Atlantis The Royal is set to open in the Maldives in 2029, reshaping the country’s tourism offering with a dual-island concept on Vaaredhdhoo Faru in South Malé Atoll. The 493-key resort will introduce scale and entertainment to a market defined by boutique luxury, positioning the Maldives for multi-generational travel growth.
Located 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé, the resort will span 1.36 million square metres across Family Island and Luxury Island. Together, they will form the Maldives’ first dual-island hospitality concept, signalling a shift toward larger, experience-led developments.
Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, the Dubai-based operator behind the Atlantis brand, said the project will reimagine the Atlantis brand for a new market.
“We are not simply expanding that legacy, we are reinventing it,” he said.
“Here, Atlantis The Royal will be reimagined through the lens of the Maldives, architecturally, conceptually and experientially, to exist in perfect harmony with its surroundings.”
How the dual-island model will change the Maldives playbook
The two islands will cater to distinct traveller segments. Family Island will focus on multi-generational travel, activities and kids’ programming, while Luxury Island will feature high-end villas, signature dining and a wellness sanctuary.
Across both islands, the resort will include 270 rooms and 223 villas and mansions. Facilities will feature 20 dining venues, two beach clubs and a 70,000-square-metre Aquaventure waterpark with Neptune and Poseidon Towers and up to 15 major rides.
The model is expected to shift the Maldives from boutique luxury to entertainment-led leisure, expanding its competitive reach within the Indian Ocean region.
Inside Atlantis The Royal, Maldives
At the centre of the development, Aquaventure will attract both resort guests and day visitors. The site will also include the Lost Chambers Aquarium, which will feature sustainably sourced native marine life under the Atlantis Atlas Project.
Dining will include signature venues such as Gastronomy, The Royal Tearoom and Ossiano, along with new celebrity-chef restaurants and beach clubs.
Retail, events and wellness infrastructure will expand the property’s utility beyond leisure, making it one of the first MICE-capable resorts in the Maldives.
How sustainability will anchor design and operations
Energy-efficient systems, coral and seaweed regeneration and water conservation will support long-term environmental goals. Renewable power and localised waste management are planned as part of a strategy to position the resort as a test site for decarbonised operations.
“This project reflects our leadership in innovation and developing industry-leading brands,” said H.E. Mohamed Al Shaibani, Chairman of Kerzner. “Together with our partners, we are shaping the future of tourism through collaboration that delivers enduring value.”
Trade impact and distribution potential
The resort’s proximity to Velana International Airport, 10 minutes by seaplane or 25 minutes by boat, will make it ideal for packaging within broader Indian Ocean itineraries. For wholesalers and luxury operators, it will broaden product scope beyond boutique stays.
Atlantis’ entry will signal a strategic market shift. The Maldives is evolving from a secluded luxury destination to an entertainment-driven, multi-generational hub, aligning with regional competition from Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Atlantis’ 2029 Maldives debut is set to signal a structural shift from intimate luxury to destination-scale leisure, widening trade opportunity and redefining regional yield potential.
