Fresh from the Maldives …

The market is seeing a rise in ultra-luxury and exclusive experiences, such as the bespoke services at Soneva Secret and the ultra-luxe villas at the upcoming Dhon Maaga Maldives to name a few ….

What’s new ?

New luxury resorts in the Maldives that have opened or are scheduled to open in 2025 include the Meyyafushi Maldives, and the Aman and Bulgari Maldives.

Other recently opened or upcoming luxury options include Soneva Secret, Baccarat Maldives, to name a few.

Aman Maldives

Aman is developing a new resort in the Maldives, located on a private island in the Vaavu Atoll, which is set to feature 52 keys and 16 branded residences. The new resort will include several dining venues, a beach club, and an extensive spa on its own dedicated island. It will also offer a dive center and water sports to explore the local reefs

6 Senses Private island

The « 6S Private Island » luxury resort project in the Maldives involves six new resorts opening between late 2025 and 2026. The first two, Rah Gili Maldives and Dhon Maaga Maldives, are set to open in the South Malé Atoll. Rah Gili Maldives will offer 74 pool villas with a focus on vibrant social spaces, while Dhon Maaga Maldives will feature ultra-luxe, larger villas with features like gemstone-inlaid bathtubs and private jet transfers

Bulgari Maldives

The new Bulgari Resort Ranfushi in the Maldives, scheduled to open in 2026, will feature 54 villas, four signature restaurants including Il Ristorante – Niko Romito and Bao Li Xuan, the Bulgari Bar, and the Bulgari Spa. The resort will be built to high sustainability standards, with an exclusive Bulgari Villa on its own private island, and a new island created for nesting birds

Hyatt Regency Maldives

The Hyatt Regency Maldives is a new luxury resort set to open in late 2027, so there isn’t anything « new » in the sense of an existing property. The planned resort, named Hyatt Regency Samarafushi Maldives, will feature 130 all-villa accommodations (beachfront, treetop, and overwater) with private pools, multiple dining venues, a kid’s club, a dive center, and a spa. Its main new feature is that it will be the first Hyatt Regency-branded property in the Maldives.

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Luxury in Depth & up coming

Upcoming and transformed

Soneva Secret: This is a new, ultra-exclusive resort featuring 14 villas with unique amenities like retractable roofs and a floating villa accessible only by boat.

Baccarat Maldives: A new resort from the Baccarat brand, it will feature 100 villas and residences and is managed by SH Hotels & Resorts.

NH Collection Maldives: Rebranded from the Reethi Beach Resort, this property is set to reopen late 2025 after major renovations

Our Preferred & Recommended Selection

Vakkaru Maldives

A Timeless Sanctuary

Lies within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Vakkaru Maldives is a secluded reef island blessed with timeless ocean views, powder-soft, brilliant white sands, deep blue holes and house reef with unique marine biodiversity. A scenic 30-minute seaplane flight from Male International Airport transport you into this idyllic paradise intuitively designed for guests seeking timeless experiences

Purpose of the Resort

Target Guests: Upscale families, couples, and small groups seeking a blend of elegance, tranquility, and modern luxury.
Positioning: A refined luxury resort in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, offering both overwater and beach residences.
USP: Large, stylish villas, exceptional dining, strong wellness offering, and a balance of romantic seclusion + family-friendly features.

What to Compare (Key Benchmarks)

Category & Market Position
- Positioned in the Luxury/Upper Luxury tier, but not as hyper-exclusive as Velaa or Cheval Blanc.
- Compare against Joali Maldives (art-focused, similar villa count) and Anantara Dhigu (family luxury, but larger).
Island Size & Villas
- ~113 villas (beach + water + residences).
- Compare scale against Baros (75 villas) → more intimate, and LUX South Ari (150+)* → much larger.
Family Offering
- Has kids’ club, multi-room residences, and family programs.
- Compare with Four Seasons Landaa (strongest family/conservation programs) and JA Manafaru (big family packages).
Dining & Lifestyle
- Multiple fine dining outlets + wine cellar.
- Compare against OZEN Life (all-inclusive luxury dining) and Joali (art-inspired gastronomy).
Transfer
- Seaplane (~30–40 min) or domestic + speedboat for late arrivals.
- Compare with Baros/Gili (speedboat only, closer to Malé) for ease.
Price Positioning
- Starts ~$1,200+ per night.
- Higher than Constance Moofushi (~$800+) but below Joali/Soneva Jani ($2,000–2,500+).

👉 Summary:

Vakkaru is best for HNWI families or couples who want luxury with sophistication, space, and dining variety, but not the ultra-flashy or billionaire exclusivity of Cheval Blanc/Velaa. Its direct competitors are Joali (design/art), Four Seasons Landaa (family + marine conservation), and OZEN Life (all-inclusive luxury).

