Cinnamon Hotels wins three honors at SATA 2026 in Maldives

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives picked up three awards at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026 in Malé, including repeat gold wins for Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives. The recognition highlights the company’s surf and beach resort positions, along with a CSR program tied to dive education for local youth.

Why it matters: - The awards reinforce Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ positioning in two of the country’s key tourism segments: surf travel and beach resorts. - The CSR recognition also ties the company’s hospitality business to community development, reef conservation and youth skills training. - Repeat wins can strengthen brand trust with travelers, partners and the wider Maldives tourism market.

What happened: - Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives secured three accolades at the South Asian Travel Awards 2026. - Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives won Gold in the Leading Surf Resort category for the eighth time and fourth year in a row. - Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives won Gold in the Leading Beach Resort category for the second consecutive year. - Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives also earned Silver in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category. - SATA 2026 took place on 8 October 2026 at Barceló Nasandhura Malé in Malé, Maldives. - The 10th edition of SATA recognized tourism and hospitality achievements across South Asia.

The details: - Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives sits in North Malé Atoll and is known for the Pasta Point surf break. - The resort draws surfers from around the world and pairs surf access with water sports, wellness experiences and island hospitality. - Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives was recognized for its white sandy beaches, lagoon setting and mix of beachfront and overwater accommodation. - The resort also offers dining and wellness experiences tied to its natural surroundings. - The Silver CSR award recognized a six-day dive education program for young people from nearby island communities. - Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives ran the program with Dive & Sail, its PADI-certified dive centre. - Nine students ages 16 to 18 from schools in Keyodhoo and Felidhoo earned PADI Open Water Diver certification. - The program combined theory, practical training and supervised dives. - The initiative promoted safe diving practices, reef conservation and career exposure in marine tourism. - Sandharu Ferdinando of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts was listed as the media contact.

Between the lines: - The mix of surf, beach and CSR awards suggests Cinnamon is using a portfolio strategy rather than relying on a single resort identity. - The youth diving program gives the company a community-facing story that goes beyond standard resort marketing. - The repeated gold awards indicate the brand has built consistency, not just a one-time standout year.

What's next: - Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives is likely to continue emphasizing guest experience, environmental awareness and community engagement across its Maldives portfolio. - Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives will probably lean on the SATA recognition in future marketing and sales efforts. - The company said it remains committed to memorable surf experiences and holidays in the Maldives.

The bottom line: - Cinnamon left SATA 2026 with validation across experience, product quality and social impact, giving the Maldives operator multiple talking points for travelers and industry partners alike.