Following the successful soft launch of its new hospitality concept, SunRay Social & Swim Club, at SAii Koh Samui Villas earlier this year, S Hotels & Resorts has announced its expansion to SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton ahead of a portfolio-wide rollout concluding at SAii Laguna Phuket later this year.

Designed to rethink the traditional beach club, SunRay shifts the focus from after-dark revelry to everything that happens under the sun: movement, good food, great music and time together. From sunrise to sunset, its programme follows the rhythm of the day, building towards golden hour and the Maldives’ spectacular sunsets.

The Indian Ocean edition brings that philosophy to the lagoon-front setting of SAii Lagoon Maldives, where the sun and ocean shape the day and experiences invite families, couples and groups of friends to move naturally between activity, connection and relaxation.

Four distinct periods shape the experience. First Light begins with sunrise yoga or a beach bootcamp, offering a gentle awakening or an active start. During Morning Drift, guests take to the water, from energising Aqua Flow workouts and games of newly introduced floating pickleball to discovering the lagoon’s marine life through snorkelling and diving. At Peak Sun, the tempo rises with mobile karaoke, water polo and pool volleyball, while water painting kits offer a creative pause by the beach.

 Golden Hour pairs friendly rivalry with time together. Beachside table tennis, beach volleyball, padel clinics and Kick Box Fit keep the energy going, while family sandcastle competitions give imagination centre stage, bringing generations together to shape something of their own in the sand.

As the sun dips below the horizon, a Boduberu sunset ritual brings the rhythms of Maldivian culture to the shore. After dark, a rotating weekly line-up gives each evening its own character, from live bands and acoustic guitar sessions to DJ-led nights, collaborative sets pairing DJs with live guitarists, and DJ & SunRay chromatic ritual.

Flavour adds another dimension to SunRay’s identity. Handcrafted gelato translates its signature colour palette into three exclusive creations: Orange Amaretto for Brick Orange, Toffee for SunRay Blue and Pink Guava for Cream. Alongside sun-inspired cocktails, these finishing touches invite guests to settle in and stay a little longer. 

Reflecting SunRay’s emphasis on sharing and discovery, the culinary programme centres on fresh, approachable dishes designed for the beach and poolside setting. Drawing on Thai, Maldivian and international influences, the menu features breadfruit crisps seasoned with aromatic Maldivian tuna mix; crispy tortilla with stir-fried beef kaprao; Phuket lobster arancini; oven-hot Maldivian-style pizza and other sharable poolside delights.

“What makes SunRay so compelling is its ability to adapt to the character of each destination,” said Michael Marshall, CEO of S Hotels & Resorts. “The concept is built around the movement of the sun, but in the Maldives the ocean becomes an equally important guide. At SunRay Maldives, the programme has been shaped around the lagoon itself, from water-based activities and wellness experiences to music, dining and social moments, resulting in a version of SunRay that feels distinctly Maldivian while staying true to the concept’s core philosophy of nature-led daytime leisure.”

SunRay complements the wider lifestyle offering at CROSSROADS Maldives, the integrated destination comprising three connected resorts, a 30-berth marina and an extensive collection of dining and entertainment venues. Located just 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport, SunRay is open to both resort guests and visitors seeking a day experience beyond the traditional overnight stay.

Guests travelling from Malé can enjoy SunRay Day Passes from USD 30 net per adult, with access to SunRay’s facilities and 30% off food and beverages, including the Gelato Bar. For a more complete experience, Meal Packages start from USD 75, while All-Inclusive Packages start from USD 140, with dining and beverage inclusions. Children aged 7 and below enjoy complimentary access. All packages include complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers to and from SunRay. For more information, visit the official website.

Aman has announced that its first resort in the Maldives will be named Amanolu, with the property scheduled to open in Vaavu Atoll in 2028.

Designed by longtime Aman collaborator Kerry Hill Architects (KHA), Amanolu will take inspiration from the natural setting of the atoll, including its white coral beaches, lagoons and surrounding marine environment.

The development will comprise 52 guest accommodations alongside 16 Aman-branded residences.

Each Aman Residence will occupy its own private island within the development. Some residences will be positioned along a single shoreline, offering either sunrise or sunset views, while others will extend across the island from coast to coast, providing access to beaches on both sides.

Each residence will feature five bedrooms, extensive indoor and outdoor living areas and private beaches. The homes will also include an 82-foot swimming pool and a private berth.

Dedicated staff accommodation will be incorporated into each residence, allowing owners and guests access to Aman’s personalised residential service.

Wellness will form a central part of Amanolu, with a dedicated wellness island planned to house an Aman Spa and the brand’s signature Spa Houses.

A separate activity island will provide facilities for recreation and marine experiences, including diving, snorkelling, watersports and other ocean-based activities.

The resort will also feature a range of dining venues, including concepts from Aman’s global culinary portfolio, as well as family facilities and spaces designed for social gatherings.

Amanolu will mark Aman’s entry into the Maldives, expanding the luxury hospitality group’s portfolio of resorts and residences across Asia and other international destinations.

At Eri Maldives, becoming begins with experiences that invite guests to see the island differently, and art has always offered one of the most powerful ways in.

The resort welcomed Maldivian artist Ismail Maaish for a collaboration that turned a beloved island landmark into something new: Beach Shack, a humble beach bar set beside one of the island’s favourite stretches of reef, became a living canvas for the first time.

Sharing his creative process with guests as he worked, Ismail curated an original mural at Beach Shack over the weekend, inspired by the underwater world surrounding the island — a bow-tied, sunglasses-wearing octopus mixing cocktails amid schools of fish, echoing the plush octopus character that greets guests in their villas on arrival, and weaving local craft and cultural storytelling into the everyday rhythm of island life.

“At Beach Shack, I wanted to bring the energy of the house reef above the water and create something playful, distinctly Maldivian and connected to its surroundings,” said Ismail. “The ocean is part of everyday life here, and this mural celebrates the colour, movement and marine characters found just beyond the shore.”

With a background in architecture, Maaish works across ink, watercolour, acrylic and large-scale murals. His art balances structure with spontaneity, using bold colours and expressive characters to explore Maldivian folklore, island life, culture and identity.

“Through the Beach Shack Artist Takeover, we bring the essence of Eri as The Island of Becoming to life—a place where nature inspires creativity and every experience opens the way for discovery and connection,” said Haroon Mohamed, General Manager of Eri Maldives. “Together with Ismail Maaish and the KULA Initiative, we are proud to provide Maldivian talent with a meaningful platform while inviting guests to experience our house reef and island culture from a fresh perspective.”

The project was presented under Pulse Resorts’ KULA Initiative, which gives local artists a platform to share their work and cultural perspectives with a wider audience, keeping Maldivian creativity and heritage visible within contemporary island life.

It’s the first of the Beach Shack Takeovers, an evolving platform inviting artists and creative talent to reinterpret the venue through their own craft.