Top Maldives Resorts Honored at World Travel Awards 2024!

Maldives has been shining at the World Travel Awards (WTA), especially in the last few years. The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 and soon became the global awards program. The award program recognises excellence in the travel and tourism industry, and note-worthy destinations such as the Maldives take home honourable titles each year. Just like 2023, Maldives resorts won an impressive number of titles in the WTA Indian Ocean category. These amazing resorts took home some new titles as well as some repeated titles. Here are all the Maldives resorts that shone during the World Travel Awards 2024!

Lily Beach Resort & Spa – Maldives’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2024

This year Lily Beach Resort & Spa took home the title of Maldives leading all-inclusive resort yet again. This is not the first time that Lily Beach Resort & Spa won this title. The resort has been winning this prestigious title consecutively since 2016! The resort is well known for its award-winning all-inclusive platinum plan, which has made it popular among travellers.

Diamonds Thudufushi – Maldives’ Leading Beach Resort 2024

Maldives is a destination known for its beautiful beaches, and it appears that Diamonds Thudufushi might feature the most beautiful beaches. This resort has been taking home the title of Maldives’ leading beach resort since 2018! Guests can explore these pristine beaches, located just 20 minutes by seaplane. This Maldives paradise is surrounded by untouched nature, ready to welcome guests who are really looking for a beachy summer getaway.

Huvafen Fushi Maldives – Maldives’ Leading Boutique Resort 2024

This year, Huvafen Fushi Maldives won the title of Maldives’ leading boutique resort category. Prior to this, the resort also won the Indian Ocean’s leading luxury water villa category back in 2016. If you’re looking for a little boutique getaway, Huvafen Fushi Maldives resort is where your dreams will become your days! This is the second time the resort has won this title at the World Travel Awards show.

Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives – Maldives’ Leading Family Resort 2024

Over the years, the Maldives has become a popular destination for family travellers. If there’s a place to make memories you will cherish forever, it might be Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives. The resort has been winning the Maldives’ leading family resort title since 2020, making it the perfect spot for a family trip. This slice of tropical paradise, located in Lhaviyani Atoll is the perfect blend of luxury, adventure and lush greenery to spend a summer with your family.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu – Maldives’ Leading Green Resort 2024

As sustainability becomes the focus, many Maldives resorts have moved towards greener practices as well. Over the years, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has picked up on quite a bit of green initiatives, leading to garnering the title of Maldives’ leading green resort this year. This is the second consecutive year that Coco Plam Dhuni Kolhu has won this title at WTA. Some of the resort’s biggest green initiatives include being a nesting site for green sea turtles and rescuing and rehabilitating turtles among the on-resort practices as well.

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa – Maldives’ Leading Honeymoon Resort 2024

If 2023 and 2024 have proved anything, it’s that there is no Maldives resort like Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa for a honeymoon spot. This Maldives resort has taken home the title for two years in a row! Whether it’s the signature collection villas that are surrounded by lush greenery and amazing interiors, or the gourmet culinary experiences, this Maldives resort is honeymooners approved!

Vakkaru Maldives – Maldives’ Leading Hotel Suite

This year Vakkaru Maldives’ Vakkaru Over Water Residences won the title for Maldives’ leading hotel suite. What makes the Vakkaru Over Water Residence so special? This is one of the largest overwater residences in the Maldives. Not only do travellers get privacy and tranquility but also amazing ocean and sunset views. Additionally, guests can also enjoy an infinity pool in this amazing villa along with a dedicated chef on standby.

Royal RESERVE @ OZEN RESERVE Bolifushi – Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa

If you’re visiting OZEN RESERVE Bolifushi, book your stay at the Royal Reserve for some of the most luxurious villas. This luxury abode houses guest villas and private pools where resident hosts can regale their friends and family. The villa can host 6 to 7 adults and 3 children. This lavish sanctuary is made better with exquisite champagnes and an elegantly sumptuous floating breakfast. The Royal Reserve @ OZEN RESERVE Bolifushi won this title for the second consecutive year as well.

