JW Marriott opens second Maldivian resort
JW Marriott has opened its second Maldivian resort, a new island development just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. Olivia Palamountain reports
Opened in early 2025, JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, features 80 villas, each equipped with private pools and deck areas overlooking either the ocean or island lagoon.
Six restaurants and bars offer a range of cuisines including Japanese, Indian and South American, while wellness facilities include an overwater spa, outdoor pool and fitness centre.
The resort's proximity to Male airport represents a significant departure from traditional Maldivian properties, which typically require seaplane transfers. This accessibility aims to attract a broader range of visitors while maintaining the privacy expected of luxury island resorts.It is also close to Embudhoo Express, a prime dive site regarded as a hotspot for marine life that brings frequent encounters with pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins. Activities on the water include whale shark watching, diving with manta rays, and exploring coral gardens, alongside sunset cruises.
As tourism in the Maldives continues to thrive (the island nation recorded 1.97 million visitors in 2024, the highest number of tourist arrivals in a single year ever) a host of big brands are looking for a slice of the pie and currently establishing a base in the Maldives.
According to Dreaming of Maldives, many of them choosing a similar airport-friendly location. Looking to open in 2025 are seven luxury resorts including Mandarin Oriental Bolidhuffaru Reef, Ananea Madivaru Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives.
These will join Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, which opened in November, 2024. Designed to deliver unique, family-focused experiences, the opening marked the first phase of the Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a brand-new multi-island destination in the Indian Ocean.