News
New openings set to bring fresh approach to luxury tourism in Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – As a gaggle of glitzy Maldives newcomers clamour for attention, vying to outdo each other for ostentation, one company is setting itself apart with a refreshingly different approach – creating an outstanding, authentic Maldives experience that gives guests more of what they want. With over 60 years’ experience in the destination between them, the three founding directors of The Small Maldives Island Company have looked beyond tired norms and attention-seeking fads to put what guests really want at the heart of everything they do.
Their vision will be turned into reality with the launch of two exemplary new island resorts, Amilla Fushi (opening November 2014) and Finolhu (opening Q4 2015). An intimate island home that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Amilla Fushi will offer laid-back luxury and more purpose-designed houses of two or more bedrooms than any other Maldives resort – perfect for families and groups of friends. Amilla’s hot, fun-loving younger sister Finolhu meanwhile will offer an affordable beach club-style take on nu-luxury. Located in the pristine UNESCO biosphere reserve of Baa Atoll, both are easily reached via scheduled flights to the new Baa Atoll airport, or a scenic 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé.
Amilla Fushi and Finolhu will turn the established Maldives model on its head. No more thinking of guests as a captive audience, to be corralled into the same couple of pricey restaurants for every meal. No more stinging them with extras every time they do anything, then waving them off with a serious case of ‘bill shock’. And no more lumping in charges for things they don’t need or want.
Says co-founder Tom McLoughlin, “We want our Spa experience to be accessible, indulgent and worry free, so guests can enjoy it without worrying that they can’t afford to have treatments. So – just as it’s a given that breakfast is included – we’re including a 50 minute spa treatment for every guest, every day”.
There will be no ‘paywall’ deterring guests from making the most of the magical Maldivian ocean either: All water sports – non-motorised and motorised – will be complimentary too. No need for parents to cost-control by parking their kids in front of the resort PlayStation for hours on end; instead they will be free to splash around to their hearts’ content, with a host of supervised fun and games ensuring an unforgettable, authentically aquatic Maldivian adventure. What’s more, Amilla’s house reef even boasts its very own renowned ‘Blue Hole’ dive site within snorkeling distance of the beach.
Budding island hoppers with a taste for adventure will also welcome a refreshing, relaxed ‘open island’ philosophy: a first for the Maldives. Far from being marooned on a single island for the duration of their stay, guests at Amilla and Finolhu will be encouraged to explore Baa Atoll’s other resorts, and their bars and restaurants – and vice versa. This pioneering and liberating approach puts guests’ experience first, while simultaneously demonstrating the resorts’ supreme confidence in their own offering.
Amilla Fushi – which literally translates from the local Dhivehi language as ‘my island home’ – ignores fleeting trends in favour of timeless pleasures: delicious, unpretentious food; superb wines; and relaxed yet flawless service. The vision of ‘Island Restaurateur’, acclaimed Aussie Chef Luke Mangan (described by food legend Anthony Bourdain as ‘the Michael Corleone of Sydney’s restaurant scene’) is to prepare the kind of food people really want to eat on holiday. Out goes starched-shirt service, lobster and linen, and in come barefoot cocktails, barbecue flavours, zingy ceviches and tropical ingredients – realised to perfection at relaxed pier-side restaurant Lonu. Curling around the Maldives’ biggest swimming pool, Baazaar serves upthe freshest line-caught local fish with an international twist, and serious sundowners (or uppers!).
Guests are also free to grab some groceries and self-cater in style: The island’s Emperor General Store and Cellar Door wine shop are stocked with handpicked fresh ingredients, from fresh fruit and vegetables and fine cuts of meat to fresh-baked breads. A true ‘home from home’ experience for foodies who love to cook for their families and friends.
A range of purpose-designed Island Homes – one- and two-bed Beach and Lagoon Houses; 12-metre high, two-bed Tree Houses; and Ocean Reef Houses right on the house reef, with rates starting from approx. US$1,800 per night – are complemented by 12 stunning bespoke Beach Residences of three, four, five and six bedrooms.
