News
Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives to debut in 2027
SH Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality management company founded by visionary Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, has announced plans to redefine luxury and sophistication in the Maldives with the forthcoming debut of Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives in 2027. Spanning five interconnected islands across more than 111 acres in the South Malé Atoll, this one-of-a-kind resort will set a new standard of unprecedented luxury in one of the world’s most coveted travel destinations.
“We are excited to unveil Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives, which fuses the timeless elegance and modern sophistication of the House of Baccarat, the legendary 260-year-old crystal brand, with the Maldives, a location that is synonymous with paradise,” says Sternlicht. “In crafting this extraordinary retreat, we aim not just to create a place to stay, but to curate an experience that celebrates the essence of luxury living with the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives.”
“Our debut in the Maldives marks an exhilarating milestone for the Baccarat brand,” says Raul Leal, CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts, the parent company of Baccarat Hotels & Resorts. “We are shaping a new identity in an already remarkable region, and we are confident that this property will define ultimate luxury in the Maldives.”
“It’s with immense pride that we announce our collaboration with Baccarat Hotels, a revered name synonymous with luxury for over two and a half centuries, to realise our vision in the Maldives,” says Tristan Parker, Director – Development of MDC Investments LLC, a sister company of Madevco Holdings Limited (ADGM). “This partnership marks an exciting chapter as we become part of the brand’s legacy, introducing the inaugural Baccarat branded hotel and residences in Asia Pacific.”
Located a short boat journey away (30 minutes) from Malé’s Velana International Airport, the resort will be partially wrapped around its own shallow-water lagoon and reef system and will offer more than 50 hotel villas and 53 private residences for sale. Crafted by HKS, an award-winning global architecture firm, with interiors by 1508 London, renowned for its commitment to creating bespoke, luxurious, and innovative designs, Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives will seamlessly blend contemporary elegance with tropical sophistication.
The resort will feature a diverse array of accommodations, from one- to three-bedroom hotel villas—each with their own private pool—to private residences with unparalleled levels of luxury living overlooking the lagoon or the pristine beachfront. For a more expansive retreat, there are lavish six- and seven-bedroom mansions on a secluded peninsula. The eight- and nine-bedroom Private Islands—intimate escapes surrounded by the spectacular beauty of the Maldives—offer the pinnacle of luxury and exclusivity.
Guests will revel in the finest dining experiences befitting of the esteemed Baccarat Hotels brand, including specialty restaurants run by some of the world’s top chefs. Beyond the gastronomic indulgences, Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives promises a lifestyle of luxury and artistic expression with curated retail spaces, a Baccarat-themed crystal garden, an outdoor cinema under the stars, an art gallery and event space featuring work from world-famous artists, and more. Sporting enthusiasts will delight in all the offerings, including a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, traditional Maldivian fishing excursions, and snorkelling amid the island’s vibrant marine life.
For guests seeking tranquility and rejuvenation, there will be a meticulously crafted wellness spa. In this oasis, guests can indulge in a variety of signature treatments, ranging from therapeutic massages to rejuvenating facials to hydrotherapy circuits in expertly designed plunge pools. The wellness spa will be complemented by dedicated yoga pavilions and a cutting-edge gym.
Above all, the resort will also have a commitment to sustainability and conservation, from a turtle rehabilitation centre to eco-friendly initiatives that allow guests to connect with the natural beauty of the Maldives in a responsible and meaningful way.
Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives will be owned by Madevco Holdings Limited (ADGM) which exemplifies a commitment to building extraordinary residences that elevate lifestyles to unprecedented heights. Upon opening in 2027, Baccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives will mark a new milestone in luxury hospitality, combining elegance, sophistication, and unforgettable experiences.
News
Dr Hetalkumar Doshi returns to Sirru Fen Fushi for extended wellness residency
Sirru Fen Fushi–Private Lagoon Resort has announced the return of internationally recognised holistic wellness consultant and founder of Energy Masters, Dr Hetalkumar Doshi, for an exclusive wellness residency from 1 August to 31 October 2026 and from 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Renowned for his expertise across more than 60 holistic healing modalities, Dr Doshi brings a unique integrative approach that combines ancient healing traditions with modern wellness practices. As a naturopath, acupuncturist, Reiki Grand Master, energy healer, and wellness educator, he has guided individuals around the world towards greater wellbeing, balance, and personal transformation.

During his residency at Sirru Fen Fushi, guests will have the opportunity to experience Dr Doshi’s signature Four-Dimensional Healing Journey, which explores wellness through the Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual dimensions. Each treatment is tailored to individual needs and designed to identify and restore energetic imbalances affecting the body, mind, emotions, and soul.
