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Accor to manage two resorts in Maldives

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MaamutaaMaldives.net.mv – Accor Asia Pacific has signed with Pristine Island Investments Pte Ltd to manage two new resorts being built in one of the most unspoilt areas of the Maldives.

The 68-villa Mercure and 120-villa Pullman will open in 2016 and 2018 respectively, and will be located in the south of the Maldives in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll in the Indian Ocean, a spectacular lagoon teeming with colourful marine life and boasting unmatched diving and snorkelling options.

“We are thrilled to announce our first two hotels in the Maldives at a time when the region is enjoying excellent growth, especially with travellers from Asia Pacific,” said Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO Accor Asia Pacific. “The Mercure and Pullman resorts will provide great options for travellers looking for world-class accommodation in the middle of this unspoilt lagoon and we look forward to working with Pristine to bring these exciting projects to fruition.”

Maamutaa

The Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort will provide one of the best-value accommodation options in the spectacular Maldives, with 68 villas including 43 located over water and 25 scattered along the white sandy beach. The resort will be built using local materials, bright colours and stylish furniture with the interiors designed to reflect the Maldivian culture and the spirit of travel. It will be the only Maldivian beach resort directly accessible by domestic plane, without the need of an additional speedboat journey. Facilities will include an all-day restaurant, lobby lounge, pool and pool bar, sunset bar, spa and gym as well as a range of watersports including a dive centre. The arrival of the Kooddoo Airport has opened up the beautiful south of the island nation, away from most of the resort developments further north of the archipelago.

The 120-villa Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort, which is slated to open in 2018, will be a ‘one-island, one-resort development’ located just 10 minutes by speedboat from the new airport on the gorgeous, unspoilt Maamutaa Island which spans 195,000 square metres. A destination in itself, the Pullman Maamutaa will be one of the most modern resorts in the Maldives, offering guests five-star services and facilities including 80 spacious overwater villas and 40 villas dotted around the pristine beach, two swimming pools, a lounge, an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a sunset bar perched over the lagoon, spa and fitness centre, organic gardens, tennis court, kids club, beach playground as well as a dive centre and watersports centre so that guests can make the most out of their stay in this spectacular location.

“The upscale Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort and mid-scale Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort will be our first two hotel developments in the Maldives and we are pleased to partner with Accor which has a large brand portfolio catering to different market segments and a strong brand presence in Europe and Asia”, said Mr Ronald Leo, CEO of Pristine Island Investments Pte Ltd. “We believe that this partnership, with our collective experience, will create a new and very exciting holiday destination in the Maldives.”

Maldives is enjoying record visitor numbers with 120,468 tourists arriving in February 2015, the highest number recorded in the history of Maldives tourism. Asia Pacific currently accounts for around 44% of visitor arrivals (with China the number one source country) and Europe accounting for 49% of visitor arrivals. With the increased air capacity to the Maldives including new direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and key Chinese hubs, tourism in the region is expected to grow further with anticipated visitor arrivals to reach 1.72 million by 2017.

Cooking

VARU by Atmosphere celebrates Maldivian cuisine with new Kaagé cookbook

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VARU by Atmosphere has unveiled the Kaagé Progressive Maldivian Cookbook, bringing the flavours and culinary heritage of the Maldives to life through an immersive new experience. As part of the island experience, guests can enjoy private cooking masterclasses, offering a hands-on connection to authentic local flavours and the opportunity to take home the beautiful cookbook as a memento.

At Kaagé, the award-winning speciality restaurant, guests embark on a culinary journey through the history and traditions of the Maldivian islands. Time-honoured local recipes are paired with modern culinary techniques, allowing the distinctive flavours of the Maldives to be recreated in kitchens around the world.

Held on 20th August, the exclusive cookbook launch event brought together journalists, culinary influencers and resort guests, who joined the resort’s chef team for an interactive masterclass. The session explored local ingredients including skipjack tuna, coconut and fiery Scotch bonnet chillies, offering participants an authentic taste of Maldivian culinary traditions.

“These immersive cooking classes are now a permanent part of your resort experience. Kaagé is a tribute to the vibrant culinary identity of the Maldives,” says Maurice Van Den Bosch, General Manager at VARU by Atmosphere. “Through our cookbook and masterclasses, we invite you to connect deeply with island culture. We look forward to sharing these traditions with you.”

