over a private pool to the beach beyond, and owners can choose to have a waterslide to give them direct access from the living areas on the first floor direct to the pool below. The homes can include an open-air bathroom, fitness room, sauna and wine cellar among other luxuries. As each residence is bespoke to the owner, there are many different options to choose from.
Owners will also have the benefit of the five star services of the resort such as their ‘Mr and Mrs Friday’ butler service, housekeeping, room service and access to the resort’s facilities. These include a spa, a dive centre, an observatory, a children’s den, organic gardens and an outdoor cinema. The resort serves global cuisine at five dining outlets, and complimentary cheese, chocolate, ice-cream and charcuterie rooms.
Constructed using time-tested indigenous techniques, the residences are made from sustainable materials that are sourced and adapted to preserve the integrity of the environment and the local communities that surround them.
Commenting on the appeal of purchasing property in the region, Marco Bonini, Sales Director for Soneva Residences says: “The amazing lifestyle that can be enjoyed in the Maldives is a key reason why people invest here. Our owners can, however, also benefit from good rental returns, typically around four-five percent, after all costs.”
“As Soneva is a globally recognised, brand we have a very good all year-round occupancy. We do not rely solely on one region for guests. We have European, Scandinavian, Middle Eastern, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and American nationalities staying, which drives rental returns for the owners of our residences.”
With cooling tropical breezes and average temperatures of around 28°C during the day and 23°C at night, the Maldives offers an ideal climate in which to own a home.
The country also has a stable and transparent legal system, and a rate of annual capital growth that has averaged 7.5 percent over the last 15 years.
There are regular direct flights to the Maldives (Velana International Airport) from the UK with British Airways flying several times per week with a flight time of 10 hours. There is also a choice of indirect routes with other airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and SriLankan Airlines. The resort is then only 35 minutes by seaplane from the main Velana airport or a 12-minute speedboat ride for guests on domestic flights landing at the nearby Dharavandhoo Airport.
Prices start at US$3 million. Larger bespoke family villas, such as six and seven bedroom properties, can be built on request.
Business
BBM renews as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards under multi-year agreement
Hotelier Maldives has announced Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as the Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 under a multi-year agreement, reaffirming one of the longest-standing partnerships behind the publication’s flagship hospitality recognition platform.
The 2026 edition marks the third consecutive year that BBM has served as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards, having supported the event in the same capacity since its launch in 2024. BBM has also backed Hotelier Maldives’ second flagship event, GM Forum, every year since 2023, with 2026 set to mark its fourth year as a Silver Partner of the forum.
The continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to recognising the people behind the Maldives’ tourism industry while supporting platforms that encourage industry dialogue, leadership and professional development.
Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 entered its public voting phase on 15 March 2026, with voting set to remain open for one month. Winners will be announced at the gala ceremony on 26 April 2026 at NIVA Kurumba Maldives.
Commenting on the partnership, Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, said: “BBM has been a valued partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards since the very beginning, and we are pleased to formalise this continued support through a multi-year agreement. Their decision to return as Title Partner for a third consecutive year reflects not only the strength of our relationship, but also a shared belief in the importance of recognising the people who drive excellence across the Maldives’ hospitality industry.
“BBM has also consistently supported GM Forum over the years, making them one of the most committed partners across our event platforms. We are proud to continue working together as we strengthen both Hotelier Maldives Awards and GM Forum as annual fixtures for the industry.”
AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of BBM, said: “At BBM, we have always believed that a strong hospitality industry is built by strong people, and Hotelier Maldives Awards provides an important national platform to recognise the professionals whose work often takes place behind the scenes. We are pleased to continue as Title Partner of the awards under this multi-year agreement, while also extending our support to GM Forum for a fourth consecutive year.
“As a company that has grown alongside the Maldives’ hospitality sector, we value opportunities that celebrate talent, encourage professional pride and contribute to the long-term development of the industry. Our continued partnership with Hotelier Maldives reflects that commitment.”
