Featured
Minor Hotels sets April 1 as launch date of first Avani branded property in Maldives

Poised to bring laid back luxury to the shores of the Baa Atoll, Minor Hotels’ Avani brand will make its Maldives debut with the opening of Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort on 1st April 2023. Set on the natural tropical island of Fares at the western edge of this renowned heart-shaped atoll, the 176-key resort will be Minor’s sixth property in the country, strengthening the company’s position as a key player in the Indian Ocean destination.
Answering global demand for competitively priced escapes without compromise, the new upscale resort will launch with a series of enticing opening offers set to shake up the Baa Atoll’s hospitality landscape. From Avani Beach Studios from USD 650 per night, to Four Bedroom Beach Pavilions from USD 2,800 per night, vibrant couples, honeymooners, families and groups of friends can reconnect and make paradise their own.
Reachable within 35 minutes of Velana International Airport, the new-build resort will unlock paradise with multiple accommodation options, from beach pool villas and four-bedroom beach pavilions, to expansive three-bedroom over water villas that fan out across the island’s turquoise bay. Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort has been designed to welcome group getaways and memorable multigenerational family stays with two, three and four bedroom beach pavilions, and two and three bedroom over water villas. Through their multi-facted design, they strike a balance between privacy and connectivity, offering spaces for both relaxing and entertaining. Indoor- outdoor living can be enjoyed with tribal themed rooms that lead onto private swimming pools and sun decks, with the island’s pristine white sands and glistening shores just steps away. Breezy palm lined pathways will lead guests to a selection of unique bars and restaurants, a water sports centre, an AvaniFit gym and a contemporary AvaniSpa. The AvaniKids and Teens Club will be a hive of activity with daily programming and adventures in the great outdoors.

Fares is one of just 61 islands that enjoys the marine protected waters of Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort is in close proximity to two of its most famed landmarks; Hanifaru Bay where guests can spot whale sharks and snorkel with manta rays, and a beautiful chain of ring shaped islands known as the five islands landmark. With twelve individual dive sites off the beach, a 220-metre house reef teeming with marine life including turtles and dolphins, and the nearby Fares reef which is 600 metres off the shore, the resort offers guests all the bounties of the biosphere’s enchanting underwater world.
Avani+ Fares will offer seven restaurants, in addition to private beach and in-villa dining. Guests will be treated to Maldivian and international cuisine at main restaurant Ocean Terrace and poolside bar, Skipjack, as well as delights from the grill at Charcoal. In the lobby, Hammock will supply grab-and-go snacks and kombuchas, whilst Tribe and Smuggler’s Shack will offer sundowners and after dark tipples with molecular cocktails and the largest collection of rum in the Maldives. Organic produce will be sourced from the resort’s mini farm and catch of the day delivered daily by local fishermen. Young guests will have the run of the first kids-only restaurant in the Maldives serving nutritious, universally loved food.
From swimming, snorkelling and diving by day to moonlit parties and dancing on the sands by night, guests can fully enjoy the natural beauty of the Maldives in true Avani style.
Awards
Atmosphere Kanifushi named Best Family Resort in Indian Ocean for sixth consecutive year

Atmosphere Kanifushi has once again been recognised as the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort’ at the World Travel Awards 2025, marking the sixth consecutive year the island has received this prestigious accolade. This continued recognition highlights the resort’s unique appeal to both romantic couples and adventure-seeking families.
Commenting on the achievement, Ram Bhoyroo, General Manager of Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, noted that the island’s charm lies in its ability to strike a harmonious balance between tranquillity and excitement. “While some Maldivian resorts cater to serenity and others to a more vibrant, active scene, Atmosphere Kanifushi is all about equilibrium—offering peace and relaxation alongside engaging, family-friendly experiences,” he shared.
Nestled on a long, naturally beautiful island with lush vegetation and surrounded by a stunning turquoise seascape, Atmosphere Kanifushi owes its success not only to its natural setting but also to the dedication of its team. According to Bhoyroo, the recognition is a result of the team’s relentless commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for guests of all ages. “By intuitively understanding the needs of each guest, we ensure a seamless blend of high-touch service, relaxation, and fun, all while offering the true feeling of a castaway escape in paradise,” he said.
With one of the highest guest repeater rates in the Maldives, the resort continues to innovate in order to surprise and delight returning visitors. From refreshed culinary offerings to vibrant live entertainment, there is always something new to discover.
Most recently, Atmosphere Kanifushi unveiled its new Essens Spa, a concept that redefines relaxation and wellbeing. The spa features immersive wellness journeys, yoga and detox sessions, traditional healing rituals, and a full suite of salon services. In keeping with the resort’s inclusive approach to family wellness, the spa also offers a Kids Spa Experience, complete with playful treatments for children and specialised teen wellness rituals that nurture growing bodies, youthful skin, and emotional balance.
This latest award reinforces Atmosphere Kanifushi’s reputation as a premier destination for families seeking both luxury and adventure in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Awards
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI wins ‘Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ at 2025 WTAs

