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Sheraton Maldives unveils $20 mln renovation with sophisticated design, local feel
Marriott has announced the completion of a USD 20 million renovation to Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa in Maldives.
Designed by boutique multi-disciplinary design practice Topo Design Studio, the newly transformed resort now exhibits beautiful Maldivian architecture with a contemporary twist, reflecting the five-star experience guaranteed at the property.
Design inspiration
Topo Design Studio takes their inspiration from the surrounding environment to ensure that all aspects of the resort emulate a traditional Maldivian feel that is not compromised by the top of the range amenities. As a result, all aspects of the resort have been elegantly renovated, from the restyled landscape gardens around the swimming pools, to the room categories, the events spaces and restaurants, ensuring a completely dovetailed style throughout the island.
“We are delighted to have completed the renovation programme which has seen USD 20 million spent on redesigning Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. As the third eldest resort in the Maldives, dating back to 1937, it is very important to us that we continue to modernise our property to ensure it goes above and beyond the standards expected of a five-star resort without losing the feel of our surroundings,” Emilio Fontini, General Manager for Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“Subsequently, Sheraton Maldives has been carefully transformed and this is seen in our revamped restaurants with fresh menus, our newly designed bars, our bespoke villa host service and our innovative spa packages which are set to complete in January 2019. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning guests to discover these new enhancements, which I have no doubt will only enrich their experience on our unique tropical paradise.”
Accommodation
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa now boasts 10 different luxury room categories, all spaciously located around the island, including the re-styled Deluxe Cottages, Cottage Water Bungalows and Water Bungalows with Pools.
These spacious cottages all offer the utmost privacy and provide easy access to the beach and lagoon. As part of the renovation, they now feature an outdoor so guests can truly immerse themselves in their luscious green surroundings.
The new outdoor area of a Deluxe Cottage at Sheraton Maldives. PHOTO/ SHERATON
The property has also introduced a new room category, Cottage with Pool, which has been designed with families in mind and boasts a private plunge pool for young children to safely splash around in with direct access to the heavenly white sandy beaches.
The all-new Cottage with Pool at Sheraton Maldives. PHOTO/ SHERATON
Dining
Offering seven bars and restaurants in total, the resort ensures that a variety of dining options are available to guests, ranging from a casual al fresco treat to a quintessentially Maldivian feast.
The newest addition to the completed renovations includes the centrally located Feast Restaurant, which has been uniquely designed to emulate the local culture and now boasts a cadent coconut roofing and a sophisticated white colour scheme. Offering both breakfast and dinner, the Feast Restaurant comes to life with chefs creating dishes from around the world from live-cooking stations made from cleanly cut marble surfaces.
The Feast Restaurant at Sheraton Maldives. PHOTO/ SHERATON
Similarly, the Anchorage Bar has been elegantly renovated with a light and gentle colour palette that does not detract from the panoramic view of the stunning Indian Ocean. This creates a laid-back atmosphere and encourages guests to relax on the comfortable day beds, listen to live music from a local band and sip on one of the resort’s signature cocktails.
The Anchorage Bar at Sheraton Maldives. PHOTO/ SHERATON
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is situated on the private island of Furanafushi in the North Male Atoll, just a 15-minute speedboat ride away from the main Velana International Airport.
The five-star resort offers 176 guest rooms designed to blend into the surrounding turquoise waters, pristine beaches and lush greenery. Also boasting seven unique restaurants and bars, the Shine Spa for Sheraton (located on its very own island) and three outdoor tropical fresh water pools, the resort caters for all guests and is the perfect destination for honeymooners, families with young children or teens and solo travellers alike.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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