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LUX* North Male Atoll opens, takes Maldives holiday experience to ‘next level’
LUX* North Male Atoll has opened, bringing a “next level” to the luxury holiday experience in the Maldives.
Mauritius-based hotel group The Lux Collective’s second property in the Maldives became the first new resort opening of the year, as the brand new resort opened on February 1 at a ceremony attended by tourism minister Ali Waheed. He was joined by resort owners and top officials from The Lux Collective, as well as the local media.
Speaking at the ceremony, minister Ali Waheed stressed the importance of diversifying the tourism offerings in the Maldives. LUX* North Male Atoll represents the innovative, creative tourism products needed by the Maldives, he added.
“I have no doubt that this new gem will help differentiate what we offer to our guests and take the industry to new heights,” the minister said.
The minister joined Dominik Ruhl, Chief Operating Officer of The Lux Collective, and John Rogers, General Manager of LUX* North Male Atoll, to sign a commemorative plaque celebrating the resort’s opening.
“We are so excited to be opening a truly different resort which dares to get away from what we call the ‘sea of sameness’ with a thoroughly original approach to a luxury Maldivian holiday,” Dominik said at the ceremony.
“As well as offering a fresh alternative to the Indian Ocean’s traditional thatched villas thanks to our penthouses and nautical design, there are lots of impressive new services and surprises — all part of our intention to create an exceptional Maldives experience for those wanting uncompromising personal service and first-class facilities as well as unexpected touches and a lighthearted atmosphere. Guests spending their precious time away with us can rest assured that the team at LUX* North Male Atoll will make every moment matter.”
LUX* North Male Atoll presents a disruption to the Maldivian mould with over-sized, penthouse residences, which demonstrate fresh forward-thinking design for the Indian Ocean. By blending super-yacht panache with a South Beach pulse, these standalone stays upstage the traditional thatched villa vibe.
Discerning travellers seeking a smooth transition to holiday mode have enriching adventures ahead along with pure peace and pampering, so they can reset, recharge and recalibrate — uninterrupted. A short transfer from Male by luxury speedboat or scenic seaplane, as remote as this desert-island resort may feel, it is easily accessible, yet far from any other islands.
Designed for Space, Privacy
Singaporean design house Miaja specialises in styling unique properties to reflect the beauty and charm of their surroundings. Inspired by the curves, lines and the impeccable finish of a luxury boat and its sails, it has taken years to painstakingly perfect this resort on Olhahali, a six-hectare island fringed by white-sandy beaches. Welcome to a new level of living thanks to 67 double-storey residences, each featuring a private pool.
Each of the residences sits right on the beach or over the water with living areas that are at least 350sqm. These breezy, spacious villas host a choice of spaces in which to eat, drink, relax — from the rooftop relaxing areas to the sun terraces — treating guests to continuous pastel panoramas of the Indian Ocean. Hide away entirely with intimate barbecue dinners in the privacy of your own penthouse villa, stargaze using a telescope and have your personal villa host explain the Maldivian skies or simply summon the bartender to shake up your favourite cocktail right on your roof terrace. The oversized bathrooms with bath and couples rain shower are supplemented with an outdoor shower.
Throughout your stay, rest assured that your butler-style villa host will give you all the assistance — or privacy — needed and will never be short of ideas to make each moment on the island extra special. Indulge a passion in painting or sketching, or simply switch off and savour the serenity.
Inspired Wining, Dining
In the mood to mingle? Venture out to charismatic social spaces to relax amongst other cosmopolitan guests. LUX* has mastered balancing salty, sour, sweet, bitter and umami flavours in all that we do, serving our original dishes and drinks in unusual, uplifting environments.
Barium is the secluded private dining room with a wow-inducing underwater fish tank. Join other guests in eclectic wine tastings, communal chef tables or let the team arrange a private dinner for you and your friends.
INTI is the Peruvian-Japanese restaurant with a prepared-in-front-of-you sushi bar. Chef Gaston, the Maldives’ only Peruvian chef, prepares smoked guacamole, ceviche and aged meats introducing guests to this exotic and exciting cuisine laced with tastes from Peru, Argentina, Japan, Ecuador and Mexico. Expect pisco sours and a dazzling range of sake.
