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Where was Maldives first overwater villa built?

Published

6 years ago

May 26, 2019

If you think Maldives has always been synonymous with luxury island paradise, you are mistaken! Four decades ago, this remote archipelago was inhabited only by fisher folk. It was unknown to the outside world and there was no foreign investment. There was only a small airstrip on Hulhule Island (the present international airport), built by volunteers, with no regular flights.

That changed on October 3, 1972 when Kurumba Maldives (then called Kurumba Village) opened for business as the first resort in the Maldives. Two hundred and sixty-six foreigners visited that year, staying in rustic huts and marvelling at the gin-clear water lapping at their ankles.

Over the past 46 years, that number has crossed 1.4 million. More than 140 resorts have since opened across the archipelago. The Maldives has transitioned from hidden gem to highly-coveted, must-visit holiday destination, and with exclusive water villas that rise out of aquamarine lagoons and picture-perfect beaches, it’s not difficult to understand why.

Did you know that the Maldives is home to about two-thirds of the 8,000 plus overwater villas in the world? And the list continues to grow longer almost monthly!

But where in the Maldives was the first water villa built? Who brought this concept to the shores of Maldives?

That’s a question that fetches so many conflicting answers, as was evidenced when longtime Maldives aficionado Paola Mattana Lamperti recently posed it to her Facebook friends! Was it Kuramathi Maldives or Baros Maldives, two resorts owned and operated by tourism pioneers Universal Resorts? Was it Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (then called Hilton Maldives)?

Mohamed ‘Modi’ Ibrahim Didi, who served as the manager of Baros in the 80s and 90s, told Maldives Insider that the first overwater villa was built at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo (then called Vadoo Diving Paradise) in 1986. It was conceived by the resort’s then Japanese owner Tokohiko Sakamoto, who sold the resort to Sri Lankan hotel group Aitken Spence in 2006, he added.

Overwater villas at Vadoo, when it was operated as Vadoo Diving Paradise.

According to others that served in the industry at the time, the first overwater bungalow at Vadoo was designed by a Singaporean architectural firm. A Japanese team provided the engineering expertise to the project.

“That particular water bungalow is now not used for accommodation but for historical purposes,” Pranjal P D Sarmah, founder of travel agency 360 Degree World, said in a comment to Paola’s question.

Ahmed Waseem, who was the Resident Manager at Vadoo at the time, said officials from leading local resort operators like Universal and Villa Hotels visited the island to study the concept. Malaysia’s then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed also paid a visit, he added.

Sakamoto’s innovation undoubtedly set in motion a wave of construction projects involving overwater villas. Two years later, Kuramathi opened its first overwater bungalow, followed by Baros in 1992. And the rest is history, as almost every resort that opened since features overwater villas.

The model for overwater villas in Maldives is simple. Like pearls over water, these villas are set suspended on stilts into the turquoise lagoon, connected to the island by a timber walkway. A private sundeck of the villa extends into hammocks or similar items to sunbath, lazing over the water, listening to the sound of the waves and observing the vivid marine life beneath. A wooden staircase leads directly from the sundeck to the lagoon, for the daily dose of snorkelling or for the occasional plunge into the ocean. Most villas have an additional living room attached to the bedroom. A spacious bathroom opens to the outdoor with an open-air bathtub, and is equipped with the latest luxury amenities.

Some new entrants in the Maldives resort market now go the extra mile, with multi-storey palatial overwater residences that offer guests everything they can think of without having to step out. Private pools above the lapping waters of the lagoon, sky-decks that transform into anything you want it to be, spa sanctuaries within the residence, retractable roofs… you name it!

The concept of overwater bungalows itself is relatively new. It’s been said that a group of three Americans running a small hotel in Tahiti built the world’s first overwater bungalow some 50 years ago. It was a creative solution to the issue of their hotel lacking a beach!

That’s not an issue for Maldivian resorts; almost every island has long stretches of powder soft white sand beach. But overwater villas in Maldives continue to get bigger and better. And their allure continues to grow.

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Celebration

Celebrate Eid in paradise: music, magic, and Maldivian culture at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Published

13 hours ago

May 11, 2025

m@ldives

This Eid Al-Adha, Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives presents an extraordinary island-wide festival featuring a vibrant five-day cultural and entertainment showcase from 6th to 10th June 2025. The event blends the rich heritage of the Maldives with a cutting-edge international lineup, offering something for every traveler—from music and dance enthusiasts to families seeking a soulful tropical escape.