Cheval Blanc Randheli – Maldives’ Leading Luxury Island Resort 2024

Cheval Blanc Randheli took home the title for Maldives’ leading luxury island resort this year at WTA. This is a resort well-known by travellers looking for a luxury getaway. Known as the hushed haven of the Maldives, Cheval Blanc Randheli offers luxury villas, amazing culinary experiences, wellness & relaxation as well as fun activities for kids. In 2019 & 2020, Cheval Blanc Randheli also won the title for Maldives’ leading luxury villa resort.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort – Maldives’ Leading Luxury Resort

This year The St. Regis Maldives won the title not only for Maldives’ leading luxury resort but also for Indian Ocean’s leading luxury resort title as well. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has been taking home honourable titles every single year since 2017. This property by Marriott Bonvoy continues to bring travellers serenity in style, making it one of the ultimate Maldives luxury resorts to visit.

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa – Maldives’ Leading Luxury Villa Resort 2024

Emerald Maldives resort has been shining at the World Travel Awards since 2020. Each year, the resort takes home an honourable title. This year, Emerald Maldives won the title of Maldives’ leading luxury villa resort. The resort has won this title in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as well. In addition to the WTA awards, the resort has also won Travelers’ Choice awards, Travelers Review Awards as well as GBAC Star Faculty Award.

Varu by Atmosphere – Maldives’ Leading Resort 2024

Varu by Atmosphere has really marked itself in the tourism industry in 2023 & 2024 by winning the title of Maldives’ leading resort at the World Travel Awards two years in a row. This beautiful Maldives resort brings travellers a natural Maldivian escape. Not only is this dreamy island escape surrounded by uninterrupted blues, but you can also enjoy an intimate yet larger-than-life and heartwarming hospitality. Located just 40 minutes by speedboat, Varu by Atmosphere offers a blend of cultural elements with contemporary elegance.

Constance Halaveli – Maldives’ Leading Villa Resort 2024

Constance Halaveli has been taking home the title of Maldives’ Leading Villa Resort since 2019. What makes the Villas at Constance Halaveli so amazing? Located just 25 minutes by seaplane, this beautiful Maldives resort offers a 5-star Maldives experience. Every villa category from the water villa to the beach villa offers the charm of sea and sand. Here, travellers can enjoy amazing views of the Indian Ocean and the charming white sandy beaches of the Maldives.

Baros Maldives – Maldives’ Leading Water Villa Resort 2024

Baros Maldives is yet another remarkable resort that has been shining at the World Travel Awards each year. After winning the title of World’s most romantic resort in 2023, this year the resort won the title of Maldives’ leading water villa resort. The water villas at Baros Maldives offer direct lagoon access, as well as sun loungers and dedicated 24-hour villa hosts. The luxurious furnishing and bespoke artwork add to this beautiful villa category, which already has a welcoming ambience.

Few figures have shaped the world of luxury travel quite like Sonu Shivdasani. As the co-founder of both Soneva and Six Senses, he defined what sustainable, experiential luxury looks like not just in the Maldives but on a global scale. Over more than three decades of passion-driven leadership, he transformed remote islands into globally celebrated eco-conscious sanctuaries.

Since opening Soneva Fushi in 1995, Sonu Shivdasani has pioneered a back-to-nature luxury experience that redefined the Maldives as a premier high-end destination. Under his leadership, Soneva introduced many hospitality innovations that have become industry standards, including private pools, open-air bathrooms, and curated experiences with marine biologists and artists. His approach seamlessly fused luxury with environmental responsibility by embedding sustainability into every facet of the business.

Now, following a significant change in Soneva’s ownership structure, Shivdasani embarks on a new chapter guided by creativity, exploration, and long-awaited personal pursuits.

Stepping Back, Not Stepping Away

In May 2025, KSL Capital Partners converted their preference shares into ordinary shares, taking majority control of the Soneva Group. Despite this shift, Sonu and his wife Eva remain significant minority shareholders but have stepped back from the company’s day-to-day operations.

