Heritance Aarah, a resort in the Maldives' Raa Atoll, has been named Indian Ocean's Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2026 at the World Travel Awards, announced at the Indian Ocean ceremony held in the Maldives.

So what does that actually mean for a guest? The resort runs what it calls a Premium All-Inclusive plan — covering dining, wellness, marine activities, cultural experiences and personalised butler service. It's about 40 minutes from Malé by seaplane, so it's remote enough to feel like a proper escape while staying reachable for a week-long trip.

Food is a big part of the pitch. There are seven restaurants and five bars spanning international and regional cuisines, with the Ambula Overwater Restaurant standing out for blending Sri Lankan and Maldivian flavours into an eight-course tasting menu with wine pairings. On the activity side, guests get guided house-reef snorkelling, diving, water sports and excursions around Raa Atoll, plus treatments at the IASO Spa. A dedicated Maldivian Village experience introduces local culture and island life — a nod to travellers who want more than a villa and a infinity pool.

Stasshani Jayawardena, Chairperson of parent company Aitken Spence Hotels, framed the award as recognition of the resort's service team and its destination-focused approach.

The award news sits within a broader run of Maldives successes this awards season. At the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé on 8 October, Cinnamon Hotels picked up three wins: Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives took Gold as Leading Surf Resort for the eighth time (and fourth year running) — it sits in North Malé Atoll near the well-known Pasta Point surf break — while Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives retained Gold as Leading Beach Resort and added Silver for its CSR programme, a six-day PADI Open Water course that saw nine teenagers from the neighbouring islands of Keyodhoo and Felidhoo certified through its dive centre.

Maldives-based wellness brand ELE|NA was named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at the same event, recognised for its "Wellness Your Way" philosophy built around six pillars covering sleep, movement, nutrition and treatments, and for holding Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation across all its Maldives properties. And Atmosphere Core, the group behind brands like Atmosphere and VARU, doubled up with Leading Resort/Hotel Brand and Leading Hospitality Development Company titles — fresh off opening its first European property, BORGO MONCHIERO HERITAGE, in Italy.

Why it matters: all-inclusive in the Maldives has traditionally meant either barefoot-budget guesthouses or eye-watering luxury. A Premium All-Inclusive that bundles spa, excursions and butler service changes the maths for honeymooners and couples who want one predictable price. If you're surf-minded instead, Dhonveli's consistent surf-resort awards make it one of the region's most reliable picks for a wave-focused holiday.