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.
Madifushi Private Island has announced that Yasmeen Alsaeed, a distinguished television presenter and renowned media personality based in Riyadh, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for its highly anticipated New Year’s Eve Gala Night.
Widely recognized for her elegance, cultural insight, and commanding stage presence, Yasmeen Alsaeed brings over a decade of experience in broadcast media, live hosting, and high-profile event presentation. She is best known for her work with Al Arabiya News Channel, part of the MBC Group, where she has covered a broad spectrum of regional and international stories, establishing herself as a trusted and articulate media voice.
In addition to her media career, Yasmeen is the Founder and Director of YASA Production, a creative company focused on media, culture, and heritage projects—reflecting her passion for meaningful storytelling delivered with authenticity and purpose.
Madifushi Private Island’s New Year’s Eve celebrations promise an immersive, multi-day experience curated for couples, families, and discerning global travelers. Festivities will begin with sunrise yoga to welcome the final day of the year in tranquility, followed by a range of family-friendly activities, including creative workshops. As the evening unfolds, guests will gather for the island’s Grand New Year’s Eve Gala Night, transitioning into a vibrant beach party featuring live entertainment, curated music, and DJ performances.
A symbolic lantern flying ceremony will invite guests to reflect, release, and welcome new beginnings, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at the countdown to midnight. Celebrations will continue into the New Year with a special New Year’s Day brunch, allowing guests to begin the year in relaxed island luxury. Additional surprises and experiences have been thoughtfully curated to ensure an unforgettable festive journey.
Commenting on the occasion, the Ali Shakir, Group General Manager of Maldives Inflight Catering Group said, “New Year’s Eve is a moment of reflection, celebration, and togetherness. At Madifushi Private Island, we have carefully designed our festivities to offer meaningful experiences for all generations—blending wellness, family moments, refined entertainment, and celebration. We are honored to welcome Yasmeen Alsaeed as our Master of Ceremonies, whose grace and professionalism perfectly complement the spirit of our New Year’s Eve Gala.”
Madifushi Private Island is honored to welcome Yasmeen Alsaeed as the host of its New Year’s Eve Gala Night, where her refined presence, natural charisma, and global perspective will elevate the evening’s celebrations and create an unforgettable experience for guests from around the world.
As Madifushi ushers in the New Year with elegance, celebration, and world-class entertainment, the collaboration with Yasmeen Alsaeed underscores the island’s commitment to sophistication and memorable moments.
This December Maldivian resort Angsana Velavaru was named Best Foreign Hotel by the Russian Traveler Awards. The national tourism award, initiated by the respected Russian Traveler magazine (formerly National Geographic Russia ), recognises excellence across the travel industry, from hotels and resorts to national cuisine and eco-tourism, while also spotlighting emerging destinations on the global travel map.
All submissions undergo a rigorous moderation process, with the final winners selected by the magazine’s readers, who are recognised as discerning and well-travelled explorers. The voting results were announced on 8 December during the official awards ceremony held in Moscow.
Located within a vast private lagoon in the largely untouched South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru is a premium tropical resort accessible by a scenic 40-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport.
Guests may choose from beachfront island villas with direct access to pristine white sands, or the resort’s signature InOcean Villas, a distinctive collection of overwater villas situated one kilometre from the main island, surrounded by open ocean. These villas feature two- and three-bedroom configurations, private pools, and expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces. The surrounding azure lagoon and vibrant coral reef offer exceptional opportunities to explore the Maldives’ rich marine life and underwater biodiversity.
Angsana Velavaru is also celebrated for its diverse all-inclusive offerings, presenting a wide range of cuisines from authentic Maldivian and Indian flavours to Pan-Asian specialties and international classics. Complementing its dining experiences, the resort offers 101 leisure activities, including sunset cruises, spa indulgences, diving adventures, DJ-led evenings, and a variety of curated island experiences.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort and IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay brought their exclusive wellness retreat to life with a memorable day at the Maldivian Mermaids Anhenunfushi Farm on December 17, 2025, celebrating community connection, sustainable agriculture, and the joy of shared wellness. The special visit, part of the three-day wellness and endurance experience, saw Lucy and resort guests venture beyond the resort to Anhenunfushi Island for an immersive cultural exchange that perfectly embodied the resort’s Move Well and Eat Well philosophy.
The day began with a guided farm tour, where guests discovered sustainable farming practices unique to the Maldives, followed by a farm-to-table tasting featuring fresh, healthy bites harvested directly from the island’s organic gardens. Lucy then led an energizing warm-up session on the beach, sharing practical fitness tips and inspiring the local Maldivian Mermaids team with insights from her championship training regimen.
The highlight of the visit was the spirited Mini Olympic Games, where Lucy teamed up with Maldivian Mermaids employees and competed side by side in exhilarating challenges, including a fast-paced relay and a thrilling tug-of-war that brought everyone together in laughter and friendly competition.
“Today was about more than fitness – it was about building bridges between cultures, celebrating the strength of community, and honoring the sustainable practices that protect this incredible environment,” said Lucy Charles-Barclay. “The energy and warmth from the Maldivian Mermaids team reminded me that sport and wellness have the power to unite us all.”
Vijay Kumar, General Manager of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, added, “This partnership with Maldivian Mermaids and this experience with Lucy exemplify our commitment to meaningful travel. We believe luxury hospitality should foster genuine connections with local communities while championing sustainability. Today’s celebration perfectly captured that vision.”
Maldivian Mermaids Anhenunfushi Farm represents a pioneering model of sustainable agriculture in the Maldives, providing fresh, organic produce while supporting environmental conservation. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort’s ongoing partnership with the farm reflects the resort’s dedication to sourcing local, sustainable ingredients and investing in the communities that call Baa Atoll home.
This exclusive wellness retreat, made possible through Marriott Bonvoy Moments, continues to demonstrate how luxury travel experiences can create lasting impact not just for guests, but for the destinations and communities they visit.
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