Taking centre stage is DJ Kaboo, the Dubai-based Egyptian artist renowned for pioneering ‘Arab Trap’ music. Known for his appearance on Marvel’s Moon Knight soundtrack and electrifying performances worldwide, DJ Kaboo will headline the festivities with his signature blend of deep-rooted Arabic sounds and modern beats.

Magician and mentalist Thomas McElroy, direct from Mesmerise Dubai, will add an element of wonder to the evenings. His interactive, mind-bending illusions promise to captivate audiences of all ages, creating unforgettable magical moments.

Adding to the dynamic atmosphere is American-born belly dancer and circus performer Otta. Known for her exotic stage presence and rhythmic grace, Otta’s high-energy performances will seamlessly complement the celebratory spirit of the island.

In addition to the international acts, the resort will celebrate authentic Maldivian traditions, including:

Traditional music and dance
Folk games such as Koadi Nerun and Dheli Mali
The colourful Eid Market, Bodu Mas parades, and cultural shows

These experiences will take place against the stunning backdrop of one of the Maldives’ most picturesque islands.

Hassan Adil, General Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, shared, “This upcoming Eid Al-Adha celebration is our tribute to Maldivian culture and our global community. By integrating homegrown traditions with top-tier international entertainment, we aim to create an inclusive, joyful experience that reflects the spirit of Eid—bringing people together in celebration, discovery, and connection.”

The resort also offers an exclusive Eid package for guests seeking an immersive holiday experience. The offer includes up to 40% off on stays, daily breakfast and dinner, complimentary airport transfers, and a variety of cultural activities designed to create lasting memories with loved ones.

Featured

Summer Island Maldives named among top 10% of hotels worldwide by TripAdvisor

Published

5 days ago

May 7, 2025

m@ldives

Summer Island Maldives has been recognised as one of the top travel destinations globally, having received the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2024. This accolade places the resort among the top 10% of hotels worldwide, based on exceptional traveller reviews and ratings collected over the past year.

Located just 45 minutes by speedboat or a short seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, Summer Island Maldives offers an idyllic barefoot beach retreat. The resort is known for its personalised service, commitment to sustainability, and relaxed luxury, consistently appealing to travellers from around the world.

Mariya Shareef, Chief Operations Officer of Kaimoo Travels and Hotel Services, expressed appreciation for the recognition, noting that the award reflects the dedication and passion of the entire team, who work diligently to deliver memorable experiences. She highlighted that the honour is especially meaningful as it is based on genuine guest feedback.

A popular choice for honeymooners and returning guests, the resort features two restaurants, three bars, and a variety of curated experiences, including private sandbank picnics and sunset sailboat cruises. Summer Island Maldives is also widely praised for its strong sustainability practices, such as eliminating single-use plastics, integrating renewable energy solutions, adopting eco-friendly mosquito control methods, and creating the world’s largest 3D-printed coral reef—an initiative recognised by the Guinness World Records.

The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards celebrate excellence in hospitality, with winners selected based on consistently high ratings across key categories such as service, value, cleanliness, and location.

This recent recognition joins a growing list of accolades for Summer Island Maldives, including TUI’s Global Hotel Quality Award for 2024 and 2025, as well as the Leading Eco-Friendly Resort Award at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) in 2023.

Featured

Tripadvisor honours Constance Moofushi among Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Asia

Published

5 days ago

May 6, 2025

m@ldives

Constance Moofushi in the Maldives has been recognised as one of Asia’s premier luxury destinations, earning the 11th spot in the Best of the Best Luxury Hotels in Asia category at the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025. This accolade highlights the resort’s dedication to delivering authentic and unforgettable luxury experiences in the heart of the Indian Ocean.

Situated on a private island, Constance Moofushi combines barefoot chic with exceptional service, offering guests a unique blend of natural beauty and refined comfort. The recognition reflects not only the resort’s appeal but also the consistently high level of guest satisfaction that has become synonymous with the Constance brand.

Part of the esteemed Constance Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Constance Moofushi contributes to the group’s widespread acclaim, with all properties ranked among the Top 10% of Hotels Worldwide by Tripadvisor. These honours underscore the group’s unwavering commitment to quality across its locations in the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, and Madagascar.

The Travelers’ Choice Awards are especially meaningful as they are based entirely on genuine guest reviews and ratings from travellers around the globe. The recognition of Constance Moofushi stands as a testament to the resort’s ongoing pursuit of excellence and its embodiment of the Constance philosophy: ‘True by Nature.’