Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives has transitioned to management by Meliá Hotels International following a change in ownership, marking the end of the resort’s association with the Barceló Hotel Group.
The resort, located in South Ari Atoll, was previously owned by Browns Investments PLC through its Maldives-based subsidiary and operated under the Barceló brand. In September 2025, Browns Investments announced that it had signed an agreement to sell the property to ASB Hotel Properties Maldives Private Limited, a local subsidiary of Dubai-based Albwardy Investment, for USD 57.5 million. The transaction was subject to regulatory and third-party approvals.
Subsequent disclosures by Browns Investments indicate that the sale has now been concluded, transferring ownership of the resort to the Albwardy-linked entity. Following the ownership change, management of the property has shifted to Meliá Hotels International.
Industry transaction advisories linked to the sale state that the resort will be operated by Meliá under the new ownership. Reflecting this transition, the property is now listed within Meliá Hotels International’s global portfolio as “Hotel Whale Lagoon Maldives,” signalling a move away from the Barceló brand.
While Barceló branding continues to appear on some booking and promotional platforms, the inclusion of the resort on Meliá’s official channels suggests that operational control has passed to the Spanish hotel group as part of the post-sale transition process.
No official announcement has yet been made regarding a full rebranding timeline or the specific Meliá brand category under which the resort will ultimately operate. Operations at the resort are understood to be continuing during the handover period.