At the heart of Dr Doshi’s philosophy lies the wisdom of the Five Elements–Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, whose harmonious balance is believed to support vitality, emotional resilience, mental clarity, and spiritual alignment.

Guests may choose from a variety of personalised healing experiences incorporating modalities such as acupuncture, acupressure, Reiki, chakra balancing, sound healing, breathwork, meditation, cupping therapy, and energy healing. Signature experiences are available in 30, 60, 90, and 120-minute sessions.
To introduce guests to his transformative approach, Sirru Fen Fushi is also offering a complimentary 15-minute wellbeing consultation during the residency period.
Set within one of the Maldives’ most naturally captivating island destinations, Sirru Fen Fushi offers travellers a unique opportunity to reconnect, rebalance and rediscover wellbeing in a serene oceanfront setting.
For further information and reservations, please visit the resort’s website or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Action
Coco Bodu Hithi celebrates Women’s Dive Day with marine conservation experience
In celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day on 18 July 2026, Coco Bodu Hithi invites certified women divers to come together for a meaningful morning beneath the surface, combining marine conservation with the joy of exploring the ocean in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant natural environments.
Inspired by this year’s global theme, “Celebrate Community. Create Change.”, the resort’s Women of the Ocean Reef Clean-Up Dive encourages to connect through shared passion for the underwater world while making a positive impact on the environment. Designed exclusively for certified women divers, the guided reef clean-up dive offers the opportunity to explore Coco Bodu Hithi’s biodiverse house reef while helping remove debris and protect its delicate ecosystem.
At the heart of it all is Coco Dive, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, where guests can discover the beauty and wonders of the Maldives through safe, personalised and memorable underwater adventures. Whether taking their very first breath below the surface or exploring advanced dive sites, guests are guided by an experienced, multilingual team of instructors dedicated to creating unforgettable diving experiences.
Just minutes from the resort, divers can access almost 30 renowned dive sites, home to vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including hawksbill turtles, white-tip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, Napoleon fish, schools of blue-striped snappers, batfish and fusiliers. Guests looking to begin their marine adventures can also start their certification before arrival through PADI eLearning, allowing them to spend more time exploring the ocean once they reach the Maldives.
“At Coco Bodu Hithi, we believe every dive is an opportunity to build a deeper connection with the ocean,” said Jinn Hui, Dive Base Leader for Coco Bodu Hithi. “PADI Women’s Dive Day celebrates the growing community of women in diving while reminding us that small actions, such as removing debris, can make a meaningful difference to the health of our reefs.”
The activity is available at the resort’s standard single-dive rate and includes a personalised certificate of participation and a complimentary dive video, allowing guests to take home lasting memories of a meaningful day beneath the surface.
Rooted in Coco Collection’s truly Maldivian heritage, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to bring guests closer to nature through experiences that inspire a deeper appreciation for the Maldives and its fragile marine habitat.
Located in North Malé Atoll, just 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Coco Bodu Hithi invites guests to unwind in spacious villas with up to 30% savings through the Discover Coco offer or enjoy exclusive benefits with the Local & Expat Exclusives package. Visit cococollection.com or contact reservations@cococollection.com for further enquiries.
Awards
Baros Maldives ranked world’s no. 2 resort in Travel + Leisure Awards
Baros Maldives has been named the No. 2 Resort in the World and No. 1 Resort in Asia in the 2026 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, as voted by readers of one of the world’s most respected travel publications.
Now in its 31st year, the World’s Best Awards is one of the travel industry’s most respected accolades, with hundreds of thousands of well-travelled readers sharing their views on the world’s leading hotels, resorts, destinations and tour operators.
For Baros, the recognition is the latest milestone in a story that began over five decades ago. Since opening in 1973, the island has built its reputation through consistency and staying true to what guests value most: impeccable service that the island has never felt the need to reinvent and a natural setting of mature jungle, powder-soft sand and one of the Maldives’ most celebrated house reefs. Nearly 30% of bookings come from returning guests, most of whom feel like Baros is a second home.
Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager of Baros Maldives, commented: “To be recognised as the No. 2 resort in the world and the No. 1 resort in Asia by Travel + Leisure readers is an extraordinary honour. Baros has never chased trends, and we don’t intend to start now. What we’ve built over five decades is something more durable than that – a relationship with this island and with the guests who keep returning to it. This recognition is a reflection of that relationship, and we share it with our entire team and our guests.”
The award places Baros among an elite group of properties recognised globally and reinforces its position within the Versa Hospitality collection as the Maldives’ original luxury icon.
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