With visitor numbers of more than 1.7 million people a year before the pandemic hit, and higher than anticipated numbers in 2020 and 2021 due to efficient health protocols, the Maldives tropical-island paradise is now looking to the future with a wave of new resort launches in 2022.
Eleven properties are scheduled to open their doors, while many existing resorts took advantage of COVID-enforced closures to renovate and improve their services.
This makes the choice of holidays better than ever, whether you are visiting the Maldives as a couple, with kids, as a group of friends or as a diver looking for some of the best marine life in the world.
Most new openings are in the more remote atolls: Raa and Dhaalu, followed by Noonu, Baa and Lhaviyani. Some new resorts are being built on artificial islands created by land reclamation, such as the Fari Islands in the North Malé Atoll.
Projected 2022 openings
OBLU SELECT Lobigili: An adult-only haven with an underwater restaurant, where guests can stroll over to neighbouring Ailafushi island to experience a different world of sights, sounds and culture. More >
OBLU XPErience Ailafushi
A beach villa bedroom at OBLU XPErience Ailafushi
A free-spirited Maldivian resort with a name that means “family island”, designed for families, friends, couples and global nomads, and including a futuristic entertainment centre. More >
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort: The first opening in the Maldives by the sister brand of Anantara, with a youthful vibe and a kids’ club. More >
Address Madivaru Maldives Resort & Spa: The Emaar group’s first incursion into south Asia, promising a dedicated spa-island plus a floating restaurant.
Hilton Maldives Amingiri
Hilton Maldives Amingiri restaurant and, top of page, an overwater pool villa
The fourth resort under Hilton’s portfolio of brands in the Maldives – and the first of its flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts in the destination – including a teen-only zone with a rooftop deck. More >
Gran Meliá Huravee: A glamorous opening by the luxury Spanish brand, set to include one private-island villa among its accommodation offerings. More >
Maniya Faru Resort: A new development by the company behind Reethi Faru Resort, with the same renowned lagoon restaurant and an overwater spa.
OZO Maldives: The second Maldives resort to be opened by the ONYX group, with a family focus, enhanced sleep experience and curated destination and activity tips. More >
Zazz Escapes Maldives
A lively resort aimed at younger adults, with fresh contemporary decor, a juice bar and one residence with its own DJ booth. More >
Tolarno Maldives Kunaavashi Resort: La Vie Hotels & Resorts’ first Maldivian property – a unique midscale brand inspired by arts and local culture, in one of the best diving destinations in the archipelago.
Madifushi Private Island: A nature-centric island with private-pool villas and suites designed to blend in with their surrounds. More >
