News
Roxy-Pacific Holdings to renovate and rebrand Kuda-Funafaru
Maldives.net.mv – Property and hospitality group Roxy-Pacific Holdings has revealed plans for its newly acquired Maldives resort, Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru as the company has finalised the purchase of the Noonu Atoll property from AAA Group.
Roxy Pacific Managing Director Mr. Chris Teo confirmed that the resort will undergo extensive renovation of guest villas, public spaces and food & beverage (F&B) outlets before opening in the first quarter of 2017. Upon completion it will be the second property to be marketed under Roxy’s premium Noku brand. The first opened in Kyoto, Japan in November 2015.
“We are extremely excited to have completed the acquisition of this stunning property, our first in the Maldives. We look forward to turning it into an exceptional resort that will appeal to upmarket travelers looking for unique experiences in one of the most desirable destinations in the world,” says Mr. Teo. “This acquisition fits with our broader strategy of acquiring boutique properties in Asia Pacific’s up-and-coming locations.”
“As a Maldivian owned and independently managed resort, we are delighted to have found a buyer who would be committed to continuing to deliver the high standards of service and hospitality our team has strived for.” says Mr. Ahmed Hamza, Deputy Managing Director of AAA Group. “We welcome them to the Maldives and congratulate them on acquiring Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru.”
“This is a great outcome for both Roxy Pacific and the seller, AAA Group,” says Mr. Nihat Ercan, Executive Vice President, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia. “The Maldives is a global gateway resort destination. Coupled with its robust trading environment and investor-friendly policies, the country is a highly attractive destination for investors from Asia Pacific, Middle East and beyond. The sale of Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru is the eight resort transaction exclusively marketed and sold by JLL and underpins the depth of investment activity in the market.
“On the back of this momentum, we are continuing to market resorts in the Maldives and Indian Ocean exclusively on behalf of owners,” adds Mr. Ercan.
Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru Resort and Spa currently comprises 50 villas (30 over-water villas and 20 beach villas), four F&B outlets, a full-service spa, an ocean-front fresh water infinity pool, a state-of-the-art diving centre, a fitness centre with full-sized tennis court, and a luxury boutique.
There were a record 1.23 million tourist arrivals in the Maldives in 2015 and in the first quarter of 2016, there has been a 4.3 percent increase in visitors compared to the same period last year.
Visitors from China make up 29 percent of arrivals, making it the top tourism source market for the Maldives. The Indian Ocean archipelago continues to welcome a large number of visitors from Europe and between 2010 and 2015 the number of visitors from the Middle East more than tripled.
JEN Maldives Malé has introduced the Shangri-La Circle (SLC) loyalty programme, offering dining benefits for guests from 1 April to 31 December 2026.
The programme provides free and instant membership, allowing guests to access discounts and earn reward points on dining experiences at the property. Members receive a 15 per cent discount on their first dining purchase upon joining, along with ongoing 15 per cent savings on food and beverage.
Guests can enrol in the programme through the Shangri-La Circle mobile application. Membership benefits include reward points on eligible spending, which can be redeemed for future dining and hotel experiences.
The offer applies to regular dining experiences and excludes tobacco, special theme buffet nights, and other ongoing promotions.
JEN Maldives Malé stated that the programme is designed to provide value to guests while enhancing dining experiences at the hotel. The initiative also reflects Shangri-La’s focus on strengthening guest engagement through loyalty-based offerings.
Members are required to present their digital membership card at the time of billing to access the benefits.
The hotel is promoting the programme through its social media channels, in-house displays, and digital platforms. Guests can download the Shangri-La Circle application or sign up at the hotel to begin using the programme.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
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