LUX South Ari Atoll

he best of island living on your very own paradise islet

The Maldives is one of those places that continue to pop up on travellers’ bucket lists, beckoning with luxurious resorts such as LUX* South Ari Atoll. And for a very good reason. Fantasized about experiencing a resort on a faraway tropical island, embodying a Robinson Crusoe lifestyle, you’re in the right place. Whatever it is you love, you’ll find it here at our Maldives resort.

Purpose of the Resort

Target Guests: Families, couples, groups who want a balance of luxury + lively atmosphere + activities.
Positioning: A large resort (150+ villas), offering contemporary luxury with lifestyle branding (LUX* style: chic, vibrant, youthful).
USP: One of the largest resorts in Maldives with 8 restaurants, multiple bars, diving, whale shark excursions – caters to guests who want choice and variety vs. ultra-private seclusion.

What to Compare (Key Benchmarks)

Size & Layout
- 150+ villas (biggest in its category) → compare against boutique resorts like Baros or COMO Cocoa (30–70 villas).
- Guests who like space, activities, and dining options will prefer LUX* over ultra-boutique resorts.
Category & Experience
- Luxury (not ultra-luxury pinnacle like Velaa or Cheval Blanc).
- Compare with JA Manafaru, OZEN, Constance Moofushi → similar family/all-inclusive style.
Dining & Lifestyle
- 8 restaurants + bars, diverse cuisine → benchmark for culinary choice.
- Compare with Soneva Fushi (fewer restaurants but higher gastronomy level).
Family & Activities
- Kids club, teenagers’ activities, watersports, whale shark tours.
- Compare against Anantara Dhigu (family focus), or Four Seasons Landaa (educational / marine).
Transfer
- Seaplane (~30–40 min).
- Compare with speedboat-only resorts (Baros, Gili Lankanfushi) for convenience.
Price Positioning
- Rates from $700+ per night (entry-level villas).
  - Lower than Soneva Jani ($2,500+) or Cheval Blanc ($2,200+).Similar to Constance Moofushi ($800+) or Anantara Dhigu ($1,200+)

👉 Summary:

LUX South Ari Atoll is best compared on “scale and lifestyle” (big resort, variety of experiences, vibrant vibe) rather than “privacy and exclusivity” (pinnacle/ultra-luxury).*.

Soneva Jani

An iconic overwater sanctuary

Soneva Jani is set within a vast 5.6-kilometre private lagoon in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll, where infinite shades of blue stretch beyond the horizon. One of the world’s most exclusive and lowest-density luxury resorts, it offers unrivalled space and seclusion across its one- to five-bedroom overwater and island villas.

Purpose of the Resort

Target Guests: UHNWIs, honeymooners, and families looking for dreamlike villas, privacy, and eco-luxury.
Positioning: One of the most iconic resorts in the Maldives — famous for overwater villas with retractable roofs, private slides, and “Robinson Crusoe chic” barefoot luxury.
USP: Fantasy-style villas + sustainability ethos. A true Instagram and luxury lifestyle showcase, combining over-the-top design with Soneva’s pioneering eco-initiatives.

What to Compare (Key Benchmarks)

Category & Market Position
- Ultimate Pinnacle Luxury.
- Compare against Cheval Blanc Randheli (LVMH elegance), Joali (art-inspired luxury), and Velaa (UHNWI playground).
Villas & Scale
- 51 overwater and island villas, among the largest in the Maldives (some >400 sqm).
- Compare against Cheval Blanc’s Private Island Villa (exclusive) or Velaa’s residences (ultra-private, more sports-focused).
Experience & Lifestyle
- Romantic, family-friendly, sustainable, highly photogenic.
- Compare with Soneva Fushi (more family-friendly, less overwater iconic) and Gili Lankanfushi (rustic barefoot chic).
Dining & Wellness
- Multiple dining options with Soneva’s organic focus + strong wellness and astronomy experiences.
- Compare against Joali (gastronomy + art) and Cheval Blanc (French haute cuisine + Guerlain Spa).
Transfer
- Seaplane ~45 minutes.
- Compare with Baros/Gili (speedboat ease) for HNWI who dislike seaplanes.
Price Positioning
- Entry rates ~$2,500+ per night; larger villas >$10,000+.
- Compare with Cheval Blanc ($2,200+), Velaa ($1,600+), and Soneva Secret ($11,000+).

👉 Summary:

Soneva Jani is the “fantasy resort” of the Maldives — unmatched for villa wow-factor and eco-luxury narrative. Guests compare it with Cheval Blanc for elegance, Joali for artistry, Velaa for exclusivity, and Soneva Fushi for family barefoot charm.

Ultimate Maldives By Urban-seleqt Agecny

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Identifiant SIRET: 984 409 011 00017
APE 79.12Z – (Travel Agency)

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