Accor has announced the signing of a hotel management agreement with S Hotels and Resorts Public Company Limited and Wai Eco World Developer Pte. Ltd. (WEWD) to introduce SO/ Hotels & Resorts to Maldives.
Nestled on its own exclusive island overlooking the azure Emboodhoo Lagoon and just 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé’s Velana International Airport, SO/ Maldives will bring a fresh sense of ‘avant-garde style and sophistication to the Maldives, while also reflecting the local spirit of this captivating country’.
The resort will be located on the third island of CROSSROADS Maldives, the integrated leisure destination in the exotic South Malé Atoll, connecting it to a wealth of world-class attractions and facilities.
SO/ Maldives will consist of 80 luxury villas, including beachfront and over-water options, all adorned with designer interiors and an audacious twist. The resort is scheduled to open in 2023.
Guests will be able to unwind on SO/ Maldives’ private island or take advantage of facilities at The Marina @ CROSSROADS, an 800-metre lifestyle area and beach walk where visitors can discover cool cafés, refined restaurants, a chic beach club, upmarket boutiques, a spa, the Marine Discovery Centre and a 30-berth yacht marina.
Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Accor Southeast Asia, Japan & South Korea, said:
It gives me great pleasure to announce the arrival of SO/ Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives. This playful and distinctive lifestyle brand can only be found in the world’s most iconic destinations so it is the perfect fit for this renowned island paradise. The resort’s location within CROSSROADS Maldives will allow guests to experience a truly vibrant luxury lifestyle offering with plenty of options for both relaxation and adventure. SO/ Maldives will be a place to see and be seen for bold and stylish socialisers and we look forward to working with S Hotels & Resorts and WEWD to bring this project to life.
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Dirk De Cuyper, Chief Executive Officer, S Hotels & Resorts, said:
We are so excited to unveil SO/ Maldives as the latest jewel in CROSSROADS Maldives’ crown, as we continue to transform the tourism landscape in this highly-desirable destination. With its signature sense of style and commitment to creating unique guest journeys, SO/ is the ideal fit for our third island. It will stand out from the crowd, complement our two other industry-leading brands and complete our collection of luxury and lifestyle resorts, further raising the bar for hospitality in the Maldives.
Zaw Win Maung, Managing Director, WEWD, said:
The Maldives is a truly special place and we are delighted to enter the market with such a prestigious project. S Hotels & Resorts has a proven track record of developing exceptional lifestyle resorts, including CROSSROADS Maldives, and the edgy style of SO/ always strikes a chord with its trend-setting guests. With such strong partners, we are confident of creating a one-of-a-kind resort experience at SO/ Maldives.
SO/ Maldives will join Accor’s collection of five resorts in the Maldives which include the midscale Mercure brand, premium Pullman and Mövenpick brands, and the luxury Raffles and Fairmont brands.
Meanwhile, Accor’s Novotel brand recently unveiled new brand vision with four new design concepts. Novotel also opened its first property in Cambridge, United Kingdom. American hospitality chain Hilton too announced the signing of its fourth resort in the Maldives.
Featured image by Accor
What do you think of SO/ Hotels and Resorts’ debut in the Maldives? Let me know in the comments section below.
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