Sanctuaries of Serenity & Celebration: Ramadan and Eid at Four Seasons Maldives

Sanctuaries of Serenity & Celebration: Ramadan and Eid at Four Seasons Maldives

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 9, 2025

This Ramadan and Eid, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives welcomes guests to a season of reflection, togetherness, and celebration across its three stunning properties—Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, and Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah. From secluded retreats to exquisite dining experiences and vibrant cultural festivities, guests can embrace the spiritual essence of the season in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings.

Secluded Sanctuaries for Reflection & Connection

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives offers a collection of luxurious suites and residences, designed for both peaceful introspection and joyful gatherings.

image

At Kuda Huraa, the Specialty Suites and newly launched Three-Bedroom Kuda Estate offer expansive indoor-outdoor living spaces, setting the stage for family feasting, prayer, and connection. Overwater Two- and Three-Bedroom Water Suites provide spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, while dedicated villa hosts ensure an effortless stay.

At Landaa Giraavaru, guests are surrounded by the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, creating a tranquil escape. Families can retreat to the Royal Beach Villa, Two- and Three-Bedroom Water Suites, or the newly introduced Four-Bedroom Landaa Estate, each offering spacious settings for prayer and celebration. Here, the gentle rhythm of the ocean complements the season’s spiritual significance.

For those seeking absolute exclusivity, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah offers a five-acre retreat, where up to 22 guests can enjoy a private Beach House, overwater spa, and a personal yacht, making it the ultimate sanctuary for Ramadan and Eid.

A Culinary Celebration: Suhoor & Iftar at Four Seasons

image

Guests can break their fast in style, whether at the resorts’ signature restaurants or with a personalized in-villa Suhoor and Iftar experience.

At Kuda Huraa, culinary delights include:

  • Indian specialties at Baraabaru
  • Authentic Italian dishes at Reef Club
  • Pan-Asian flavors at Café Huraa

At Landaa Giraavaru, guests can indulge in:

  • Michelin-distinguished Italian cuisine at Blu Beach Club
  • Levantine flavors at Al Barakat
  • Live teppanyaki and tandoor favorites at Café Landaa
  • Grilled seafood and meats under the stars at Fuego Grill

image

For an intimate and exclusive experience, guests can enjoy Iftar on a secluded sandbank or a family feast in the comfort of their villa.

Eid Festivities: A Celebration of Culture & Tradition

At Kuda Huraa, Eid is marked by traditional Maldivian music and dance. On March 29, the Dhigumagu Negun Sagafee Kulhivaru performance brings the island’s heritage to life, followed by a lantern-lit Arabian feast on Secret Beach, featuring slow-roasted meats, fragrant spices, and delightful sweets.

At Landaa Giraavaru, the legendary Baa Atoll BBQ takes center stage at Fuego Grill, where guests can enjoy fresh seafood, tender meats, and live cooking stations. The evening is brought to life by the Landaa Drummers and the centuries-old Maali Parade, featuring costumed dancers and rhythmic beats against an ocean backdrop.

Family Adventures & Conservation Experiences

Families can bond over oceanic explorations and conservation initiatives at Four Seasons Maldives.

image

At Kuda Huraa, children and parents alike can participate in:

  • PADI dive lessons and surf instruction
  • Junior Marine Saver programs, helping to care for injured turtles and plant coral reefs
  • Sunset hand-line fishing excursions and storytelling over a starlit beach BBQ

At Landaa Giraavaru, the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve provides the perfect setting for:

  • Trainee Marine Biologist experiences, including dolphin identification and sea turtle rehabilitation
  • The Maldives’ largest collection of water sports, from paddleboarding to kite surfing
  • Private beachside movie nights and guided stargazing experiences with an on-site astronomer

A Spiritual Home Away from Home

image

Both Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru feature mosques for communal worship, as well as private in-villa prayer spaces.

Exclusive Ramadan & Eid Offer: Blue Skies Ahead – 20% Off

Make this Ramadan and Eid truly special with Four Seasons Resorts Maldives' exclusive Blue Skies Ahead offer.

Offer details:

  • 20% off Bed and Breakfast rates
  • Book by February 28, 2025
  • Valid for stays between March 1 – April 11, 2025
  • Includes daily breakfast for two
  • Minimum stay of five nights required

Limited availability—book your stay now to experience the beauty, peace, and joy of Ramadan and Eid at Four Seasons Maldives.

For more details, visit Four Seasons Kuda Huraa or Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru or call +960 66 00 888.


Raki Phillips to Lead Accor’s PME Division in Middle East, Africa & Türkiye

Raki Phillips to Lead Accor’s PME Division in Middle East, Africa & Türkiye

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 2, 2025

Accor has appointed Raki Phillips as the new Regional President for its Premium, Midscale & Economy (PME) division across the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, with effect from November 2025. Phillips will succeed Paul Stevens and oversee more than 250 operating hotels across 27 countries, along with a development pipeline of 85 new properties.

This leadership move comes after Phillips' impactful tenure as CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). Under his leadership, Ras Al Khaimah witnessed a tourism boom, revenues tripled, international connectivity improved, and the region attracted its largest foreign investment with the Wynn Resorts project.

Bringing over 20 years of global hospitality experience, Phillips has held senior positions at renowned brands like Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, The Ritz-Carlton, and Universal Studios Orlando. At Fairmont, he played a key role in global brand strategy and spearheaded major projects, including the launch of the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel complex in Makkah.

In his new role at Accor, Phillips will report to Duncan O'Rourke, CEO of the Premium, Midscale & Economy division for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Commenting on the appointment, O’Rourke said, “Raki brings a rare combination of commercial agility, regional knowledge, and purpose-led leadership. His appointment reflects our long-term commitment to the region and our belief in the power of local leadership to drive impact.”

