Featured
La Vie Hotels & Resorts launches NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi under new upscale lifestyle brand
La Vie Hotels & Resorts, has launched its new lifestyle brand, NOOE, alongside its first resort, NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi.
NOOE promises to be a place where great things happen; where lobbies are abuzz, restaurants are local favourites, pools perform as day clubs and gyms build as many smiles as bodies. Guests are invited to lounge in studios, suites, bungalows and villas, not rooms, and sharply designed spaces inspire work and creativity, as much as rest and relaxation.
Designed with balance in mind, NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi offers travellers 72 Guest Bungalows and Villas spanning 3 hectares, 39 of which boast an overwater location. These stunning overwater villas provide the ultimate holistic and romantic escape, offering two stories, private plunge pools, a large deck area and uninterrupted views out over the Vaavu Atoll (affectionately known as the ‘Wow’ Atoll to the locals).

Located just 1 hour from Male city and international airport by speed boat or 25 minutes by seaplane, the property features six Food and Beverage Outlets, a Dive & Watersports Centre, kǔlh·un’ (Play) Kids Club, Boutique Shop and Th·āri by Mandara Spa, offering three private treatment rooms with a range of curated treatment options.
At NOOE, F&B is at its heart; it’s where culture, history and the ritual of food preparation and service encourage connection with artisans of local culinary delights. NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi has been carefully designed to deliver. From all-day dining restaurant Ìrǔ (Sun) providing themed buffets and live action stations, to Japanese inspired dining at w·āsho’ku, featuring a custom built teppanyaki grill and showcasing combinations of traditional and moderninterpretations of Japanese cuisine, NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi will offer the ultimate sensory experience.
The resort’s Pool bar vēlì (Sand) will provide life’s comforts (and cocktails) for guests to enjoy with its day club vibe, set up with sunlounges and cabanas looking out over the pool and crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. The resort’s coffee shop, mõ·odhǔ (Sea), offers guests a choice between selections of decadent and holistic treats to go, which path will you choose?
fl·äm·ē chargrill overwater restaurant showcases the best of air, land and sea. The perfect combination of dry aged meat partnered with premium seafood and poultry sourced locally and from across the globe.
Clubhouse is a global feature of NOOE, and the Clubhouse at NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi will feature an all-day dining offering featuring Mediterranean influenced small plates, the best coffee and cocktails on the island alongside buzzy live entertainment.

Craig Bond, Managing Director of La Vie Hotels & Resorts, said the group was beyond excited to be launching NOOE, a lifestyle brand that will truly encapsulate the essence of life, colour and vibrancy.
“We have been working on creating the NOOE brand for some time now, and we are thrilled to be launching this new lifestyle offering in the Maldives with our partners CJL Investments.
“The NOOE brand brings together what it means to live a balanced lifestyle; blending work, play, relaxation, good food and drink, and adventure all into one, and we are excited to grow the brand in other resort and urban locations.
“Careful attention has been paid to the design and layout to our Maldives resort, ensuring all who visit have the space and privacy to completely unwind. With 72 incredible bungalows and villas, a day spa, watersports centre, kids club, not to mention six restaurants and bars to choose from, the dream of paradise can truly be enjoyed.
“The Maldives has always been known as a bucket list destination for travellers across the globe, so what better place to launch a new lifestyle brand that promotes a balanced holiday than the place everyone dreams of visiting.
“We’ve long seen a gap in the market for an upscale lifestyle resort brand and see huge growth opportunities for urban and resort properties within this segment across Asia Pacific. We look forward to growing NOOE and bringing owners and guests on the journey with us”.
For more information on NOOE and to book NOOE Maldives Kunaavashi, head to www.nooe.com
Action
Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Featured
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives collaborates with Maldivian artist Ahmed Aleem
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
Awards
Amilla Maldives wins ‘Most OutThere Initiative’ award for Inclusive Travel
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
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