From his early days as a bartender at Hilton Colombo to leading Joy Island Maldives as its Resort Manager, Bandula Thilakarathne has built a diverse career across hospitality operations, gaining valuable insight into guest experiences, culinary excellence and people-first leadership.
In this exclusive interview, he reflects on his journey, the importance of continuous learning, and his approach to driving growth at Joy Island and across The Cocoon Collection, while adapting to the evolving expectations of today’s global travellers.
Can you share the story of your journey in luxury hospitality, and how your experiences have shaped your perspective as the industry has evolved?
My hospitality journey began from the ground up, starting as a bartender at Hilton Colombo. From the very beginning, I embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. After building a strong foundation in food and beverage, I expanded my experience into rooms division, engineering, and overall resort operations, a path that eventually led me to my current role as Resort Manager at Joy Island Maldives.
Over the years, I had the privilege of holding key leadership positions at prestigious luxury properties, including serving as Associate Director of Food & Beverage at One&Only Reethi Rah from 2010 to 2023, and later as Director of Food & Beverage at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Resort from 2023 to 2025, where I led seven F&B outlets, drove profitability, and developed innovative dining concepts.
Alongside practical experience, I have always believed that learning never stops. Earning my Master of Business Administration (MBA) strengthened my understanding of leadership, strategic management, and business operations. Today, I am further enhancing my knowledge by pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the International Business Academy of Switzerland. Combining academic learning with operational experience has helped me become a more well-rounded leader and make better decisions for both our guests and our team.
My leadership style is built on respect, teamwork, and leading by example. Having experienced operational challenges firsthand, I focus on empowering my colleagues, recognizing their achievements, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Working with The Cocoon Collection has further strengthened this approach. Our leadership continuously inspires us to embrace innovation, challenge ourselves, and never become complacent.
With your strong background in food and beverage, how do you use culinary experiences to enhance guest satisfaction at Joy Island Maldives?
Food and beverage has always been much more than a profession to me it is my passion and my life’s journey. I truly believe that food is an art. Every dish tells a story, reflects a culture, and has the power to create lasting memories.
My background in F&B gives me a deep understanding of guest expectations and the importance of quality, authenticity, and attention to detail. At Joy Island, I work closely with our culinary team to continuously enhance our dining experiences by focusing on fresh ingredients, creative presentation, authentic flavors, and a diverse range of international and local cuisine.
One of the things I am particularly proud of is that we produce our own artisan cheeses at the resort, allowing us to offer guests unique, handcrafted products. We also embrace a garden-to-table philosophy, using fresh herbs, vegetables, and ingredients grown in our own gardens whenever possible. From themed dinners and wellness-focused menus to listening carefully to guest feedback, we ensure every dining experience is personal, memorable, and reflects our signature warmth.
Throughout your career in hospitality, what is one value or belief that has remained constant and continues to guide you as a leader?
The one value that has remained constant throughout my career is putting people first with genuine empathy. I believe that hospitality is built on human connections, and success starts with caring for both our guests and our team members.
I have always believed that the right mindset, a positive attitude, and strong commitment are more important than technical skills alone. Skills can be taught, but passion, integrity, and the willingness to care for others come from within. As a leader, I strive to create a culture where people feel respected, supported, and inspired to give their best every day.
When we genuinely invest in our people, they naturally deliver exceptional service to our guests. That is why I lead with trust, respect, consistency, and empathy while keeping everyone focused on our shared purpose.
After more than 20 years in Maldivian luxury hospitality, how have guest expectations evolved, and how is Joy Island adapting to deliver memorable and personalized experiences?
Over the past 20 years in Maldivian luxury hospitality, I have seen guest expectations evolve significantly. Today, guests are looking for much more than beautiful beaches and luxury accommodation. They seek authentic experiences, meaningful connections, personalized service, wellness, adventure, sustainability, and memories that stay with them long after their holiday ends.
Having spent my career in the Maldives, I have developed a deep understanding of what luxury travelers truly value. I combine that experience with Joy Island’s vibrant and guest-focused philosophy to continuously enhance every stage of the guest journey. From personalized arrivals and tailored dining experiences to celebrating special occasions and anticipating guest preferences, we focus on creating moments that feel genuine and memorable.
We have also expanded our recreation and wellness offerings, introduced new family-friendly experiences, enhanced our entertainment programming, and invested in technology to make every stay more seamless. For me, true luxury is not only about beautiful surroundings—it is about making every guest feel recognized, valued, and cared for.
How does Joy Island Maldives stand out as part of The Cocoon Collection portfolio?
Joy Island is a very special milestone for The Cocoon Collection as the group’s third resort in the Maldives. Since opening, we have quickly established ourselves as one of the leading resorts in the destination, achieving outstanding guest satisfaction and consistently ranking among the top properties through guest reviews.
One of our greatest advantages is our location. Being just a short speedboat journey from Velana International Airport allows guests to begin their holiday almost immediately after arrival, offering both convenience and a true island escape.
Joy Island combines contemporary luxury with a vibrant atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for couples, families, and groups of friends. What truly sets Joy Island apart, however, is our people and the culture of The Cocoon Collection. We believe in genuine hospitality, creating meaningful connections with every guest, and constantly challenging ourselves to improve every day.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in Maldivian hospitality. What steps is Joy Island taking to ensure more responsible and eco-friendly island operations?
Sustainability is at the heart of our long-term vision at Joy Island. Over the past year, we have made significant investments to reduce our environmental footprint—including installing a solar power system to reduce diesel consumption, improving energy efficiency across the resort, strengthening recycling programs, and introducing a composting machine for organic waste.
One of our proudest achievements is our hydroponic garden, which now supplies approximately 95% of the leafy greens used across our restaurants. This allows us to provide guests with fresher, healthier produce while reducing food miles, packaging waste, and our overall environmental impact.
We are also committed to protecting our marine environment through regular island and reef clean-up activities and responsible resource management. Equally important is creating a culture of sustainability by actively educating and engaging both our team members and our guests. We believe sustainability is not just a program, it is part of our daily operations.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Joy Island, and what new experiences or initiatives can guests look forward to?
My vision is for Joy Island to become one of the leading lifestyle resorts in the Maldives, recognized not only for its stunning natural beauty but also for exceptional guest experiences, innovation, and genuine hospitality.
We are continuously investing in the future of the resort by introducing new recreational facilities, expanding our wellness experiences, developing exciting dining concepts, enhancing family-friendly activities, and strengthening our sustainability initiatives. At the same time, we are embracing technology to create a seamless digital guest journey while ensuring that personalized, heartfelt service remains at the center of everything we do.
As a leader, my ambition is not only to elevate Joy Island but also to contribute to the continued success of The Cocoon Collection. Ultimately, success is measured by the smiles of our guests, the growth of our team, and our ability to create meaningful holiday experiences that guests will cherish for a lifetime.
