Onyx Hospitality signs OZO resort in Maldives

Onyx Hospitality has signed an agreement with a joint venture company led by Panchshil Realty to open an OZO resort in Maldives.

Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2020, the 200-villa private island family-oriented resort will occupy a secluded island in the Raa Atoll, located northwest of the Maldivian capital of Male.

The social centre of the island will be the ‘Village’, a collection of rustic driftwood styled retail and dining outlets offering art and craft workshops, bespoke ice cream and refreshments, as well as island-inspired fashions.

The island’s large size and natural untouched terrain also offer family-oriented activities including adventure and biking trails, a kids’ camp site, a pitch and putt golf course and various natural and environmental features to appeal to travellers of all ages.

Other facilities include OZO’s signature EAT all-day-dining restaurant best known for energising breakfasts, a specialty ‘sunset experience’ restaurant, a rustic and informal ‘Victory Bar’ and floating lagoon pavilions and jungle tree-decks for private dinners.

There will also be an island farm run by Maldivian islanders, offering guests natural and fresh organic produce in a unique market garden dining experience.

A Thai spa, gym and yoga facility, dive centre and a large landscaped lagoon swimming pool complete the leisure facilities.

Of the 200 villas at OZO Maldives, 60 villas will be located overwater while 140 villas will be located on the beach, with 50 beach villas offering larger family-friendly layouts and private plunge pools. Many of the villas will also be either interconnecting or configured with dual key access, to offer flexibility for families and groups of friends travelling together.

Onyx Hospitality Group President and Chief Executive Officer Douglas Martell said, “We are excited to be taking OZO to the Maldives, a destination once reserved exclusively for the ultra-luxury segment. With the opening of OZO, we look forward to redefining the family-oriented resort experience in the Maldives with a property which combines the best of the three key OZO brand signatures – sleep, connect and explore. OZO Maldives will be a great showcase of locally-sourced craftsmanship and environmental education. Serving as a strong complement to Amari Havodda Maldives located in the south, this new opening will give Onyx Hospitality Group the opportunity of offering two compelling luxury and mid-scale options in this popular paradise destination.”

Within the Indian Ocean, Bangkok-based Onyx Hospitality currently operates four hotels in Sri Lanka and Maldives, with two hotels in the development pipeline.