1. Tell us a bit about your journey in the luxury hospitality industry.

Ads By Oaga Art Resort Maldives

I never set out with a grand plan to be in hospitality—but life took me there and I followed. Early in my career, I was sent to Thailand in the middle of a financial crisis to look at investment opportunities. This was back in 1998. I somehow found myself at the Amanpuri. I had never seen a place so beautiful and it opened my eyes to what is possible in terms of experience creation. I stayed in the region for two years. I was young and had no idea what I was doing, but I figured it out. After that I spent time in Europe building the W brand in the Europe, Africa, Middle East region and later globally. From there I joined The Standard and eventually bought the company because I believed in its unique DNA and where it could go. And the team and I made it happen. Starting with just LA, Miami and NYC, we have created incredible places around the world from London to Ibiza to Bangkok to Singapore and the Maldives. We will open Pattaya and Brussels this year, Lisbon and Mexico City next. And I still feel like we are just getting started especially now as part of the Hyatt family, the whole world is open to us. Hospitality, at its core, is about being open—to people, to cultures, to ideas. To exploring the world, learning, innovating and creating without limitation.

2. As a creative leader, it’s important to constantly generate fresh ideas. What are some of your biggest sources of inspiration?

I get inspiration from everywhere—travel, art, architecture, music, food, fashion, technology. Creativity is connecting dots, and I’m always paying attention. But inspiration alone isn’t enough. Execution is everything. I love working with smart, creative people who push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and bring ideas to life. We seek out and empower those people with the brands and platform we have built. I am in awe of people who have that type of talent and am grateful to be able to work with them  

3. How do you see The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives evolving? Do you have any new concepts or creative directions that guests can look forward to?

Most resorts in the Maldives are designed for honeymooners, but we wanted to shake that up. The Standard, Maldives, is great for couples, sure, but also for friends, solo travelers, and anyone looking for a mix of relaxation and fun. It’s about bringing The Standard’s bold, vibrant DNA to one of the most beautiful and magical places on the planet. Our island is pristine with an incredible house reef. In so many ways, less is more there. We strip back the trappings of luxury where more is more. We work with the local community, sourcing responsibly, and looking for ways to reduce our impact while creating an incredible guest experience which is grounded in the natural beauty and enjoying the people you are with. We just try to provide the perfect backdrop.

Ads By The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives