The new eco-chi lifestyle island resort, Eri Maldives, has officially opened its doors in the North Malé Atoll, introducing a new standard of accessible island living. Located just a 45-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, the resort combines the convenience of short-haul travel with the seclusion of a natural island, offering an immediate escape for travelers seeking authenticity over artificial luxury.
Huvafen Fushi is an icon of the Maldives and an enchanted hideaway at North Male Atoll which required some fresh thinking and love to bring its 44 lavish above-water and beach bungalow dwellings up to date and into the future. BLINK founder and creative partner Clint Nagata says the challenge facing his team was a complete refresh of the resort's interiors while staying true to the brand's essence of sophisticated island chic and effortless style and ensuring the disruption to a very loyal clientele was kept to a minimum. "Naturally enchanting was our mantra," says Nagata. "Wherever possible we used handmade materials from nature and colour palettes inspired by nature, designed to deliver a crafted sense of sophistication." BLINK's philosophy of placemaking requires a deep dive into the customs, culture, arts and crafts of a destination before pen is put to paper or fingers to touchpad. For Huvafen Fushi this meant an exploration of local textiles, building materials and weaving techniques to create a new vision of sophisticated atoll chic, and a design that complements but never competes with the stars of the show: the turquoise waters, azure sky and shimmering white sands of North Male Atoll. "Balance is key in a delicate refresh like this," says Nagata. "For each villa, it was about establishing a natural focal point and the interplay of subtle elements." The resort is rightly famed for its otherworldly overwater bungalows and palm-fringed beach villas, as well as iconic pavilions for those who truly want room to spread their wings. Sprawling overwater jetties offer complete seclusion and privacy."We wanted to instill a sense of returning to the roots of when the resort first started, and recapturing some of that magic, while elevating the design to be full of surprising details, and spaces that impart a sense of wonder and tranquility." For the interior feature walls, handmade woven abaca fibre wallcoverings are utilised, along with ROA natural wallpapers from Java in Indonesia, where the weavers are of consummate skill. "These woven designs are increasingly intricate and ambitious yet retain a natural beauty," says Nagata. "Woven rattan material features at the bedhead, and Jim Thompson silks in shades of green add a restrained splash of colour for the pillows." Rattan, timber and woven themes continue through the chairs, sofas and other furniture pieces, while timber panelled ceilings and bay windows add the the refined island vibe. Clean lines, restrained tones, playful textures and an outsized plunge stone bathtub create bathrooms to linger in. For more information about BLINK Design Group, please visit www.blinkdg.com.
The developer of the luxury resort to be operated by Corinthia is Maarah Pvt Ltd, a Maldivian entity, affiliated with Maarah Holdings Ltd, a United Arab Emirates company registered within the Dubai International Financial Centre, being part of Niro Investment Group, one of the most prestigious investment companies in Romania, which is further strengthening its international operations, both in the Middle East and South Asia.
Offering a reimagined adult-only experience set amid crystalline lagoon waters, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort reopened on 1 December 2022 following nine months of extensive renovations. With revamped accommodations, including the introduction of a new Beach Pool Villa room category, a new Villa Host service for all guests, newly redesigned restaurants and a hammam added to the wellness-focused spa, the 67-villa Maldivian playground is all set to cradle couples into vacation mode.
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort will reopen on 1 December 2022, in time for the peak festive season following nine months of extensive renovations. The adults-only resort located 30 minutes by speedboat from Male International Airport, will reveal new-look accommodation, including a new top room category and newly designed restaurants and spa, offering guests the ultimate in island style.
Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality & leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC, has announced its expansion to South Asia with a hotel management contract to operate Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa, a picturesque beachfront resort set in a private island in the Indian Ocean, only 20 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport.
Kerzner International has announced the appointment of established industry leader Jean-Luc Naret as General Manager, One&Only Reethi Rah, effective immediately. In his new role, Mr. Naret is responsible for the entire operation of One&Only Reethi Rah and its continued strategic development. Mr. Naret returns to One&Only with almost 35 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, including key positions at some of the most prestigious luxury hotels in the world. He held his first General Manager role at One&Only Le Saint Géran from 1990-1995, followed by the re-opening of One&Only Ocean Club in 1995. Mr. Naret’s extensive luxury experience includes roles as the General Manager at The Residence in Mauritius, as well as Managing Director at Sandy Lane in Barbados and General Manager at Le Trianon Palace in Versailles.
Coco Bodu Hithi sees the addition of a hospitality veteran as its new General Manager. Hailing from Greece with an educational background from the top-ranking Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland, Georgios Papazoglou’s career in the hospitality industry spans over 25 years and began in his home city of Athens. From here, he progressed to notable names in the industry such as Hilton, Club Med and Starwood, where he was responsible for the overall operations of two Starwood managed Hotels with a total of 766 keys. With a stellar background in hotel and resort operations, Georgios ( pictured left) will take Coco Bodu Hithi to new heights of excellence in guest experience.