Minor Hotels is pleased to announce the appointment of Judd Rabbidge as the new General Manager of Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort. Effective July 2024, Rabbidge will lead the upscale lifestyle resort in the Baa Atoll, applying his passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, as well as strategic acumen, to drive results.
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, the renowned deluxe all-inclusive resort in the Maldives and member of The Leading Hotels of the World, proudly announces the appointment of Mr. Rohit Chhettri as the new General Manager.
With nearly 30 years as a seasoned hospitality professional, Andrew Jansson has held leadership roles in 14 countries with renowned hotel chains such as Hyatt and Shangri-La. This appointment marks Jansson's fourth resort management position in the Maldives, where he will oversee the pre-opening and strategic development of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives. His knowledge of the local market will be crucial in establishing the strategic and operational objectives for these properties and further establishing Centara's expansion in the Maldives, adding to the two existing properties currently in operation there.
23 years ago Regional VP and GM Armando Kraenzlin of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives created a Hospitality Apprenticeship program for local Maldivians. It’s the longest-running and most successful of its kind in the Indian Ocean, with 858 graduates since its inception in 2001. Back then, Armando often paddled between islands seeking talented young people for his new “school” where they could learn the art of hospitality under his tutelage. Now there are many more applicants than spaces available.
dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives is slated to open in 4Q 2024 on a private island just five minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport.
Minor Hotels, a leading global hotel owner and operator, has announced the appointment of Marlon Abeyakoon as the General Manager of NH Collection Maldives Havodda, effective from 25 January 2024. The luxury all-villa resort marks the debut of the NH Collection brand in a non-urban destination, introducing its renowned European flair to the Maldives.
Huvafen Fushi is an icon of the Maldives and an enchanted hideaway at North Male Atoll which required some fresh thinking and love to bring its 44 lavish above-water and beach bungalow dwellings up to date and into the future. BLINK founder and creative partner Clint Nagata says the challenge facing his team was a complete refresh of the resort's interiors while staying true to the brand's essence of sophisticated island chic and effortless style and ensuring the disruption to a very loyal clientele was kept to a minimum. "Naturally enchanting was our mantra," says Nagata. "Wherever possible we used handmade materials from nature and colour palettes inspired by nature, designed to deliver a crafted sense of sophistication." BLINK's philosophy of placemaking requires a deep dive into the customs, culture, arts and crafts of a destination before pen is put to paper or fingers to touchpad. For Huvafen Fushi this meant an exploration of local textiles, building materials and weaving techniques to create a new vision of sophisticated atoll chic, and a design that complements but never competes with the stars of the show: the turquoise waters, azure sky and shimmering white sands of North Male Atoll. "Balance is key in a delicate refresh like this," says Nagata. "For each villa, it was about establishing a natural focal point and the interplay of subtle elements." The resort is rightly famed for its otherworldly overwater bungalows and palm-fringed beach villas, as well as iconic pavilions for those who truly want room to spread their wings. Sprawling overwater jetties offer complete seclusion and privacy."We wanted to instill a sense of returning to the roots of when the resort first started, and recapturing some of that magic, while elevating the design to be full of surprising details, and spaces that impart a sense of wonder and tranquility." For the interior feature walls, handmade woven abaca fibre wallcoverings are utilised, along with ROA natural wallpapers from Java in Indonesia, where the weavers are of consummate skill. "These woven designs are increasingly intricate and ambitious yet retain a natural beauty," says Nagata. "Woven rattan material features at the bedhead, and Jim Thompson silks in shades of green add a restrained splash of colour for the pillows." Rattan, timber and woven themes continue through the chairs, sofas and other furniture pieces, while timber panelled ceilings and bay windows add the the refined island vibe. Clean lines, restrained tones, playful textures and an outsized plunge stone bathtub create bathrooms to linger in. For more information about BLINK Design Group, please visit www.blinkdg.com.
