Shangri-La Maldives
Where Nature Leads, Luxury Follows
From the very first sketch, preserving the island’s untouched beauty was more than a goal—it was a guiding principle. Every structure was thoughtfully placed around existing trees, allowing the landscape to shape the design. The result is a reimagined island bungalow: a sleek, modern sanctuary set deep in the remote reaches of the Southern Hemisphere.
The luxury boutique resort features 184 luxurious villas, thoughtfully arranged into three distinct village enclaves—each inspired by a unique aspect of the island’s character. From serene beachfront settings to vibrant garden hideaways, every villa offers its own slice of paradise. Select villas float above turquoise waters, offering direct access to snorkeling and swimming in the crystal-clear lagoon.
Meandering pathways, some weaving through the Maldives’ largest tropical forest, invite guests to explore a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle—one that blurs the lines between elegant architecture and lush surroundings. These amazing guests’ experiences are enhanced by a commitment to sustainability: the entire development operates independently with solar energy, advanced desalination, and eco-conscious waste systems.
This is not just a resort. It’s a living,
breathing homage to the island itself—where design yields to nature, and every
detail celebrates the art of remote luxury.
Design Architect was WATG and this project was designed with:
James G. Freeman - Acting Principal and Lead Designer
FSC Architects - Designing Experiences That Enrich Life
"Mr. Freeman led a committed design team to create two very different but equally outstanding 5 star resorts for us, the results of which are evident in looking at the two resorts today. We also enjoyed the process of working with Mr. Freeman and we are very happy to recommend him." (Edward Kuok, former Chairman of Shangri-la Hotels & Resorts)
"James was the main architect for the Shangri-la Boracay Resort and Shangri-la Maldives while he was a partner at WATG. He set the concept direction and lead the design direction throughout the projects. James attended all the meetings and was instrumental in key decisions that contributed to the successful opening of these two projects. His leadership skills and hospitality expertise were the most valuable. I found James to be pleasant to work with and I would be happy to hire his services again." (Joachim Shutte, former Director of Project Development, Shangri-la International Hotel Management Ltd.)