Travel the globe at GLOW, as it showcases the best of European classics, Italian and Spanish delicacies through to South East Asian specialities. Here, the celebrated Beach Rouge has a pool-club feel, combining strong contemporary lines, world-class cuisine, a wood-fired pizza oven and Josper charcoal grill as well as awe-ensuring views over the infinity pool — all soundtracked by a live DJ. Soak up that sunshine on loungers by day, make a splash with a jump in that pool, sip cocktails at the bar and enjoy a nightcap at the rooftop shisha bar.
Wellness Sanctuary
This over-the-lagoon world of wellbeing is no ordinary spa. Here, the two-hour treatments for twosomes include body scrubs, massages and aromatherapy bathing rituals, ensuring you never miss a moment together. Feel stress and tension melt away with a Watsu session — Zen Shiatsu in the water reaches the parts that other therapies can’t.
The treatment rooms are right over the water in view of where the ocean currents collide. Or let the spa team provide private spa treatments in your villa or in the fresh air on the rooftop with the waves as your soundtrack.
Extraordinary Snorkelling, Diving
Not many islands are blessed with such a spectacular reef, metres from the beach, entertaining you with tropical fish, stingrays and the occasional pods of dolphins. For the more adventurous, there is a world-class PADI dive centre and access to the Maldives’ most famous shipwrecks and caves. Spend time with a resident marine biologist to understand the resort’s coral restoration projects or discover turtles, spotted eagle rays, bannerfish and reef sharks who are all visitors to the house reef.
Yachting, Water Sports
Luxury yachts are available for charter, whilst tailor-made activities are offered to guests of all fitness and experience levels. The expert water sports team can arrange jet-skis, semi-submarine or flyboarding adventures or host SUP sessions and kayaking tours. If an excursion to a nearby sandbank on a nimble speedboat is not enough, charter a private yacht, which can be docked right at your water villa’s terrace.
Why LUX*?
There are always so many ‘Reasons to Go LUX*’. LUX* promises hospitality that is “Lighter, Brighter” in soul, style and service.
“We have carefully created a team that is dedicated to providing genuine, meaningful experiences and making each moment matter. I am proud and excited to help LUX* nurture a unique new destination in the Maldives. As our journey begins, we are looking forward to making LUX* North Male Atoll stand out on the map by creating a world-class resort, which takes innovative luxury hotel experiences to the next level,” General Manager John said.
At LUX*, every moment matters: simple, fresh, sensory experiences are created to indulge guests throughout their stay in stylish surroundings and with imaginative attention to detail, which alchemises the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Six Senses Laamu has introduced 17 new overwater villas across four accommodation categories as part of a multi-year transformation programme aimed at upgrading guest accommodation and shared facilities at the resort.
The new villas feature expanded living spaces, redesigned interiors and additional amenities, while maintaining the resort’s focus on marine conservation and its surrounding natural environment.
The interiors incorporate a coastal colour palette featuring white and neutral tones alongside shades of blue inspired by the surrounding lagoon. Natural materials are used throughout the villas, including driftwood coffee tables, handcrafted hanging lamps and decorative features.
A notable design element is a textured surface pattern inspired by the structure of a turtle shell. The design references the hawksbill and green turtles found in the waters surrounding the resort, reflecting Six Senses Laamu’s marine conservation initiatives.
Each villa features panoramic windows overlooking the ocean, alongside indoor seating and dining spaces.
Outdoor amenities include an 18-square-metre private swimming pool, an overwater hammock, dining and lounge areas, and an upper deck offering views across the lagoon. The villas also feature bathtubs positioned to provide ocean views.
The four new accommodation categories are Ocean Water Villa Suite with Pool, Laamu Water Villa Suite with Pool, Horizon Water Villa Suite with Pool and Family Water Villa with Pool.
All four categories offer expanded interiors, dedicated seating and dining areas, additional wardrobe space and outdoor decks.
The Horizon Water Villa Suite with Pool is designed to provide uninterrupted views of the ocean horizon.
The Family Water Villa with Pool is a new accommodation concept for Six Senses Laamu, featuring a separate children’s bedroom with an adjoining bathroom.
The family villas also include private pools and outdoor decks, providing shared recreational spaces alongside separate accommodation areas for children.
Families staying in the new villas can participate in the resort’s Junior Marine Biologist programme, which introduces younger guests to marine life and conservation activities.