Sonu Shidvasani told Hotel Investment Today,

“It is very important to us that Soneva thrives. However, I have agreed with them that they will run the business and Eva and I will not be involved.”

This marks the close of an era of active leadership while maintaining lasting influence. Their continued stake reflects deep-rooted confidence in the brand’s values and future.

A Legacy of Innovation in Sustainable Hospitality

To fully appreciate this transition, it is essential to reflect on Sonu and Eva’s remarkable journey, which has been a deeply personal and enduring commitment. Over more than 30 years, they built two globally respected hospitality brands that set new benchmarks for sustainability, wellness, and authentic guest experiences. They launched Six Senses in 2004, growing it to 26 resorts and 41 spas worldwide, before deciding to focus exclusively on Sovnea’s “One Wonder, One Operator, One Philosophy” model. This model champions intimate, purpose-driven luxury.

Beyond pioneering resorts, Sonu spearheaded transformative environmental and social initiatives through the Soneva Foundation, founded in 2010. Under his guidance, the foundation rolled out impactful programs, such as eliminating branded bottled water in favor of purified onsite water. This initiative funded clean water access for over 800,000 people across 50 countries. Additionally, the voluntary carbon levy on guest stays supports projects including planting half a million trees in Thailand, installing a windmill in India, and distributing energy-efficient cookstoves that have benefited nearly 300,000 people in Myanmar and Darfur.

He also led the Myanmar Stoves Campaign, which generated $14 million in social value over four years by reducing deforestation, improving public health, and increasing incomes for 140,000 people. In the Maldives, his groundbreaking Soneva Namoona waste management program led the regional and national phase-out of single-use plastic.

From Personal Challenges to Global Recognition

In 2017, Sonu faced a serious health challenge when diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After a courageous battle, he emerged with a renewed holistic wellness philosophy that integrated both conventional and alternative therapies. This vision led to the launch of the Soneva Soul, a wellness brand in 2021, broadening the group’s commitment to well-being.

Therefore, his extensive contributions to tourism, sustainability, and philanthropy earned him recognition in 2023 when he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). That same year, he received the SevenRooms Icon Award at the World’s 50 Best Hotels. A unique individual honor celebrating his transformative impact on global luxury hospitality.

Today, Soneva’s portfolio includes:

Soneva Fushi
Soneva Jani
Soneva Secret
Soneva in Aqua (luxury yacht experience)

Each property embodies the brand’s core philosophy, “SLOW LIFE.” Which focuses on Sustainability, Locality, Wellness, Learning, and Inspiring experiences. These principles have defined Shivdasani’s legacy and continue to shape the future of luxury travel.

Looking Forward: A New Chapter of Creativity

Despite stepping back, Sonu Shivdasani is far from slowing down. While many might see this as a step toward retirement, he views it as a welcome pause and a chance to breathe and pursue projects long deferred.

“I feel fortunate to have a little bit of a break to catch my breath and do many things that I have always wanted to, but have never had the time.. At 58, I have another lifetime of creativity ahead of me.”

With day-to-day operations now entrusted to KSL. He plans to revisit hospitality concepts he once envisioned to develop but had kept aside. His broad experience and deepening focus on wellness and longevity continue to inform his evolving perspective on hospitality.

What’s Next for Soneva Under KSL?

With its increased stake, KSL Capital Partners now guides Soneva’s next phase. Armed with a strong background in luxury travel and leisure, the firm intends to expand operations and invest in existing properties while preserving the founding values that define Soneva.

To lead this evolution, KSL appointed Neil Gallagher as Soneva’s new CEO.

The Legacy Continues

Though Sonu Shivdasani no longer leads Soneva’s daily operations, his legacy remains deeply woven into the Maldives hospitality sector and resonates across global luxury travel. His vision endures in every villa, every tranquil moment, and every barefoot step taken on the Maldivian sands.