Business
Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa to open in October 2018
Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa, a member of global hospitality consortium Leading Hotels of the World, is set to open in October 2018.
Managed by Rome-headquartered hotel chain Emerald Collection, Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa is being developed on the island of Fasmendhoo in the northern Raa atoll, which is accessible by a scenic 45-minute seaplane flight or a 30-minute domestic flight from the main Velana International Airport to Ifuru Domestic Airport followed by a 20-minute speedboat ride.

An architectural rendition of an over water Presidential Villa to be built in Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa. PHOTO/ EMERALD COLLECTION
The island, which is composed of 20 hectares of land and 100 hectares of lagoon, will boast 120 luxurious villas — 60 on land and 60 over water — with their own private pool and Jacuzzi. The 120 rooms will also include one Royal Villa, two Presidential Villas (one on land and the other over water) and several varieties of Superior Beach Villas.
Four restaurants are to be built on the island, including:
- Aqua: The main restaurant is set directly on the beach featuring indoor air-conditioned and outdoor alfresco dining at its best, facing the clear blue ocean. A lavish buffet — starters with fresh seafood, vegetables, salads, meat, fish and local special dishes, fruits and dessert — will be available for breakfast and lunch.
- Mediterranean Restaurant: This restaurant will be situated on the water, and guests will enjoy the Mediterranean dining environment consisting of natural rustic stone, light wood and ocean breezes. The restaurant will also feature an open kitchen and wood fired oven where guests will be able to see how chefs prepare their delicious meals.
- Asian Restaurant: The resort’s oriental restaurant will be located in the middle of the forested island, creating a spectacular and innovative structure connected with the nature of the island. This restaurant will be the perfect choice for guests who want to discover the tasty and delicious creations of the resort’s Asian chefs, whose main aim will be to deliver an authentic flavour of the East while respecting the traditions of the past.
- Beach Grill Restaurant: Serving lunch and dinner on one of the best locations of the island, the Beach Grill Restaurant will be facing the crystal clear water of the house lagoon. The uniqueness of the restaurant is to be found in the vast selection of fresh meat, fish, shellfish, and vegetables cooked on a stone grill, which especially gives the dishes a smooth, matchless flavour. A pizza and pasta station will also be available in the beach club

An architectural rendition of a Prestige Beach Villa to be built in Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa. PHOTO/ EMERALD COLLECTION
The Emerald Spa will be a unique facility that offers a full range of spa services tailored to the guests’ every need.
Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa will have a sports centre that includes two tennis courts, one squash court and a football field. A dive and water sports centre will also be situated on the beach, allowing guests to use Hobie Cats, kayaks and kite surf under the eyes of the resort’s water sports team.

The arrival hall to be built in Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa. PHOTO/ EMERALD COLLECTION
Launched in 2013, Emerald Collection already runs two properties in Zanzibar, Tanzania: the Hideaway of Nungwi, which is located on the North West coast, and the beach resort called Dream of Zanzibar, which offers a superb choice of inclusive activities, dining and entertainment.
Emerald Collection’s Maldives resort will be its second property included in the portfolio of Leading Hotels of the World, which provides sales and marketing, advertising and public relations, financial services, quality control, and hotel inspections for more than 375 hotels and resorts in over 75 countries. The Hideaway of Nungwi in Zanzibar is already a member of the world’s largest consortium of independently run luxury hotels.
Business
BBM renews as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards under multi-year agreement
Hotelier Maldives has announced Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as the Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 under a multi-year agreement, reaffirming one of the longest-standing partnerships behind the publication’s flagship hospitality recognition platform.
The 2026 edition marks the third consecutive year that BBM has served as Title Partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards, having supported the event in the same capacity since its launch in 2024. BBM has also backed Hotelier Maldives’ second flagship event, GM Forum, every year since 2023, with 2026 set to mark its fourth year as a Silver Partner of the forum.
The continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to recognising the people behind the Maldives’ tourism industry while supporting platforms that encourage industry dialogue, leadership and professional development.
Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 entered its public voting phase on 15 March 2026, with voting set to remain open for one month. Winners will be announced at the gala ceremony on 26 April 2026 at NIVA Kurumba Maldives.
Commenting on the partnership, Ali Naafiz, Editor of Hotelier Maldives, said: “BBM has been a valued partner of Hotelier Maldives Awards since the very beginning, and we are pleased to formalise this continued support through a multi-year agreement. Their decision to return as Title Partner for a third consecutive year reflects not only the strength of our relationship, but also a shared belief in the importance of recognising the people who drive excellence across the Maldives’ hospitality industry.
“BBM has also consistently supported GM Forum over the years, making them one of the most committed partners across our event platforms. We are proud to continue working together as we strengthen both Hotelier Maldives Awards and GM Forum as annual fixtures for the industry.”
AVS Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer of BBM, said: “At BBM, we have always believed that a strong hospitality industry is built by strong people, and Hotelier Maldives Awards provides an important national platform to recognise the professionals whose work often takes place behind the scenes. We are pleased to continue as Title Partner of the awards under this multi-year agreement, while also extending our support to GM Forum for a fourth consecutive year.
“As a company that has grown alongside the Maldives’ hospitality sector, we value opportunities that celebrate talent, encourage professional pride and contribute to the long-term development of the industry. Our continued partnership with Hotelier Maldives reflects that commitment.”
Bestbuy Maldives is one of the country’s leading importers and distributors, serving the hospitality, HORECA and retail sectors with a broad portfolio of international brands. The company positions itself as a partner to the Maldivian hospitality industry, supplying products from around the world across key business verticals including resorts, foodservice and retail.
Hotelier Maldives Awards continues to recognise the contributions of resort-based hospitality professionals across the Maldives, highlighting both individual excellence and team performance. The awards programme remains the country’s only dedicated recognition platform focused on professionals working in resort operations. The current public voting round allows industry stakeholders, colleagues, guests and the wider public to take part in selecting this year’s winners.
The growing list of confirmed partners for Hotelier Maldives Awards 2026 includes Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) as Title Partner, Dhiraagu as Platinum Partner, Storm Events as Organising Partner, NIVA, Kurumba Maldives as Host Partner, Souvenir Marine as Transport Partner, ALIA as Associate Sponsor, and Lightsout Studios as Associate Partner. More partners and sponsors will be announced soon.
Business
Feydhoo Hall opens at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives as new event space
Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the opening of Feydhoo Hall, a landmark event venue at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, redefining the possibilities for meetings, celebrations, and destination events in the Maldives.
Designed to bring scale, flexibility, and creativity to island gatherings, Feydhoo Hall represents a bold step forward in positioning the Maldives as a dynamic destination for conferences, weddings, and large-scale social occasions.
Feydhoo Hall offers a versatile event complex designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and social celebrations.

