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Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
Addu City, Maldives · Shangri-La · Grand Luxury
Opened in July 2009 as the first luxury resort south of the equator in the Maldives, Shangri-La Villingili sits on the 50-hectare Villingili Island in Addu Atoll — historically occupied by the British military — and is home to the only golf course in the Maldives, a nine-hole par-30 layout laid out across 7.5 hectares. After a five-year closure (2020–2025), the resort officially reopened on 31 December 2025. The island's highest natural point, Mount Villingili, is also the highest natural point in the entire country.
- 132 rooms
- Opened 2009
- Neighborhood: Addu City 19020
- Rooms from 1,787 sq ft (166 m²)
- Architect: WATG
- Interiors: LTW Designworks
About Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives
- Villingili Golf Club is the only golf course in the Republic of Maldives — nine holes, par 30, 1,111 yards across 7.5 hectares of tropical terrain.
- Shangri-La Villingili was the first luxury resort to open south of the equator in the Maldives, sitting in the Addu Atoll roughly 400 km south of Malé.
- The island of Villingili hosted British military forces during both World Wars; the Royal Air Force maintained a base here at RAF Addu, and evidence of the wartime occupation remains part of the local heritage narrative.
- The smallest published suite or villa start at 1,787 sq ft (166 m²).
History
Perched on Villingili Island in the heart-shaped Addu Atoll south of the equator, the resort is surrounded by a striking coral reef, over six km of picturesque coastline, 2 km of white sandy beaches, and more than 17,000 coconut trees. Opened in 2009 as the first luxury resort in southern Maldives, it was closed from 2020-2025 before reopening. Accessed by a 70-minute flight from Malé and 5-minute speedboat from Gan Airport.
Restaurants and bars
- Javvu — Restaurant · International (daily breakfast, gourmet international fare
- Dr. Ali’s — Restaurant · Cantonese
- Fashala — Restaurant · Seafood
- Endheri — Bar · Lounge and bar: sharing platters, comfort bites, handcrafted
- Manzaru — Bar · Lounge and bar, al fresco sunset setting (open 3pm until lat
Experiences
- Tee Off golf — Nine-hole golf course across 7.5 hectares with par 3 and par 4 holes, a driving range and clubhouse; said to be the only nine-hole course in the Maldives.
- Rooted in Nature Dining — Restaurants Javvu, Endheri pool bar and Manzaru serve Maldivian and fusion cuisine, sourcing locally from farmers and fisheries.
- Ocean Adventures: Diving & Snorkelling — Snorkelling above coral gardens with turtles and reef fish, by day or moonlight; the British Loyalty wreck suits confident snorkellers.
- Recreation & Fitness — Two open-air tennis courts, a fully equipped gymnasium and a 2 km running trail through jungle paths past the golf course.
- The Perfect Romance — Private candlelit dinner in the villa, on the deck or on the beachfront, with a dedicated chef and waiter and a themed or bespoke menu.
- Families with Younger Children programme — Kids' bicycles, mini tennis, baby amenities, prams and fresh purées, with a calm lagoon suited to beginner snorkelling.
Amenities
- CHI The Spa
- overwater villas
- private beach
- dive center
- 9-hole golf course
- tennis courts
- kids club
- butler service
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