Also in Baa Atoll, Finolhu, opening in 2015, is a buzzy, informal haven for sociable singles, fun loving travellers and Millennial families. Offering 126 rooms – 88 overwater – as well as 40 villa suites cocooned on the secluded sanctuary of Finolhu Private Island, Finolhu is all about simple things, done well. Think sandspit-hopping picnics, swim-up cocktails at the Baa Bar and stand-up snacks from the colourful shabby chic Fish & Crab Shack.
Conceived and managed by The Small Maldives Island Company, Amilla Fushi and Finolhu’s light-hearted, unpretentious approach and contemporary architecture and design will bring a new way of doing things to a destination that has found itself in a coupley conceptual cul-de-sac.
Veligandu Maldives Resort Island has been awarded One MICHELIN Key in the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 hotel selection, recognising the resort’s accommodation, service, design and overall guest experience.
The distinction places Veligandu among hotels recognised by the MICHELIN Guide for delivering what it describes as a “very special stay”. The MICHELIN Key system evaluates hotels based on factors including architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, personality and character, value for money, and contribution to the local experience.
Announcing the recognition, General Manager Fathuhulla Ibrahim attributed the achievement to the property’s natural surroundings, sense of seclusion, connection with the ocean and commitment to responsible island living.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the resort’s team, highlighting the importance of personalised service, genuine hospitality and attention to detail in creating memorable experiences for guests.
The recognition comes as Veligandu Maldives continues to introduce enhancements to its guest experience ahead of the festive season.
Among the developments is an enhanced semi-buffet breakfast experience at Raalhu, available to guests staying in Ocean Pool Villas and Sunset Ocean Pool Villas. The resort has also refreshed menus across its dining outlets, reflecting guest feedback and its ongoing efforts to develop its food and beverage offerings.
Veligandu Maldives is also preparing to introduce new destination dining experiences designed for couples celebrating special occasions, including marriage proposals, anniversaries and romantic evenings.
In addition, the resort has made complimentary snorkelling equipment available to guests across all meal plans, providing greater access to the marine environment surrounding the island.
The property is also placing emphasis on personalised holiday planning through its dedicated Lifestyle Hosts, who assist guests with arrangements for marine activities, wellness experiences, private dining, weddings and other activities before arrival.
The MICHELIN Key distinction follows the resort’s transformation into a five-star luxury property, marking another development in its positioning within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
Veligandu Maldives Resort Island is part of the Crown & Champa Resorts portfolio and is located in North Ari Atoll, approximately 20 minutes by seaplane or 60 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. Established in 1984, the resort reopened in November 2024 following an 18-month renovation that transformed the property into a five-star luxury resort.
The resort features 100 beach and overwater villas, including accommodation with private pools, spread across a nine-hectare natural island known for its sandbank and house reef. Its facilities include Dhonveli Restaurant, Madivaru Restaurant, Raalhu Restaurant, Himeyn Spa, diving and water sports facilities, and recreational activities.
The 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection includes 2,832 MICHELIN Key properties worldwide, of which 2,020 hold One MICHELIN Key. The distinction recognises hotels offering notable accommodation experiences, based on assessments conducted by the Guide’s independent inspectors.
Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa has announced its first Hunter’s Wine Dinner, scheduled for 17 November 2026, bringing together Italian cuisine and wines from New Zealand producer Hunter’s Wines.
The event will feature a five-course Italian dining experience, with each course paired with selected wines from Hunter’s Wines. The dinner will be hosted by James Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Winemaker at Hunter’s Wines, alongside Chelsea Macdonald.
The evening will provide guests with an opportunity to explore the relationship between food and wine, with the pairings designed to complement the flavours and characteristics of each course. Guests will also have the opportunity to engage with the hosts and learn more about the wines, winemaking techniques and principles of food and wine pairing.
Based in Marlborough, New Zealand, Hunter’s Wines is a family-owned winery established in 1979. The winery has played a role in the development of Marlborough’s wine industry and produces a range of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
James Macdonald, a member of the Hunter family, holds a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Lincoln University. He has gained winemaking experience internationally and currently oversees winemaking operations while contributing to the winery’s management and development.
