Baccarat Hotel & Residences MaldivesBaccarat For decades, the Maldives has been known for its dreamy overwater villas, clear blue lagoons, and the promise of total relaxation. This image still attracts many visitors, but now the country is moving into a new and more ambitious phase.The Maldives has always been a favorite destination for wealthy travelers, but now the types of new projects are changing. Well-known brands like Bvlgari, Nobu, Aman, Atlantis, and Trump have plans for new developments. Branded residences are starting to appear on remote atolls that once had only reefs and sand. Traveling there is also simpler now, thanks to a new major international airport that just opened in the north.In 2025, the Maldives saw a record 2.3 million visitors. China, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany are still the main source markets. Indian visitor numbers, which dropped after a diplomatic dispute in 2024, have mostly bounced back. Private jets are also making an impact, with Maafaru International Airport in Noonu Atoll now serving as a key entry point for guests who often skip Velana International Airport in Malé.Overwater villas are still the Maldives’ signature offering, but now they share the spotlight with underwater restaurants, superyacht docks, beach clubs, and massive villas available for purchase. The country is evolving, and the coming years will reveal how much the Maldives can expand its original luxury appeal.New Resorts Expected In 2026Bvlgari Resort RanfushiBvlgariBvlgari Resort RanfushiBvlgari Resort Ranfushi has been under development since 2022 and is still one of the most anticipated new resorts in the Maldives. Located on Raa Atoll, about 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, the resort matches the high-end style and price you would expect from the Italian jewelry brand, which already has hotels in Milan, Dubai, and Bali.The resort will offer 54 villas, including 33 beach villas, 20 overwater villas, and a standalone Bvlgari Villa on its own private island. The opening was first planned for 2025 but was pushed to 2026 after some design changes. Dining is a big highlight here. Three-Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito will lead Il Ristorante. Bao Li Xuan will introduce a version of its two-Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant from Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai, and Hoseki will serve Japanese cuisine. Mandarin Oriental Hotel MaldivesMandarin OrientalMandarin Oriental Bolidhuffaru Reef ResortMandarin Oriental Bolidhuffaru Reef Resort covers a large space across three private islands on Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Malé Atoll. It is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, which is unusually convenient for a resort of this size.The resort will offer 120 villas, from one to four bedrooms, set on the beach and over the water. The spa complex, said to be one of the largest in the Indian Ocean with 12 suites, is almost finished so the opening date may be earlier than planned as construction continues at a rapid pace.Mondrian MaldivesEnnismoreMondrian MaldivesMany resorts in the Maldives are made for guests who want total privacy. Mondrian Maldives, though, is going for a livelier, more social atmosphere. Ennismore’s hotels focus on stylish design and offer bars, restaurants, and public spaces where people enjoy spending time together.The resort in Noonu Atoll will have 72 over water pool villas, 30 beach pool villas, and three-bedroom residences, each with its own private plunge pool. The big question is whether Mondrian’s social approach will fit in a place known for its focus on privacy.Meliá Whale Lagoon MaldivesMeliá Meliá Whale Lagoon Maldives The Spanish hotel group Meliá is opening its first resort in the Maldives, called Whale Lagoon, in Ari Atoll. The resort features 100 villas, including water villas, beach villas, and sunset suites. Guests can also enjoy four restaurants, a spa, and two infinity pools.This is a full-service resort from a company experienced in running large properties. The location is important too. Ari Atoll is one of the best places in the Maldives for whale shark diving, so the resort offers more than just beautiful beaches.Rah Gili Maldives recently openedSix and Six Private IslandsRah Gili MaldivesRah Gili is the first resort from Six & Six Private Islands, a new brand that highlights Maldivian identity rather than copying global trends. The resort features 74 villas, with 37 built over the water, and sits beside a protected dolphin sanctuary in South Malé Atoll.The brand’s Rayyithun philosophy draws from Dhivehi cultural heritage and shapes the guest experience. Local fishermen, builders, and traditional performers take part in the resort’s activities, giving guests a more genuine cultural perspective than most paradise resorts.Clubhouse at Don Maaga MaldivesSix and Six Private IslandsDon Maaga MaldivesSix & Six’s second property, Don Maaga, is set to open later this year. This ultra-luxury water villa development will feature some of the largest villas in the Maldives, including one that offers 10,000 square feet of space and a large pool.Hirigaa is a private island within the development and is available for full-island buyouts. Both Six & Six resorts are just a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, which is a big advantage in a country where some transfers can take most of the day.Vaagali Maldives, a new Vignette Collection resortIHGVaagali Maldives, Vignette CollectionIHG will open its Vignette Collection in the Maldives with Vaagali, a boutique island featuring 52 villas in South Malé Atoll. The