Maldivian resort Angsana Velavaru has been named “Best Foreign Hotel” at the 2025 Russian Traveler Awards, further strengthening the Maldives’ position as one of the world’s most desirable high-end escape destinations. The prestigious national tourism award, established by Russian Traveler magazine (formerly National Geographic Russia), celebrates excellence across the global travel industry, honouring outstanding hotels, resorts, national cuisines and eco-tourism initiatives, while also drawing attention to emerging hotspots on the international tourism map.
Every nomination passes through a strict moderation process before reaching the public vote, and the final winners are chosen by the magazine’s readers, renowned for being experienced, discerning travellers who regularly explore destinations across the globe. This year’s results were announced on 8 December at an official awards ceremony in Moscow, where Angsana Velavaru’s win underscored the strong appeal of the Maldives among Russian-speaking travellers and highlighted the resort’s reputation for personalised service, refined comfort and memorable guest experiences.
Set in a vast private lagoon in the largely untouched South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru offers guests an exclusive tropical escape that balances seclusion with easy access. The resort is reached via a picturesque 40-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, during which travellers are treated to sweeping views of turquoise waters, coral reefs and tiny emerald-green islands ringed with white sand. Once at the resort, the lagoon’s calm, crystalline waters and uninterrupted horizons create a relaxed island atmosphere that appeals equally to couples, families and small groups seeking privacy and space.
Accommodation at Angsana Velavaru is designed to showcase the beauty of its setting. Guests may choose from elegantly appointed beachfront island villas that open directly onto soft, powdery sand, where the ocean is just steps away. For those seeking an elevated overwater experience, the resort’s signature InOcean Villas are positioned approximately one kilometre from the main island, surrounded by open ocean for an added sense of exclusivity. These overwater villas come in spacious two- and three-bedroom configurations and feature private pools as well as generous indoor and outdoor living areas, making them ideal for multigenerational families and friends travelling together. From the deck, guests can descend straight into the warm lagoon to swim, snorkel or simply drift above the reef.
Beyond its striking accommodation, Angsana Velavaru is distinguished by the quality and variety of its all-inclusive culinary offering. The resort presents an extensive selection of cuisines, ranging from authentic Maldivian and Indian dishes to flavourful Pan-Asian creations and familiar international favourites, ensuring that guests with different tastes and preferences all feel well catered for. Beachfront dining, relaxed poolside snacks and refined restaurant experiences allow visitors to tailor each meal to their mood, whether they are celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual family gathering.
Leisure and recreation are central to the Angsana Velavaru experience, with the resort proudly offering 101 different activities. Guests can unwind with signature spa treatments, daily yoga or gentle lagoon swims, or opt for more active pursuits such as diving, snorkelling, and watersports that reveal the rich marine life and underwater biodiversity of the South Nilandhe Atoll. Sunset cruises provide the chance to watch dolphins and admire glowing skies at the end of the day, while DJ-led evenings, curated island excursions and family-friendly experiences keep the resort lively and engaging throughout a stay. For many guests, the surrounding coral reefs, alive with colourful fish and other marine species are a particular highlight, reinforcing the Maldives’ reputation as a bucket-list destination for ocean enthusiasts.
Angsana Velavaru’s success at the Russian Traveler Awards adds to a growing list of international accolades that recognise both its product and its service philosophy. Recent acknowledgements include honours such as Best Water Villa Resort at the TTM Maldives Awards 2025 and Maldives’ Leading Water Villa Resort at the World Travel Awards 2025, alongside consistently strong guest review scores and traveller-choice recognitions, reflecting positive feedback from visitors around the world.
For the Maldives, the Best Foreign Hotel title for Angsana Velavaru serves as another example of how the country’s resort islands continue to resonate with global audiences seeking privacy, warm hospitality and pristine natural surroundings. For Angsana Velavaru, the reader-voted recognition from Russian Traveler magazine is a meaningful endorsement from a key source market and a clear signal that its blend of overwater luxury, beachfront living, diverse gastronomy and abundant experiences is strongly aligned with the expectations of today’s international traveller.
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