Search
Close this search box.

Dream Hotels Group Signs Two Substantial Properties In Maldives

DreamHotelsSigns_020217

Dream Hotel Group, a New York based hotel brand and management company has signed two hotels in the Maldives. The agreement was made with local entrepreneur Mohamed Manik and Alpha Kinam Holdings to develop The Chatwal Maaga Maldives and Dream Gasveli Maldives. These two properties are set to open in 2019 and 2020 respectively, the new locations triple the group’s presence in Asia and contributes critically toward Dream Hotel Group’s strategy in global expansion.

“Last year, we signed more new hotels and resorts than ever before,” Dream Hotel Group CEO, Jay Stein stated. “I’m thrilled to announce another equally strong year of growth momentum with the signing of The Chatwal Maaga and Dream Gasveli in the Maldives, one of the strongest luxury leisure resort markets in the world.”

Positioned in vividly striking North Ari Atoll, The Chatwal Maaga Maldives is set to feature 80 ultra-luxury villas, six private beach villas and two presidential villas. In addition, three world-class culinary experiences will bring fine dining and simple barefoot style to the lagoon’s edge. The Chatwal Maaga Maldives will be the second location to debut in The Chatwal collection of luxury hotels.

Dream Gasveli Maldives will feature 500 villas, eight experiential dining and nightlife venues, including the brand’s signature Dream Beach Club. A 20,000-square-foot of the island will be dedicated for wellness with an excellent spa and a dozen designer brand retail outlets is set to provide guests with exclusive duty-free shopping on site. Spread across three islands in Meemu Atoll, Dream Gasveli will be the largest fully-integrated resort ever developed in the Indian Ocean.

“I’ve been in the resort and hotel business for over 30 years in the Maldives,” said Mr. Mohamed Manik, Chairman of Alpha Kinam Holdings. “I am pleased to partner with Dream Hotel Group in bringing its leading edge lifestyle brands to the Maldives and look forward to taking our luxury market experiences one step beyond here with many more projects in the future.”

Mr. Kevin Wallace, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Dream Hotel Group stated “I have known Mohamed Manik for a number of years and there is no better partner we’d rather work with to bring The Chatwal and Dream brands of hospitality into the Maldives, delivering on the standards of excellence we hold so high.”

Towards the end of last year, Dream Hotel Group declared the signing of its first hotel in Vietnam with local-based Beegreen Group to develop Dream Oceanami Villas & Spa in Long Hai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, which is the country’s top tourist destination. Decided to open in June 2017, Dream Oceanami Villas & Spa will be the first of four new resort hotels developed by Beegreen Group and managed by Dream Hotel Group in Vietnam over the next two years. Future locations include Vung Tau City, Hoi An, Ho Tram and Con Dao.

Dream Hotel Group has future plans to sign more than 150 hotels and resorts worldwide under all of its brands over the next four years, continuing to strengthen its progressive portfolio globally. These brands include Dream, Time, The Chatwal and Unscripted.

“This will be a milestone year for us as we welcome an unprecedented number of new hotels into our ever-growing family of brands across the globe,” added Stein to his statement.

Ad - immaldives.com

Latest

Celebrate Eid Al-Adha with Authentic Maldivian Traditions at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Hosts Fun Cultural Eid Festivities

This June, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites travelers to experience Eid Al-Adha in a way that goes beyond the usual holiday. The adult-only resort has created a special two-day celebration that offers a hands-on look at Maldivian culture through storytelling, traditional crafts, and local flavors. It forms part of their ongoing ‘Discover Local’ program, designed to help guests truly connect with island life.

Learning the Ancient Art of Joali Weaving

One of the standout moments takes place on Saturday, June 7, when guests join a Joali weaving workshop. This craft involves weaving coconut rope into practical items and has been quietly passed down through island families for generations. Since resorts rarely showcase this tradition, this becomes a rare chance for guests to experience a living cultural art.

Mohamed Irshad, the Front Office Manager of Mercue Maldives Kooddoo, shares why it matters:

“We don’t want to just show our guests the Maldives, we want them to feel it through our traditions. Joali weaving is one of those rare crafts that tells the story of resourcefulness, connection to nature, and island life”

Eid Buffet and the Colorful Maali Parade

The celebration starts on the evening of June 6 with an Eid buffet featuring refined takes on local festive dishes. Here, the resort prepares everything using fresh ingredients sourced nearby, celebrating the Maldives’ rich culinary heritage.

Then, the following night, the resort comes alive with the Maali Parade, a lively procession inspired by traditional Maldivian folklore. Masked performers bring ancient stories to life right on the island.

Dining Under the Sun: The Sandbank Picnic Experience

No trip to the Maldives feels complete without a sandbank picnic, and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers a particularly memorable version. Set on a tiny, untouched island surrounded by crystal-clear water, guests enjoy an authentic meal served on tropical leaves. This picnic offers a tasting journey into Maldivian flavors, featuring local specialties like:

  • Gulha: Coconut and tuna fritters
  • Kulhi Kaajaa: Spicy tuna bites
  • Bajiya: Pastries filled with sweet and spicy mixes
  • Rihaakuru Kaajaa: Fritters made from rich fish paste
  • Dry Fish: Smoked tuna strips
  • Bodi: Sweet coconut treats with toddy syrup

Along with fresh coconut water, the food makes the meal both refreshing and deeply connected to the island’s culinary traditions.

Year-Round Cultural Experiences with ‘Discover Local’

Although Eid brings special energy to the resort, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo’s cultural offerings continue throughout the year. For instance, the ‘Discover Local’ program invites guests to try their hand at traditional sunset fishing, palm leaf art, and sampling cultural cocktails inspired by island ingredients.

The cocktail menu features creations such as:

  • Maldivian Green: A blend of gin, curry leaf syrup, lemon, and soda water
  • Ocean Breeze: Vodka infused with butterfly pea flower, peach schnapps, pineapple, and coconut syrup
  • Green Kooddoo: Rum mixed with Malibu, pandan leaf juice, pineapple, and coconut syrup
  • Mirus Rita: A spicy twist on the classic margarita using chili-infused Maldivian tequila
  • Coco Kurumba: Whisky combined with tamarind juice, coconut milk, and passion fruit syrup

These drinks add an extra layer to the island experience and let guests taste Maldivian flavors in a completely new way.

More Than a Vacation: A Cultural Journey

If you visit for Eid or explore Maldivian culture at any time, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers more than a stay. In fact, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives as a vibrant, living culture, full of stories, flavors, and traditions that stay with you long after the trip ends.

Ad - immaldives.com
No more posts to show