Accor has announced it will open SO/ Maldives in 2023.
The hospitality company has signed a hotel management agreement with S Hotels and Resorts Public Company Limited and Wai Eco World Developer Pte. Ltd. (WEWD).
Scheduled to open in 2023, the 80-villa SO/Maldives is on an island overlooking the Emboodhoo Lagoon, located 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé’s Velana International Airport.
The SO/ brand (part of the Sofitel family, and previously known as So Sofitel) currently has properties in Auckland, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Mauritius, Singapore, Berlin, Vienna and St Petersburg, with forthcoming locations including Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Paris and Jakarta.
Accommodation categories in the new Maldives property include beachfront and over-water options, all adorned with designer interiors and plush furnishing.
The new resort will take centre stage on the third island of Crossroads Maldives, the integrated leisure destination in the south Malé Atoll comprising chic cafés, restaurants, a beach club, upmarket boutiques, a spa among others.
Garth Simmons, chief executive officer – Accor southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea said:
“It gives me great pleasure to announce the arrival of SO/ Hotels and Resorts in the Maldives. 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 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.”
Commenting on the signing, Dirk De Cuyper, chief executive officer, S Hotels and 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.”
Zaw Win Maung, managing director, WEWD said:
“The Maldives is a truly special place and we are delighted to enter the market with such a prestigious project. S Hotels and 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 trend-setting guests. With such strong partners, we are confident of creating a one-of-a-kind resort experience at SO/ Maldives.”
