Centara Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its expertise in family-focused hospitality, is bringing its Mirage brand to the Maldives with the opening of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, part of a broader expansion on the multi-island destination, The Atollia by Centara. Following its success in locations such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Dubai, Centara aims to make the Maldives a premier family vacation destination, offering more than just romantic getaways.
The newly opened Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives introduces an underwater world-themed resort designed specifically for families. The resort features a range of unique facilities, including the country’s longest lazy river and an expansive water park. This marks the first phase of The Atollia, which will soon be joined by the Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, creating a two-island, one-destination experience.
The Maldives, traditionally associated with luxury couples’ retreats, is becoming more accessible to family travelers, thanks in part to Centara’s tailored approach. A recent survey commissioned by Centara supports this shift, revealing that while families are eager to visit the Maldives, they perceive the destination as costly and lacking in child-friendly amenities. Conducted by UK-based Survation, the survey found that 67% of respondents cited high costs as a major deterrent, and 55% said they were unlikely to consider the Maldives for family vacations due to concerns over limited activities for children and the sense of being confined to a small island.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives addresses these concerns by offering the warm, family-friendly hospitality that Centara is known for. With 145 beachfront and overwater rooms and villas, the resort caters to families with spacious accommodations, including outdoor terraces and family-specific amenities like bunk beds. For children, the resort is a paradise, with themed playgrounds, a water park, and imaginative spaces like the Willy Wonka-inspired Candy Spa for kids, complete with massages and treatments. The resort also aims to enrich children’s travel experiences, offering opportunities to explore local culture and cuisine, which aligns with the survey’s findings that 50% of families want their children to experience new cultures.
Other attractions include the Stingray-themed playground, Nurture Zone, and six on-site restaurants and bars, ensuring every family member has a unique experience. The resort’s design focuses on relaxation and connection, responding to a desire from 73% of survey respondents for a stress-free environment that fosters family bonding.
In addition to Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, The Atollia by Centara will include Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, a luxury resort offering a serene, exclusive experience with personalized services such as curated spa treatments, gourmet dining, and marine activities. Michael Henssler, Centara’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted that the company’s focus on family travel is central to its ethos, noting that Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives represents a new era of family vacationing in the Maldives.
With its two-island concept, The Atollia is strategically located in the North Malé Atoll, just 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, complementing Centara’s two existing Maldives properties: the eco-friendly Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa and the adults-only Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is offering exclusive opening deals, including complimentary stays and meals for children under 15, as well as free round-trip transfers from Velana International Airport. Rates start at THB 15,669 per room per night, with additional offers for return stays. For a more luxurious experience, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers rates starting at THB 33,516 per room per night.
This move by Centara marks a significant shift in the Maldives’ tourism landscape, providing an exciting new option for families seeking a blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion in one of the world’s most stunning destinations.
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