Review / We review InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort – billionaire Ong Beng Seng’s new luxury hotel

Singaporean billionaire Ong Beng Seng, co-founder and managing director of Asia’s leading hospitality group Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) is one of the country’s most influential tycoons. Along with his wife Christina Ong, the couple is ranked number 16 on Singaporean’s Richest 2019 by Forbes, with a net worth of US$1.9 billion. Christina, dubbed Queen of Bond Street, is regarded as one of the richest women in the world. She is the founder-owner of COMO Group, which operates the luxury wellness brand COMO Hotels and Resorts, as well as the fashion retailer Club 21.

Spearheading Asia’s luxury hospitality movement, the couple has built numerous desirable hideaways in the world’s most exotic locations, including Bali, Phuket, Penang, Langkawi, Melaka, Bhutan, Seychelles and the Maldives. Adding to its expansive portfolio is the newly opened InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, a luxury haven surrounded by Maldives’ largest natural lagoon.

It marks the eighth property that the Ongs possess in this coveted luxury destination, alongside its other properties including four of the Four Seasons hotels and a Six Senses resort. It’s also the billionaire’s baby – as described by the hotel’s staff – and he devoted a lot of time to building it. We got a first look of this high-profile opening, and here’s what it’s like.

Overview

Located on the southernmost tip of Raa Atoll, the resort is around a 40-minute ride by seaplane from Malé International Airport. Arriving at the resort, we were greeted by a pleasant traditional Maldivian bodu beru (big drum) performance.

Each villa is allocated a curator – a role evolved from butler – who oversees the checking-in process after chauffeuring us to the villa. Ahead of the trip, the curator had learned about any food allergies or preferences for a more personalised stay.

Singapore-based design studio Eco-ID created the 81 overwater lagoon and beach villa types.