Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lily Hotels
With a hospitality career spanning nearly four decades, Michael Wieser brings a wealth of global experience shaped by leadership roles across Europe and Asia, and within some of the industry’s most respected brands. His professional journey has been guided by a passion for service excellence, people development, and creating meaningful guest experiences. First joining Lily Hotels in 2010, Michael was drawn to the company’s pioneering spirit and its bold move to redefine Maldivian hospitality through the country’s first premium all-inclusive concept at Lily Beach Resort & Spa.
Returning as CEO in 2025 marked a natural homecoming. Under his leadership, Lily Hotels has evolved into a more agile, future-focused organisation, embracing sustainability, innovation, and refined guest expectations while remaining firmly rooted in its Maldivian identity. In this interview, Michael reflects on growth, value-driven luxury, and the vision shaping Lily Hotels’ next chapter.
My hospitality journey began 38 years ago, taking me across continents, from Europe to Asia and roles within some of the industry’s most respected brands. What has always driven me is the joy of creating memorable guest experiences and fostering environments where colleagues thrive. That passion for service excellence has shaped every decision throughout my career.
My initial connection with Lily Hotels in 2010 was a meaningful one. After years with larger global and more established chains, I was drawn to the chance to help shape a pioneering Maldivian brand. Even then, Lily Beach Resort & Spa stood out with its bold vision as the Maldives’ first premium all-inclusive resort, an innovative concept in a market dominated by traditional half-board or full-board offerings. Being part of a team redefining luxury travel in the Maldives was both inspiring and transformative.
Returning as CEO in 2025 felt like coming back home to family. Despite exploring other ventures, Lily Hotels remained close to my heart. The opportunity to build upon its strong foundations and lead the brand into its next chapter was compelling. The company has evolved significantly, embracing technology, sustainability, and more refined guest expectations, while staying true to its core values. The dedication of the team and the elevated standards at both Lily Beach and Hideaway reflect this growth. Today, we are more agile, more guest-focused, and more committed than ever to delivering exceptional Maldivian hospitality.
As one of the Maldives’ established resorts, Lily Beach holds a unique position with a rich history and loyal following. This legacy is a strength, but it also requires us to continuously innovate in a market where new resorts emerge every year. Our strategy for identifying growth and differentiation is multifaceted.
Firstly, we lean heavily into our legacy. While new resorts often focus on cutting-edge design, Lily Beach offers an authentic Maldivian charm and a sense of established comfort that resonates deeply with many travellers. We emphasise this timeless appeal through our service, our cuisine, and the natural beauty of our island. We don’t chase every trend, but rather focus on refining and enhancing what we do best.
Secondly, we engage in continuous dialogue with our guests. Their feedback through surveys, conversations, and online reviews helps us understand evolving preferences and identify areas to elevate the experience. We are seeing growing demand for immersive cultural experiences and wellness, prompting us to integrate more Maldivian heritage into our activities and expand our wellness offerings beyond the spa to include mindful experiences and healthier dining.
Finally, we closely analyse market trends and competitor offerings to identify gaps and new opportunities for differentiation. For Lily Beach, this often means enhancing our premium all-inclusive concept, adding exclusive excursions, and introducing unique culinary experiences. We are also strengthening our sustainability initiatives, as a responsible Maldivian resort owner-operator with good stewardship as one of our core values.
Lily Beach’s pioneering legacy as the Maldives’ first premium all-inclusive resort is something we are incredibly proud of. It set a benchmark, and while many resorts have now adopted various all-inclusive models, what defines true ‘value’ in an all-inclusive offering, in my opinion, goes far beyond just including food and beverages.
For us, real value begins with transparency and genuine inclusivity. It means guests should never feel nickel-and-dimed. Our Platinum Plan is crafted to cover virtually everything, from premium wines and spirits, refined dining across multiple restaurants, curated excursions, non-motorised watersports, and signature experiences like snorkelling safaris. Guests should arrive, unwind, and trust that their holiday is fully taken care of.
Secondly, true value comes from quality and choice, not quantity. Our Platinum Plan features varied dining, from à la carte menus to themed buffets, with premium beverages rather than basic pours. Great-tasting meals for all our guests from all around the world and varying ages are key to our success. Excursions are thoughtfully curated and led by skilled guides to ensure unforgettable experiences. This focus on quality ensures guests enjoy a refined experience without compromising simply because it’s all-inclusive.
Most importantly, true value is about experience and personalisation. A meaningful all-inclusive frees guests to fully immerse in their stay, to join a sunset cruise, try a new cocktail, or enjoy a gourmet meal without hesitation. At Lily Beach, we strive to personalise this experience. Our team tailors these moments by understanding individual guest preferences, dietary needs, and special occasions. The goal is a seamless, worry-free, memorable escape. That is the Lily Beach promise of value. It is also a key reason why we have so many repeat guests at the resort.