opening is planned for late 2026.Vignette offers travelers a smaller, more personal alternative to traditional resorts. The focus is on local experiences, wellness, and intimacy. Guests can reach the island in just 30 minutes by speedboat from the airport, making it one of the easiest new arrivals to access.Aura Maldives ResortAura MaldivesAura Maldives Pulse Hotels & Resorts, known for Kandima and The Nautilus, will open its most nature-focused property so far, Aura Maldives, in late 2026.Aura Maldives will be located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known as one of the best places in the country to see manta rays. During feeding season, nearby Hanifaru Bay attracts hundreds of them. Guests can reach the 71-villa resort by seaplane or through Dharavandhoo Airport.Zamani Islands ResidencesZamani IslandsBranded Residences And Private IslandsZamani Islands ResidencesZamani Islands is the largest project currently underway. This multi-island development in South Malé Atoll will include resorts, private homes, restaurants, wellness centers, and what the developers describe as the Maldives’ first superyacht marina.The project will open in stages, which is practical because of its size. It is aimed at repeat visitors who want to own property in the Maldives, rather than just rent another villa.Baccarat Hotel & Residences MaldivesBaccaratBaccarat Hotel & Residences Maldives Set to open in 2027, Baccarat Maldives will cover five connected islands in South Malé Atoll. The resort will feature hotel villas and 62 private residences.Baccarat’s crystal-inspired design, known from the brand’s New York flagship, will take on a new role in the Maldives. Here, it becomes a second-home experience. Buyers are not simply booking a room; they are choosing a destination they will want to visit every year.Nobu Hotel and Residences MaldivesNobu HospitalityNobu Hotel and ResidencesMost people know Nobu, but its Maldives location stands out. The resort will be on Munyafushi in Laamu Atoll, which you can reach by taking a domestic flight from Malé. This extra step may add to the journey, but it is unlikely to stop Nobu’s fans.Nobu Maldives will offer 26 beach villas, 30 overwater villas, and 10 Nobu Island Estate Residences, each set on its own private island. The Nobu restaurant, known for its Japanese-Peruvian cuisine that made the brand famous before it expanded into hotels, will also have its own island.Samana x Elie Saab ResidencesSamanaSamana x Elie Saab Residences Dubai developer Samana is working with Lebanese fashion house Elie Saab to create branded residences in the Maldives. The project includes 190 homes aimed at buyers who want their investment to carry a fashion label.The beachfront villas, overwater bungalows, and poolside apartments introduce a Dubai-style real estate model to the Maldives, focusing on both brand prestige and island living.Trump International Hotel MaldivesDar GlobalTrump International Hotel MaldivesDar Global plans to open Trump International Hotel Maldives in late 2028. The project will include 80 ultra-luxury beach and overwater villas, hotel rooms, and residences available for purchase.This project stands out as a politically charged addition to the Maldives hotel scene. The Trump name may attract some guests and discourage others, depending on their background. It will also be the world’s first tokenized hotel development.Chedi MaldivesChedi Hospitality is partnering with JIH Global Investments to launch its first property in the Maldives. The new boutique Chedi hotel will feature overwater and beachfront villas, as well as a small selection of branded residences.The Class of 2027Rosewood Ranfaru renderingArab BuildersRosewood Ranfaru Rosewood will open its first Maldives property, Ranfaru, in South Malé Atoll in 2027. Known for its “A Sense of Place” approach, each property feels connected to its location instead of offering a generic luxury experience.Ranfaru will feature 120 beachfront and overwater villas, a Rosewood Explorer’s Club, an Asaya well-being center, and specialty restaurants. This opening is a big step for the brand, which has waited to enter the Maldives market.Hyatt Regency Samarafushi MaldivesHyatt HotelsHyatt Regency Samarafushi Maldives Hyatt will open its first Maldives property, Samarafushi, in North Malé Atoll in late 2027. The resort will feature 130 private pool villas and four restaurants, one of which will offer underwater dining.Choosing the Regency brand instead of Park Hyatt or Alila is an interesting move. It seems Hyatt wants to appeal to a wider range of guests, which could work as the Maldives market grows beyond just luxury honeymoons. Capella Maldives Faro IslandsCapella HotelsCapella Maldives Capella Maldives stands out for its creative architecture and is set to open in 2027. It will be part of the Fari Islands, a group of manmade islands.Japanese architect Kengo Kuma designed 57 villas and mansions, each with a private infinity pool. The resort feels more like a work of landscape architecture than a typical resort. Guests will also find the Auriga Spa & Wellness and four dining options on site.Aman MaldivesAman2028 And BeyondAman Maldives Aman has not announced when the resort will open, but excitement is growing for the private-islet project. Kerry Hill Architects are designing the resort, which will feature 16 Aman Residences next to the 52-room hotel, each offering five to ten bedrooms.CEO Vlad Doronin said the Maldives has been part of the brand’s plans for years. Once it opens, the resort is expected to be one of the most expensive places to stay in the country.Corinthia MaldivesCorinthia HotelsCorinthia Maldives