Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has taken the top honour at the 2026 AHA Asia Hotel Awards, named Best Resort of the Year at a gala held at Capella Bangkok. The ceremony marked the 15th edition of what began in 2010 as the CHA China Hotel Awards and rebranded this year as a pan-Asian programme, with Bangkok hosting for the first time.
The resort, set in the Raa Atoll, was recognised for combining contemporary design, personalised service and a strong sense of place. General Manager Thomas Weber said the island's own character shapes the guest experience, with visitors encouraged to explore at their own pace rather than follow a scripted luxury routine.
In practical terms, that means 41 beachfront villas, 36 overwater villas, three two-bedroom beach villas and the larger Boduge Residence — every category with a private pool. Days revolve around the house reef: guided snorkelling with marine experts, underwater activities and cultural programmes covering Maldivian traditions. There's also the option of a private dinner on The Shack, a secluded sand cay, plus treatments at Spa Alila.
The win isn't the resort's only 2026 nod — it also picked up a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award, placing it in the top 10 per cent of hotels worldwide by guest reviews. Together, the two recognise it from both the industry side and the people who actually check in.
The Maldives made a strong showing across the regional awards season. At the 10th South Asian Travel Awards, held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé on 8 October 2026, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts won three gongs: Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives took Gold as Leading Surf Resort for the eighth time (fourth year running), thanks in part to the famous Pasta Point break in North Malé Atoll, while Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives retained Gold as Leading Beach Resort and added Silver for its CSR work — a six-day programme that got nine teenagers from Keyodhoo and Felidhoo through PADI Open Water certification.
Also at SATA, wellness brand ELE|NA was named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand, and Atmosphere Core picked up titles for Leading Resort/Hotel Brand and Leading Hospitality Development Company, having just opened its first European property, Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere, in Italy.
For travellers weighing up a Maldives trip, awards like these are a useful shortcut: they flag resorts that score well with both industry judges and repeat guests. If you want barefoot luxury with serious snorkelling, Kothaifaru is now firmly on the map. Surfers should look at Dhonveli, and families or couples after a classic beach-and-lagoon stay have another datapoint in Velifushi's favour. Wellness-focused travellers will find ELE|NA spas across a growing list of Maldivian resorts.
