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Seaside Finolhu appoints Edyta Peszko as sales, marketing director
Seaside Finolhu, the newest addition to the German company Seaside Collection, has appointed Edyta Peszko as its Director of Sales and Marketing.
She will be responsible for leading and further improving all aspects of commercial, marketing and brand positioning of Seaside Finolhu.
Edyta joins Seaside Finolhu from Minor Hotels, where she held the position of Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing at Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Private Island Maldives. Prior to relocating to Maldives, Edyta held senior managerial positions in sales and marketing departments of Diethelm Travel Group, AccorHotels and Hotelbeds whilst being based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Originally from Poland, Edyta has been working in Asia for 18 years, and brings extensive experience in the international hospitality and travel sectors. Her passion and strength in driving sales, generating business leads, as well as developing and managing client relationships has been recognised by Corporate Maldives, landing her a spot in the Top 20 Most Influential Sales and Marketing Personalities in the Maldives last year.
“It is great to welcome Edyta to the growing Finolhu Family. Whilst she will oversee and direct all aspects of sales and marketing activities in the property, from planning to implementation, she will also be working closely with me in taking Seaside Finolhu to a global level,” Marc Reader, the General Manager at Seaside Finolhu, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Edyta possesses great leadership skills, strong dedication for excellence, and talent for developing teams to maximise their full potentials. Outside work, she enjoys yoga, travelling and trying new vegetarian restaurants.
Luxury hotel chain, Seaside Hotels, which now operates as Seaside Collection, has successfully acquired Finolhu, a luxury island resort in Baa atoll of the Maldives. Modern and fun, Finolhu is the hotel chain’s 11th boutique property and its first in the Maldives.
German sibling hoteliers, Gregor and Anouchka Gerlach, purchased the resort early this year after an extensive search for a winter-sun resort that would appeal to the European market.
Gregor Gerlach commented: “Whilst the long stretches of beach, crystal clear waters and the abundance of marine life were almost enough to seal to the deal, it was also important that the resort aligned with the Seaside Collections’ brand values. Environmental protection is an important theme at the Seaside Collection and is something we have won awards for. Finolhu is largely self-sufficient and works closely with marine biologists and environmental experts, so it was a good fit for us.”
Finolhu, meaning sandbank, is considered one of the finest resorts in Baa atoll, a biosphere reserve protected by UNESCO. An environmental study for each hotel on the Baa atoll determines what can be built and how things need to be maintained. In addition to working closely with the Parley for Oceans organisation, an in-house marine biologist takes care of the responsible interaction of guests and the environment. To avoid plastic pollution, Finolhu has created its own facility for bottling drinking water, stopped the use of plastic straws and discouraged guests from bringing plastic bottles to the resort.
“Another key focus for the Seaside Collection is gastronomy. We pride ourselves on providing high quality dining experiences for our guests and look forward to putting the Seaside gastronomy stamp on Finolhu,” Gerlach said.
Finolhu’s partner hotel will be the award-winning Seaside Hotel, Grand Hotel Residencia. The grand luxury five-star hotel is located in Gran Canaria and belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World.
The hotel’s Michelin-starred chef, Wolfgang Grobauer, has been working closely with the chefs at Finolhu to optimise the menus across all four restaurants. In addition, after recognising that the Fish & Crab Shack restaurant at Finolhu is a favourite amongst guests, opening hours are now extended for sunset cocktails and snacks.
Coco Bodu Hithi, a renowned boutique resort in the Maldives celebrated for its Maldivian-inspired elegance, has received recognition at the 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence.
This prestigious accolade honours outstanding quality across recommended properties worldwide and serves as a trusted benchmark for travellers and industry professionals alike. Coco Bodu Hithi was awarded the title of ‘Best Service’ by Condé Nast Johansens for its exceptional hospitality, which seamlessly blends serene surroundings with meticulous, personalised service.
