Winged Boots Interviews: Mohamed Ashraf, General Manager of Jumeirah Olhahali Island

"I start my day very early as that's the best time for me to move around and make sure that the grounds are immaculate for our guests when they wake up. I also take some time to go through the key performance highlights from the previous day and then how the day looks in terms of my arrivals and guests departing, as well as any special occasions or activities in the calendar. I do spend time going through the feedback gathered from the previous day very thoroughly to check that any issues have been resolved ahead of the new day.

"I live on this beautiful island here in the Maldives, so I enjoy getting up early and being around the resort, interacting with guests as much as possible."

"Yes. And it's my passion. I love speaking with guests, getting to know their preferences, how their stay has been so far, and – most importantly – how we can add a special touch that makes it extra memorable. For me, the key is that the guest leaves with amazing memories to cherish; that they remember us for the great vacation they’ve spent with us on the island. We have beautiful villas, but I always say the soul of the experience is the team."

"Absolutely. I think we should be continuously trying to innovate and exceed guest expectations. We do work in a highly competitive landscape. There's a lot of fierce competition. So, we need to be different in terms of our service delivery within the luxury space and then deliver exceptional results in terms of guest experience. The key is understanding what the guest wants, how we do that is by listening to the team on the ground by empowering them with feedback – whether it's positive or constructive. I'm not scared of receiving constructive feedback because there's a clear opportunity for us to turn around the experience or to make it even better.

"We have a very seasoned team of highly trained butlers on the property who, because they work so closely with guests from arrival to departure, are great for gathering invaluable firsthand feedback."

"I'm sure you would agree that the Jumeirah brand is synonymous with refined luxury hospitality. It’s innovative and committed to excellence, and we try to carry these core values into everything we do here at Jumeirah Ohahali Island. To me, Jumeirah means special experiences at every point of your journey with us. And I definitely think we translate that into the service we deliver for guests.

"We go above and beyond to curate unique moments for them and try to tailor the experience as much as possible, so you’ll always get something personal which resonates in a unique way. It’s all about being exceptional, and being in a location such as the Maldives – which is naturally exceptional – definitely helps with that."

"I think the Maldives stands out as a luxury leisure destination, largely because of its unique geography. We have around 1192 islands scattered across 26 atolls, and our island is near the edge of the North Malé atoll. The entire area of the Maldives is 99% covered by water and only 1% land!

"Arriving in the Maldives you can expect pristine white sandy beaches and vibrant marine life. We’re very fortunate that the waters around the resort are teeming with tropical fish, as well as turtles, manta rays, and even the occasional seasonal whale shark."

"Our extensive weekly schedule offers up to 50 experiences in and around the resort. This includes everything from special dinners and drinks receptions to watersports as well as diving and guided snorkelling excursions. Guests also really enjoy the morning meditation and yoga session on the rooftop to start their day. So, there's a wide range of activities for our guests to enjoy. Or you can just take it easy on the beach!

"There are also several beautiful spots on the beach where you can join your family or partner for a special meal on the sand and we can arrange private BBQs on the beach, which are great for marking an occasion. Oh, and – probably my favourite activity – Movies under the Stars: where we set up an outdoor cinema on the rooftop, so families and couples can come together and watch old classics through to newer blockbusters in the open air. It's a lovely way to spend an evening."

"Well, the rooftop is definitely one of the most unique spots on the island, offering an amazing aerial view. We are actually the only resort in the Maldives where all of our villas have their own private rooftops with panoramic views, which consistently delight our guests.

"But, back down on the ground, I love my walks around the island. There are lots of little walkways filled with tropical greenery and beautiful, colourful flowers where you feel surrounded by the nature of the island. Then, walking down the beach, you’ll come to the entrance of the lagoon, which is just amazing. I feel strongly about the landscapes here and these are some of the best places to truly appreciate the natural beauty."

"We get a combination of all different kinds of travellers. Our property is of course very attractive to couples, so we get lots of those, especially couples on their honeymoon, who love our ultra-spacious standalone villas. But we also have beautifully laid-out two- and three-bedroom options, which prove popular with families. We also see multi-generational groups who might take one or more of the units. I like to think there is something to suit everyone and – like I mentioned – we try to tailor everything to the needs of the individual or the group as much as possible."
 

