Featured
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives welcomes Steven Phillips as new General Manager
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives has appointed its new General Manager, Steven Phillips, a native of the United Kingdom.
Phillips has a rich experience in working with some of the fast growing, multi-cultural and international luxury brands in the world including business hotels, golf resorts and luxury private island resorts. He has worked all over the world including 10 years in the Maldives, and also London, Japan, Malta, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi.
One of the highlights of Phillips’s career was as the General Manager at Gili Lankanfushi from 2014 to 2017, an ultra-Luxury Maldivian Resort of 45 villas, including the world’s largest overwater villa complex. In 2015, the property was voted as Reader’s Choice, No.1 Hotel in The World.
He was also instrumental to the success of the opening of JOALI Maldives whilst overseeing both JOALI Resorts in the Maldives as Area General Manager from 2017 to 2020.
Phillips has a degree in Hotel & Institutional Operations and has earned several useful certificates such as Diploma in Wine & Spirits, Cornell Hospitality and General Manager’s Executive Programme – UK.
Moreover, he has an outstanding track record in leading ultra-luxury resorts, Strategic Budgeting, PR Media Relations and Organisational Building. He is an accomplished hospitality executive particularly adept in setting up and implementing organisational structures in pre-opening destination resorts.
Phillips brings along his saviour-faire and expertise of the hospitality world, as well as his passion for cultures and people development. In his new position, Steven will ensure that Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives continues to create unrivalled guest experiences, and brings a playful twist on luxury.
Owned and managed by Seaside Collection, Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, is a luxury island resort renowned for its two-kilometre white powdery beaches that stretch out across four islands. Firmly established as one of the finest resorts in the Maldives, “Finolhu”, meaning sandbank in Dhivehi, consists of 125 beachfront and overwater villas.
Awards
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo wins triple honours at World Luxury Awards 2025
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort has received three titles at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, named Luxury Adults Only Resort, Luxury Island Resort, and Luxury Cultural Resort in the Indian Ocean.
The awards highlight the brand’s focus on locally rooted hospitality, with stays shaped by place, service and community. The resort presents Maldivian culture through curated experiences, pairing contemporary comforts with island traditions.
Positioned as an adults-only retreat, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo integrates culinary influences and cultural programming to offer guests a stay informed by the rhythm of local life and delivered with consistent service standards.
“These awards are a true reflection of our team’s passion for creating experiences that feel both local and memorable. Every detail, from the design to the service, is guided by the authenticity that defines Mercure. We are grateful to our guests for being part of this journey,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, honouring properties that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and celebrate diversity across the travel sector.
Awards
Hat-trick for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa at 2025 World Luxury Awards
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has received three honours at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, securing titles for Best Luxury All-Inclusive Hotel, Best Luxury Wellness Hotel, and Best Luxury Family Hotel in the Indian Ocean.
The awards underscore the resort’s approach to experience-led hospitality, combining design, wellbeing and guest engagement. The recognition also reflects Pullman’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity and sustainability, which sit at the centre of the brand’s strategy.
Since opening, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has developed an all-inclusive offering that brings together adventure, wellness and a close connection to the natural environment. Its portfolio includes an underwater villa, wellness concepts and family-oriented experiences.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition at the 2025 World Luxury Awards. These awards celebrate the heart of what we do—creating inspiring moments for every guest, whether they come to reconnect, recharge, or simply play. This achievement belongs to our incredible team, whose passion and dedication make Pullman Maldives Maamutaa what it is today,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, highlighting hotels that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and demonstrate innovation in service and design.
Featured
Halloween at Sun Siyam Iru Veli turns fantasy, not fright
Sun Siyam Iru Veli marked Halloween with a one-day island celebration, “Whimsy Over Wicked,” reimagining the tradition of fright as a fairytale of fantasy on 31 October. The programme invited guests of all ages to immerse themselves in themed workshops, entertainment, and dining experiences designed to encourage creativity and the joy of make-believe.
At the Turtle Kidz Club, children joined a full-house Pumpkin Workshop, decorating pumpkins with gemstones, bright colours, and playful patterns. As the sun set over Fresh Water Beach, the festivities shifted to a Masquerade Evening, where guests enjoyed island beats and signature cocktails and mocktails against a golden horizon. The celebration continued at Turtle Beach with a Beach BBQ Dinner, presenting a Halloween-inspired menu in a storybook setting with live music by the sea.
The night concluded with a private “Cinema Under the Stars” screening, offering an open-air experience that captured the spirit of the occasion.
Through “Whimsy Over Wicked,” Sun Siyam Iru Veli highlighted creativity, connection, and the island’s natural setting. Guests departed with memories shaped by laughter, imagination, and a shared celebration under the Maldivian night sky.
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