Featured
ZAZZ Escapes Maldives Resort to open in 2021
Thai hotel management company Unicorn Hospitality has announced plans to open its first property in Maldives, ZAZZ Escapes Maldives Resort, in early 2021.
The Maldives resort, being developed by Hong Kong-based Asia Prestige Management (APM) after the 2018 acquisition of Ranveli Island Resort, is part of a new expansion drive by Unicorn Hospitality, which currently operates six brands and white label management concepts: Unicorn Hotels & Resorts, Kly Hotels & Resorts, Hangout By Kly, Live By Kly, Zazz Hotels and The Unchained Collection.
ZAZZ Escapes Maldives is part of the ZAZZ Escapes Collection. The properties from ZAZZ Escapes, take guests on a journey of discovery and fun – a chance to disconnect and share adventures whilst shifting back to nature – without giving up comfort and convenience.
Ideally located in South Ari Atoll, just 25 minutes by seaplane from Velana international Airport or 90 minutes by speedboat, ZAZZ Escapes Maldives is the perfect gateway to escape from the hustle and bustle of your daily life.
ZAZZ Escapes Maldives features a total of 101 overwater and beach villas, with each of them accented by breathtaking views of this slice of paradise. The island offers accommodation in five categories: Z Beach, Z Top, H2O Villa, H2O Pool Villa, and Z Pearl.
The villas have been designed from the ground up with pleasure and harmony in mind. Fresh, clean and bright, they are appointed with the modern amenities that discerning guests expect, whilst offering comfort, privacy, entertainment and connectivity to the outside world. Respect and intimacy was at the centre of attention in creating this unique environment.
ZAZZ Escapes Maldives delivers flavours and aromas with style; it is not about fine dining, it is about good dining. Hence, the resort’s six outlets do not compromise on quality and are sure to please the most discerning palates.

Whether by the pool or beachside, Club 72 is your own private slice of the Mediterranean. A resident DJ will excite the setting, delivering the trendiest tunes and intensifying the atmosphere. Open all day until late at night, a Zazzy flair will spread through the Club. Saturday night bash and Sunday brunch are the highlights not to be missed.
Yuuki means organic in Japanese. Here, only the freshest catches and the best Maldivian products are served, adding a Japanese twist to the plate. To complement your meal, there is an exhaustive selection of sake alongside some of the best brew imported from Japan!
Sanook is a fun and interactive dining concept focusing on Thai street food and creating an authentic dining experience. Savour the traditional flavours of Thailand with authentic cuisine direct from the ‘Land of Smiles’. The restaurant focuses on freshness and flavour — all you need to do is close your eyes and let your tastebuds guide you.
Sand Bar is an alternative to other venues, where you can simply share a good time with a gentle ambience that makes it perfect to unwind and loosen up. As if you were in a giant fleeting sand castle, pick up your drink and enjoy a remarkable setting, crafted by hand, tailored to your needs and in harmony with the surroundings.
Unwind and find tranquility at Sebae. By day, the pool is a serene spot where guests can read a book and watch the palms swinging gently in the breeze, whilst by night experimentalist mixologists craft creative cocktails. It’s the perfect locale for a cocktail prior to dinner or for an after dinner digestif before dancing the night away at Club 72.
Refreshing, generous and sexy, this is how ZAZZ Escapes Maldives defines Boost, a juice bar located within ZSPA. Full of vitamins and with enriching flavours, every concoction is designed to maintain your balance and wellness. Who said your ‘five a day’ nutrition intake should be a hard task? The Boost at ZSPA makes drinking veggies and fruits the new cool!

ZAZZ Escapes Maldives believes in living long and living well. A holiday should have you feeling relaxed and radiant, so indulge in the treatments on offer at the resort. ZSPA offers a holistic approach with two objectives in mind: making you feel beautiful and re-energising your body.
FitZ at ZAZZ Escapes Maldives is a genuine mind-and-body experience constructed to allow you to challenge yourself. Whether physically or mentally, FitZ aims to stimulate your senses. Cultivating a state of mind, in a perfectly designed area with exquisite natural ceilings, open windows and world class equipment.
Take advantage of the island and choose amongst one of the many activities the resort has to offer, whether with a group or on your own. Experienced guides will always have something to suggest. Embark on a boat, dive into the crystal blue lagoon or hop on a board and ride these waves — the wide range of distinctive adventures are designed for modern lifestyles.
At ZAZZ Escapes Maldives, savour a large choice of venues, with six different food and beverage destinations that will delight your buds. Let your stresses melt away as you enjoy treatments in the wellness centre ZSPA, or simply enjoy the watersport and diving centre allowing access to the beauty of the resort’s graceful lagoon.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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