News
St Regis Maldives Vommuli to open in September
Maldives.net.mv – Starwood Hotels & Resorts has revealed the opening of the all-villa St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort on September 1.
The 77-villa property is in the Dhaalu Atoll, 40 minutes from Male by seaplane and is designed by WOW Architects | Warner Wong Design out of Singapore; lagoon villas are shaped like manta rays, the signature bar is in the shape of a whale shark and there is a lobster-inspired spa and a spiral shell-shaped library.
The island’s design sees it focus on several zones – the Lagoon zone with a water amphitheatre and an Iridium Spa; the Beach zone with two beachfront restaurants; the Jungle zone with a nature discovery centre and pop-up cafe; and the Coastal zone with a dive centre and bar.
There is also an art trail connecting the areas that will feature the work of artists in residence who will use locally sourced materials.
There will also be a Children’s Club and a Socialite Club for young guests aged 16 onwards.
There will be six dining venues, including an Asian specialty restaurant, an Italian restaurant, an underground wine cellar restaurant, a shack-style restaurant, a signature over-water bar and a pop-up restaurant in the middle of the resort.
Among the accommodations on the island will be the John Jacob Astor Estate – named for the founder of the original St Regis in New York.
It’s said to be among the largest villas in the Maldives, with a total size of 1,540 square metres, with three areas – one of which includes a 92-metre pool, living room, master bedroom, show kitchen, spa room, mini theatre, fitness area, while another has two connecting lagoon villas, each featuring their own private pool.
The Iridium Spa has six over-water treatment rooms, including two dedicated to Ayurvedic treatments, and a Blue Hole pool, which contains heated seawater with different water jets.
The 24-hour St Regis Butler Service will also be available for all guests.
The brand, which is part of Starwood, has 35 hotels and resorts worldwide, with 50 more to follow by 2020.
For more information please visit www.stregismaldives.com
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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