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.

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

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.

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.