Sun Aqua Pasikudah, Sri Lanka has attained well-deserved titles at TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2017 and Booking.com Guest Review Awards 2016.
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The Travelers’ Choice Award is one of the influential achievements conferred by TripAdvisor. The award is based on millions of genuine, real-experience reviews written by travelers all around the world on an annual basis. Sun Aqua Pasikudah was chosen as the 10th out of the 25 Best Luxury Hotels in Sri Lanka.
Such an achievement goes to show that the team at the resort is earnestly working toward providing the true heartfelt Sri Lankan hospitality. This award showcases the properties best features in terms of excellence in quality and satisfaction of the customer.
“It is a great honour to be recognized as one of the ‘Top 25 Luxury Hotels’ in Sri Lanka providing unparalleled guest experiences. It is a testimony that our goal to continually strive to be a leader in the hospitality industry is appreciated by our guests” said Evgenia Boyankova, Group Director of Business Development, Sun Siyam Resorts.
Sun Aqua Pasikudah also won the 2016 Guest Review Awards by Booking.com. The award stands as a gesture of honoring the services of properties that give guests an excellent experience. The winner was chosen amongst 800,000 or so properties on the platform.
Sun Aqua Pasikudah is a sincere portrayal of the world renowned Maldivian hospitality incorporated with the Sri Lankan charm. With so much of history and culture to explore in Sri Lanka, this luxury boutique property is geographically advantaged to sit in the heart of it all. Perched on the beach front, Sun Aqua Pasikudah is an all-suite resort. The best contributing elements being its sun-drenched setting with highly detailed five-star suites, gourmet dining and a fully stocked cellar of Old and New World wines. Private excursions are arranged through jungles, mountains and underwater terrains. Guests can also enjoy the colorful marine life rich with corals and shipwrecks. A scenic journey from Colombo and the International Airport, this exclusive property is one of the island’s most serene coastal getaways.
Nestled at the southern edge of the Maldives, where the turquoise waters of Addu Atoll stretch deep into the Indian Ocean, Canareef Resort Maldives quietly evolves. This change doesn’t come from flashy renovations or new facilities. It’s driven by people. Those shaping the resort from the inside out. Meet Deepak Kannan and Shirhaan Sodig. Deepak, focusing on people and culture, and Shirhaan, managing technology and systems, play key roles in defining what it means to run a modern resort in the Maldives.
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Deepak Kannan: The People-First Leader Building Culture from the Inside Out
He began his hospitality career in 2000 at the front desk of Radisson Hotels. Over 25 years, he built an impressive resume across the Middle East, including the iconic Burj Al Arab by Jumeirah and several IHG Crowne Plaza properties in the UAE and Oman.
He rose from Front Office Shift Leader to Front Office Manager with IHG, sharpening his skills in operations and guest relations. Later, Deepak stepped into leadership roles as Hotel Manager and General Manager at well-known hotels such as Bin Majid Hotels and Resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, Excelsior Downtown Dubai, and Platinum Coast Hotel in Fujairah.
Moreover, In 2021, Deepak expanded his expertise by consulting for a major convention center in Chennai, India, where he set up their rooms division and operational systems. This experience highlights his versatile and strategic approach.
At Canareef, where he serves as Assistant General Manager, Deepak focuses on more than management. He builds a culture centered on teamwork and empowerment. He explains it simply: “To achieve a one vision, one team spirit and a strong people-centric culture that will empower the talent we have into shaping Canareef to be the most desired resort destination in the region.“
His leadership already makes a difference. The team works closely together, supporting each other to deliver guest experiences that linger long after the stay. For Deepak, hospitality means focusing on people first.
Shirhaan Sodig: The Tech Expert Keeping Things Running Smoothly
Behind the scenes at Canareef, few guests know the name Shirhaan Sodig, but his work touches nearly every part of their stay. From reliable Wi-Fi to IPTV entertainment, Shirhaan’s IT expertise ensures the resort’s technology runs flawlessly.
With over 15 years in IT, Shirhaan’s background includes fiber optic networks, IPTV, CCTV, telephone systems, and vital hospitality software like Opera PMS and Micros POS. He started his career as an Assistant Computer Technician at the Secretariat of Addu City Council, where he built a solid foundation managing complex networks.
For Shirhaan, technology goes beyond hardware — it reflects a mindset. He shares: “I believe there’s no such thing as impossible when you combine the right mindset with the right technology. In hospitality, every challenge is an opportunity to innovate, and that’s what drives me —using technology to quietly enhance guest experiences and empower teams to perform at their best.”
Before joining Canareef as IT Manager, Shirhaan developed his skills at South Palm Resort Maldives, serving as Assistant IT Manager and IT Manager. At Canareef, he led a major upgrade by implementing a resort-wide Fiber To The Home (FTTH) network, dramatically improving internet speed and reliability. He also created a custom IPTV app to enhance guest entertainment options.
Beyond Canareef, Shirhaan contributes as a visiting lecturer at Maldives National University, training future IT professionals. His qualifications include certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, CCENT, and a degree in Information Technology, blending academic knowledge with practical expertise.
Where Vision Meets Technology and Hospitality Flourishes
Canareef Resort Maldives offers a picture-perfect destination, but in today’s competitive market, beauty alone does not suffice. Travelers expect more: seamless technology, thoughtful service, and genuine hospitality.
That is exactly what Deepak and Shirhaan provide. Deepak shapes the resort’s culture and people, while Shirhaan ensures the technology supports that vision behind the scenes. Their combined efforts might not look flashy, but they build a foundation designed to last.
So when guests visit Canareef Resort, they get more than just palm trees and ocean views. They experience a resort powered by purpose, a team committed to making every stay truly memorable.
