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March 2015 – The Residence by Cenizaro will strengthen its portfolio of hotels with the opening of The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah in summer 2016.  The announcement follows the opening of The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi in 2012 and a new brand positioning for Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts – the leading international hospitality company.

The opening will bring The Residence by Cenizaro to five hotels and resorts.  Its current portfolio comprises four luxurious hotels in Mauritius, Tunis, Zanzibar and the Maldives.  Further expansion is planned over the next three years with; two hotels in Tunisia – Douz and The Medina of Tunis and one in Bintan, Indonesia.

Both Maldivian properties lie in the south of the archipelago, in Gaafu Alifu atoll.  Although on different islands they will be exclusively linked by a bridge and together the two resorts will form one of the largest resort offerings in the Maldives.

Like all Residence hotels, The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah will draw on the philosophy for which The Residence is renowned – heartfelt hospitality, a sense of place, acute attention to detail and an individual personality.  However, close to three times larger than the more intimate offering of The Residence at Falhumaafushi, Dhigurah is being created specifically with families in mind.  The vast playground for younger guests will stretch across the resort giving plenty of space to explore and learn. 

There will be 173 expansive beach and water villas which will enjoy plenty of natural light and the use of warming rich and natural tones of stone and wood will create a luxurious but welcoming atmosphere.  There will be a Spa by Clarins with individual thatched roofed spa pavilions and the pièce de résistance Li Bai, a stunning Cantonese restaurant and sister to the renowned Li Bai at Sheraton Towers in Singapore.

The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah’s location will also attract snorkellers and divers.  The atoll escaped the effects of the 1988 El Nino when the warming of the seas damaged much of the coral elsewhere in the archipelago so the hotel is surrounded by dramatic reefs, more than 250 species of coral and 1,200 species of marine life.  Spinner and bottlenose dolphins, green turtles, manta and eagle rays as well as the more unusual ribbon eels, leaf, frog and ghost pipe fish have all been spotted in the area.

The service as always, will be exemplary and the generous proportions and space of the reception areas and rooms greet guests with an overwhelming sense of grandeur and a feeling of warmth.

Gary Xie, Director for Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts said:   “With The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah we are creating a new offering for our guests.  The hotel will – as always - be an authentic expression of The Residence philosophy; with its own story to tell and a combination of both Maldivian and global influences that will give it a unique sense of place.  But, with The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah, we want to create a hotel that is both the perfect place to relax but is also the ideal spot for families to let loose and have fun.   He adds, “It is a really exciting time for The Residence by Cenizaro as we look to expand the portfolio and we are truly excited with this new opening.”.

The Residence by Cenizaro – the story continues in the Maldives….

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