Scheduled to open to the public in 2023, the French hotel group’s luxurious new resort will encompass 80 villas and overlook the crystal-clear waters of the Emboodhoo Lagoon.

SO/ Maldives promises to be a stunning new accommodation option in one of the world’s most sought-after travel markets.

A resort for savvy travellers

Accor has signed a hotel management agreement with S Hotels & Resorts and Wai Eco World Developer (WEWD) for SO/ Maldives. Signifying the SO/ brand’s entry to this beautiful archipelago in the Indian Ocean, the resort will occupy the third island of the South Malé Atoll’s integrated leisure destination Crossroads Maldives.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce the arrival of SO/ Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives,” said Garth Simmons, CEO of Accor in Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea. “This playful and distinctive lifestyle brand can only be found in the world’s most iconic destinations so it is the perfect fit for this renowned island paradise.

“The resort’s location within Crossroads Maldives will allow guests to experience a truly vibrant luxury lifestyle offering with plenty of options for both relaxation and adventure. SO/ Maldives will be a place to see and be seen for bold and stylish socialisers and we look forward to working with S Hotels & Resorts and WEWD to bring this project to life.”

The latest addition to Crossroads

On opening, the property will comprise 80 luxurious beachfront and overwater villas with design-led interiors. The eclectic resort promises to bring avant-garde style, sophistication and a reflection of the local spirit to this idyllic island located just a 15-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

During their stay, guests will be able to make the most of the amenities at the 800 m lifestyle area and beach walk of The Marina @ Crossroads, featuring cafés, restaurants, a beach club, boutiques, a spa, the Marine Discovery Centre and a 30-berth yacht marina. Events will also be hosted here at an oceanfront wedding venue and meeting space.

Dirk De Cuyper, CEO of S Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are so excited to unveil SO/ Maldives as the latest jewel in Crossroads Maldives’ crown, as we continue to transform the tourism landscape in this highly desirable destination. With its signature sense of style and commitment to creating unique guest journeys, SO/ is the ideal fit for our third island. It will stand out from the crowd, complement our two other industry-leading brands and complete our collection of luxury and lifestyle resorts, further raising the bar for hospitality in the Maldives.”

“The Maldives is a truly special place and we are delighted to enter the market with such a prestigious project,” said Zaw Win Maung, managing director, Wai Eco World Developer. “S Hotels & Resorts has a proven track record of developing exceptional lifestyle resorts, including Crossroads Maldives, and the edgy style of SO/ always strikes a chord with its trendsetting guests. With such strong partners, we are confident of creating a one-of-a-kind resort experience at SO/ Maldives.”

Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.

Learn more

Related Articles