Male’ Maldives, 22nd October 2023 – Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island is basking in the glory of significant achievements in the realm of luxury hospitality and culinary excellence, courtesy of two prestigious global awards – the World Travel Awards and the World Culinary Awards.
This relatively new entrant to the Maldives, which made its grand debut in October 2021, has quickly become a standout in the North Malé Atoll’s vibrant hospitality landscape. With a collection of 67 luxurious beach and over-water villas, a remarkable dining haven called KAYTO, and an exceptional team, it’s been a banner year for this resort.
In the 2023 World Travel Awards, they proudly secured the title of “The Maldives’ Leading Water Villa Resort.” These awards, in existence since 1993, are a revered symbol of excellence in the travel and hospitality sectors worldwide. This particular accolade recognizes Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island for its one-, two-, and three-bedroom overwater villas, renowned for their modern architecture, private infinity pools, and expansive rooftop terraces. The innovative addition of a spacious rooftop terrace, a first in the Maldives, has elevated the guest experience to new heights, offering breathtaking lagoon views and the opportunity for private barbecues, movie nights under the stars, yoga sessions, intimate dinners, and outdoor games. This design departure from the traditional thatched villas showcases the resort’s forward-thinking approach to luxury in the Indian Ocean. Winning this prestigious award shortly after their October 2021 opening underscores Jumeirah’s prominence in the Maldives and its unwavering commitment to delivering excellence in this category.
Moving on to the World Culinary Awards 2023, this sister event to the World Travel Awards places the spotlight on culinary excellence. Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island made a triumphant sweep with three awards, all in recognition of its Peruvian-Nikkei restaurant, KAYTO. The accolades include “World’s Best Hotel Restaurant,” “Indian Ocean’s Best Hotel Restaurant,” and “Maldives’ Best Hotel Restaurant.”
KAYTO has been captivating diners with its unique fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine, known as ‘Nikkei.’ As a beloved signature restaurant within the Jumeirah brand, it’s also found at Dubai’s Jumeirah Al Naseem. KAYTO promises an unforgettable dining experience, showcasing authentic flavors and culinary craftsmanship under the expert leadership of Head Chef Christian Goya, who has earned recognition as one of the Best Chefs in the UAE by Gault&Millau. The culinary team’s diversity and expertise, including Chef de Cuisine Mauricio Higa’s meticulous precision in dish preparation and a collective team representing 13 different countries, with a noteworthy 20% female and 20% Maldivian presence, are integral to KAYTO’s resounding success.
In the words of Mohamed Ashraf, the General Manager of Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island, “We are extremely honored to be recognized amongst the finest travel brands in the world and excited to continue delivering on this level of excellence for years to come at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island.”
