The Manhattan Grand Hotel, a five-star luxury property in Hulhumalé, has officially opened after a development process spanning nearly two decades, marking the completion of a project originally initiated by the State Trading Organisation (STO).
The hotel was inaugurated on Saturday evening at a special ceremony in Hulhumalé Phase 1 by Minister of Finance and State Enterprises Hassan Zareer.
The opening was followed by a fireworks display in Hulhumalé, organised and commercially funded by the hotel to celebrate the occasion.
Described as one of the most spacious hotels developed in the Greater Malé Region, the Manhattan Grand Hotel features 162 guest rooms, four restaurants offering a variety of cuisines and four dedicated halls for meetings and functions.
The property also includes event facilities, a gym, a spa and a swimming pool, positioning it to cater to leisure travellers, business visitors and guests attending conferences and other events.
Located in Hulhumalé Phase 1, the hotel is approximately ten minutes from Velana International Airport, providing convenient access for international visitors and travellers staying in the Greater Malé area.
However, the project encountered repeated setbacks and remained incomplete for several years, preventing the property from entering operation despite its prominent location in Hulhumalé.
Under the current administration, the development was handed over to private investors in an effort to accelerate construction and bring the long-delayed project to completion.
The project was subsequently undertaken by a joint venture between the UAE-based Company and World of Business Private Limited.
The arrangement enabled construction activities to resume and the remaining development works to be carried out, culminating in the hotel’s official opening.
According to information released about the property, its architectural and interior design incorporates elements intended to reflect Maldivian history and cultural identity.
The hotel is expected to serve both international visitors and domestic customers, with its accommodation, dining and event facilities offering services beyond conventional hotel stays.
Its four restaurants and multiple function halls provide space for corporate gatherings, meetings, celebrations and other events, while the recreational facilities are designed to complement the property’s luxury accommodation.
The opening also adds to the hospitality infrastructure of Hulhumalé, which has seen increasing commercial and residential development alongside the expansion of Velana International Airport.
Hulhumalé’s proximity to the airport has made it an important location for hotels serving transit passengers, business travellers and tourists seeking accommodation near the capital.
The completion of the Manhattan Grand Hotel brings an end to a prolonged development process and introduces a new large-scale hospitality property to the Greater Malé Region.