THE OZEN COLLECTION has announced that OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has been named ‘Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ at the prestigious 2025 World Travel Awards, marking a third consecutive win and reaffirming its status as one of the Indian Ocean’s most distinguished villa experiences.
At the heart of this achievement is the resort’s crown jewel – the Royal RESERVE. Spanning 3,000 square metres, this exceptional villa redefines ultra-luxury in the Maldives. It features a private beach, expansive pool, personal spa treatment room with dedicated therapists, and opulent living spaces adorned with intricate handcrafted detailing. Guests are offered an array of exclusive privileges, including 24-hour private butler service, a personal chef for bespoke dining at the in-villa restaurant, and a private bar serving tailored beverages. The villa also boasts direct lagoon access and sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, all enhanced by the signature RESERVE Experience – a promise of seamless, discreetly curated service.
This latest accolade continues a tradition of excellence for the resort, following its debut year that saw it claim multiple titles including ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Villa’.
Monica Coppetta, General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, expressed her gratitude, “It is with heartfelt pride and deepest appreciation that we receive this coveted accolade from the World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year. This extraordinary distinction celebrates our passionate pursuit of crafting unforgettable journeys, where visionary design dances with gracious service amidst the Maldives’ breathtaking serenity. To be honoured by both our esteemed industry colleagues and cherished guests fills us with immense joy, strengthening our commitment to pioneering bespoke moments that linger in the memory long after departure. Every day, our team finds inspiration in turning dreams into reality, and this recognition fuels our devotion to perfecting the art of meaningful luxury.”
The 2025 win builds on a long-standing legacy of recognition for the resort, which was also recently nominated at the World Spa Awards 2025 as Maldives’ Best Wellness Retreat, thanks to its transformative ELE|NA Elements of Nature Spa – a sanctuary renowned for innovative wellness practices and holistic rejuvenation.
The RESERVE Plan™ at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI sets the benchmark for all-inclusive luxury. It includes catamaran transfers, unlimited treatments at the award-winning ELE|NA spa, and elevated dining across seven distinctive venues. Guests also enjoy premium Champagne, curated ocean excursions, and personalised experiences with Best Dives. This seamless integration of indulgence and service exemplifies ‘abundant luxury’, making OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI one of the Maldives’ most exclusive and thoughtfully crafted escapes.
Awards
Baros Maldives wins Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort title at 2025 World Travel Awards

Baros Maldives has been honoured as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2025 by the prestigious World Travel Awards, a recognition that underscores the resort’s enduring dedication to delivering heartfelt and intimate experiences that are quintessentially Baros.
Nestled in the tranquil waters of North Malé Atoll, the Baros Water Villas are a refined expression of effortless luxury and seclusion. Each villa has been thoughtfully crafted to offer direct access to the turquoise lagoon, spacious sun-drenched decks ideal for peaceful reflection, and, in select accommodations, private pools with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Every element is designed to foster connection—with nature, with oneself, and with the timeless essence of Baros.
Beyond the villas lies Baros’ legendary house reef—teeming with vibrant marine life and coral gardens. Guests are invited to explore this underwater wonder through serene morning swims or sunset snorkelling sessions alongside turtles and schools of colourful reef fish.
Proudly Maldivian-owned and welcoming guests for over five decades, Baros Maldives has built a legacy of authentic hospitality and understated elegance. With just 75 villas, a team known for its warm, personalised service, and curated island experiences, the resort continues to offer stays that feel deeply personal and memorable.
Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager of Baros Maldives, expressed gratitude on behalf of the resort, “Our heartfelt thanks go to our guests, partners and the entire Baros team. This recognition is an honour and a wonderful reminder that the spirit of Baros continues to resonate with those who return to our shores time and again.”
As Baros celebrates this milestone, travellers are warmly invited to experience—or rediscover—the quiet magic that makes the island an enduring favourite in the Maldives.
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