Business
Hilton to open Maldives’ first Curio Collection resort in 2018
Hilton on Monday announced plans to open a new boutique resort in the Maldives under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand.
The new Curio Collection property forms part of CROSSROADS project, the first ever integrated leisure and entertainment resort destination in the Maldives that is currently under development in Emboodhoo Lagoon. The new resort will be managed by S Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Thai developer Singha Estate, and is scheduled to open in end-2018.
“Opening the first Curio Collection hotel in the Maldives is a very exciting milestone for us,” Mark Nogal, Global Brand Head for Curio Collection by Hilton, was quoted in a statement.
“The Maldives is renowned for being a one-of-a-kind tropical paradise and we are confident that the resort will offer curious travellers seeking an authentic experience truly memorable accommodations.”
The new resort, which is 15 minutes away by speedboat to the Maldives main Velana International Airport, will have 198 spacious guest rooms, beach villas and overwater villas as well as facilities such as a fitness centre and swimming pool. In addition to duty free shops and multiple restaurants, guests of the resort will also enjoy convenient access to a beach club, water sports, a dive centre, a cultural centre and a kids club — all located within CROSSROADS.
“As we continue to grow our portfolio across Asia, we are proud to introduce the Curio Collection by Hilton brand in one of the world’s most celebrated resort destinations. The Maldives remain a top choice for global travellers today and we are thrilled to be partnering with Singha Estate on this very exciting CROSSROADS project,” Guy Phillips, Senior Vice President for Development in Asia and Australasia at Hilton, was quoted in the statement.
“With this brand, our owners can benefit from the proven track record and quality of the Hilton engine, also known as the Hilton performance advantage, while staying true to their hotel’s individuality.”
Developed by Singha Estate, CROSSROADS spans nine islands in the Emboodhoo Lagoon and will have a plethora of dining, retail, entertainment, recreational and leisure-lifestyle offerings, including a 50-berth marina. In addition to Hilton’s Curio Collection resort, which will be set exclusively on one of the islands within the integrated destination, CROSSROADS will also be home to Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and Hard Rock Cafe Maldives — the first development in the Maldives by world-class entertainment and lifestyle brand Hard Rock International.
“CROSSROADS project, the first integrated leisure and entertainment resort in the Maldives, is a reflection to Singha Estate’s vision to be the premier lifestyle developer while delivering sustainable growth and creating value for all stakeholders,” Singha Estate CEO Naris Cheyklin said.
“We are delighted to partner with Hilton on this unique, integrated resort and look forward to seeing our exciting collaboration lift Singha Estate’s rapidly growing hospitality portfolio to a new level.”
One of Hilton’s 14 market-leading brands, Curio Collection by Hilton is a global, upper upscale collection of distinctive hotels and resorts that offer guests one-of-a-kind experiences, each unique to the destination they call home. The new Curio Collection by Hilton resort will have its own unique character, appealing to the curious traveller seeking a fun and authentic Maldives vacation experience.
“S Hotels and Resorts aims to craft quality settings in a sustainable environment where guests can relax, play, work, enjoy and share instant stories, and to meet the travellers’ demands at maximum,” Dirk De Cuyper, Chief Hospitality Officer of S Hotels and Resorts, said.
“We are very pleased to manage the new lifestyle resort that will be a part of Curio Collection by Hilton.”
The Curio Collection Maldives resort joins close to 80 Hilton hotels open and under development across gateway cities and popular destinations across the South East Asia.
In the Maldives, Hilton currently runs the award-winning Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort, and is set to open a brand new resort under its top luxury brand Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts in early 2019.
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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