The Check-In: Nobu Is Coming to the Maldives

Nobu Will Debut in the Maldives in 2028

Nobu has announced it will debut its first Nobu Hotel, residences, and restaurant in the Maldives, set on the private island of Munyafushi in Laamu Atoll. The resort, set to open in late 2028, will keep things intimate, with 26 one- and two-bedroom beach villas and 20 one- and two-bedroom overwater villas, all designed in Nobu’s minimalist, Japanese-inspired style. 

While some may question whether the Maldives needs another high-end resort, this project is angling to stand apart – leaning into extra privacy and a more expansive, multi-island experience. Rather than confining everything to a single footprint, the resort's most exclusive accommodations, its ten Nobu Island Estate Residences, will unfold across a collection of islands, giving guests the option to stay on their own private Maldivian isle while reaching the brand’s signature amenities by boat. 

“As part of the new generation of Maldives hotels, we aim to set a new standard of rarity. Our priority is to create a superior island experience rather than follow a formulaic approach – one where design, world-class dining, and the natural environment harmoniously coexist,” says Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality.

Private-island suites are not unprecedented in the Maldives – properties such as Cheval Blanc Randheli and Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi both offer standalone island accommodations – but dedicating ten separate private islands to branded residences is a notable escalation.

The Nobu restaurant will also occupy its own private island, serving Chef Nobu’s Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. Additional amenities will include a spa, diving centre, tennis courts, and a central swimming pool.

Oku Bodrum Set to Open in May

Oku’s first Turkish outpost will open in May 2026 on the Bodrum Peninsula’s northern coast as an adults-only boutique hotel. The launch marks the expansion of the lifestyle brand’s portfolio to four properties, joining Oku’s existing locations in Ibiza and Kos.

Oku Bodrum will feature 58 rooms and suites, all with sea views. Echoing Oku’s signature style, the property will embrace a minimalist, boho aesthetic, with poolside low-fi beats spun by an in-house DJ.

Guests will have access to a protected bay for swimming in the Aegean Sea and a private jetty for exploring quiet lagoons, nearby islands, and the area’s famed marinas by boat. On-site dining options will include Oku’s Nikkei-inspired signature restaurant, Teyo; To Kima, a relaxed poolside spot; and The Round Bar, perched on the cove-side jetty serving cocktails and meze. 

The spa will offer a range of treatments, including a hammam and sauna, alongside a fitness suite and open-air seafront treatment cabanas.

The opening coincides with the first full season of Oku’s child-friendly property, Oku Andalusia, on the Costa del Sol, which will debut a new beach club, Alma, and an expanded kids’ club starting April 17.

Prana by Atzaró Launches Spice Island Charter in East Indonesia

Atzaró Group's Phinisi yacht, Prana byAtzaró , is charting a new course through one of Indonesia’s least-visited regions. Its new Spice Island Charter takes guests on a slow voyage through the Banda Islands, a volcanic archipelago that once fueled the global spice trade.

The itinerary begins in Ambon, heading east across scattered islands where guests can snorkel among coral reefs, dive along lava flows, or enjoy sunrise yoga on deck. Visitors will visit Run Island, once so valuable for its nutmeg that the Dutch traded it for Manhattan, and the central Banda Islands, exploring spice markets, untouched beaches, and colonial heritage buildings.

The fully staffed Prana by Atzaró accommodates up to 18 guests, with all-inclusive rates covering meals, drinks, excursions, watersports, and diving. The Ambon-to-Banda itinerary will be available in October and November 2026, with rates starting at $20,000 per night.

 

The Peninsula London Opens Hotel Grooming Parlor

The Peninsula London has partnered with Chelsea-based brand Love My Human on a dog grooming residency, becoming the first hotel in the capital to offer an in-house grooming experience for canine guests. The boutique, located in the hotel’s ground-floor retail arcade, offers full grooming services including washing, nail clipping, teeth cleaning, and even puppy facials.

“Partnering with Love My Human allows us to extend the same thoughtful level of care to our four-legged guests as we do to their owners,” said Rolf Buehlmann, Managing Director at The Peninsula London. “As a dog owner myself, it’s important to me that the whole family feels genuinely looked after when staying with us.”

Dogs are also welcome throughout the hotel, from Brooklands Bar and Canton Blue to Little Blue Noodle Bar, and in-room amenities include bespoke bowls, plush beds, and soft toys. Dog walking and pet-sitting services are also available on request.

The initiative responds to the growing number of guests traveling with pets in London, highlighting the rising demand for luxury services that cater to both owners and their furry companions. The pop-up will run until May 20.