VARU by Atmosphere is a naturally Maldivian island escape in North Malé Atoll, just a 45-minute speedboat journey from Malé. Blending authentic Maldivian culture with contemporary elegance, the resort offers an intimate island experience centred around warm hospitality, vibrant dining, wellness and immersive experiences. From its distinctive overwater villas and unique overwater cellar to its island-inspired cuisine and commitment to sustainability, VARU by Atmosphere celebrates the essence of the Maldives while offering a refined and relaxed tropical retreat.

The Kaagé Progressive Maldivian Cookbook is available exclusively to participants of cooking masterclass. To discover more or reserve your spot, visit www.varu-atmosphere.com or contact reservations@varu-atmosphere.com.

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BBM Hulhumalé Phase 2 opening promotion winner receives Honda Airblade

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Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has presented a brand-new Honda Airblade motorbike to the winner of a lucky draw held to mark the opening of its newest wholesale outlet in Hulhumalé Phase 2.

The outlet, located at Lot 20286 on Nirolhu Magu, opened on 16 February 2026 as part of BBM’s expansion of its wholesale operations.

To celebrate the opening and thank customers for their continued support, BBM introduced a special lucky draw exclusively for customers who made purchases from the new outlet on its opening day.

Customers who purchased products during the opening were eligible to enter the draw, with a Honda Airblade motorbike offered as the grand prize.

The lucky draw was conducted on 13 August 2026, with Ibrahim Shifaz of Vagthun Vaguthah outlet selected as the winner.

Shifaz was recently presented with the ceremonial key to the Honda Airblade by AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of Bestbuy Maldives.

The promotion formed part of BBM’s activities surrounding the opening of its Hulhumalé Phase 2 outlet, which provides customers with access to the company’s range of wholesale products from the growing residential and commercial area.

Bestbuy Maldives is a supplier and distributor serving businesses across the Maldives, including customers in the hospitality, food service and retail sectors.

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Drink

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands welcomes SUSHISAMBA Dubai for exclusive pop-up

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SUSHISAMBA Dubai, the multi-award-winning dining destination perched 51 floors above The Palm Jumeirah, is taking its renowned energy to the shores of the Indian Ocean. From Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27 September 2026, SUSHISAMBA Dubai arrives at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for an exclusive three-night pop-up at EAU Bar, spotlighting Dubai’s thriving hospitality scene on an international stage.

Highlighting Dubai’s status as a global dining capital, this island takeover brings together two powerhouses of luxury hospitality. Running nightly from 7PM to 10PM with two dinner seatings, the pop-up features a curated dining experience led by Brand Chef Kitak Lee, brought to life by live performances from SUSHISAMBA’s iconic samba dancers, a signature element that made the venue one of Dubai’s most sought-after spots, for an unforgettable celebration by the sea.

Set against the pristine oceanfront backdrop of EAU Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, a ultra-luxury resort known for its legendary Aris Meeha service, immersive Maldivian traditions, and world-class epicurean offerings across its island destinations, guests will experience SUSHISAMBA’s signature blend of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian culture. The exclusive pop-up will feature a bespoke menu of signature dishes crafted with the highest standards of culinary artistry, complemented by SUSHISAMBA’s bar team serving craft cocktails infused with exotic ingredients.

“This collaboration marks an exciting milestone as we take the electric spirit and culinary excellence of SUSHISAMBA Dubai to one of the world’s most spectacular luxury destinations,” said Brand Chef Kitak Lee. “We look forward to bringing our signature blend of flavours, theatrical energy, and world- class hospitality to EAU Bar for three unforgettable nights.”

Whether dining under the stars or enjoying inventive mixology by the ocean, guests can expect an immersive journey defined by elevated dining, dynamic entertainment, and the unmistakable SUSHISAMBA spirit.

Event Details:

Venue: EAU Bar, at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Dates: September 25–27 2026

Seating Schedule:

Friday, September 25:

  • First Seating: 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
  • Second Seating: 8:30 PM–10:30 PM

Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27:

  • First Seating: 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
  • Second Seating: 8:30 PM–10:30 PM

For bookings and more information, please contact the reservations team at +960 400 0999 or maldives.reservations@ritzcarlton.com, or visit The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands website here.

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