Maldives Tourism Expands: New resorts openings in 2025 and 2026 Pipeline

Maldives Resorts (Photo: Dusit Thani Maldives)

Malé, Maldives — September 2025.The Maldives continues to strengthen its position as the world’s leading luxury destination, with several new resorts opening this year (2025 and an ambitious pipeline scheduled for 2026. Global giants are expanding their portfolios, while boutique operators and lifestyle brands are making their Maldivian debut.

2025 Resorts Maldives Openings

JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort (Opened January 15, 2025)

• Operator: Marriott International

• Marriott in the Maldives: One of the country’s most significant players, Marriott operates 8+ Maldivian resorts across luxury and lifestyle brands: JW Marriott (Shaviyani), St. Regis (Dhaalu), Ritz-Carlton (Fari Islands), W Maldives (North Ari), Le Méridien (Lhaviyani), Westin (Baa), Sheraton (North Malé), plus Courtyard (pipeline).

• Context: This is Marriott’s second JW property in the Maldives and the most accessible, just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.

• USP: A JW standard product that appeals to short-stay luxury travelers seeking quick access.

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives (Opened April 1, 2025)

• Operator: Centara Hotels & Resorts (Thailand)

• Centara in the Maldives: Centara already runs three resorts — Centara Grand Island Resort (South Ari), Centara Ras Fushi (North Malé), and Centara Mirage (North Malé).

• Context: Centara Grand Lagoon is its fourth property, consolidating Centara’s place as one of the strongest Asian operators in the Maldives.

• USP: Lagoon-based villas, Thai hospitality, and multiple pool/Jacuzzi villa categories catering to families and honeymooners.

Ananea Madivaru Maldives (Opened April 9, 2025)

• Operator: Ananea Hotels (Europe-based lifestyle boutique brand)

• Ananea’s Presence: Known for stylish boutique hotels in Mediterranean markets, this is Ananea’s Maldives debut and its first Indian Ocean property.

• USP: A twin-island concept (natural + reclaimed island) with 110 villas, pitched as understated luxury with design influence from both Europe and the Indian Ocean.

dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives (Opened July 27, 2025)

• Operator: Dusit International (Thailand)

• Dusit in the Maldives: Dusit Thani Maldives (Baa Atoll, since 2012) has long been a high-end eco-luxury resort. dusitD2 is the second Maldivian property, repositioned to capture the all-inclusive lifestyle market.

• USP: 127 villas, five dining venues, wellness spa, and an energetic lifestyle concept designed to complement Dusit’s more traditional luxury product.

Meyyafushi Maldives (Opening October 1, 2025)

• Operator: BeKind Hospitality (new boutique luxury operator)

• Portfolio Context: Debut property in the Maldives and the group’s flagship opening globally, with ambitions to expand regionally.

• USP: Premium all-inclusive boutique resort with underwater dining, floating padel courts, and family-friendly water villas with slides.

Eri Maldives (Re-opening November 1, 2025)

• Operator: Independent (formerly Eriyadu Island Resort, established 1982)

• Context: One of the Maldives’ earliest tourist islands, fully renovated and rebranded in 2025.

• USP: 68 rooms, upgraded interiors, beach access, spa, water sports, and 35% promotional reopening discount (Nov–Dec 2025).

Pipeline: Opening Late 2025 & 2026

Rah Gili Maldives (Late 2025)

• Operator: Six & Six Private Islands (boutique luxury developer)

• Context: Part of the same portfolio as Meyyafushi and Dhon Maaga.

• USP: 74 villas near a dolphin sanctuary, eco-focused, designed for couples and marine enthusiasts.

Dhon Maaga Maldives (2026)

• Operator: Six & Six Private Islands

• Context: Follows Rah Gili and Meyyafushi as the third resort under this brand.

• USP: Ultra-luxury villas (250–400m²), private pools, jet-ready access, catering to UHNWI travelers.

Bulgari Resort Ranfushi (2026)

• Operator: Bulgari Hotels & Resorts (LVMH Group)

• Portfolio Context: Bulgari’s 13th global property and first Maldivian debut. Bulgari hotels are already open in Milan, London, Dubai, Bali, Paris, and Rome.

• USP: Italian fashion house elegance, high design, and Michelin-star dining experiences.

Mondrian Maldives (2026)

• Operator: Ennismore (Accor’s lifestyle division)

• Mondrian’s Presence: Iconic lifestyle brand with hotels in Los Angeles, Doha, Singapore, London.

• Context: Maldives marks Mondrian’s Indian Ocean debut, repositioning the former Kuredhivaru property under Ennismore management.

• USP: 105 private-pool villas with bold, artistic design to attract younger and design-minded travelers.

Nammos Maldives Nedafushi (2026)

• Operator: Nammos Group (Greece-based luxury lifestyle brand)

• Portfolio Context: Famous for jet-set beach clubs in Mykonos and Dubai. This is Nammos’ first hotel property anywhere.

• USP: Luxury beachfront resort that combines high-end gastronomy, chic lifestyle experiences, and exclusive nightlife energy.

Zamani Islands Complex (Spring 2026)

• Operator: Zamani Group (Middle East-backed developer)

• Context: An unprecedented mega-project spanning eight islands in South Malé Atoll.

• USP: Superyacht marina, Maldives’ largest underwater restaurant, 28 dining concepts, private estates, mansions, and full butler service. Positioned to be the largest integrated resort development in Maldivian history.

At-a-Glance: New Resort Openings, Maldives

Resort / Brand	Date	Location	Portfolio Context
JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll	Jan 2025	South Malé Atoll	2nd JW in Maldives; Marriott operates 8+ resorts
Centara Grand Lagoon	Apr 2025	North Malé Atoll	4th Centara property in Maldives
Ananea Madivaru	Apr 2025	North Ari Atoll	Maldives debut for boutique brand Ananea
dusitD2 Feydhoo	Jul 2025	North Malé Atoll	2nd Dusit property; lifestyle positioning
Meyyafushi Maldives	Oct 2025	Lhaviyani Atoll	BeKind Hospitality’s flagship, debut property
Eri Maldives (Re-opening)	Nov 2025	North Malé Atoll	Renovated legacy property, independent operator
Rah Gili Maldives	Late 2025	South Malé Atoll	Part of Six & Six expansion
Dhon Maaga Maldives	2026	South Malé Atoll	Ultra-luxury Six & Six property
Bulgari Resort Ranfushi	2026	—	LVMH’s Bulgari debut in Maldives
Mondrian Maldives	2026	Noonu Atoll	Indian Ocean debut for Mondrian
Nammos Maldives Nedafushi	2026	—	First hotel by Nammos lifestyle brand
Zamani Islands Complex	Spring 2026	South Malé Atoll	Largest multi-island mega-project

The Maldives is entering a new era of tourism, where established hotel groups like Marriott, Centara, and Dusit continue to expand their reach, while newcomers such as Bulgari, Mondrian, and Nammos introduce a fresh wave of fashion, lifestyle, and design-led luxury. At the same time, independent innovators like BeKind Hospitality and Six & Six Private Islands are reshaping the boutique segment with eco-luxury concepts, and heritage resorts like Eri Maldives are proving that modernization can keep legacy brands competitive. Together, these developments signal a dynamic and diverse future for Maldivian hospitality — one that will redefine the destination for years to come.