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Condé Nast Johansens Names LUX* South Ari Atoll the Best Family Resort of 2025

LUX* South Ari Atoll: family resort

LUX* South Ari Atoll earned the title of Best for Families in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East at the 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. This prestigious award recognizes the resort’s commitment to offering unforgettable family-friendly experiences in the Maldives. Condé Nast Johansens called it an “All-inclusive Robinson Crusoe escape from reality,” perfectly capturing the essence of the resort’s family-focused offerings.

John Rogers, the General Manager of LUX* South Ari Atoll, shared his thoughts on the award:

“We are honoured to receive this recognition from Condé Nast Johansens. Our goal is to provide families with the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, ensuring each guest, young and older, has a memorable experience. Our commitment to high standards is reflected through our family-friendly accommodation, engaging PLAY kids’ club and island experiences.”

Condé Nast Johansens is renowned for recommending the world’s best hotels, restaurants, and travel experiences. Furthermore, the Awards for Excellence carry great prestige in the hospitality industry. An independent panel of experts selects the winners based on a thorough evaluation of accommodations, service, dining, and the overall guest experience. As a result, LUX* South Ari Atoll stands as one of the best family destinations in the world.

Unforgettable Family Moments in Paradise

From the moment you land at LUX* South Ari Atoll, excitement fills the air. You step off the seaplane, and immediately, the staff hands your kids refreshing ice creams, setting the tone for the fun ahead. The resort blends adventure and relaxation perfectly, making it the ideal family getaway.

Picture this: you sit on the beach, watching the sun set as it paints the sky in vibrant colors. A giant outdoor screen lights up, and the family movie begins under the stars. Your kids laugh and munch on popcorn, while you relax and enjoy your own scoop of ice cream. This isn’t just a movie night—it’s Cinema Paradiso, a magical experience that lets you forget the world and focus entirely on family time.

The magic doesn’t end there. LUX* South Ari Atoll works hard to create lasting memories for every family. Imagine your kids making their own ice cream flavors with the resort’s chef. Their faces light up as they experiment with toppings. Meanwhile, you can unwind, knowing they are having a blast. Parents can also relax at the spa or book a family spa session. Why not treat yourself to a mother-daughter or father-son spa experience? It’s the perfect way to bond and relax together.

Each day at LUX* South Ari Atoll brings something new. One day, you swim alongside majestic whale sharks, and the next, your kids search for hidden treasure on the beach. With so many activities to choose from, there’s never a dull moment. Teens won’t get bored, either. They can try watersports, socialize at quiz nights, or unleash their creativity at the art studio. The resort lets them enjoy their independence while making lasting memories with new friends.

Furthermore, At LUX* South Ari Atoll*, the accommodations are designed with families in mind, making sure everyone feels at home. The Family Lagoon Pavilion offers a beachside retreat where your kids can run straight to the sand and enjoy hours of fun. If you’re traveling with teens, the interconnected bungalows at the Family Beach Pavilion provide an ideal solution. You get the best of both worlds—togetherness, with enough privacy for everyone to feel comfortable.

At LUX* South Ari Atoll, the resort designs every detail to make your family vacation relaxing and enjoyable. Whether you’re strolling along the beach or snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, the resort makes sure every family member feels at home. It’s no surprise that LUX* South Ari Atoll earned the title of best family destination. After all, the resort is all about creating moments you’ll cherish forever.

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Shaping Canareef Resort Maldives: Two Key Figures Behind the Resort’s Quiet Evolution

Canareef Resort Maldives - Two leaders driving change with vision

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.

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.

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