IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of Vaagali Maldives, Vignette Collection with partner Vaagali Investment Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Gateway Maldives Pvt Ltd, a leading tourism development company in the Maldives.

Set to open in late 2026, the resort will feature 52 land and overwater villas, offering guests soulful, immersive stays on Vaagali island – a boutique jewel in the Indian Ocean shaped by the legacy and devotion of a Maldivian family. This treasured sanctuary will now welcome a new generation of travellers seeking one-of-a-kind stays.

Vaagali Maldives, Vignette Collection will expand IHG’s presence in the Maldives, joining Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, and further building the company’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in the region alongside its Six Senses and InterContinental brands.

Shi’ai Liang, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia & Korea, IHG, said: “In partnership with Vaagali Investment Pvt Ltd, we are delighted to introduce a beautiful new all-villa resort in the South Malé Atoll – a destination renowned for some of the best diving sites in the world, just a 30-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

Vaagali Maldives, Vignette Collection will invite travellers to rediscover the authentic Maldives of the past by seamlessly integrating luxury, design and cultural authenticity, while accentuating guest connection and purpose. Vignette Collection is the perfect brand to bring to life everything that makes this island extraordinary, creating an outstanding addition to IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle footprint in the country.”

Statement from the Owners: “As a family, Vaagali has been part of our lives for decades a place of memory, discovery, and deep connection. For us, this island has always been a sanctuary, lovingly shaped by our parents and founders, Mr. Hussain Shareef and Mrs. Fathimath Naseema, whose vision, integrity, and devotion to Maldivian hospitality continue to guide and inspire us.”

Opening Vaagali Maldives, Vignette Collection to the world is profoundly meaningful. We are honoured to partner with IHG to share the island’s history and soul with guests who seek something personal, authentic, and rooted in place. Vaagali has always been defined by its raw beauty, quiet serenity, and the freedom it gave us as a family and we are committed to preserving these qualities in every detail of the guest experience. We look forward to welcoming travellers to Vaagali Maldives, Vignette Collection, where heartfelt hospitality, cultural heritage, and the natural essence of the Maldives come together in a way that is both refined and deeply authentic.”

Defined by its untouched natural beauty and intimate scale, the island features naturally formed underwater caves – a rare geological wonder that reveals its ancient origins and offers guests a remarkable marine exploration experience. Immersive nature encounters invite guests to reconnect with the environment, with themselves, and with the traditions that shape Maldivian island life.

The resort will spearhead initiatives including coral restoration, reef-health monitoring, responsible energy and waste management, reduced single-use plastics, and the protection and regeneration of native vegetation. Locally sourced materials and craft-led design elements further reinforce its commitment to responsible development.

Guests will choose from one-, two-, and three-bedroom pool villas all with a yoga pavilion, complemented by a 3,000-square-metre spa which includes aqua wellness facilities and wellness programmes, a natural freshwater swimming pool, a sports complex with paddle courts, kids club and five unique dining experiences.

Maldives tourism remains strong, with 1.7 million international arrivals from January to October 2025 – a 10% year-on-year increase, and placing the country on track to reach its target of 2.3 million arrivals this year.

Vaagali Maldives, Vignette Collection will be IHG’s sixth property in the Maldives, joining Six Senses Kanuhura Maldives, Six Senses Laamu, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection and Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. Since its launch in 2021, Vignette Collection has attracted owners seeking the strength of IHG’s global platform while preserving each hotel’s individuality. Vaagali Maldives, Vignette Collection will join a growing portfolio of 68 open and pipeline properties, strengthened by recent openings in Dubai, Lima, Osaka, and Shanghai.

Leading hospitality company, Atmosphere Core has announced the launch of its fourth brand, ONE Atmosphere, marking its strategic entry into the extended-stay segment. Designed for today’s work–live–travel flow, ONE Atmosphere will offer fully serviced apartments that combine the freedom and expanse of residential living with the consistency of hospitality, including branded amenities, seamless concierge services, and thoughtful design details.

Speaking about the launch, Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director, Atmosphere Core, said, “As travel becomes more fluid and work becomes borderless, guests expect more than a hotel room, they expect a lifestyle solution. They want a space that adapts as they move through different cities, work patterns, and rhythms of everyday life. ONE Atmosphere is designed to meet this shift by offering a reliable model of flexible living that blends the warmth of home with the precision of hospitality. Our spaces will be consistent, functional, design-led, and deeply attuned to how people live today.”

Building on this guest-centred philosophy, the design of ONE Atmosphere will focus on efficient layouts, layered with calming materials and curated local art to create intuitive environments that feel welcoming, practical, and visually inspiring. Every element will aim to enhance comfort and usability while reflecting a sense of place.

ONE Atmosphere apartments will be built for living, not simply staying overnight, with hotel-style services operating quietly in the background. Across all locations, the brand will deliver ‘ONE Experience’, a portable sense of home ideal for long stays, relocations, project assignments, holidays, and hybrid travel. This experience will be further strengthened by a comprehensive suite of amenities and leisure, work, and convenience features, under the ‘ONE Promise’, elevating intelligent serviced living into a lifestyle statement. Together, these amenities and services will create a holistic, flexible environment.

Commenting on the brand’s growth potential, Sandeep Ahuja, Managing Director, ONE Atmosphere, said, “The serviced apartment sector is expanding rapidly yet remains highly fragmented. With ONE Atmosphere, we aim to establish a unified standard that can scale with ease while delivering a consistent, comfortable, and efficient experience. By leveraging the operational discipline we’ve developed across our award-winning resorts in the Maldives, we are confident in our ability to set a new global benchmark for extended-stay hospitality”.

ONE Atmosphere’s launch pipeline features a mix of metropolitan, urban, and leisure destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Gulf countries, with further international markets under evaluation as part of the brand’s long-term global rollout.

Hulhule Island Hotel (HIH) has announced its win as “World’s Leading Airport Resort 2025” at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards (WTA), held this year in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Tourism leaders and industry pioneers from around the globe gathered for the Grand Final Gala Ceremony to celebrate the finest achievements in global travel, tourism, and hospitality.

This prestigious accolade marks HIH’s 14th consecutive win in this category — a milestone that underscores the hotel’s unwavering commitment to excellence, comfort, and world-class service. In addition to this achievement, HIH has also been honoured as “Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Hotel” nine times, first earning recognition from the World Travel Awards in 2009.

Speaking on the achievement, Ali Shakir, Group General Manager, said: “It is an honour to receive such a prestigious global award once again. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our guests. Hulhule Island Hotel continues to stand proudly in all its glory, delivering exceptional experiences year after year. We remain committed to setting the gold standard for airport hospitality in the region and beyond.”

Hulhule Island Hotel extends heartfelt gratitude to its valued guests, partners, and dedicated team members for their continued support in achieving this extraordinary milestone.