New Maldives Resorts Opening in 2026: What to Watch

A Year of Exciting Arrivals

The Maldives resort landscape never stands still. Even with over 160 properties already operating across the archipelago, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years for new openings in recent memory. International luxury brands are making their debut, established operators are pushing design boundaries, and a new wave of sustainability-focused properties is redefining what a Maldives resort can be.

Here is our preview of the most anticipated openings and major renovations coming to the Maldives this year.

New Openings

Aman Maldives — Baa Atoll

Expected opening: Q2 2026

The arrival of Aman in the Maldives has been one of the most anticipated events in luxury travel for years. Set on a pristine island in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, this property promises to bring Aman's signature minimalism and extraordinary service to one of the world's most desirable marine environments.

Early details suggest approximately 35 pavilions and villas, all with private pools, ranging from beach pavilions to expansive overwater residences. The resort will feature an Aman Spa, a marine biology center, and a strong focus on Hanifaru Bay manta ray excursions during the southwest monsoon.

Why it matters: Aman properties are rare — there are fewer than 40 worldwide. Their approach to design, space, and privacy is unmatched, and the Baa Atoll location puts guests within reach of the Maldives' most spectacular marine encounters. Expect starting rates above $2,500 per night.

The Pavilions Maldives — Thaa Atoll

Expected opening: Q1 2026

A boutique wellness-forward resort bringing a new concept to the Maldives: extended-stay wellness retreats. The Pavilions Maldives will offer 50 villas designed for stays of seven nights or more, with structured wellness programs including Ayurvedic treatments, breathwork, movement therapy, and nutritional guidance.

The resort occupies a secluded island in Thaa Atoll, accessible via domestic flight and speedboat. The design draws on biophilic architecture — natural materials, open-air living spaces, and buildings that blend into the landscape rather than standing apart from it.

Why it matters: The Maldives wellness segment is growing rapidly. Properties like Joali Being have proven demand for serious wellness programming beyond the standard spa menu. The Pavilions' extended-stay model is a new approach that could attract a different traveler demographic.

Rosewood Maldives — Shaviyani Atoll

Expected opening: Q3 2026

Rosewood Hotels brings its "A Sense of Place" philosophy to an undeveloped atoll in the northern Maldives. Shaviyani Atoll is relatively untouched by resort development, offering pristine reefs, empty beaches, and a remoteness that even Maldives veterans will find compelling.

The resort will feature 60 beach and overwater villas, each with a private pool and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. Rosewood's signature Asaya wellness concept will anchor the spa program, and the resort plans to operate a dedicated marine conservation center focused on coral propagation and turtle rehabilitation.

Why it matters: Rosewood is known for ultra-luxury with a strong sense of place — each property feels distinct from the others. The Shaviyani Atoll location opens up a new frontier for Maldives tourism, with near-virgin dive sites and uncrowded waters.

Six Senses Maldives (Second Property) — Gaafu Atoll

Expected opening: Q4 2026

Six Senses, whose Laamu property has become the benchmark for sustainable luxury in the Maldives, is opening a second Maldives resort in the deep south. Located in Gaafu Atoll — one of the largest and least developed atolls in the country — the new property will push even further into sustainability.

Plans include fully solar-powered operations, zero single-use plastics, on-site food production, and a comprehensive Earth Lab program. The 45 villas will use locally sourced and recycled materials wherever possible. The resort's remote location promises extraordinary diving, with channel sites that see hammerhead sharks, mantas, and large pelagics.

Why it matters: Six Senses Laamu proved that sustainability and luxury are not mutually exclusive. A second property in the even more remote deep south signals confidence in the southern atolls as a viable luxury destination and sets a new bar for environmental responsibility.

Mandarin Oriental Maldives — Raa Atoll

Expected opening: Q2 2026

Mandarin Oriental enters the Maldives with a property in Raa Atoll, joining a growing cluster of luxury resorts in this central atoll. The resort will occupy a substantial island with both beach and overwater villas, a Mandarin Oriental Spa, and multiple dining venues including a signature Japanese restaurant.

The design takes cues from contemporary Asian architecture — clean lines, natural stone, and water features integrated throughout. The resort will offer 80 villas, making it one of the larger luxury properties opening this year.

Why it matters: Mandarin Oriental's legendary service standards — particularly in the spa — will add another world-class option to the Maldives market. The Raa Atoll location provides good seaplane access from Malé and proximity to excellent dive sites.

Capella Maldives — Addu Atoll

Expected opening: Q3 2026

Capella Hotels is venturing to the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, bringing its refined Singaporean luxury ethos to a destination that has long been underserved by premium hospitality. Addu Atoll — straddling the equator — has a character entirely different from the northern atolls: lush vegetation, British colonial history, unique reef formations, and a diving scene that remains almost unknown to international visitors.

The resort will feature 40 villas across two connected islands, with a focus on cultural immersion and marine adventure. Capella's signature "Culturists" program will offer guided experiences exploring Addu's unique history, from the British WWII base to the traditional lacquerwork craft still practiced on neighboring islands. A PADI dive center will offer access to some of the Maldives' most pristine and uncrowded dive sites, including the famous British Loyalty shipwreck.

Why it matters: Addu Atoll is the Maldives' best-kept secret — reachable by direct flight from Colombo and domestic flight from Malé, it offers a genuine alternative to the seaplane-dependent central atolls. The entry of a brand like Capella validates the deep south as a serious luxury destination.

Bulgari Resort Maldives — Lhaviyani Atoll

Expected opening: Late 2026

LVMH's Bulgari Hotels, known for jewel-box properties in Rome, Milan, Paris, and Tokyo, is bringing its distinctive Italian glamour to Lhaviyani Atoll. Details are tightly held, but early information suggests a compact resort of approximately 30 villas, each with bold architectural statements and Bulgari's signature attention to materials, finishes, and craftsmanship.

