Hussain Shahid, General Manager, Noku Maldives, in an interview with TravTalk, shares how the boutique island resort has started a new chapter following its refurbishment and rebranding under the Vignette Collection. Noku Maldives is positioning itself as an intimate, nature-driven destination for travellers seeking privacy, authenticity, and curated experiences.
TT Bureau
Can you tell us about the journey of Noku Maldives and its recent transformation?
The property started operations in 2008–09. In 2017, it was fully acquired by Roxy Pacific Holdings, a Singapore-based real estate company with a small but growing hospitality portfolio that includes properties in Phuket and Kyoto. In early 2024, the owners sought an international partner to manage and reposition the resort, and our team came on board to lead the transformation. My role, since joining in October 2024, has been to oversee the refurbishment while continuing operations. It was a challenging process, particularly with logistics in the Maldives, but the project was successfully completed, and the resort officially reopened and rebranded on 2 November 2025.
What challenges did you face during the renovation process?
Renovating while operating a resort in the Maldives always comes with logistical complexities. Materials, labour, and construction timelines are difficult to manage when everything must be transported to an island. Delays with our mock-up villa affected the larger refurbishment timeline, but we managed to complete the transformation successfully. Accessibility for guests, however, has always been smooth thanks to our partnership with Trans Maldivian Airways.
How are you positioning the resort in the Middle East market?
The Middle East is a very important market for us. Since reopening, our focus has been on creating strong awareness through trade events, partnerships, and media engagement. We are actively participating in regional travel trade exhibitions such as Arabian Travel Market and World Travel Market, alongside local Maldivian tourism events. Brand education is also key, as the Vignette Collection is still relatively new, so we are investing heavily in public relation (PR) activities, collaborative marketing campaigns, and strategic partnerships with airlines and travel trade stakeholders across the region.
