Shades of Paradise: Inside Niva Hotels & Resorts’ Next Chapter
Niva Hotels & Resorts is rewriting the narrative with its distinct resorts, each with its own personality and charm…
For more than 50 years, Universal Resorts – now Versa Hospitality – has helped shape the very idea of what it means to embark on a tropical retreat; to unwind in some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Long before overwater villas became the defining image of escapism, the homegrown hospitality group was introducing travellers to the Maldives’ extraordinary beauty. Now, under a new identity, it enters its next chapter with Versa Collection and Niva Hotels & Resorts, expanding its footprint while remaining rooted in the warmth and intuitive service that built its reputation.
Niva reflects the changing expectations of today’s global traveller: one who seeks experiences tailored to personality rather than a one-size-fits-all vision of paradise. With four distinct island escapes – Kurumba, Velassaru, Kuramathi and Dhigali – the brand makes a compelling argument that there is no singular Maldivian dream. Bringing together these four resorts under one identity, alongside its Seychelles outposts – Niva Labriz Seychelles and Niva Aria Seychelles, the latter set to open in 2027 – the collection offers a thoughtful new vision for modern hospitality, one shaped by individuality, authenticity and a strong sense of place.
Just ten minutes by speedboat from Malé, Niva Kurumba was among the pioneers of tourism in the archipelago – in fact, it was the Maldives’ first resort – yet its energy feels anything but nostalgic. Think seaside sanctuary with a cosmopolitan pulse. Seven restaurants span Japanese artistry at Hamakaze, Middle Eastern feasting at Al Qasr and refined Indian dining at Mahal. Evening entertainment brings a vibrancy rarely found at more secluded properties, while families are particularly well catered for thanks to extensive children’s programming and spacious accommodation.
In comparison, Niva Velassaru is the minimalist. It strips away excess to reveal the essence of island living. Just a 25-minute speedboat journey, the aesthetic here is sleek and contemporary: teak, natural stone and endless shades of white and blue. Days unfold beside the infinity pool or in overwater villas seemingly suspended above glass-clear lagoons. Wellness takes centre stage, from sunset beach yoga to reformer Pilates and the overwater LIME Wellbeing spa, home to the Maldives’ first ELEMIS Biotec 2.0 facials. Dining embraces global influences with effortless polish, from Mediterranean menus at Etesian to Nikkei-inspired plates at Sora. It is sophisticated without pretension and elegant without effort.
Then comes Niva Kuramathi, perhaps the collection’s greatest expression of abundance. Spanning almost two kilometres in the North Ari Atoll, the resort offers an experience of extraordinary scale without sacrificing intimacy. Its iconic sandbank stretches dramatically into the Indian Ocean, creating one of the most photographed vistas in the archipelago. With an astonishing breadth of accommodation, nine à la carte restaurants and a dizzying array of activities, it rewards curiosity. Guests can snorkel alongside manta rays, indulge in French fine dining at La Belle Vie, sip cocktails beneath the stars at Champagne Loft or retreat to Sky Bar for a private celestial experience seven metres above sea level. Families thrive here, couples disappear into hidden corners, and no two stays ever look the same.
Finally, there is Niva Dhigali: soulful, relaxed and deeply connected to nature. Set within Raa Atoll, Dhigali occupies a lush tropical island encircled by a vibrant house reef. The pace is gentler here. Guests move between jungle-fringed pathways and powder-soft beaches, snorkelling in crystalline waters or simply surrendering to the rhythm of island life. Dining here feels intimate and immersive, whether enjoying Middle Eastern-inspired flavours beneath the canopy at Battuta or Mediterranean dishes overlooking the sea at Faru. Families gravitate towards the thoughtfully conceived PLAY Kids Club, while couples retreat to lagoon villas with private pools. Dhigali captures the barefoot spirit many first imagine when dreaming of the Maldives: restorative and authentic, unpretentious and welcoming.
Collectively, the four properties chart the evolution of the destination itself. The Maldives is no longer simply a honeymoon fantasy reserved for one type of traveller. It is a place for multigenerational reunions and wellness retreats; for culinary enthusiasts and marine adventurers; for parents seeking both togetherness and independence; for couples wanting romance without isolation. And this ethos also translates to Niva Labriz and the soon-to-be-opened Niva Aria in the Seychelles.
What unites all of Niva Hotels & Resorts is an understanding that indulgence lies in freedom: the freedom to shape your days according to instinct, to travel in a way that feels true to your own desires, and to return home with memories that couldn’t belong to anyone else. Paradise, after all, is deeply personal.
For more information visit nivahotelsandresorts.com
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