The upcoming dinner forms part of Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa’s culinary offerings, which include international dining experiences across its restaurants and bars.
Located on a seven-hectare private island in Raa Atoll, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is a five-star property operated by the Italian family-owned Emerald Collection. The resort is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and operates under a Deluxe All-Inclusive concept.
The property features 80 villas, comprising 38 beach villas and 42 overwater villas, surrounded by a lagoon and house reef. Its dining facilities include Aqua Restaurant, Beach Club Grill, Carnivorous Restaurant, Le Asiatique and Mediterraneo, offering Mediterranean, Asian and other international cuisines.
Additional facilities include The Emerald Spa, which offers Thai and Balinese treatments, a fitness centre, water sports and recreational activities. The resort is accessible by a seaplane journey of approximately 45 minutes from Velana International Airport.
The Hunter’s Wine Dinner on 17 November will provide another opportunity for guests to experience the resort’s culinary programme through a collaboration with an international wine producer.
News
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort introduces ‘Garden of Eve’ Christmas and New Year celebrations
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort invites guests to discover a season of giving and renewal from December 22, 2026, to January 7, 2027. Set amid the natural beauty of Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort’s Garden of Eve festive celebrations will bring together joyful gatherings, nourishing cuisine, family discoveries, and island adventures.
The festivities begin on December 22 with a Tree Lighting Ceremony, illuminating the resort’s Wish Tree, a large Boa’shi gas (velvetleaf soldierbush) at the heart of the island. Decorated with the modest wishes of children supported by the Baa Family and Children Service Center (FCSC) on Eydafushi Island, the tree symbolizes the resort’s commitment to giving back to the community. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort will fulfill the children’s wishes, and guests are warmly invited to participate in this meaningful gesture of generosity.
The celebrations continue on Christmas Eve with cocktails and music at the Pool Deck, followed by an international buffet dinner at Island Kitchen with seasonal favorites and flavors from around the world. On Christmas Day, Santa Claus makes a special appearance, bringing festive cheer, gifts, and memorable moments for families.
As the final evening of the year approaches, the island transforms into a lush Garden of Eve for a New Year’s Eve celebration under the stars. Inspired by the beauty and abundance of a tropical paradise, the theme brings together nature, wonder, and the promise of new beginnings. Guests can gather for a beachfront gala dinner featuring an abundant feast at lavishly presented culinary stations, with live entertainment and a countdown to the new year. A fireworks spectacle is planned to light up the island sky as the resort welcomes 2027.
Beyond the festivities, the resort offers time to slow down, reconnect, and recharge. Uplifting movement and mindful moments invite guests to embrace the natural rhythm of their surroundings, while younger travelers can create, explore, and make new friends through activities at the Westin Family Kids Club.
At Heavenly Spa by Westin, guests can pause amid the celebrations and unwind with restorative rituals in a tranquil setting. For those seeking adventure, AQUA offers a gateway to the waters of Baa Atoll, where water sports, excursions, and diving invite guests to explore the vibrant marine world surrounding the island.
With 69 villas, each featuring a private pool and uninterrupted ocean views, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is a wellness-focused retreat where tranquility meets adventure. Three distinctive dining venues, rejuvenating spa experiences, and family-friendly activities offer guests opportunities to embrace well-being throughout their stay.
To discover more and reserve a festive escape, visit westin-maldives.com.
-
Action1 week agoCROSSROADS Maldives welcomes international padel stars for historic women’s tournament
-
Action1 week agoW Maldives welcomes Olympic badminton champion Wang Chi-Lin for exclusive coaching experience
-
Awards1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi shortlisted for family and sustainability honours at Luxury Lifestyle Magazine Awards
-
News1 week agoMaldives-born wellness brand ELE|NA celebrates 11 years of operations
-
Cooking1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi welcomes back Chef Tristan Brandt for exclusive festive dining experiences
-
News1 week agoNH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort unveils ‘Havana Nights’ festive programme
-
Featured1 week agoAngsana Velavaru brings island-inspired celebrations to Christmas and New Year
-
Featured6 days agoSix Senses Laamu unveils 17 new overwater villas across four categories