Featured
Reopening in March 2020, Maafushivaru Maldives becomes first long-haul lti hotel launch in 16 years
Reopening in late March after an extensive luxury refurbishment, Maafushivaru Maldives is a five-star Indian Ocean gem offering small island charm perfectly matched with contemporary architecture and bespoke finishing touches.
Having joined Europe’s DER Touristik Hotels & Resorts’ “lti” brand, Maafushivaru is the first long-haul lti hotel to launch in 16 years and will do so across Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the UK, Maafushivaru will be exclusive to DER Touristik’s tour operator brands (DERTOUR, Meiers Weltreisen, ITS Reisen, JAHN Reisen, Kuoni UK and Switzerland as well as Manta Reisen in Switzerland).
Located in the pristine South Ari Atoll, Maafushivaru is just a 25-minute seaplane journey from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport and offers guests the idyllic island experience epitomising all that one dreams of when thinking of the Maldives.
At just over 350 metres in length, Maafushivaru cocoons guests in lush vegetation, encircled by powder white-beaches, and a fringed by a house reef that a myriad of fish call home. On arrival, couples are greeted with azure, sparkling crystal-clear waters that look across the lagoon to the resort’s exclusive private island, Lonubo.
lti Maafushivaru Maldives features 81 brand-new villas spread across five room categories.
The island itself is corralled by three categories of land rooms; Beach Villa, Beach Pool Villa and Duplex Pool Villa. Each nestled under a canopy of palms, these beach front sanctuaries provide luxurious intimacy, finished with chic touches and must-have mod-cons.
The entry-level Beach Villas feature private sea facing sun decks and semi-open garden bathrooms with rainfall showers; whilst those wanting their very own hideaway can opt for the Beach Villa with Pool which includes a private plunge pool overlooking the cerulean Indian Ocean.



For guests looking for the ultimate beach escapes, the resort offers the 184sqm Duplex Pool Villa, a two-story villa with an upstairs bedroom and balcony. Downstairs, unwind in your own private living room that can be converted in to a second bedroom if required, making this room category a perfect option for families.


The overwater villa categories of lti Maafushivaru are spread over two jetties on the north-western side of the island. The Water Villa and Water Pool Villas offer the best of the lti Maafushivaru Maldives overwater experience, with private decks, spacious bedrooms and stunning views of the lagoon. All rooms are fully furnished with amenities at hand, enabling guests to enjoy a relaxing break right next to nature.


Dining is a definite focus of the resort, with seven bars and restaurants.
Highlights include Moodhu Grill, lti Maafushivaru’s signature restaurant offering fresh meat and seafood with a range of dishes from its tandoor oven, Umi provides an over water teppanyaki experience, Cielo an all-day dining restaurant with a Mediterranean-feel menu, whilst Water Bar’s poolside Tapas menu will present lighter lunchtime bites and Cuisine Gallery offers Mediterranean cuisine infused with local and regional flavours.


The island offers Half Board, Half Board Plus and Dine Around All Inclusive. Half Board Plus includes breakfast and dinner at the Cuisine Gallery, and daily High Tea at the Library Lounge from 3-5pm. Guests wishing to have the best Maafushivaru experience can book the Dine Around All Inclusive plan, which also includes breakfast at the Cuisine Gallery, with lunch and dinner at any of the operational à la carte restaurants on the island.


By day, guests can relax by the island’s perfectly placed beachfront infinity pool, next to the bar with comfy chic sofas for lounging.
Those looking for adventure can explore life below the waves. The marine world that surrounds the lti hotel can be best described as utterly sublime, with an array of flourishing and vibrant marine life. It’s easy to spot a shark or two, and you might just bump into a gentle giant whale shark during one of the snorkelling expeditions organised by the island.
Diving is spectacular around lti Maafushivaru Maldives, with several dive sites promising big fish encounters, colourfully complete with coral gardens, in warm temperate waters that provide excellent visibility.
Private trips can be arranged, as well as activities on the water including windsurfing and kayaking. Other excursion options include visiting local island Dhangethi, taking a sunset cruise or island hopping for the day.
At lti Maafushivaru Maldives, the spa blends architectural magnificence with the natural beauty of the land and seascape, peacefully situated on a quiet corner of the island on its own jetty, over the Indian Ocean. Each treatment is bespoke and unique with facilities including five treatment rooms, consisting of a couple’s room, a couple’s suite, an aesthetic beauty care room and two massage rooms.
Guests can also make use of a fully equipped gymnasium, with panoramic sea views, to ensure individuals feel their best on both the inside and out.
A truly unique jewel in this Maldivian treasure is Lonubo, the resort’s private castaway island. Found just 500 metres from the shores of the hotel, Lonubo encourages guests to escape reality in an authentic Maldivian island experience. This miniature white sand isle is ringed by a vibrant coral reef with towering palm trees concealing a private beach villa for two.
Experience the true romance of the Maldives with lti Maafushivaru Maldives’ idyllic island adventure.
Featured
Six Senses Laamu unveils 17 new overwater villas across four categories
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.
Awards
.Here Baa Atoll secures triple win at World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026
.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.
Awards
Milaidhoo Maldives’ Serenity Spa wins Best Hotel Spa at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2027
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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