Sirru Fen Fushi, a brand new luxury resort in the Maldives, is set to open in December, with plans to later reposition it under AccorHotels’ Fairmont Hotels and Resorts brand.

Being developed on the island of Gaakoshibee in the northern Shaviyani atoll, Sirru Fen Fushi is accessible by a 55-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.

Maldives Insider understands that the resort is being developed in two phases, with the first phase featuring 112 guest villas, three restaurants and a bar. After the opening of the first phase in December, rest of the planned facilities will be developed, enabling the resort to be repositioned to join the collection of Fairmont Hotels and Resort worldwide.

The timeline for the next phase of development is, however, unclear.

With its opening slated for December, Sirru Fen Fushi is set to host an open day in capital Male to fill up more than 260 vacancies in 12 departments.

The open day will run from 9am to 5pm on Thursday at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in capital Male. Information sessions as well as walk-in interviews will be conducted during the open day.

SC Capital Partners Group, a Singapore-based institutional real estate private equity investment firm, acquired the island of Gaakoshibee from renowned local conglomerate ADK Enterprises.

The acquisition ended a joint venture between ADK and Turkish firm Caprice Gold to develop an Islamic resort on Gaakoshibee. Marriott International had also previously announced plans to develop a Renaissance branded resort on the island.

Shaviyani atoll is home to just one other resort, the Viceroy Maldives. The property has, however, ceased operations.

A newcomer to the Maldives booming tourism industry, AccorHotels is on a major expansion drive, with two existing properties and one under development in the island nation.

The French multinational hotel group took over the management of Dhevanafushi from Dubai-based hospitality group Jumeirah in September, with plans to reposition the luxury resort under the iconic Raffles Hotels and Resorts brand.

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, the only resort in the Maldives with direct access to an airport, welcomed the first group of tourists in August. The resort, located in the southern Gaafu Alif atoll, was officially inaugurated in late September.

AccorHotels has also signed up to manage another resort being developed in Gaafu Alif atoll.

Set to open next year, the Pullman Maldives Maamutaa resort is a traditional ‘one island, one resort’ property located a 10-minute speedboat ride away from its sister property, the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort. The five star resort will offer upscale modern facilities such as two swimming pools, a sunset bar overlooking the lagoon, a luxury spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a kids club, beach playground, tennis courts, gourmet restaurants, organic gardens, a dive centre and a water sports centre.

Alongside Raffles, Pullman, Sofitel, Swissôtel and MGallery, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is part of the luxury brands portfolio of AccorHotels. With 75 properties in 24 countries, hotels under the Fairmont banner offer guests an extraordinary place that is created by combining unique architecture and structure, expressive decor and artistry, magnificent features and exceptional service all in one great location.