The Bulgari Spa will be a central feature, and the dining program is expected to include at least one restaurant in collaboration with a celebrated Italian chef. The resort's small scale promises exceptional staff-to-guest ratios and a level of personalization that larger properties cannot match.

Why it matters: Bulgari properties are among the most exclusive in the world, with only a handful in operation globally. Their entry into the Maldives signals the continued strength of the ultra-luxury segment and will add an unmistakably European design sensibility to a market dominated by Asian and American brands.

When a new resort opens, the first season offers a rare window of opportunity. Rates are typically at their lowest introductory levels, the property is immaculate, and staff ratios tend to be generous as teams are fully staffed for a ramp-up period. The trade-off is that some facilities or restaurants may open in phases. For adventurous travelers who value being first, this is an ideal time to book.

Major Renovations

Baros Maldives — Complete Villa Refresh

Completion: Q1 2026

One of the Maldives' most beloved resorts, Baros has completed a comprehensive refurbishment of all 75 villas while maintaining the intimate character and classic elegance that has earned it a devoted following since 1973. New interiors by Muza Lab feature natural materials, warm tones, and expanded outdoor living spaces. The house reef — one of the best in North Malé Atoll — remains untouched and magnificent.

Conrad Rangali — Ithaa Underwater Restaurant Expansion

Completion: Mid 2026

The iconic Ithaa undersea restaurant — the first underwater restaurant in the Maldives — is undergoing an expansion that will increase capacity while preserving the intimate atmosphere. A new adjacent underwater lounge will offer pre-dinner cocktails below the waterline, and the surrounding reef has been enhanced with a coral propagation project to improve the visual spectacle for diners.

Anantara Kihavah — New Overwater Residences

Completion: Q2 2026

Anantara Kihavah is adding a new category of two- and three-bedroom overwater residences targeting families and multi-generational travelers. Each residence will feature a private pool, dedicated children's area, in-villa dining kitchen, and direct lagoon access. The resort's underwater restaurant, Sea, and observatory remain key draws.

Trends to Watch in 2026

The Rise of Southern Atolls

For decades, the central atolls (Baa, Ari, North and South Malé) dominated the resort map. That is changing. The development of domestic airports and improved seaplane routes is opening up the southern Maldives — Laamu, Gaafu, and Addu Atolls — to luxury development. These atolls offer larger islands, less boat traffic, pristine reefs, and a frontier feeling that the well-trodden central atolls have lost.

Sustainability as Standard

What was once a differentiator (solar power, no plastic, coral restoration) is becoming table stakes. New resorts opening in 2026 are building sustainability into their design from day one rather than retrofitting it. Expect to see more resorts with on-site desalination powered by solar, food gardens that supply their kitchens, and marine biology programs that guests can participate in.

Extended-Stay and Wellness

The post-pandemic shift toward longer, more purposeful travel continues. Resorts are responding with extended-stay programs, structured wellness retreats, and residences designed for weeks rather than days. The traditional five-night Maldives holiday is giving way to ten-day and two-week stays, particularly among wellness travelers and remote workers.

Branded Residences

Several new developments are including private branded residences alongside the resort — luxury homes that owners can use personally and rent out through the resort's management program when not in residence. This trend is bringing a new level of investment to the Maldives and funding more ambitious resort developments.

Technology Integration

New resorts are incorporating technology more thoughtfully than ever. Expect to see app-controlled villa environments (lighting, temperature, curtains), digital concierge services for activity booking and dining reservations, and high-speed Wi-Fi that actually works reliably across the island — something that was surprisingly inconsistent at older properties. Some resorts are also exploring electric boat fleets for transfers and excursions, reducing noise pollution and emissions in the immediate marine environment.

Family and Multi-Generational Travel

The Maldives was long seen as a couples-only destination, but that perception is changing rapidly. Several new openings are purpose-built for families, with two- and three-bedroom residences, dedicated kids' clubs with educational marine programs, shallow lagoon areas designed for young children, and family-friendly dining options. Multi-generational travel — grandparents, parents, and children sharing a villa — is driving demand for larger accommodation categories.

Early Booking Advantages

If any of these new openings have caught your eye, there are genuine advantages to booking early:

• Introductory rates — New resorts typically launch with promotional pricing 20-40% below what they will charge once established. These rates are available for a limited window
• Best villa selection — Early bookers get first pick of villa categories and locations (end-of-jetty overwater villas go first)
• Soft opening perks — Some resorts offer complimentary upgrades, spa credits, or transfer inclusions during their initial months
• The new factor — Everything is pristine, staff are energized, and the resort is eager to impress during its debut season

New resort openings sometimes shift by weeks or months — construction timelines in the Maldives are affected by weather, shipping logistics, and the reality of building on remote coral islands. We recommend flexible booking terms for any property opening in its inaugural year. Our team stays in close contact with resort management to provide accurate timeline updates.

Our Recommendations

If we had to highlight three openings to watch most closely:

1. Aman Maldives — The combination of the Aman brand with Baa Atoll's marine riches could create the most extraordinary resort in the Maldives. For those with the budget, this is the opening of the decade
2. Six Senses Gaafu — If Laamu is anything to go by, this will be the new benchmark for sustainable luxury. The deep south location adds genuine adventure
3. Rosewood Maldives — Shaviyani Atoll is genuinely uncharted territory for luxury travelers. The pioneer advantage is real — untouched reefs, no crowds, the thrill of discovering somewhere new

We will update this article as opening dates firm up and we have the opportunity to visit the new properties ourselves.