With nearly four decades in this industry, I have witnessed countless shifts and evolutions. Looking ahead, one of the most defining trends will be hyper-personalisation driven by service. Guests increasingly expect bespoke experiences, tailored to their individual preferences, interests, and even moods. Resorts will increasingly use data analytics to understand guest needs before arrival, enabling customised itineraries, dining and activity recommendations. At Lily Hotels, we are investing in advanced CRM systems and exploring AI-driven tools to enhance responsible data insights. For Lily Beach, this translates into refining our Platinum Plan with more personalised inclusions, from private dining to bespoke excursions tailored to individual guest desires.
The second trend is sustainability becoming a core expectation. Travellers are increasingly mindful of environmental and social impact, favouring resorts that truly prioritise sustainability and community support. Lily Hotels is strengthening waste management, eliminating the use of single-use plastics, investing in renewable energy sources and engaging in marine conservation efforts. Both Lily Beach and Hideaway are committed to protecting their surrounding reefs and sharing local cultural and environmental knowledge with guests.
Thirdly, experiential travel will continue to dominate. Guests want authentic, immersive experiences rooted in culture, nature and the people. At Lily Beach, we are developing Maldivian cultural activities, from local cooking classes to local artisan interactions. We are extremely proud of our weekly Culture Live Experience at the resort. With its vast lagoon, Hideaway takes a different approach, enhancing wellness retreats, sporting experiences, mindful programs, and unique marine-based activities.
Finally, digital integration and seamless technology will become even more crucial, but always balanced with human interaction. Technology assisted check-ins, smart room features, and efficient communication platforms will elevate convenience, but never replace genuine hospitality. We are implementing robust digital infrastructure across both resorts without compromising genuine human connection.
Without a doubt, my greatest challenge as CEO has been navigating unprecedented global events, particularly the pandemic. This period tested every aspect of our operations, from guest safety and staff well-being to financial stability and market recovery. It was a crucible that truly shaped my approach to managing Lily Hotels as a brand and ensuring its consistency.
The immediate focus was on ensuring the safety and repatriation of guests and staff, followed by sustaining operations with minimal revenue. This required agility, innovation, and resilience, always guided by our core values: the well-being of our people and the long-term health of the brand.
This experience highlighted the value of teamwork and clear communication. We learned to anticipate rapid shifts, plan for multiple contingencies, and react swiftly to evolving circumstances. It taught me that while consistency in service and brand promise is paramount, the methods of delivery must be flexible.
This challenge also reinforced the importance of sustainable, long-term planning. We focused on investments that strengthen future resilience, from health and safety upgrades to improvements to product and digital infrastructure, and sustainability initiatives.
The pandemic, though challenging, made us stronger, more empathetic, and innovative. It taught me that true brand consistency means delivering our promise of excellence and exceptional service while staying adaptable, and that investing in our people ensures the lasting strength and future of Lily Hotels.
Maintaining distinct personalities for Lily Beach Resort & Spa and Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, while reflecting the unified ethos of Lily Hotels, is a key priority. Lily Beach, with its premium all-inclusive Platinum Plan, is vibrant, family-friendly, and value-driven, offering a worry-free holiday where guests can fully enjoy the Maldives. Hideaway, in contrast, caters to discerning travellers seeking privacy, expansive space, plenty of distinct experiences, and understated luxury, with tailor-made experiences and bespoke service powered by the resort’s signature butler service.
These unique identities are shaped through targeted marketing, differentiated products and services, from diverse dining and activities at Lily Beach to private villas and personalised culinary journeys at Hideaway, carefully curated design and ambience, and staff training adapted to each resort’s style. Despite these differences, both share the Lily Hotels ethos: genuine Maldivian hospitality, excellence in service, respect for the environment, and a guest-centric approach that ensures every stay is memorable.
The distinct personalities of our resorts are intentionally developed through targeted guest segmentation, tailored marketing, and differentiated offerings. Lily Beach thrives on its premium all-inclusive concept, vibrant atmosphere, and diverse dining, while Hideaway is defined by its butler service, private-pool villas, distinct sporting and wellness facilities, and highly personalised culinary experiences. Their designs reflect these identities, as does their service culture, lively and engaging at Lily Beach, discreet and anticipatory at Hideaway. Yet both remain unified by Lily Hotels’ core values: genuine Maldivian hospitality, exceptional service, and deep respect for the natural environment.
The legacy I hope to leave behind at Lily Hotels is multifaceted, but at its core, it revolves around two key pillars: enduring innovation and deeply ingrained purpose.
The legacy I hope to leave at Lily Hotels is built on two pillars: enduring innovation and a profound sense of purpose. I want the brand to remain a true Maldivian pioneer, continually evolving, embracing sustainability, and enhancing guest experiences while staying deeply rooted in the destination’s authentic spirit. From pioneering the premium all-inclusive concept at Lily Beach to exploring new ways to enrich wellness, culture, and personalised service, the goal is for Lily Hotels to be synonymous with dynamic evolution, always relevant, always fresh, yet deeply rooted in its Maldivian essence.
Equally important is cultivating a culture of purpose that extends beyond exceptional holidays. This means empowering our people to grow and thrive, protecting our environment through sustainable practices, and creating meaningful impact in local communities. I hope Lily Hotels will be remembered not only for its stunning resorts and experiences but for its heart, integrity, and forward-thinking vision, a brand that delivers unforgettable moments while shaping a more sustainable and responsible future for the Maldives.
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