DHAALU ATOLL, MALDIVES—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has signed an agreement with Residency Resorts Malé Private Limited, part of the Chennai-based leading property developer, Appaswamy Group, to debut the St. Regis brand in the Maldives.
Set to open in 2016, The St. Regis Vommuli Resort, Maldives will bring the brand’s luxury services to the private Vommuli Island in the Dhaalu Atoll. A 40-minute seaplane ride southwest from the republic’s capital city Malé, The St. Regis Vommuli Resort will be located on a private atoll spanning more than 20 acres, surrounded by beaches and a secluded lagoon with turquoise waters.
The resort will feature 77 private villas, all with a distinct contemporary design scheme inspired by the island’s natural materials and color palette. Guests will have access to a spa with six private treatment rooms; an infinity swimming pool; fitness center and yoga space; as well as a dive and activity center.
With an all-day dining restaurant, three specialty restaurants and a signature bar, The St. Regis Vommuli Resort will also offer guests culinary experiences including the Bloody Mary cocktail, which was first created at the flagship St. Regis New York hotel in the 1930s and is served at each of the brand’s 34 hotels and resorts around the world, according to Starwood.
“This signing further fuels Starwood’s strong growth momentum in South Asia, where we continue to see strong demand for high-end hotel accommodations,” said Sudeep Jain, VP acquisitions and development, South Asia, Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “The upcoming arrival of the St. Regis brand in the Maldives underpins our commitment to Starwood’s luxury portfolio in this dynamic market.”
This announcement follows on the heels of the recent signing of The St. Regis Mumbai, which is scheduled to open before the end of the year. The St. Regis Vommuli Resort will further strengthen Starwood’s growing portfolio in South Asia, where the company currently operates 48 hotels with an additional 48 hotels in the pipeline.