Luxury hospitality brand Aman is launching its first-ever destination in the Maldives, with enquiries now open for stays in a 52-key resort designed by Kerry Hill Architects (KHA), set in Vaavu Atoll and the Amanolu archipelago, due for completion by 2028.
Dedicated islands for wellness and recreation will sit alongside the resort hotel, plus a limited number of fully-serviced, five-bedroom, private island residences. Each has been designed to make the most of the changing Maldivian light, and features “expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, a 25-metre swimming pool, dedicated staff accommodation and a personal berth,” according to the Aman website.
Aside from their own Indian Ocean retreat, occupants of the 16 residences will benefit from “seamless access to Amanolu’s dining, wellness and recreational experiences and amenities, including the dedicated wellness and activity island, supported by Aman’s intuitive service and personalised attention.”
Luxury Travel Advisor notes that Vaavu is one of the least developed atolls in the country—a fact that will have attracted Aman as a specialist in hard-to-reach, intimate settings.
Against that natural backdrop, KHA promises pared-down architecture to sit lightly in the seascape and blend outdoor and indoor living, responding to the “unique geography of the Maldives with characteristic restraint and elegant simplicity,” Aman says.
Announcing the development back in 2024, Vlad Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman Group, said: “The introduction of Aman Maldives is a significant milestone for our brand as we bring Aman’s ethos of timeless elegance, unparalleled service and ultimate privacy to the destination for the first time.” Doronin said the Maldivian proposition was a response to Aman guest demand but had also “long been part of our growth strategy and reinforces the brand’s dedication to providing unique and transformative experiences in the world’s most exceptional locations.”
Considered by most measures the most expensive hotel brand in the world by average nightly rate, entry prices at Aman resort properties can start between €1,100 and €2,300 per night for a standard room. The average nightly rate across their global portfolio sits at roughly €1,650 to €1,850. Rates can, however, vary wildly, offering “bargains” across lower and shoulder seasons, though these can be short-lived due to the remote location of many Aman destinations.
The Maldives high season is January to April, when visitors will enjoy the most reliable sunshine, calm seas, and clear water, making perfect conditions for scuba diving, snorkeling, or just sunbathing. Low season from May to October typically sees the arrival of the southwest monsoon, bringing higher humidity, tropical rain showers, and occasional winds to please surfers, as well as 30%-40% cheaper room rates.
