Business
Hilton signs fourth Maldives resort, Amingiri to open end 2021
Hilton, one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with Amingiri Holdings, a hospitality focused subsidiary of Maldivian construction and real estate development company Amin Construction to launch the 109 all-villa Hilton Maldives Amingiri.
Scheduled to open at the end of this year, Hilton Maldives Amingiri will mark the entry of Hilton’s flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand into the Maldives.
It will be the fourth resort under the company’s portfolio of brands in the Maldives, joining Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton.
“The Maldives remains one of the world’s most highly sought-after destinations and the signing of Hilton Maldives Amingiri reflects the excellent growth potential we see in the market,” Guy Phillips, Senior Vice President, Development, Asia Australasia, Hilton, said.
“We are delighted to be embarking on this partnership with Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd to launch our Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in the country. We are confident their experience in developing world-class resorts in the Maldives, combined with Hilton’s strong commercial engine, will place us at the top of mind for leisure travellers when it is safe to travel again.”
Hilton Maldives Amingiri is strategically located on Amingiri Island in the Male Atoll, directly accessible from the Maldives’ Velana International Airport via a 15-minute speedboat ride.
The resort will feature 109 well-spaced beach and water villas, each with a private pool, including an exclusive six-bedroom villa ideal for travellers looking to reunite and create new travel memories with loved ones around the world in an iconic destination after more than a year of connecting remotely.
A pool, spa, fitness centre and salon will also be available for guests to clock in time to work out or to refresh themselves.
Guests can enjoy an array of dining options from the resort’s six restaurants and bars to suit their mood and palate throughout the day, including:
- Habitat: the resort’s all-day dining restaurant which celebrates international cuisines inspired by cultures ranging from the Mediterranean to South East Asia through its live kitchens, presenting a delectable breakfast spread in the morning before evolving into an a la carte dining venue for lunch and dinner where guests can enjoy themed nights offering indulgent flavours from around the world.
- Re-Fuel: A teens-only zone where junior guests can gain access through a secret speakeasy-style entrance in the kids’ club. The rooftop deck is a tranquil oasis where teens can relax and unwind. A dedicated bar will serve a curated menu specifically catering to the needs and wants of the teenage traveller.
- EDEN: An adults-only resort’s destination bar specialising in champagne and gin-based drinks in a highly bespoke and intimate setting where guests can celebrate special occasions with unparalleled views of the Maldivian sunset.
“As the most recognised name in hospitality, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has one of the largest footprints across the globe. Even more importantly, the brand is known the world over for the positive impact it brings to each new destination we enter through the employment opportunities we create and renowned levels of hospitality we bring to the location,” Alexandra Jaritz, Senior Vice President, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said.
“We are thrilled to be seeing our flagship brand represented in the Maldives and look forward to providing the perfect setting for families and friends to reconnect and make new travel memories when the resort debuts in the coming months.”
The upcoming Hilton Maldives Amingiri will feature Hilton CleanStay, an industry-leading programme to deliver a new standard of cleanliness and disinfection across all of Hilton’s hotels globally, providing peace-of-mind from check-in to check-out.
“For over a century, Hilton has built a stellar reputation with its ability to deliver performance and growth through their strong teams and commercial capabilities,” Daniel Welk, Asset Manager, Amingiri Holdings, said.
“We are confident our partnership with Hilton will be a successful one and are excited to work with them to bring to life our shared vision of delivering the most exceptional levels of service and hospitality to international travellers to the Maldives when Hilton Maldives Amingiri opens.”
Maldives on Thursday welcomed the one millionth tourist to visit this year.
The one millionth tourist is a Thai named Sutapa Amonwivat, who arrived from Singapore with her husband and two children. This is her second visit to Maldives.
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Ministry of Tourism gave a warm welcome to Sutapa at the Velana International Airport (VIA) Thursday afternoon. She was welcomed at the VIA by tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal, MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury and senior officials of various relevant agencies.
After welcoming her with traditional offerings, she was presented with various gifts by the ministry, MMPRC, customs, immigration, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).
Maldives reached one million tourists in June, three weeks earlier than last year. The number of tourists reached one million on July 16, 2023.
Maldives expects to reach 2 million tourists this year.
Chongqing Airlines on Monday began its inaugural flights to Maldives.
The Chongqing-Male route, scheduled three times a week, is expected to strengthen the bonds between China and the Maldives, opening up exciting new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange.
The inaugural flight was welcomed upon its arrival at Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives, where local officials and tourism representatives expressed their enthusiasm for this new development.
“We warmly welcome our friends from China to our beautiful islands. This new connection strengthens our bonds and opens up new opportunities for tourism,” the tourism ministry said on X.
Maldives currently welcomes four airlines from China, including China Eastern, Beijing Capital Airlines, Xiamen Airlines.
In January, Maldives government urged tourism stakeholders in both Maldives and China to ramp up efforts to restore China’s position as the primary source market for Maldives tourism, a status held before the onset of Covid-19.
China, being the largest source market for Maldives tourism before the pandemic, saw a resumption of tourist arrivals from January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Maldives welcomed 187,118 Chinese tourists, marking a significant recovery in numbers. This year, the Maldives has welcomed the most number of tourists from China, with over 107,940 or 11.5 percent of total arrivals by June 12.
CROSSROADS Maldives has introduced WeChat Pay, widely known as Weixin Pay in China, across its world-class resorts, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. This payment option is made available to enhance the convenience and overall experience for guests from China, making their stay in the Maldives more enjoyable and hassle-free.
Understanding the needs of the diverse guests, CROSSROADS Maldives has integrated WeChat Pay into operations, allowing guests from China to easily and securely conduct transactions using a payment method familiar to them. The introduction of WeChat Pay is a testament to CROSSROADS Maldives’ dedication to enhancing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional experiences at every turn. What is also expected through this initiative is that the guests could benefit from better foreign exchange rates, translating to better savings on their expenditures during their stay.
The option is available for guests in-house conveniently at both resorts as well as across the Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives where a wider variety of unparalleled dining and retail experiences are available for all guests. The day visitors from China will also therefore equally benefit from this new introduction at the Maldives’ premier multi-island integrated leisure destination.
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a vibrant tropical escape that offers unique and locally inspired experiences. The resort features spacious rooms and villas, a variety of dining options, and an array of recreational activities designed to cater to the desires of modern travellers. Guests can escape to the island’s SAiisational natural beauty, enjoy water sports, and indulge in spa treatments, all while relishing the personalised service that defines Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives brings the iconic Hard Rock spirit to the tranquil shores of the Maldives. This family-friendly resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment, featuring music-inspired experiences, live performances, and the brand’s signature amenities. With luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a plethora of activities for all ages, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives ensures an unforgettable holiday experience for every guest.
-
Action1 week agoMischa Zverev returns to JOALI BEING to host tennis workshops in August
-
Awards1 week agoKuda Villingili Resort’s Fire Restaurant wins 2024 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award of Excellence
-
Drink1 week agoGourmet bliss: Escapade gourmande by Constance Hotels in Maldives
-
Entertainment1 week agoNH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort invites filmmakers to capture magic in paradise
-
Drink6 days agoMuraka Restaurant at Mirihi Island Resort receives 2024 Wine Spectator Award
-
News1 week agoNova Maldives unveils group brunching experiences for families, friends
-
News1 week agoPatina Maldives reaffirms commitment to sustainable tourism with 2024 Earthcheck Silver certification
-
Drink1 week agoDive into fun with popsicles at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort’s pool bar