Nobu Hospitality has announced its first venture into the Maldives, unveiling plans for a hotel, restaurant and private island residences on Munyafushi, a private island in the Laamu Atoll. The project, developed in partnership with Sarat International, was announced from New York on 12 February.
The development represents a significant milestone for the celebrity-founded luxury lifestyle brand, which now operates more than 58 restaurants and 18 hotels across five continents. The Maldives entry places Nobu squarely within one of the world’s most competitive – and fastest-growing – luxury hospitality markets.
Nobu Hotel, Residences, and Restaurant Maldives will comprise 26 beach villas and 30 overwater villas, each available in one- or two-bedroom configurations. According to the company, the design will reflect its signature aesthetic of clean lines, natural textures and a muted colour palette.
The most distinctive element of the project is its residential component: 10 Nobu Island Estate Residences, each situated on its own private island. The collection represents one of the most exclusive branded residence offerings in the Maldives, with each property featuring pavilion-style living spaces, private beach access and its own yacht.
Residence owners will have access to the resort’s full suite of hotel services, dining and wellness amenities – a model that aligns with the broader global surge in branded residences. According to Savills, the branded residences sector has grown approximately 180% over the past decade, with the number of active projects worldwide rising from 764 in late 2024 to around 910 by the end of 2025.
A dedicated Nobu restaurant will occupy its own private island within the resort, complete with a bar and lounge serving the brand’s signature Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. Additional amenities include a full-service spa, fitness centre, diving centre, tennis courts, event spaces and a main swimming pool.
Trevor Horwell, chief executive of Nobu Hospitality, described the Maldives as a destination that had “long been on our radar.” He said the company aimed to position the project as part of a new generation of Maldivian resorts, with a focus on creating “a superior island experience rather than follow a formulaic approach – one where design, world-class dining, and the natural environment harmoniously coexist.”
Ali Ahsan, managing director of Sarat International, said the partnership aimed to deliver a development that would be “both rare and deeply connected to its natural surroundings.” The announcement also noted the appointment of Engr. Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Alkhudair as chief advisor to Sarat International, strengthening the developer’s strategic presence in the archipelago.
The Maldives entry comes at a time of intense competition for luxury market share in the archipelago. The destination welcomed a record 2.25 million tourists in 2025 – a 9.8% increase over 2024 – with tourism receipts projected to exceed $5.4 billion, according to the Maldives Monetary Authority. December 2025 set a new monthly arrivals record with 224,455 visitors.
Nobu joins a growing list of luxury brands expanding their Maldivian footprint. Bulgari, Mandarin Oriental, Baccarat, Corinthia and Aman all have properties either recently opened or in the pipeline for 2026 and 2027. More than a dozen new resorts are confirmed for the current development cycle, reflecting sustained developer confidence in the destination’s premium positioning.
For Nobu Hospitality, the Maldives announcement forms part of an aggressive global expansion that has accelerated since 2024. The brand co-founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper has recently unveiled projects in Nashville, Manchester, Miami, Muscat and Barbuda. Its branded residence portfolio now extends to 18 properties across four continents.
The residential track record has been particularly notable. According to the company, Nobu Residences Toronto sold out within three months at what was then the city’s highest average price point, while its Abu Dhabi penthouses set the highest apartment sale prices in the emirate at $37.5 million.
The Maldives project will create significant workforce demands in a market already facing talent pressures. With approximately 73% of the country’s 2.25 million annual visitors staying at luxury resorts, the competition for skilled hospitality professionals – from front-of-house specialists to marine activity guides and culinary teams – continues to intensify.
No opening date has been announced for the development. The project nonetheless signals Nobu’s intent to compete at the highest tier of island hospitality, leveraging its integrated model of hotels, dining and residences in a market where brand differentiation is increasingly the determining factor for both guests and investors.
