Vignette Collection's debut resort in the Maldives and the Indian Ocean, opened December 2024 by IHG Hotels & Resorts on Noonu Atoll's Kuda Funafaru Island, with fifty villas across just two settings, some of the largest footprints in the Maldives.
Noku Maldives opened in December 2024 as Vignette Collection's debut resort in the Maldives — IHG Hotels & Resorts' first Indian Ocean property under the new brand, on Noonu Atoll's Kuda Funafaru Island. Fifty villas split between beach and overwater settings, some reaching close to 400 square metres, sit beside a house reef starting right off the beach, a dive centre reaching 34 sites, and The Maldivian House, a small exhibit of island life.
One of 20 beach villas set among the trees just off the sand, each with a generous sundeck and both indoor and outdoor bathrooms, and most with a private pool — some of the largest villa footprints in the Maldives, up to around 400 square metres.
Not stated by resort · Most have a private pool · Beach — 175–400 sqm (size range stated across both villa categories)
One of 30 overwater villas strung along Noku's jetties above the lagoon, most with a private plunge pool on the deck and views straight out over the reef.
Not stated by resort · Most have a private pool · Overwater — 175–400 sqm (size range stated across both villa categories)
Palms Restaurant
The resort's all-day beachfront restaurant, its buffet and à la carte menu paired with a live band most evenings.
Thari Restaurant
A poolside kitchen built around Indian, Sri Lankan and Maldivian flavours, the menu turning over regularly.
Coral Adoption & Restoration
Morning · all ages, restorative
Hands-on reef and marine conservation guests can join directly — adopting or planting coral frames, mangrove planting, and turtle-rescue visits with a hatchling release.
Kayak, SUP & Sailing
Afternoon · for two, all ages, restorative
Kayak, stand-up paddleboard, sailing dinghy, windsurfing and kitesurfing — the wind- and paddle-powered end of the watersports centre, bundled as one booking.
Sunset & Traditional Hand-Reel Fishing
Evening · for two, all ages
Dhoni-based hand-reel fishing at sunset or after dark, in the traditional Maldivian style, for reef species rather than offshore pelagics.
House-Reef & Guided Snorkel
Morning · for two, all ages, restorative
A guided swim over the house reef, off the beach or a short boat ride out, with private, night and beginner variants at resorts that run their own dive centre.
Most of Noku's fifty villas carry a private pool and a generous sundeck, the overwater row built for a couple's own rhythm of dawn coffee and evening swims.
A house reef that starts right off the beach and an on-site dive centre reaching 34 sites — some known for grey reef sharks and turtles — give the water-focused guest plenty to explore without leaving the island.
Large villas and a gentle house reef suit families well, but Noku doesn't run a dedicated kids' club or age-banded programme — better suited to families happy to explore together than to drop the kids at a clubhouse.
Malé · seaplane, 45 minutes · Kuda Funafaru Island, Noonu Atoll
Noku Maldives · Noonu Atoll · 10 photographs
How do you get to Noku Maldives?
Noku sits on Kuda Funafaru Island in Noonu Atoll, reached either by a 45-minute seaplane from Velana International Airport or by a 40-minute domestic flight to Maafaru Domestic Airport followed by a 15-minute speedboat. IMJ confirms the exact routing and timing at booking.
What meal plans does Noku Maldives offer?
Noku's own site doesn't publish named meal-plan tiers. Palms Restaurant runs a mixed buffet and à la carte service for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Thari Restaurant covers lunch and dinner, and 24-hour in-villa dining rounds out the options. IMJ confirms exactly what's included in your rate before booking.
Is Noku Maldives good for families, and is there a kids' club?
Noku markets to both couples and families — its official photo gallery includes a 'Children's Recreation' category — but no dedicated kids' club, age range, babysitting service, or family villa type is stated on the resort's own site. IMJ confirms current family provisions directly with the resort before booking.
What's the house reef and diving like at Noku Maldives?
The house reef starts right off the beach and is, in the resort's own words, 'genuinely good' — shore snorkelling among clownfish, sea anemones and triggerfish. An on-site dive centre welcomes all levels, from first-timers to experienced divers, with 34 dive sites in reach, including spots known for grey reef sharks, rays, barracudas and turtles.
What's included in a stay at Noku Maldives?
Most of Noku's fifty villas carry a private pool, and every villa comes with 24-hour in-villa dining, a generous sundeck and both indoor and outdoor bathrooms. Complimentary happy hour and a range of drinks are included resort-wide; specific inclusions by rate aren't itemised on the official site, so IMJ confirms these before booking. Check-in is 14:00, check-out 12:00.
What is Vignette Collection, and is Noku Maldives new?
Noku reopened as Vignette Collection's debut Maldives property in December 2024, following a refurbishment under IHG Hotels & Resorts' new boutique brand — its first in the Indian Ocean. The resort's legacy nokuhotels.com domain now redirects to the IHG site, confirming the move from independent boutique brand to IHG-operated Vignette Collection property.
Thirty minutes on dates, occasion and which island actually suits you. No obligation, no scripted pitch.
A few ways into the resorts, by the kind of trip you have in mind.