SH Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality management company founded by visionary Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, today announced plans to redefine luxury and sophistication in the Maldives with the forthcoming debut of Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives in 2027. Spanning five interconnected islands across more than 111 acres in the South Malé Atoll, this one-of-a-kind resort will set a new standard of unprecedented luxury in one of the world's most coveted travel destinations.
Centara Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives in November 2024. This enchanting 145-room resort, inspired by an underwater theme, is the latest addition to Centara's Mirage family of resorts, with siblings located in Thailand, Vietnam, and Dubai.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Maldives is delighted to announce the appointment of Masdhooq Saeed as General Manager, signifying a pivotal moment in the resort's quest for the ultimate tropical island getaway while crafting enchanting, but authentic experiences for its guests. With an impressive track record spanning over 22 years in the hospitality industry, Masdhooq brings a wealth of experience from renowned brands such as One&Only Resorts, Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, and Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas. His extensive expertise encompasses overseeing all facets of the Rooms Division, leading pre-opening projects in the Maldives and China, and playing a crucial role in the successful rebranding of Diva Maldives into LUX* South Ari Atoll in 2011.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is delighted to announce the appointment of Thomas Hoeborn as General Manager. A hospitality veteran with close to 40 years in the industry, Hoeborn's new role will see him further drive Conrad Maldives Rangali Island's ongoing commitment to luxury and innovative guest experiences.
Stuart De San Nicolas has been appointed as the new Cluster General Manager for Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Avani+ Fares Resort and NH Collection Maldives Havodda, effective from 23rd December 2023. With over 30 years of hands-on industry experience, gained from an impressive career that has taken him to locations as diverse as Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, Stuart is well-equipped to lead this new management role.
S Hotels and Resorts PCL (SET: SHR), the international hospitality company from Singha Estate PCL (SET: S), has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maldives’ Ministry of Climate Change, Environment & Energy to preserve this idyllic island nation’s natural environment, share knowledge about the importance of conservation, and support CROSSROADS Maldives’ rich marine biodiversity in an area covering 3.15km² – about 31% of the total project size – as part of an Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) programme.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, the epitome of luxury in the Maldives and leader of unparalleled bespoke service, is delighted to announce the appointment of TJ Joulak as General Manager. A veteran in luxury hospitality, Joulak has over 25 years of experience in the industry and worked across markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Helen Malmgren has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing and officially took up her role on 10 November. Originally from Malaysia and now settled in Dubai, where she will continue to be based, Helen's career in luxury hospitality spans over three decades, encompassing iconic brands in Asia such as The Peninsula Hotels, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria, and St. Regis. Her previous experience in the Maldives includes the opening of Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi and more recently the St. Regis Vommuli Resort.
Joining as Assistant Director of Sales & Marketing on 25 September, Afrah is a Maldives native whose hospitality and sales career has spanned his home country, including previous posts with Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, St. Regis, Gili Lankanfushi and Huvafen Fushi.
Thet Htet Thein began her work as Patina Maldives' new Director of Revenue Strategy on 20 September. Hailing from Myanmar, Thet Htet Thein's last posts were at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo, and with Hyatt Regency in Dubai. A strong and accomplished operations professional, she is responsible for customer relations segmentation and revenue strategy.
Yousef Almaryan started his role as Director of Sales Middle East on 1 November 2023. Originally from Jordan, Yousef lives in Dubai and will continue to be based in UAE. Yousef has previously held management roles in UAE and Saudi Arabia with Kempinski, Hilton and Emaar Hospitality Group.
Developed in a joint venture with Wai Eco World Developer (WEWD) and operated by Ennismore, this new fashion-led, all-villa resort forms part of the Indian Ocean's first fully integrated leisure destination.
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand's leading hotel operator, is delighted to announce the appointment of Francesco Pompilio as the new General Manager of Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, a vibrant adults-only playground renowned for its intimate private villas, adventurous water activities, and exquisite dining offerings.