Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives

6.29.11 - AIA Honolulu Chapter announces 53rd annual design awards ...
Pacific Business News

Two Big Island residences and Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives won top awards at the American Institute of Architects Honolulu Chapter’s 53rd Annual Design Awards this week.

A total of nine architectural projects were recognized for design excellence.

The winners and architects are:

Award of Excellence
• Makai Residence, North Kona, architect: Mark de Reus of de Reus ArchitectsbizWatch ;
• Stone House, Kukio Bay, architect: Shay Zak of Zak Architecture;
• Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives, architect: Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo
View article

1.25.11 - Boutique Design Awards: Best Outdoor Space
Boutique Design

Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa Maldives: Designers from WATG artfully blended outdoor and indoor experiences at this resort/spa, including this idyllic pool deck that's incorporated into one of its luxury villas.
View article

1.21.11 - Capturing the Spirit of the Place
South Florida Design Book

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives by WATG was designed to reflect the spirit of its site. It utilizes current technology yet exhibits continuity with the heritage of the past.

Care has been taken to pay homage to the identity of the island and its flora and fauna. Forms and spaces, both natural and controlled, celebrate the energies of the three village experiences; Lost Horizon, Whispering Palms and Windance.

Located on a 43,000-square-meter site, this sprawling resort features 184 villas, a village center with retail, restaurants, meeting rooms, a spa and a fitness center as well as tennis courts, pools, and three fresh-water lakes.
View article

4.16.10 - The Hot List 2010: Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa
Condé Nast Traveller

Just metres from the Shangri-La resort's overwater villas, the azure sea is bumper-to-bumper with denizens of the deep. Swimming here is like frolicking in a giant aquarium. Out on a boat trip, squealing guests are entertained by dolphins racing the dhoni and turning playful somersaults. The 142-villa resort, in the remote, southernmost tip of the Maldives, is adjacent to two deep-water channels. Sightings of large sea creatures - manta rays, sharks, dolphins, Napoleon wrasses and barracudas - are frequent. Granted, this is the Maldives, so you would expect superb aquatic pleasures, but the island of Villingili offers more: sitting in the centre of the former military base is a lush forest, including three freshwater lagoons and a mangrove swamp. Nature walks are obligatory and, for the energetic, cycling through the shady woods is the best thing to do when the sun is mercilessly hot.
View article

4.16.10 - Hot List 2010: Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa, Addu Atoll
Condé Nast Traveler

Like Club Med without the dancing, this 142-villa tropical resort in the southern Maldives has a sporty vibe, with something for everyone: biking and walking trails threading the two-mile-long island, water sports from catamarans and kayaks to snorkeling along an eco-trail, and diving with manta rays. The young staff are multicultural and energized, though the indifferent Maldivian villa hosts could use more lessons in hospitality.
View article

7.28.09 - Shangri-La opens first property in the Maldives
Sleeper Magazine

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives, designed by WATG, has opened on the southern-most tip of Addu Atoll.

Among the 142 stand-alone, luxury villas, the resort features 16 tropical tree house villas – a first in the Maldives - perched three metres above the ground, complete with elevated infinity pools overlooking the sea and the island’s lagoons.
View article

7.27.09 - Shangri-La Unveils Maldives Resort
Hospitality Design

Shangri-La has made its Maldives debut with the Villingili Resort and Spa, surrounded by white powdery sand beaches, lush vegetation, 17,000 coconut trees, nature trails, and ancient banyan trees. WATG served as the architect on the project, whose 142 stand-alone villas range from private ocean retreats to luxury tree houses perched 10 feet above the ground. In addition to an elevated infinity pool, guests have access to Shangri-La's signature CHI spa, located in its own spa village at the resort's highest geographical point. Flagship restaurant Khazaanaage offers three living rooms serving three different regional cuisines from the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and Arabian Gulf.
View article

3.06.09 - Shangri-La opens two new hotels in Asia Pacific
Malaysia Sun

Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa, Philippines is the first five-star international resort on Boracay Island. The complex has 219 rooms, 36 villas and suites. Located in the northern part of Boracay Island, the resort is on 350 metres of beachfront and 12 hectares of grounds that are home to a number of rare wildlife species. The resort was designed by renowned Hawaii-based architect firm, WATG, and the interior by Singapore-based LTW Design Works. Villas include private lap pool, outdoor shower, a pergola for outdoor dining, and a day bed for relaxation or massage.
View article

6.11.09 - WATG and LTW Design Works collaborate on Shangri-La's Villingili Resort And Spa
Sleeper Magazine

Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa in the Maldives, designed by WATG and Lim Teo+Wilkes Design Works (LTW Design Works), is set to open in July 2009.

The resort will comprise 142 spacious stand-alone villas, from private ocean retreats to tropical luxury tree house villas with panoramic views. All will feature both an indoor and outdoor shower, a private terrace leading to the beach and either a waterfront or lush garden. Each villa will be equipped with two iPods and docking stations, a DVD player, and an espresso machine. The villas will be a minimum of 133 square metres in size, while the two presidential villas will measure up to 957 square metres each
View article

5.15.09 - New Shangri-La Maldives Resort To Open In July
Hotels Magazine

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will open Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives, on 26 July 2009. The resort will offer guests a stylish experience in a spacious, boutique-style environment. Located on Addu Atoll, the resort will encompass over six kilometers of coastline and nearly two kilometers of breathtaking white sandy beach.

The three-kilometer-long island features 12 hectares of lush vegetation, 17,000 coconut trees and 45 species of plants. The island has three natural freshwater lagoons, naturally tinged red, green or blue. Guests will be able to enjoy walking trails, prodigious wildlife, and a plethora of underwater discoveries. Destination design firm WATG completed the architecture for the resort.