More Resorts In Maldives Opens its Doors From 01st of August

Following the Maldives border reopening on 15th July 2020 additional properties have reopened its doors this August. A total of 21 properties have opened its doors on 1st August 2020. meanwhile, big names in the industry are also set to reopen their doors in the following weeks and months.

Properties opened on 1st August:

Dusit Thani Maldives

Dusit Thani Maldives is located just 35 minutes by seaplane from capital city Malé, and 10 minutes by speedboat from Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport in Baa Atoll. The resort boasts 94 villas and residences, along with three restaurants, two bars, the extensive OCEAN DIVE center, and Dusit’s signature Devarana Spa.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa Maldives

Surrounded by a coral reef and white-sand beaches, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa offers a unique selection of accommodations ranging from private beach retreats and over-water villas to unique tropical tree house villas perched on the tree top canopy.

Hotel Jen by Shangri-La, Malé, Maldives

Boasting a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La, provides free speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport, a 7-minute ride away. The hotel features high-end rooms and offers a spa and 24-hour café.

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa is a 5-star deluxe all-inclusive Resort located on the Raa Atoll, in the northern part of the Maldives. Surrounded by 1.5 km of soft white sand, on a lush private 20 hectares island, the resort features 120 villas, 60 of which are located on the island and 60 directly on the sea.

ROBINSON Club Noonu

Set among palm trees along a beach, the all-inclusive upscale resort, ROBINSON Club Noonu is accessible by a 45-minute seaplane journey from the main Velana International Airport.

Coco Bodu Hithi

Coco Bodu Hithi is an island paradise in an enchanting setting, where contemporary creature comforts blend stylishly with Maldivian themes. Surrounded by turquoise waters and ringed by white sandy beaches and coconut palms, guests are spoilt for choice with 100 stylish villas. All villas come with private pools, a diverse selection of premium dining options, a Coco Spa, extensive land and water-sport activities, as well as a portfolio of memorable ‘Uniquely Coco’ experiences.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is located in Baa Atoll, 124km from Velana international airport, and easily reached by a 30-minute seaplane flight or a domestic flight followed by a short speedboat ride. The resort captures tropical magic in abundance, beautifully balancing the island’s bountiful vegetation with the resort’s architectural charisma.

Six Senses Laamu

Six Senses Laamu is the first and one of the only two resorts to open in Laamu Atoll. The resort offers over-water villas or you can hide among the lush vegetation of a beachfront villa. Endless dining options awaits you at the resort with cuisines from all around the world. There are 3 restaurants (2 over water), plus a bar and an ice cream parlor at the resort.

One&Only Reethi Rah

One&Only Reethi Rah offers the ultimate holiday experience to those seeking the pinnacle of tropical luxury. Surrounded by the crystal blue waters, the ultra-luxury all-villa resort in the Maldives offers an unrivaled level of style, choice and personalized exploration.

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is located at a 55-minute domestic plane flight away from Velana International Airport. The resort boasts 43 Over-Water and 25 Beachfront villas with most villas offering breathtaking sunset views, and 20 villas with their own private pool.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives is a 52-acre resort set in the heart of Noonu Atoll. The resort offers a range of stunning accommodation including breathtaking water villas, beach villas, and exclusive retreats.

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives is an adults-only retreat in North Male Atoll. All 140 villas (42-45 square metres) at the resort provide sensational ocean views and blend in with the island’s green interior. The resort offers Half Board, Full Board, and All-Inclusive meal plans in addition to a variety of dining options that include Thai, Italian, and Arabian restaurants.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa

With the Ultimate All-Inclusive concept, guests’ stay at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa is absolutely carefree. All meals, spa treatments, activities and water sports, daily excursions, and even diving are included in the package.

Bandos Maldives

Bandos Resort is ideally situated on North Male’ Atoll, just a 10-minute speed boat ride from Velana International Airport, which is 7 Km away. Bandos’ rooms and villas are surrounded by nature’s beauty, some featuring high thatched roofs or wooden décor.

