A children's club in the Maldives has just been crowned the best in luxury hospitality for putting the planet at the centre of play. Soneva Fushi, on Baa Atoll, picked up the Excellence in Sustainable Childcare award at the Luxury Childcare Association (LCA) Awards 2026 — and it was the only Maldivian property among the five category winners this year.
The LCA Awards, now in their second year after launching in 2025, honour luxury hotels and resorts that excel at childcare and family experiences. Winners are chosen by votes from families, guests and industry leaders, which makes the recognition a useful signal for parents deciding where to book rather than just an industry pat on the back.
So what actually won it? Soneva Fushi's kids' club, The Den, builds environmental learning into everyday activities: tree planting, nature scavenger hunts, recycled paper-making and eco-themed crafts. Children also visit the resort's Eco Centro, a working facility where waste is sorted, composted, reused or turned into new products — essentially a hands-on lesson in circular living. Beyond the club, families can join guided nature walks, marine conservation activities and wildlife sessions across the island, which sits inside the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The other 2026 winners are worth knowing if you're planning a family trip elsewhere. JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa in Greece took Excellence in Children's Programming, The Westin Turtle Bay in Mauritius won Excellence in Family Experiences, Paradisus by Meliá Bali picked up Excellence in Childcare Facilities, and MarBella in Greece won Excellence in Baby & Toddler Care. The categories split family hospitality into distinct strengths — facilities for babies and toddlers, programming for older kids, and environmental responsibility — so you can match an award to your family's actual needs.
For travelling parents, the takeaway is simple: if you want a holiday where the kids' club teaches something real rather than just babysitting, Soneva Fushi is currently the benchmark. Its location in a UNESCO biosphere reserve means the nature on the doorstep — reefs, island wildlife, lagoons — doubles as the classroom. The approach suits families with school-age children old enough to enjoy planting trees or learning how composting works, while the wider resort keeps the barefoot-luxury standards Soneva is known for. The association behind the award accredits more than 70 luxury properties worldwide, so expect 'sustainable childcare' to become a bigger selling point across high-end resorts in the next few years.
