The 50-key Noku Maldives will join IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Vignette Collection in December 2024 following a partnership with Roxy-Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, a real estate and hospitality leader in Asia Pacific.

Located on the island of Kudafunafaru, the resort is a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male International Airport or a 40-minute flight to Maafaru Domestic Airport, followed by a 15-minute speed boat ride to the island.

With a land area of almost 90,000 square meters, Noku Maldives features 30 overwater villas and 20 beachfront villas, most of which have a private pool. Its villas – the smallest is more than 1,880 square feet – are some of the largest in the Maldives.

Facilities at the resort include two restaurants and bars, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa, retail outlet and a diving and watersports center offering access to a rich diversity of marine life, including grey reef sharks, stingrays and sea turtles.

Chris Anklin, senior director, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “We’re proud that our first collaboration with Roxy-Pacific brings the Vignette Collection brand to the Maldives in beautiful Noonu Atoll – a destination renowned for its abundant sea life and more than 30 outstanding dive spots. It will be a fantastic boutique resort, delivering unforgettable stays and offering the brand’s promise of weaving responsibility, community and locality together to make a positive impact on its surroundings.

“This adds to the record conversion activities IHG enjoyed in the first half of this year – representing 41 percent of openings and 55 percent of signings globally across most of our brand portfolio. Throughout this region, more than half of our signings are now conversions, which is a testament to the attractiveness of our brands, the strength of IHG’s enterprise platform and our ability to convert and rebrand in short time frames.”

Chris Teo, deputy CEO & executive director, Roxy-Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd: “Maldives is a bucket list travel destination with enduring appeal, which is enjoying strong and consistent demand. It has set its sights on a two million arrival target this year – a 10 percent increase on 2023 – as it positions itself as a leading sustainable tourism location, and we’re providing an idyllic getaway from which travelers can explore its many wonders.

“We know our guests seek meaningful and authentic stay experiences as they embed themselves in local cultures and connect with the communities around them. As part of a quickly growing brand family, Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection will retain its distinctive identity, supported by IHG’s scale and IHG One Rewards loyalty program. Together with IHG, we look forward to providing guests with an elevated resort experience that will inspire them to stay longer and discover the natural wonders around them.”