Maldives Private Island as an all-inclusive, adults-only retreat, with just 15 over-water Ocean Residences. The resort is designed by Japanese architect Yuji Yamasakia and is fully solar-powered, said to be the first of this kind in the country.
The Muraka at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island features undersea rooms
Meanwhile, seen by many as one of “the founding fathers of tourism” in the Maldives, Mohamed Maniku is taking his years of experience at the helm of Universal Resorts to create a personal passion project – The Nautilus, which opens in the heart of a Unesco biosphere in January, with just 26 villas, each with a private “house captain”, and activities including midnight swims in phosphorescent waters with a marine biologist.
Crossroads is a nine-island integrated resort project
Pool bar at the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives
But Universal is not slowing down as a brand either, with the planned arrival of Faarufushi Maldives this December in Raa atoll with 80 contemporary villas including the unique Island Residence with its own expansive infinity pool. Openings by the big international brands are coming thick and fast too. Looking to the end of the year, there’s a major brand arrival in the shape of the Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, which is a reflag from Dhevanafushi Maldives, a former Jumeirah hotel, this December. A Fairmont cousin under the Accor umbrella also arrived in the country this year.
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island is an adults-only retreat
The Nautilus is set within a Unesco biosphere
Ocean house at The Nautilus
Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, meanwhile, has just opened in Baa atoll, with 70 villas, including two-bedroom family options, all created by Italian architects, but with local influences on its style too, with the shape of the buildings evoking marine life and shells. Also under the Marriott umbrella, a JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa will arrive on the northern Maldivian Shaviyani atoll in January with 61 pool villas, a treetop restaurant, expansive wine cellar and kids’ club. It’s not the first time in the Maldives for the Waldorf Astoria brand, but this time around, its resort will span three islands – the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi Resort is slated to open early 2019, a 20-minute speedboat ride away from Male, featuring 138 pool villas and 10 dining outlets.
Island villas at Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
Also about to open its second property is Lux Resorts, with Lux North Male Atoll expected by February – the resort claims it will be “breaking the mould” by replacing traditional thatched
villas with oversized penthouse residences, with sweeping ocean views and a fleet of luxury yachts at guests’ disposal.
Also set to do the double is the portfolio of The Residence by Cenizaro, with a second resort coming in January too. The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah is in Gaafu Alifu atoll and adjacent to its first property, The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi, which will be connected by a bridge, creating one of the largest resort offerings in the Maldives. But the overall medal for that must surely go to Crossroads – previously known as the Emboodhoo Lagoon project. Close to the capital island of Male and the airport, this major new project is the most expansive tourism project ever witnessed in the country. Set in the 4.3 mile-long
Emboodhoo lagoon, the nine-island integrated resort project is tipped to “redefine holidays in the Maldives and transform the Greater Male region”, according to Visit Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, the country’s tourist office.
Thai-based Singha Estate is developing the project, with initial elements set to open in early 2019. It sits 15 minutes by speedboat from Male international airport and includes eight hotels, each with their own guest arrival jetties, while inter-island water transportation will connect elements such as the Cafe del Mar Maldives beach club, 11,000 square metres of retail space and an “entertainment island” with 60 retail and food and beverage outlets.
Resorts confirmed so far include SAii Lagoon Maldives, part of Curio Collection, set to open in January, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, coming in March with 178 guestrooms, family suites, beach villas and one and two-bedroom overwater villas.
A spokesperson for Crossroads said: “The timeline for completion of a development of this size is understandably flexible.”
So it looks like the next few years are certainly going to be busy ones for this tiny island nation; one that continues to punch well above its weight on the global luxury stage.
■ Visit Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation and a wide range of resorts on AS140
06.11.2018 43
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