Vakkaru Maldives

Vakkaru Maldives is a lush tropical habitat located within the crystal clear waters of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll. Keeping with the rustic charms of Maldivian culture, all 113 beach and over water villas and suites at the resort have an earthy yet elegant aesthetic, offering an incredible sense of space and stunning ocean views.

Fun Island Resort

Fun Island Resort is in South Male Atoll, a 45-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport. The resort features 2 dining options and affordable rooms with private balconies nestled within white sandy beaches.

Nika Island Resort

The beautiful 5-star Nika Island Resort & Spa, Maldives offers stand-alone beach or water villas surrounded by coral reefs. Nika represents “the Maldives that used to be”, the Idyll in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The resort is a perfect example of a boutique hotel that breaks the dynamics of big international brands that are reshaping the Maldivian hospitality industry.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

The luxury Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers a sophisticated and serene retreat just 30 minutes from Velana International Airport via the resort’s private yacht. Boasting 119 luxuriously appointed villas, each Villa is equipped with a pool and uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean in its own private enclave.

JOALI Maldives

Located on Muravandhoo island on the Raa Atoll in the northern Maldives, JOALI boasts 73 private beach and water villas and residences. Each villa is inspired by individual stories and designed to evoke this sensibility throughout.

Royal Island Resort

Situated in Baa Atoll, Royal Island Resort and Spa is a luxurious retreat and a haven of peace. Surrounded by tropical flora, the polished villas feature ocean-view decks, and wood-paneled walls and ceilings, plus flat-screens, minibars, and tea and coffeemaking facilities.

Sun Island Resort

Set on the private Nalaguraidhoo island Sun Island Resort accessible only by boat. the bright resort is surrounded by tropical gardens and tranquil white-sand beaches. Amenities at the resort include 5 restaurants, 6 bars and a spa. There’s also an outdoor pool with a kids’ area, as well as water sports, tennis and a gym.

Resorts have taken extensive measures and raised cleanliness standards accordingly with the regulations imposed. Likewise, the Maldives government has taken various precautionary steps to ensure travel safety for holidaymakers coming to the Maldives.

The naturally self-isolated Maldives is renowned to have some of the best resorts in the world. Tourists should have a confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility before arrival to the Maldives. Likewise, this is also required for processing visas. Similarly, guests traveling to the Maldives are provided a 30-day tourist visa for all nationalities. Hence, guests will not be subject to quarantine measures on arrival.

However, guests are required to submit any medical test results. Travelers presenting symptoms of COVID-19 will be subjected to a PCR test at the traveler’s cost as well. A health declaration card will also be required as part of the procedure.

According to the Ministry of tourism, 23 resorts are set to reopen from September onward. In addition to that, 31 properties will open its doors from October onward. The Maldives’ one island, one resort concept, makes it a safe destination for travelers.

Feature image by LUX South Ari

Few figures have shaped the world of luxury travel quite like Sonu Shivdasani. As the co-founder of both Soneva and Six Senses, he defined what sustainable, experiential luxury looks like not just in the Maldives but on a global scale. Over more than three decades of passion-driven leadership, he transformed remote islands into globally celebrated eco-conscious sanctuaries.

Since opening Soneva Fushi in 1995, Sonu Shivdasani has pioneered a back-to-nature luxury experience that redefined the Maldives as a premier high-end destination. Under his leadership, Soneva introduced many hospitality innovations that have become industry standards, including private pools, open-air bathrooms, and curated experiences with marine biologists and artists. His approach seamlessly fused luxury with environmental responsibility by embedding sustainability into every facet of the business.

Now, following a significant change in Soneva’s ownership structure, Shivdasani embarks on a new chapter guided by creativity, exploration, and long-awaited personal pursuits.

Stepping Back, Not Stepping Away

In May 2025, KSL Capital Partners converted their preference shares into ordinary shares, taking majority control of the Soneva Group. Despite this shift, Sonu and his wife Eva remain significant minority shareholders but have stepped back from the company’s day-to-day operations.