At its core is the 390 sqm Main Hall, capable of hosting:
- Up to 300 guests in theatre-style setup
- Up to 240 guests for dining and banquet-style events
- Up to 200 guests for cocktail-style receptions
- Up to 144 guests in cluster-round configuration
Enhancing the flexibility of the venue are additional dedicated spaces, including:
- A 110 sqm Veranda Terrace, ideal for welcome receptions, breakout sessions, and pre-event gatherings, accommodating up to 100 guests for cocktail-style events.
- A spacious 1,000 sqm Lawn Space, perfect for large-scale outdoor celebrations, destination weddings, and open-air events, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions and up to 350 guests for dining setups.
- The 55 sqm Ekugai Meeting Room, designed for smaller meetings and executive sessions, accommodating up to 30 guests in theatre or dining setup and 24 guests in cluster-round format.
Together, these integrated spaces create a seamless indoor-outdoor event experience, allowing planners to design dynamic and personalised event journeys.
True to the dusitD2 brand’s lifestyle-driven philosophy, Feydhoo Hall introduces a fresh approach to meetings and events — where productivity meets creativity in an inspiring island setting.
The venue offers flexible meeting formats designed to suit different event needs, including:
- Half-Day Meeting Package (4 hours) — ideal for focused sessions, executive meetings, and creative workshops.
- Full-Day Meeting Package (8 hours) — designed for immersive conferences, extended workshops, and large-scale corporate gatherings.
These thoughtfully structured packages provide planners with the flexibility to create impactful and seamless experiences, whether hosting intimate strategy sessions or dynamic full-day events.

Located just seven minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives combines accessibility with vibrant lifestyle energy, offering event planners and guests a rare balance between convenience and tropical escape.
With the introduction of Feydhoo Hall, the resort strengthens its position as a versatile destination — not only for leisure travellers but also for international conferences, creative retreats, luxury weddings, and large-scale social celebrations seeking something refreshingly different in the Maldives.
Business
BBM expands retail presence with new Hulhumalé outlet
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) opened a new wholesale store in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on Monday.
The outlet is located on the ground floor of Lot 20286, Nirolhu Magu, and is intended to improve access to BBM’s imported goods for residents of Hulhumalé Phase 2 and for businesses operating in the area.
According to the company, the opening forms part of its plan to expand services closer to customers in line with population growth in Hulhumalé.
With the opening of the new store, BBM’s full range of imported and distributed products will be available at the Hulhumalé Phase 2 location. These include consumer goods from international brands such as Lifebuoy, Vaseline and Unilever.
The store will also stock wholesale food products from brands including Daily, Cavin’s and Redman.
BBM has supplied goods to resorts, hotels and retail outlets across the Maldives for several years.
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