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Readers of Condé Nast Traveler Recognise The Nautilus Maldives as a Top Resort in the Indian Ocean

The Nautilus

Luxury bohemian hideaway The Nautilus Maldives has been recognised amongst the best resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2021.


The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious accolades in the travel industry.

It is with deep gratitude that we receive this honour and recognition from our beloved guests. To be ranked among the world’s best resorts in the Indian Ocean brings us great joy and a sense of meaning. I also wish to thank The Nautilus family, who strives wholeheartedly, each and every day, to enable our guests to experience the absolute freedom to create a world of their own making, whilst they are in the Maldives.

Mohamed Ashraf, General Manager of The Nautilus

Enjoying a remote setting in the stunning UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, The Nautilus is a tropical haven of just 26 exceptionally spacious houses and residences, each with its own temperature-controlled freshwater infinity pool and extensive private deck, and attended to by a dedicated HouseMaster offering full butler services. The Nautilus epitomises spacious seclusion and sublime service, with consciously discreet interaction from the moment guests step off the plane at Velana International Airport and into the care of the island’s exclusive, ultra-smooth and queue-free VIP arrival and transfer service.

The only Relais & Châteaux member resort in the Maldives, The Nautilus is the realisation of a vision of life unbound, a place of liberation and unscripted luxury, where guests are free to do – and be – as they please. Casting off the anchor of inflexibility and rejecting the tyranny of timetables, The Nautilus liberates guests to enjoy a private island experience beyond the humdrum, clock-watching constraints of opening hours and set menus.

Conceptualised by a Maldivian hospitality icon and visionary entrepreneur who was instrumental in creating many award-winning resorts, The Nautilus is the result of his lifetime’s worth of expertise and represents what ultra-luxury should be – not just in the Maldives, but worldwide. The legacy of this visionary entrepreneurship is now carried forward by the next generation of the family.

The Nautilus’s already thorough cleaning and hygiene protocols have been further reinforced in line with public health guidelines issued by the WHO and local government authorities, and the team has been fully trained and informed of the new procedures. The resort offers Covid-19 PCR testing onsite for guest convenience, with results returned within 24 hours. This makes The Nautilus the ideal choice for a private Indian Ocean escape. This holiday season, travellers are invited to create a world of their own making at The Nautilus.

Feature image by The Nautilus Maldives
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Amila Handunwala to Lead Marriott Maldives Business Council

Marriott Maldives Business Council chairman Amila Handunwala

Marriott International has appointed Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, as the new Chairman of the Marriott Maldives Business Council. This change, effective 4th January 2025, follows the leadership of Renato De Oliveira, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. Handunwala is now the third person to hold this influential position in the council’s history.

A Strong Commitment to Sustainability and Community Development

Handunwala shared his enthusiasm about his new role

“It’s an honor to lead the Marriott Maldives Business Council. The Maldives is more than a destination; it’s a thriving community with a rich cultural and environmental heritage. I look forward to working closely with the council, local government, NGOs, and our neighboring communities to amplify Marriott’s commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and hospitality excellence.”

As Chairman, Handunwala intends to build on Marriott’s history of impactful community engagement and sustainable development. He aims to continue fostering collaboration with local communities, government partners, and business stakeholders. Furthermore, his leadership will focus on advancing Marriott’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. By doing so, he will ensure Marriott’s dedication to sustainability remains a central part of the company’s mission.

With over 18 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Handunwala brings a wealth of knowledge. His focus on sustainable practices and resort management has defined his career. At W Maldives, he led significant efforts to modernize the property, including the installation of a bio gas plant. Additionally, at a previous property, he was instrumental in creating a 100% single-use plastic-free environment. His initiatives highlight his unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

Oriol Montal, Managing Director of Luxury for Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International, voiced his support for Handunwala

“Amila’s leadership in sustainable hospitality and his proven track record in the Maldives make him the perfect fit for this important role. We are confident that his expertise and passion will drive the Business Council’s work forward and continue to create lasting positive impacts in the region”

The Marriott Maldives Business Council

The Marriott Maldives Business Council is an essential component of Marriott International’s global network of councils. These councils help advance the company’s mission to build a loyal and valuable travel community. The Maldives Business Council consists of general managers and associates from Marriott’s diverse portfolio of brands. Their goals include fostering community engagement, promoting environmental sustainability, and advocating for the hospitality industry.

The Council places a strong emphasis on collaboration, sustainability, and advocacy. These priorities align with Marriott’s Serve 360 program, which guides the company’s ESG efforts. In addition to supporting Marriott’s ESG initiatives, the council’s key responsibilities include fostering leadership, driving market performance, and strengthening community ties. It also focuses on encouraging sustainable business practices and nurturing associate development and engagement.

In December 2024, the Marriott Maldives Business Council renewed its partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by extending its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership, for the second year of the Sister Islands Initiative, is part of USAID’s Democracy Delivers program. It aims to promote economic integration and sustainable development by connecting resort islands with local communities. The renewed MOU will continue to empower local communities, especially women and youth. Projects will focus on agricultural innovation, sustainable tourism, and resource conservation.

W Maldives is one of several prestigious resorts within Marriott Bonvoy’s Maldives portfolio. Other well-known properties include The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, and Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. In January 2025, Marriott will add the JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, marking the eighth Marriott Bonvoy resort in the Maldives.

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