The quiet power of detail: Why small equipment decisions shape luxury resort experiences
In luxury hospitality, the guest experience is often judged not only by what is most visible, but by what is most felt. A stunning arrival jetty, generous villa space and a well-designed pool all matter. They help create the first impression. But what often defines a truly memorable stay are the smaller interactions that happen […]
Why trust is hospitality’s only true differentiator
In hospitality, scale is often mistaken for success. I understand the pull of numbers—rooms, keys, openings, revenue per available room. I have built businesses by respecting those metrics. But I have also learned that they are not what makes a brand endure. What truly sustains a hospitality brand is far less visible and far more […]
45 years in Maldives: Manjula Herath on leadership, trust and Bank of Ceylon’s next chapter
On 7 May 2026, Bank of Ceylon Maldives marked 45 years of continuous presence in the country — a milestone that reflects not only the bank’s longevity, but also its enduring role in the Maldives’ economic story. For Manjula Herath, Country Manager of Bank of Ceylon Malé and the bank’s first female Country Manager in […]
Fuel crisis: Looming shadow over Sunny Side of Life
In the Maldives, the “one-island, one-resort” model is the gold standard of luxury and seclusion. However, this architectural isolation comes with a heavy operational burden: total self-sufficiency. Unlike urban hotels, Maldivian resorts function as independent municipalities, managing their own power grids and desalination plants. Traditionally, this autonomy has been fuelled by diesel. But as a […]
‘… because tomorrows start today’: BBM’s hospitality partnership built on purpose
Future doesn’t get built in a single moment. It is shaped through decisions taken early, partnerships sustained over time and investments made before results become visible. That is why the phrase “…because tomorrows start today” as articulated by AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), resonates beyond branding. In practical terms, it suggests […]
When dredgers draw near: Resorts sound alarm on safety, privacy, guest experience
Resort operators in the Malé Atoll are increasingly voicing concern that dredging activity linked to land reclamation projects is taking place uncomfortably close to resort lagoons, heightening anxieties around guest safety, privacy, and the overall holiday experience. The Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) has confirmed it has received multiple complaints alleging illegal sand extraction tied to […]
Discovering a new era for Sun Siyam: Embracing the spirit of Maldives through a bold brand (r)evolution after 35 years
The Maldives is home to some of the world’s most sought-after island escapes, but few hospitality brands carry the depth of local heritage that defines Sun Siyam. Owned and operated by Maldivian entrepreneur Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, the brand has long embodied the warmth, traditions, and authenticity of its island home. Today, Sun Siyam is stepping […]
JOALI’s Joy of Caring: New paradigm for responsible luxury in Maldives
By Ali Naafiz and Mariyam Saliya Mohamed In the middle of Raa Atoll, two neighbouring islands are quietly reshaping the story of luxury in the Maldives. On Muravandhoo, JOALI Maldives welcomes guests into a world where art and design are woven into every corner of the island. Just a short distance away on Bodufushi, JOALI […]
Maldives to Sosei: Sonu Shivdasani on renewal, reinvention and what comes next
When Sonu Shivdasani stepped onto the HICAP stage in Singapore for a conversation with Yeoh Siew Hoon, the founder of WiT, the audience was reminded of his longstanding reputation for challenging the norms of luxury hospitality. Calm, reflective and candid, he spoke about renewal, reinvention and what it means to start again — not from […]
Why insurance matters more than ever: Dhivehi Insurance’s future-focused resilience at GM Forum 2025
At the 2025 Hotelier Maldives General Managers (GM) Forum, the team from Dhivehi Insurance took the stage to highlight a topic often overshadowed by more glamorous aspects of hospitality — the vital role of insurance in safeguarding businesses against emerging risks. In their joint presentation titled “Insurance Solutions for Emerging Risks in a Maldivian Context,” […]
Leadership 5.0: Pulse Hotels’ Aalim Mohamed urges hoteliers to rethink, redefine, reboot at GM Forum 2025
At the Hotelier Maldives General Managers (GM) Forum 2025, Aalim Mohamed, Group Director of Human Resources at Pulse Hotels & Resorts, invited a ballroom full of GMs to stand, take three deep breaths, and reset. It was a fitting prelude to a session that asked leaders to pause, rethink long-held assumptions, and embrace a model […]
Unlocking loyalty via digital guest journeys: TrustYou’s Radouane Namaoui at GM Forum 2025
At the 2025 Hotelier Maldives General Managers (GM) Forum, Radouane Namaoui, Global Head of Key Accounts at TrustYou, delivered an insightful presentation on “Unlocking Loyalty Through Digital Guest Journeys”, exploring how data, artificial intelligence, and personalisation are reshaping the guest experience and strengthening hotel loyalty worldwide. Speaking with humour and warmth, Namaoui began by connecting […]