The introduction of the new accommodation categories marks the first phase of a wider redevelopment programme at Six Senses Laamu.
The multi-year project will include further improvements to guest accommodation and shared facilities, while retaining the resort’s existing marine conservation programmes, house reef and environmental initiatives.
The 17 new villas will be available for stays from 6 December 2026, with rates starting from USD 2,185 for an Ocean Water Villa Suite with Pool.
.Here Baa Atoll has received three awards at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026, including the title of World’s Best Luxury New Resort.
The private island retreat was also recognised as Best Luxury Private Island Resort in the Indian Ocean and Best Luxury Boutique Resort in the Maldives.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences across two secluded islands, Somewhere and Nowhere. The resort focuses on providing private accommodation, personalised services and experiences tailored to individual guest preferences.
The recognition as World’s Best Luxury New Resort marks a significant achievement for the property, which has positioned itself within the ultra-luxury hospitality segment since its opening.
At Somewhere, the resort offers three- and four-bedroom residences combining beachfront accommodation with overwater architecture. The residences feature indoor and outdoor living spaces, private infinity pools and views of the Indian Ocean.
Guests are supported by dedicated Roohu hosts, who coordinate services and experiences according to individual requirements throughout their stay.
Nowhere Private Island offers an eight-bedroom private island accommodation option designed for families and groups seeking exclusive use of the facilities.
The island features a private cinema, spa, gym, swimming pool and dedicated dining and entertainment spaces. Guests can also arrange personalised culinary experiences and other activities during their stay.
The resort’s dining offerings include SAFAR Restaurant and private dining experiences tailored to guest preferences.
Marine excursions are also available aboard the resort’s private yacht, ASMAS, allowing guests to explore the surrounding waters and marine environment of Baa Atoll.
The resort operates under its Embrace the Now philosophy, which focuses on personalised experiences and allowing guests flexibility in how they spend their time on the islands.
The three awards add to several international recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll in 2026.
These include its inclusion in the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List, two awards at the AHEAD Asia Awards, recognition in DestinAsian’s Luxe List and a place among the top resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards recognise hotels and resorts across various categories based on their luxury hospitality offerings, service standards, design and guest experiences.
The latest awards recognise .Here Baa Atoll’s accommodation, facilities and personalised hospitality services within the luxury tourism sector in the Maldives and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Milaidhoo Maldives’ overwater Serenity Spa has received the Best Hotel Spa award at the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, recognising the resort’s personalised wellness services and spa experiences.
The awards ceremony was held at The Montcalm Mayfair in London on Monday, 2 November 2026. Milaidhoo Maldives was represented by Georgie Westley, Corporate Director of Marketing and Communications at Versa Hospitality, alongside representatives from ROVE PR UK.
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Serenity Spa offers a range of wellness treatments and services in an overwater setting.
The spa provides personalised wellness programmes supported by an on-island wellbeing consultant, daily yoga classes and an extensive selection of treatments designed to meet individual guest requirements.
Guests can receive treatments at the overwater spa or in the privacy of their villas. The treatment menu includes massages, beauty therapies and specialised wellness treatments incorporating advanced technologies.
Among the technologies available at Serenity Spa are the LYMA Laser, Archedaway Cupping Therapy and M2T Blade. The spa also uses products from wellness and beauty brands including Natura Bissé, Aromatherapy Associates, Obsidian for Men and Margaret Dabbs.
Milaidhoo Maldives incorporates wellness into other aspects of its guest experience, including its culinary offerings. The resort’s approach includes meals prepared using fresh ingredients from its Chef’s Garden, alongside daily yoga sessions and activities centred on relaxation and wellbeing.
Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo Maldives, said the award recognised the spa team’s commitment to delivering personalised services.
“We are incredibly proud of this recognition. Our Serenity Spa is a special part of the Milaidhoo experience and our team, the Milaidhoo Family, takes great care to ensure every guest receives the attention and personalisation they deserve. From expert treatments to the simple pleasure of taking time for yourself, we want guests to leave feeling refreshed and reconnected,” he said.
The recognition highlights Milaidhoo Maldives’ wellness offerings, which combine spa treatments, specialist therapies, personalised services and wellness-focused dining experiences.
The resort continues to incorporate wellness into its hospitality offering through its Serenity Spa, culinary programmes and recreational activities.
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