The Manhattan Grand Hotel in Hulhumalé has opened bookings for conferences, exhibitions, corporate functions and other major events scheduled from next month, introducing a new five-star hospitality and business events venue within the rapidly developing urban centre adjoining Velana International Airport.
Developed and operated by World Business Pvt Ltd, the Manhattan Grand Hotel is designed as a premium hospitality property catering to international travellers, business delegations, government institutions, corporations and large-scale event organisers. The development will feature 162 guest rooms together with a banquet hall, multi-purpose facilities and a dedicated conference hall capable of accommodating a wide range of official, corporate and international functions.
The hotel will further enhance its guest offering with a swimming pool, gym and spa, alongside four international food and beverage brands. The combination of accommodation, dining, wellness and event facilities is expected to position the property as an important addition to Hulhumalé’s expanding hospitality sector, particularly for visitors seeking convenient access to Malé and Velana International Airport.
According to the hotel’s Chief Operations Officer, the Manhattan Grand Hotel has been developed with a strong focus on providing facilities for large conferences, exhibitions and events organised by government institutions, state-owned enterprises, private corporations and international organisations. Its facilities are expected to support the growing requirement in the Maldives for professionally managed venues capable of hosting business meetings, conferences, institutional programmes, exhibitions and high-level gatherings within an integrated hotel environment.
The hotel is expected to be completed by mid-August 2026 and will benefit considerably from its strategic location near Velana International Airport. Plans also include linking the property with the airport’s new international terminal, providing enhanced convenience for international visitors, airline personnel, transit passengers and official delegations arriving in the Maldives.
The proximity to the country’s principal international gateway is expected to strengthen the Manhattan Grand Hotel’s position within the aviation and hospitality sectors. A total of 12 airlines are expected to enter into agreements with the hotel, further expanding the property’s potential role in providing accommodation and hospitality services associated with international air travel.
The development comes as the Government continues to strengthen Hulhumalé as an important urban, commercial and hospitality centre, supported by major national infrastructure investments, including the expansion of Velana International Airport and improvements in connectivity across the Greater Malé Region. The opening of additional premium accommodation and conference facilities complements these developments while increasing the country’s capacity to accommodate international business travellers and major organised events.
Under the agreement with the Housing Development Corporation, HDC is set to receive USD 11 million in property value in addition to USD 933,852 in annual rent from the development. The project is also expected to generate approximately USD 2.5 million annually in taxes for the State, contributing to public revenue while supporting economic activity and employment within the hospitality and services sectors.
Beyond its hotel operations, World Business Pvt Ltd has also been awarded a long-term contract under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to manage electricity, water and maintenance services for several major public and institutional facilities. These include the USD 7 million Youth Centre, Media Village, Medical College and Heritage College.
The Manhattan Grand Hotel adds a new dimension to Hulhumalé’s hospitality landscape by combining five-star accommodation with extensive conference, exhibition and event facilities. Its location near Velana International Airport, planned connection to the new terminal and anticipated partnerships with international airlines are expected to make the property particularly attractive to business travellers, official delegations and international organisations.
With Hulhumalé continuing to expand as a key component of the Greater Malé Region, developments such as the Manhattan Grand Hotel are expected to complement the Government’s broader efforts to diversify economic activity, expand high-quality hospitality infrastructure and strengthen the Maldives’ capacity to host international conferences, exhibitions and business events alongside its globally established tourism industry.
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