Vilamendhoo Management

Zahir, first joined the Crown & Chamaps Resorts in 1989. Over the years in his career, he has extensive experience in various departments including administration, operations, and project development within the hospitality industry. Following several decades of leadership positions at Crown & Champa Resorts, he was appointed as the General Manager for Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa in 2019. As General Manager, Zahir strategically leads resort operations to ensure they run smoothly and continuously meet guest standards and operational goals.

Josef is from Salzburg, Austria with extensive hospitality experience across four continents (Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa) such as Austria, Switzerland, Algeria, Malaysia, Egypt, Singapore, Australia, China, Sweden, Russia, and Qatar with humble beginnings as Chef, F&B Manager, Operations Manager, Director of Operations. He embarked on his new journey as General Manager with JUFA Hotels, Austria in 2017. After 2 years, he received a good opportunity as Interim General Manager with Sheraton Club des Pines Resort, Algeria. In 2021, he moved back to Austria as a General Manager for a new opening holiday resort, Berghof Boutique Apartments in Salzburg. As the Resort Manager, he assists the General Manager in managing the daily operations to increase guest satisfaction and employee productivity.

Zi Hui joined the Vilamendhoo team as Assistant Human Resources Manager in July 2019 and was promoted to Human Resources Manager. She began her career as Guest Services Agent and move her career path to Human Resources Department. Three years prior to moving to the Maldives, she became the Assistant Human Resources Manager with The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, Malaysia. As her passion for the hospitality industry and Human Resources Management is growing, she continuously shows her strong dedication and good performance. She always believes that it is important to create positivity in the workplace and be a good listener to the employees. She is responsible for improving Employee Engagement, Employee Welfare, and Recruitment of the resort.

Sameera, a Sri Lankan financial professional, joined Vilamendhoo as the Financial Controller in 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Second Class honours and a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree. Starting his career in 2008 with Aitken Spence Hotels as an Accounts Executive, he advanced to Head Office Accountant. In 2016, he managed financial operations for four Maldives resorts with Aitken Spence Maldives Hotels (Adaaran). In 2021, he became Group Accountant at Amaya Hotels in Sri Lanka. Sameera brings extensive experience to his current leadership role.

Niroshan comes with extensive hospitality experience in the Engineering operations. He started his work in Sri Lankan’s navy for 9 years, after graduating in Mechanical Engineering. His first resort was Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives as Senior Mechanical in-charge and later joined Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma as Senior Mechanical Supervisor. After humble beginnings in engineering operations, he was promoted to various positions such as Maintenance Officer, Duty Engineer, and Maintenance Manager at the same resort. Prior to joining us, he was Assistant Chief Engineer with Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives since 2022.

Margereth, from India, has extensive experience in hospitality, specializing in housekeeping operations. She holds a diploma in Hotel and Catering Management and began her career in 2007 at the MacDonald Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh, as a Room Attendant and team leader. Her dedication led to promotions to Housekeeping Supervisor, Head, and Manager in Scotland, Kolkata, and Malaysia. In 2018, she became Executive Housekeeper at Doubletree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur and assisted in the pre-opening of Doubletree by Hilton Putrajaya. Before joining Vilamendhoo, she worked at Pullman Dubai Creek City Center Hotel & Residences.

Markus, a Swiss national, started his journey as Executive Chef in 2023 in the Maldives. In operations, he oversees the kitchen and ensures the quality of food items. He has vast experience in the hospitality industry for over 30 years in various countries such as Switzerland, Australia, UAE, Bahrain, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Ahamad began his career as a Waiter-Supervisor at The Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai, advancing to Assistant Restaurant Manager. In 2014, he joined Hilton Baku as an Outlet Manager, later becoming Food & Beverage Manager at The Landmark Hotel Baku. He then moved to the Maldives in 2019. After two years with Hideaway Beach Resort, he returned to Baku as Director of Food & Beverage in 2021. He brings extensive experience in Food & Beverage operations across the Middle East, Azerbaijan, and the Maldives.

Ismail joined the Vilamendhoo team as a receptionist in January of 2013, in just four years he was promoted to Supervisor in January 2017, and because of his dedication to his work, he advance to Assistant Front Office Manager. As his passion and perseverance for his profession in Hospitality Industry continue growing, this year he climb to the position of Front Office Manager. He was born and raised in Dhangethi located at South Ari Atoll and studied in Dhangethi School.

Rilwan is dedicated to ensuring a smooth reservation process and enhancing guest satisfaction. He oversees all guest bookings across various platforms, aiming to maximise hotel occupancy and revenue. Rilwan joined Crown & Champa Resorts in 2009 as a Reservations Agent at Meeru Maldives, advancing to Reservations Supervisor and Assistant Reservations Manager, and becoming the Reservations Manager in 2017. He transferred to Vilamendhoo in 2016. Rilwan holds a Diploma in Hospitality Management from the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies.

Farheen joined Vilamendhoo in 2018, she is responsible for the Guest Services department. She started as a student in the Tourism industry in 2015 with Constance Academy Training Centre in Mauritius. She worked in Constance Le Prince Maurice & Constance Ephelia Seychelles. Farheen routinely ensures that solid customer service procedures are in place. She was born in Mauritius and speaks fluent English and French.

Adil completed his hotel school education in 1997 and has extensive experience in his hospitality career at the front office, guest transport, housekeeping, and duty management in various resorts. He joined Crown and Champa Resorts in 2009 as an Excursion Supervisor at Meeru Maldives and was later promoted to SEA (Sports, Entertainment, and Activities) Manager, now based in Vilamendhoo. Adil manages fitness activities, ocean excursions, and evening shows, ensuring guests are entertained with enthusiastic experiences.

Saneeh, a Maldivian IT professional, holds a bachelor's degree from the Maldives National University, specialised in Information Technology. His career at Crown & Champa Resorts began in 2010 as an IT Trainee at Meeru Maldives. He advanced to Network Administrator and later worked as a System Administrator at Hurawalhi Maldives Resort. In 2019, he became Assistant IT Manager at Vilamendhoo and was promoted to IT Manager in 2024.

Nasraf joined CCR Group Resorts in 2010 and began his purchasing career in 2014, and since then, he has been promoted twice over the years until his current position. Nasraf ensures to provide resort requirements (foods and general items) to bring on time without fail. He was born and raised in Kolhufushi, Meem Atoll, Republic of Maldives.

With a Master of Education, Nadya began her career as a Training Coordinator at the Alana Hotel Surabaya in 2013. She became a Training Manager at InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar in 2016, then moved to JW Marriott Surabaya in 2017. After three years, she joined Hilton Bali Resort in the same role. Before joining Vilamendhoo as Training & Development Manager, she was Cluster Learning and Development Manager at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort and Aloft Bali Kuta.