Sonu Shidvasani told Hotel Investment Today,

“It is very important to us that Soneva thrives. However, I have agreed with them that they will run the business and Eva and I will not be involved.”

This marks the close of an era of active leadership while maintaining lasting influence. Their continued stake reflects deep-rooted confidence in the brand’s values and future.

A Legacy of Innovation in Sustainable Hospitality

To fully appreciate this transition, it is essential to reflect on Sonu and Eva’s remarkable journey, which has been a deeply personal and enduring commitment. Over more than 30 years, they built two globally respected hospitality brands that set new benchmarks for sustainability, wellness, and authentic guest experiences. They launched Six Senses in 2004, growing it to 26 resorts and 41 spas worldwide, before deciding to focus exclusively on Sovnea’s “One Wonder, One Operator, One Philosophy” model. This model champions intimate, purpose-driven luxury.

Beyond pioneering resorts, Sonu spearheaded transformative environmental and social initiatives through the Soneva Foundation, founded in 2010. Under his guidance, the foundation rolled out impactful programs, such as eliminating branded bottled water in favor of purified onsite water. This initiative funded clean water access for over 800,000 people across 50 countries. Additionally, the voluntary carbon levy on guest stays supports projects including planting half a million trees in Thailand, installing a windmill in India, and distributing energy-efficient cookstoves that have benefited nearly 300,000 people in Myanmar and Darfur.

He also led the Myanmar Stoves Campaign, which generated $14 million in social value over four years by reducing deforestation, improving public health, and increasing incomes for 140,000 people. In the Maldives, his groundbreaking Soneva Namoona waste management program led the regional and national phase-out of single-use plastic.

From Personal Challenges to Global Recognition

In 2017, Sonu faced a serious health challenge when diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After a courageous battle, he emerged with a renewed holistic wellness philosophy that integrated both conventional and alternative therapies. This vision led to the launch of the Soneva Soul, a wellness brand in 2021, broadening the group’s commitment to well-being.

Therefore, his extensive contributions to tourism, sustainability, and philanthropy earned him recognition in 2023 when he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). That same year, he received the SevenRooms Icon Award at the World’s 50 Best Hotels. A unique individual honor celebrating his transformative impact on global luxury hospitality.

Today, Soneva’s portfolio includes:

Soneva Fushi
Soneva Jani
Soneva Secret
Soneva in Aqua (luxury yacht experience)

Each property embodies the brand’s core philosophy, “SLOW LIFE.” Which focuses on Sustainability, Locality, Wellness, Learning, and Inspiring experiences. These principles have defined Shivdasani’s legacy and continue to shape the future of luxury travel.

Looking Forward: A New Chapter of Creativity

Despite stepping back, Sonu Shivdasani is far from slowing down. While many might see this as a step toward retirement, he views it as a welcome pause and a chance to breathe and pursue projects long deferred.

“I feel fortunate to have a little bit of a break to catch my breath and do many things that I have always wanted to, but have never had the time.. At 58, I have another lifetime of creativity ahead of me.”

With day-to-day operations now entrusted to KSL. He plans to revisit hospitality concepts he once envisioned to develop but had kept aside. His broad experience and deepening focus on wellness and longevity continue to inform his evolving perspective on hospitality.

What’s Next for Soneva Under KSL?

With its increased stake, KSL Capital Partners now guides Soneva’s next phase. Armed with a strong background in luxury travel and leisure, the firm intends to expand operations and invest in existing properties while preserving the founding values that define Soneva.

To lead this evolution, KSL appointed Neil Gallagher as Soneva’s new CEO.

The Legacy Continues

Though Sonu Shivdasani no longer leads Soneva’s daily operations, his legacy remains deeply woven into the Maldives hospitality sector and resonates across global luxury travel. His vision endures in every villa, every tranquil moment, and every barefoot step taken on the Maldivian sands.

More Resorts In Maldives Opens its Doors From 01st of August

Properties opened on 1st August:

Feature image by LUX South Ari

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