Shangri-La’s Villingili Maldives is set for a December 2025 reopening. Discover the reopening timeline, Addu Atoll’s importance, and why this resort is one of the Maldives’ most iconic destinations.
I love this resort since its opening back in 2009.
We stayed there for a full week to create photos for our photography book. Then it closed after Covid (see my news here), and since then I’ve been following every little piece of information about its reopening… but still, nothing official appears on Shangri-La’s own website.
So, let’s be cautious. It wouldn’t be the first time a reopening date was announced only to be delayed—or worse, never happen at all.
All Photos © Dreaming of Maldives
Shangri-La’s Maldives reopening in 2025 is one of the most anticipated events in Maldivian tourism. After five years of silence, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, one of the most beautiful resorts we’ve ever seen in the Maldives, could finally, or maybe, welcome guests again.
Shangri-La’s Villingili reopening Timeline of events
- August 2020. Shangri-La’s Villingili closes.
- October 2024 – Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal vowed in parliament that Shangri-La’s Villingili would reopen, even if it required amending laws.
- April 2025 – Cabinet ministers held a high-level meeting with Shangri-La executives in Male, where the reopening roadmap was discussed.
- May 2025 – Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim met Shangri-La’s Vice President of Investment and Asset Management, who confirmed the company’s commitment to reopening “without much delay.”
- September 2025 – Local media reported that Shangri-La Villingili is expected to reopen on 31 December 2025. However, after verifying it appears that Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts has not yet published an official press release.
A cautious optimism
The Maldives is no stranger to ambitious opening announcements that later face delays. While the signals around Shangri-La Villingili are stronger than in previous years, travelers should remain cautious: the resort’s official website still marks the property as “ceased operations for an indefinite period.”
Why Shangri-La’s Villingili matters
Shangri-La Villingili is a dream resort, a destination in itself.
The island is big, beautiful, lush and different. Nestled in the southern Addu Atoll, it offers a scale and natural beauty that few properties in the Maldives can match :
- An island of 50.6 hectares, with 2 km of pristine beaches and 6 km of coastline lined with towering coconut palms, so typical of the southern Maldives.
- Villas hidden in a tropical jungle, perched over turquoise lagoons, or stretching across private beachfronts.
- A magnificent lagoon shifting between sandy bottoms and coral patches.
- Exquisite dining, a beautiful spa, and a wealth of activities.
- And last, but not least, the chance to stay in the Maldives’ southernmost luxury retreat, connected to Gan International Airport, making it an important hub for regional tourism.
Shangri-La’s Villingili is rare beauty in the maldivian landscape
Beyond its rare beauty the resort is also essential to Addu Atoll livelihood. From its opening in 2009 until its closure in 2020, Shangri-La Villingili made significant contributions to both local livelihoods and enhanced connectivity through Gan International Airport. Prior to its closure, the resort employed more than 500 staff, many of them from Addu, making it a key driver of the region’s economy.
About Addu Atoll
Addu, also called Seenu Atoll, is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, located just below the equator. If you go there, you can even receive your certificate for crossing the equator.
It is the country’s second most important administrative atoll, with its capital Gan and the strategic Gan International Airport. About 540 km from Malé, Addu is reachable by domestic flight in around 90 minutes, and in about 1h50 from Colombo (Sri Lanka).
A dream waiting to return
We’ve visited Shangri-La Villingili in the past, and it remains one of the most breathtaking resorts we’ve ever seen in the Maldives. Its combination of size, natural beauty, and Shangri-La’s signature hospitality created an experience that felt both indulgent and soulful.
As of today, the official reopening is anticipated for December 2025. But until Shangri-La itself confirms this date on its corporate channels, I’ll stay excited—yet cautious.
Stay tuned.
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