Phillips steps into the role after Paul Stevens, who spent nearly three decades with Accor and was known for championing operational excellence and values-driven initiatives like Purpose Week and ESG programs.

With more than 350 hotels currently in operation and 140 more in development, Accor’s PME division continues its robust expansion in key markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Phillips will be based in Dubai and oversee a diverse brand portfolio including Swissôtel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis.


Schengen Visa Set to Go Fully Digital by 2028

Schengen Visa Set to Go Fully Digital by 2028

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 2, 2025

The European Union is moving towards a fully digital Schengen visa system by 2028, bringing an end to traditional paperwork and visa stickers. Travellers will soon be able to complete the entire application process online, from uploading documents and paying fees to receiving a secure, encrypted 2D barcode that replaces the physical visa sticker.

France tested this digital system successfully during the 2024 Paris Olympics, issuing 70,000 barcode-based visas. Once fully implemented, travellers can scan the digital barcode at EU border checkpoints, giving immigration officials instant access to their personal and visa details via a centralised database.

While first-time applicants will still need to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and photographs, in person, repeat visitors will benefit from a simplified and faster process.

The digital system aims to boost security, reduce paperwork, and streamline visa management across the Schengen area. Applicants will be able to track their application status online and receive notifications on their visa outcome.

To apply, travellers must first determine which country’s embassy to approach, typically based on the destination where they will spend the most time. Most Schengen states use VFS Global for processing in India, while Spain uses BLS International. France, meanwhile, has introduced an online appointment platform called Démarches Simplifiées.

Applicants must carry key documents such as a valid passport (with at least six months validity and two blank pages), visa form, photographs, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage), confirmed flight and accommodation bookings, a cover letter, and proof of finances like recent bank statements or salary slips.

Visa fees remain at €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6–12, with free applications for those under six. Additional service charges apply based on the chosen processing agency.

Applicants are advised to apply well in advance, ideally 30 to 60 days before travel. Certain embassies, such as those of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, are known for quicker processing and lower rejection rates. Some, like Germany or France, may require a personal interview, especially in complex cases.

From July 1, 2025, Germany will no longer allow informal appeals on rejected visas; applicants will have to go through formal legal channels. Meanwhile, Indian nationals with two previously used Schengen visas within three years may now qualify for longer multi-entry visas of up to five years, as part of the EU’s new “cascade” rule.

Travellers are encouraged to check official EU visa portals regularly for updates.


Wyndham Hits 720 Hotels in EMEA, Boosts Momentum Across Europe, Middle East & India

Wyndham Hits 720 Hotels in EMEA, Boosts Momentum Across Europe, Middle East & India

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 31, 2025

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is charging ahead in the EMEA region, officially surpassing 720 operational hotels across Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa. The first half of 2025 alone saw over 60 new hotel openings, adding more than 4,700 rooms and delivering a 5% year-on-year organic system growth in the region.

This growth reinforces Wyndham’s commitment to expanding access to quality, branded accommodation across high-growth markets, with 27 new hotel signings further solidifying its regional presence.

Some of the standout openings include Dolce by Wyndham Siracusa, Monasteri Golf and Spa in Sicily, and the Signature Cave Cappadocia, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Türkiye. The group also ramped up operations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia with hotel launches in Georgia, Romania, and Kazakhstan.

Momentum is particularly strong in Eurasia, where Wyndham opened 21 new hotels in just six months, with a significant presence in India, now one of the company’s most dynamic and fastest-growing hospitality markets.

Wyndham’s strategic partnerships are also paving the way for iconic brand introductions. The globally recognised Super 8® by Wyndham is making its debut in Saudi Arabia and Iberia, with plans for 100 hotels across the Kingdom and 40 hotels in Spain and Portugal in the coming decade.

image

“With more than 720 hotels now open across EMEA, we're seeing incredible momentum. Travel is thriving and we're meeting that demand with a growing portfolio that reflects the energy and diversity of this region. From stunning resorts in Sicily to one-of-a-kind cave stays in Cappadocia, we're adding experiences that truly inspire,” said Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “And with new signings in markets like Iberia and Saudi Arabia, we're not just growing – we're creating new opportunities for our partners and giving travellers even more great places to stay across the region.”

image

image

Globally, this expansion contributed to Wyndham’s 20th consecutive quarter of developmental pipeline growth, bringing the global pipeline to 255,000 rooms. The company also achieved 4% global organic net room growth and 7% constant currency RevPAR growth in the EMEA region.

Some key milestones from H1 2025 include:

  • Türkiye now hosts over 125 Wyndham-branded hotels, including the newly launched Cappadocia Cave Hotel, Wyndham Tarsus St. Paul, and Wyndham Alanya.

  • India and South Asia saw growth with new openings like Ramada Encore by Wyndham Lucknow Airport, Ramada by Wyndham Cox’s Bazar Kolatoli Beach, and Wyndham Garden Jim Corbett Chhoi.

  • New European destinations saw brand introductions like La Quinta by Wyndham Batumi in Georgia and Tor’re Astana, Trademark Collection in Kazakhstan.

  • The Super 8® by Wyndham expansion into Saudi Arabia and Iberia is a landmark move, targeting value-conscious travellers in these rapidly evolving markets.

Driving this expansion is Wyndham Advantage, a platform offering best-in-class marketing, distribution, and technology support to hotel owners, bolstered by nearly $350 million invested in digital transformation and access to over 120 million Wyndham Rewards® members globally.

With bold new destinations and an aggressive pipeline, Wyndham’s EMEA footprint continues to grow rapidly, making it a major player in global hospitality.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.