Bestbuy Maldives is one of the country’s leading importers and distributors, serving the hospitality, HORECA and retail sectors with a broad portfolio of international brands. The company positions itself as a partner to the Maldivian hospitality industry, supplying products from around the world across key business verticals including resorts, foodservice and retail.
Hotelier Maldives Awards continues to recognise the contributions of resort-based hospitality professionals across the Maldives, highlighting both individual excellence and team performance. The awards programme remains the country’s only dedicated recognition platform focused on professionals working in resort operations. The current public voting round allows industry stakeholders, colleagues, guests and the wider public to take part in selecting this year’s winners.
The growing list of confirmed partners for Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 includes Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as Title Partner, Dhiraagu as Platinum Partner, Storm Events as Organising Partner, NIVA, Kurumba Maldives as Host Partner, Souvenir Marine as Transport Partner, ALIA as Associate Sponsor, and Lightsout Studios as Associate Partner. More partners and sponsors will be announced soon.
Business
Feydhoo Hall opens at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives as new event space
Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the opening of Feydhoo Hall, a landmark event venue at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, redefining the possibilities for meetings, celebrations, and destination events in the Maldives.
Designed to bring scale, flexibility, and creativity to island gatherings, Feydhoo Hall represents a bold step forward in positioning the Maldives as a dynamic destination for conferences, weddings, and large-scale social occasions.
Feydhoo Hall offers a versatile event complex designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and social celebrations.

At its core is the 390 sqm Main Hall, capable of hosting:
- Up to 300 guests in theatre-style setup
- Up to 240 guests for dining and banquet-style events
- Up to 200 guests for cocktail-style receptions
- Up to 144 guests in cluster-round configuration
Enhancing the flexibility of the venue are additional dedicated spaces, including:
- A 110 sqm Veranda Terrace, ideal for welcome receptions, breakout sessions, and pre-event gatherings, accommodating up to 100 guests for cocktail-style events.
- A spacious 1,000 sqm Lawn Space, perfect for large-scale outdoor celebrations, destination weddings, and open-air events, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions and up to 350 guests for dining setups.
- The 55 sqm Ekugai Meeting Room, designed for smaller meetings and executive sessions, accommodating up to 30 guests in theatre or dining setup and 24 guests in cluster-round format.
Together, these integrated spaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor event experience, allowing planners to design dynamic and personalised event journeys.
True to the dusitD2 brand’s lifestyle-driven philosophy, Feydhoo Hall introduces a fresh approach to meetings and events — where productivity meets creativity in an inspiring island setting.
The venue offers flexible meeting formats designed to suit different event needs, including:
- Half-Day Meeting Package (4 hours) — ideal for focused sessions, executive meetings, and creative workshops.
- Full-Day Meeting Package (8 hours) — designed for immersive conferences, extended workshops, and large-scale corporate gatherings.
These thoughtfully structured packages provide planners with the flexibility to create impactful and seamless experiences, whether hosting intimate strategy sessions or dynamic full-day events.

Located just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives combines accessibility with vibrant lifestyle energy, offering event planners and guests a rare balance between convenience and tropical escape.
With the introduction of Feydhoo Hall, the resort strengthens its position as a versatile destination — not only for leisure travellers but also for international conferences, creative retreats, luxury weddings, and large-scale social celebrations seeking something refreshingly different in the Maldives.
Business
BBM expands retail presence with new Hulhumalé outlet
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) opened a new wholesale store in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on Monday.
The outlet is located on the ground floor of Lot 20286, Nirolhu Magu, and is intended to improve access to BBM’s imported goods for residents of Hulhumalé Phase 2 and for businesses operating in the area.
According to the company, the opening forms part of its plan to expand services closer to customers in line with population growth in Hulhumalé.
With the opening of the new store, BBM’s full range of imported and distributed products will be available at the Hulhumalé Phase 2 location. These include consumer goods from international brands such as Lifebuoy, Vaseline and Unilever.
The store will also stock wholesale food products from brands including Daily, Cavin’s and Redman.
BBM has supplied goods to resorts, hotels and retail outlets across the Maldives for several years.
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