Corinthia Maldives is set to open in Kaafu Atoll in 2028. The 85 rooms and 10 Residential Villas will cover two islands: one for the main resort and another private island designed for fewer guests. The architecture is inspired by the manta ray, with the main pavilion shaped to follow the curve of its wings. If you want a longer stay, true privacy, and a stunning resort that stands out from other new island developments, keep an eye on this one.Nammos Resort MaldivesNammos WorldNammos Resort Maldives Nammos first became famous in Mykonos for its lively beach club atmosphere, Mediterranean cuisine, and the sight of superyachts anchored nearby. Now, its Maldives resort offers the same experience on a private, water drop-shaped island, featuring seven branded island villas, 17 water villas, 24 beach villas, a signature Nammos restaurant, and a wellness spa.Atlantis The Royal MaldivesAtlantisAtlantis The Royal Maldives Atlantis The Royal Maldives, set to open in 2029, marks a real change for the area. The Kerzner project will cover several islands in South Malé Atoll and offer 493 rooms, including 270 hotel rooms, 223 villas and mansions, and two underwater villas that are sure to stand out.The resort will also feature a waterpark, aquarium attractions, sports academies, and beach clubs. It is designed for families, large groups, and travelers who enjoy plenty of activities. This is catered to a different type of guest than the Maldives usually attracts, so it will be interesting to see how the market responds.Fusion Resort MaldivesFusion Hotel Group plans to open Fusion Resort Maldives in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in 2028. The wellness focused project will feature 185 villas, branded residences, overwater spa and dining options around a large lagoon. Fusion Hotel Group is well known in Vietnam, and this will be its first location in the Indian Ocean.Hanimaadhoo AirportHaptic Architects / Narud Stokke Wiig ArchitectsNew Airports and Easier ArrivalsMost travel guides do not talk much about getting around the Maldives. With around 1,200 islands scattered across 90,000 square kilometers of ocean, moving between places by seaplane, speedboat, or domestic flight can take a lot of time and money.A big change is the opening of Hanimaadhoo International Airport in the north, which began operating in November 2025 after a $136 million expansion funded by an Indian line of credit. Its new runway can handle Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s, so direct international flights to the northern atolls are now possible.The airport can now handle up to 1.3 million passengers a year and includes a dedicated seaplane terminal and jetty. The passenger terminal is almost finished, with full completion expected by the end of the year.Northern atolls that used to be hard for resort developers to reach are now accessible, and several hotel groups are already exploring sites in the area. In Malé, Velana International Airport has been expanding its runways and cargo facilities to keep up with growth and ensure arrivals run smoothly.More airports are being planned, such as Vilufushi and Vihafaru in Noonu Atoll, both connected to new resorts built on reclaimed land. There is also a planned airport at Dhidhdhoo in the far north, which would make some of the country’s most remote atolls easier to reach.Seaplane arrival to Maldive islandgettyHow to Keep the Maldives SustainableFor the Maldives, getting investment has never been the hardest part. The real challenge starts once the funding is secured.Tourism demand remains strong. China has returned, and Russia, the U.K., Germany, Italy, and India are still leading markets. Although a diplomatic dispute with India in 2024 caused a brief decline in arrivals, numbers have mostly recovered. High prices, long flights, and global uncertainty have not discouraged visitors to the Maldives.Mohamed Ali Janah, Chairman of Hotels and Resorts Investment Maldives and one of the country's biggest investors, says that more than $3 billion in UAE investment is lined up through 2030. This is fueled by strong confidence in a second-home market for the ultra-wealthy, with returns reaching up to 20%.Buying an island in the Maldives follows a clear government process. "The Ministry of Tourism is the one-stop shop for island leases," Janah told Arabian Business. “The Maldives does not offer freehold ownership. All projects are leasehold. You start with a 50-year lease and can later extend it by another 49 years, making it possible to hold the lease for up to 99 years."Branded residences could help turn the Maldives from a place people visit once into a destination with repeat visitors who feel personally invested. Two years ago, new laws allowed developers to sell individual villas to private buyers instead of only running entire resorts.There are real benefits, but these projects use up limited land, raise concerns about who actually gains from private-island development, and increase the pressure on the government to handle foreign investment carefully. Building more near coral reefs also leaves less margin for mistakes. The bigger issue is what all this means for a country made up of small islands that are slowly sinking.For years, the Maldives has offered a simple dream: a beautiful island, a villa above crystal clear water, and nothing else around. The coming years will show how much can change before that original magic begins to disappear.MORE FROM FORBESForbesTop 10 Trending Destinations For 2026, According To American Express TravelBy Jim DobsonForbesThe 8 Best New Resorts In The Caribbean, According To The 2025 World Travel AwardsBy Jim DobsonMaldives