Additionally, the resort was recently recognised in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the top resorts in the Indian Ocean, cementing its position as a leader in luxury travel. Offering a thoughtfully curated guest experience, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to set itself apart within the industry.
The resort also excels in culinary innovation, boasting four exceptional restaurants. Renowned Michelin-starred chefs frequently collaborate with Group Culinary Director and Michelin-starred chef Martin Cahill to craft exquisite dining experiences, reflecting Coco Bodu Hithi’s unwavering commitment to service excellence and world-class gastronomy.
Oaga Art Resort has transformed its Sobi Bar into a Mixology Garden, showcasing a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Beverage Artist and Netflix’s ‘Drink Masters’ finalist, Tao Zrafi.
Far from the typical poolside bar, the revamped Sobi Bar offers a unique experience where artistic cocktails take centre stage. Standard drinks are replaced with Tao Zrafi’s creations, which expertly blend local Maldivian flavours with surprising twists, providing a sensory journey for visitors.
Each cocktail at Sobi Bar is a testament to Tao Zrafi’s creativity. His exclusive menu combines stunning visual presentation with complex, delightful flavours, elevating the drink experience into an art form.
The Mixology Garden caters to diverse tastes. In addition to Tao Zrafi’s signature creations, Sobi Bar offers a curated selection of international gins and artisanal beers, ensuring every guest finds the perfect beverage to suit their preferences.
To commemorate the launch of the Mixology Garden, Oaga Art Resort is hosting several special events:
- Cocktail Masterclasses (November 29 and December 6): Guests can learn from Tao Zrafi himself, discovering the secrets behind his innovative cocktails.
- The Grand Unveiling (December 5): This evening celebration features Tao’s signature cocktails, a buffet, live music, interactive mural painting, and spectacular fire shows. Guests can enjoy a sunset soiree combining art, music, and unforgettable flavours.
Sneak peeks of Tao Zrafi’s creations are available on Oaga Art Resort’s social media platforms, offering a teaser of the enchanting cocktails awaiting guests at Sobi Bar.
Whether seeking relaxation, artistic inspiration, or an elevated cocktail experience, the Mixology Garden at Sobi Bar promises something extraordinary. With its blend of stunning flavors, unique atmosphere, and unforgettable events, Oaga Art Resort ensures every visitor leaves with cherished memories of paradise.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, a luxury destination located in the pristine Haa Alifu Atoll of the Maldives, has announced its exclusive partnership with Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, for all seaplane and domestic flight transfers. Starting from November 1st, 2024, this collaboration aims to provide guests with unparalleled convenience and seamless travel to the resort, ensuring daily service, with additional transfers available depending on the season.
The resort is known for its spacious villas, exceptional privacy, a wide array of experiences, world-class amenities, and personalised service, all set in a lush, natural island paradise. With Maldivian as its exclusive seaplane transfer partner, guests can enjoy a direct, swift, and scenic journey from Velana International Airport to the resort’s doorstep.
Ahmed Hafeez, Managing Director of Lily Hotels, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Maldivian to elevate our guests’ arrival and departure experience. This collaboration ensures a smooth and luxurious transition, allowing guests to begin their unforgettable holiday the moment they step off the plane.”
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, guests are welcomed by the resort’s dedicated airport representatives, who escort them to the exclusive Lily Hotels Lounge at the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal. Here, they can relax and enjoy panoramic views, complimentary refreshments, and Wi-Fi while awaiting their transfer.
In addition to seaplane transfers, Maldivian will also manage domestic flight transfers for guests who prefer this alternative. This comprehensive approach highlights Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s commitment to providing flexible and convenient travel solutions.
The partnership with Maldivian also positions the resort for future growth, particularly with the upcoming upgrade of Hanimaadhoo International Airport. This development is expected to enhance accessibility and offer more travel options for the resort’s clientele. The collaboration is anticipated to generate increased interest in the less-explored northern Maldives, an area known for its untouched natural beauty and more tranquil, underwater experiences.
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