Coco Collection and Sunland Hotels Appoint New Chief Operating Officer

Sunland Hotels & Resorts and its luxury subsidiary Coco Collection have appointed Nick Simmonds as Chief Operating Officer.

Simmonds will oversee all operational and strategic practices for both brands in the Maldives.

He has a wealth of experience, gained through an extensive career specializing in launching and operating some of the most well renowned hotels and resorts in the world.

Most recently, Simmonds was Vice President of Chris Blackwell’s Island Outpost collection of hotels in Jamaica where he also headed up the company’s charitable foundations and environmental programs.

Prior to Island Outpost, Simmonds was the General Manager at The Cotton House in Mustique, where he was responsible for the refurbishment and re-launch of the property.

Simmonds also oversaw the launch and management of the highly acclaimed COMO Hotels & Resorts property, Parrot Cay, in the Turks and Caicos.

Other career highlights include appointments that range from the remote African bush, where he began his career in hospitality by working as a guide, to New York City’s trendy Upper East Side, where he worked for Private Worldwide Property Portfolio.

In addition to Simmonds impressive résumé, he also speaks fluent Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans.

“It is my distinct privilege to work for one of the Maldives’ most prestigious hotel groups, who pride themselves on offering their guests unparalleled level of luxury and tailor made service,” said Simmonds. “I’m incredibly thrilled to be entering this exciting new chapter in my career and look forward to taking on this role with such a well-regarded company and hardworking team on my side.”

In addition to Simmonds new role as Chief Operating Officer, he also currently sits on the board for The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), based in Washington DC, whose mission is to promote responsible tourism policies and practices globally to enable local communities to thrive and steward their cultural resources and biodiversity.