AccorHotels is set to take over the management of Dhevanafushi from Dubai-based hospitality group Jumeirah, with plans to reposition the luxury resort under the iconic Raffles Hotels and Resorts brand.
In a statement, property owner CDL Hospitality Trusts said that Jumeirah, which also runs the Jumeirah Vittaveli resort in the Maldives, would cease to operate the property with effect from August 31. This would enable the transition of the property to AccorHotels with effect from September 1, it added.
According to the Singapore-based company, the property will initially operate as Dhevanafushi Maldives Luxury Resort, Managed by AccorHotels. Following enhancements in late 2018, it would be repositioned to join the iconic collection of Raffles Hotels and Resorts, it said.
“With active asset management being one of the key pillars of our management strategy, we believe the appointment of AccorHotels for the resort will allow us to optimise its asset potential and redefine this resort at the very top end of the luxury resort sector in the Maldives, following the repositioning exercise in 2018,” Vincent Yeo, Chief Executive Officer of CDL Hospitality Trusts, was quoted in the statement, as saying.
In a separate statement, AccorHotels’ Chief Operating Officer for Upper Southeast and Northeast Asia Patrick Basset hailed Dhevanafushi as its first luxury destination in the Maldives.
“AccorHotels is bringing to the resort our expertise in delivering unparalleled luxury experiences renowned in our Raffles, Fairmont and Sofitel brands, along with the benefits of our award-wining global loyalty programme, Le Club AccorHotels,” he said.
Set on the private island of Meradhoo in the southern Gaafu Alif atoll, Dhevanafushi is accessible by a 55-minute flight from the Maldives main Velana International Airport followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride.
Dhevanafushi boasts 21 island villas and 16 ocean villas with private pools, three restaurants, a scenic cocktail bar and an array of facilities and activities to relax, rejuvenate and reinvigorate the body, mind and spirit. These include an award-winning luxury spa, overwater fitness centre, yoga programmes, water sports, private dining options, and 24-hour butler and private chef service. The resort’s PADI-certified dive centre offers adventures through the wonders of some of most breath-taking coral reefs in the world.
As the French multinational hotel group prepares to start running its first resort in the Maldives, it is also gearing up for the opening of another two resorts in the Indian Ocean archipelago; Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort and Pullman Maldives Maamutaa.