Nobu Hospitality is set to enter the Maldives with a mixed-use resort and branded residence project in Laamu Atoll, adding another ultra-luxury development to the country’s expanding southern tourism footprint.
The project will be located on the private island of Munyafushi and is being developed in partnership with Sarat International and Sarat Investments. It marks Nobu’s first venture in the Maldives, a destination the brand has long identified as strategically aligned with its resort portfolio.
Plans include 26 beach villas and 30 overwater villas, offering one- and two-bedroom configurations. The design is expected to reflect Nobu’s established minimalist aesthetic, incorporating natural materials and a subdued palette intended to integrate with the surrounding environment.
A key component of the development is a limited collection of ten Nobu Island Estate Residences, each positioned on its own private island. These estates are designed as standalone ownership offerings, with access to the hotel’s restaurants, spa, recreational facilities and guest services via short boat transfers. According to the developer, the estates will include multiple bedrooms, pavilion-style living areas, private beachfront access and dedicated leisure amenities.
The resort will also feature a Nobu restaurant located on a separate island within the development. Additional facilities are planned to include a spa, fitness centre, diving centre, tennis courts, event spaces and a main swimming pool.
Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer of Nobu Hospitality, said the Maldives had been under consideration for some time and that the project aims to offer a distinct resort concept rather than replicate existing models. Ali Ahsan, Managing Director of Sarat International, described the development as a high-end residential and hospitality project intended to integrate design, craftsmanship and location.
The announcement reflects continued investor interest in branded residences and private island ownership in the Maldives, particularly in atolls beyond the traditional central tourism hubs. Laamu Atoll has in recent years attracted a number of large-scale resort investments, signalling a gradual shift of luxury expansion further south.