"We strive to ensure our guests' journey begins long before they arrive at the property. Through our guest relations or personal concierge service, we proactively reach out to guests before their arrival. Our goal is to understand their desired experiences well in advance, whether they're a couple or a family. We're eager to learn about their personal preferences and any specific requests they may have.

"Once they're in-resort, our butlers excel at engaging with guests and recommending activities tailored to their interests. Whether it's a romantic candlelit beach dinner, a sunset cruise on one of our yachts for dolphin watching, or a simple turtle quest just a short speedboat ride away, we always try to help them get the most out of their time, whatever that looks like for them."

"They constantly seek opportunities to elevate their clients' stay and are readily available for any guest needs as the primary point of contact. Their role is to go above and beyond, from noting guests' dietary preferences to collecting them from their villa to get them to their chosen activity on time. If something isn’t on the menu, your butler will speak to the chefs and – wherever possible – we will try to make this for you. So you can celebrate an anniversary with a dish that has special significance, for instance."
 

"Absolutely. I think this is a really important question. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at the resort because – like you say – if we don’t conserve our environment, there is literally no resort! We are an island chain known for natural beauty, so once that is gone, it’s gone.

"We conduct beach and reef cleaning initiatives alongside coral planting workshops led by our resident marine biologist, while our educational programs for children emphasise environmental awareness. We've made strides in sustainability, including reducing single-use plastic and eliminating plastic bottles and straws, adopting responsible seafood sourcing practices, and switching to eco-friendly cleaning materials.

"We’ve also implemented a number of energy-saving initiatives, too. For instance, our turtle-shaped cards signal housekeeping not to replace bed linens, reducing water usage. Auto sensors in doors and windows conserve energy by automatically shutting off air conditioning. These are just some of the practical ways in which we are trying to make a positive impact."

"Individually they're quite small changes and I don't think they affect the guests' experience in any way. It doesn't make it any less luxurious. But combined these things are super important obviously – and particularly in a destination like the Maldives. The thing that makes it special is the ecology and landscape. And so, if those things aren't protected, then it doesn't exist in the same way anymore."

"Firstly, we always prioritise local employment, which has a significant impact for Maldivians. We also have a Maldivian night which our food and beverage team has prepared as part of the weekly programme of events. It's a beautiful experience on the beach where you will also have the chance to see some traditional dances and performances.

"We try to incorporate some storytelling traditions, too, sharing with the children some beautiful stories from the islands. This is close to our hearts because, as I say, the majority of the team are locals and have lots of knowledge to impart. We’ll also teach little ones how to write something, maybe their name, in the local language – which they seem to love!"

"As you know, the Maldives was one of a few nations globally which kept its doors open during the pandemic. So, we are lucky in that we never saw that huge dip that other destinations did. The main thing we have noticed is an increase in the average length of stay, and that people might be opting for a twin centre trip: combining two destinations into one holiday. People are also looking for more experience-driven holidays that include some of the things we have been talking about; they want something transformative which leaves a lasting impression.

"People are craving authentic connection and want to spend quality time with their loved ones in memorable ways. And they’re prioritising wellness, enjoying more spa experiences or a calming yoga and meditation session."

"Well, basically, by combining all of the things we have discussed! By prioritising guest satisfaction, delivering the best service possible, and taking on feedback, while remaining committed to sustainability and offering a range of activities to showcase the best of the Maldives. We’re constantly innovating to stay ahead of the curve, whether that is through our food, events and activities, or the tailored services we offer our guests.

"I love travelling in Asia, you know, I think Asia is quite special. There are beautiful places to travel. I like Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, Vietnam. There are so many great places to explore within Asia."

Thank you, Mohamed. 

In an increasingly global world, the Maldives has become one of the most instantly recognisable, Instagram-famous, and aspirational destinations on the planet. However, as the face of that planet and the nature of travel shifts, it takes innovation, commitment, and the ability to react to changing client demands to maintain a cutting edge in a highly competitive landscape.

Mohamed has these attributes in spades, alongside a heartfelt pride in his unique home country and so is ideally placed to navigate Jumeirah Olhahali Island through the (brilliantly blue) seas of change – ensuring that generations to come get to experience their own Maldivian magic.