The group is among many to have luxury island hideaways in the country and will open the all-villa St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort on September 1.

The 77-villa property is in the Dhaalu Atoll, 40 minutes from Male by seaplane and is designed by WOW Architects | Warner Wong Design out of Singapore; lagoon villas are shaped like manta rays, the signature bar is in the shape of a whale shark and there is a lobster-inspired spa and a spiral shell-shaped library.

The island’s design sees it focus on several zones - the Lagoon zone with a water amphitheatre and an Iridium Spa; the Beach zone with two beachfront restaurants; the Jungle zone with a nature discovery centre and pop-up cafe; and the Coastal zone with a dive centre and bar.

There is also an art trail connecting the areas that will feature the work of artists in residence who will use locally sourced materials.

There will also be a Children’s Club and a Socialite Club for young guests aged 16 onwards.

There will be six dining venues, including an Asian specialty restaurant, an Italian restaurant, an underground wine cellar restaurant, a shack-style restaurant, a signature over-water bar and a pop-up restaurant in the middle of the resort.

Among the accommodations on the island will be the John Jacob Astor Estate – named for the founder of the original St Regis in New York.

It’s said to be among the largest villas in the Maldives, with a total size of 1,540 square metres, with three areas – one of which includes a 92-metre pool, living room, master bedroom, show kitchen, spa room, mini theatre, fitness area, while another has two connecting lagoon villas, each featuring their own private pool.

The Iridium Spa has six over-water treatment rooms, including two dedicated to Ayurvedic treatments, and a Blue Hole pool, which contains heated seawater with different water jets.

The 24-hour St Regis Butler Service will also be available for all guests.

The brand, which is part of Starwood, has 35 hotels and resorts worldwide, with 50 more to follow by 2020.