“The Maldives islands luxury resort scene spans private-island retreats across a dozen atolls, each with its own pace, style, and reason for being there. This guide covers a set of standout properties opening over 2026 and 2027, alongside a few already open or returning after a period of closure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“The Maldives islands luxury resort scene spans private-island retreats across a dozen atolls, each with its own pace, style, and reason for being there. This guide covers a set of standout properties opening over 2026 and 2027, alongside a few already open or returning after a period of closure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":23862,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"acf":{"featured_item":false,"hero_image":23873,"page_sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text_image_block","title":"What Sets This Group of Resorts Apart","copy":"What makes this particular group interesting isn't the number of resorts, it's the range of ideas behind them. Rah Gili and Mondrian both lean into a livelier, more social version of the Maldives, a shift from the private, hushed seclusion the destination has long been known for. Aura moves in the opposite direction, building an entire resort around slowness and wellness rather than spectacle. Bulgari and Mandarin Oriental choosing the Maldives for their first properties in the region says something too, these are brands that could open almost anywhere in the world, and they've chosen this destination for their next chapter. A handful of long-standing resorts are also returning after years of closure, rebuilt under new ownership with updated concepts.","image":23863},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_image_block","title":"Rah Gili Maldives","copy":"Rah Gili Maldives is open in South Mal\u00e9 Atoll under Six & Six Private Islands, with 74 villas set beside a protected dolphin sanctuary. The resort leans into local Maldivian heritage rather than a generic luxury template, giving it a distinct identity within an atoll that already holds several more established properties.","image":23864},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_image_block","title":"Mondrian Maldives","copy":"Mondrian Maldives sits on Kuredhivaru Island in Noonu Atoll, brought to the Maldives by Ennismore, the group behind the Mondrian brand's design-led hotels around the world. The resort's 102 pool villas are built around a livelier, more social atmosphere than the traditional Maldivian resort format, aimed at travelers who want design and energy alongside the usual overwater setting.","image":23865},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_image_block","title":"Bulgari Resort Ranfushi","copy":"Bulgari Resort Ranfushi opens on Raa Atoll in 2027, becoming the tenth property in the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection. The resort spans 54 keys, including a single exclusive Bulgari Villa on its own island, 33 beach villas with private pools, and 20 overwater villas. Dining includes Il Ristorante, led by Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito, alongside a Chinese fine dining restaurant, a Japanese concept, and a more relaxed beachfront option. As with all Bulgari properties, the design comes from Italian architecture firm ACPV Architects.","image":23866},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_image_block","title":"Mandarin Oriental Bolidhuffaru Reef Resort","copy":"
Mandarin Oriental's first Maldives property sits across three private islands on Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Mal\u00e9 Atoll, roughly 17 kilometers from Mal\u00e9, and is expected to open in late 2026. The resort offers 120 stand-alone villas, split between overwater and beachfront options, including 10 branded Residences, with sizes ranging up to 1,000 square meters and private pools throughout. Six dining outlets and a spacious wellness center round out the property, developed by DAMAC Properties, the Dubai-based real estate group.<\/p>\r\n\r\n