CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON DEBUTS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA, WITH THE OPENING OF SAii LAGOON MALDIVES

New property will form part of the first integrated resort in the Maldives

• * The playful island retreat invites fun-seeking friends, couples and families to unwind in style at CROSSROADS Maldives
• * The resort is Hilton’s third property in the Maldives, strengthening the global company’s presence in the popular destination

MALÉ, Maldives and MCLEAN, Va. — September 2, 2019 — Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today the  opening of SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, a free-spirited tropical escape that offers sun, sea, style and sustainability, creating a playful getaway for groups of fun-seeking friends, couples and families. Nestled within the idyllic Emboodhoo Lagoon, SAii Lagoon Maldives forms part of CROSSROADS Maldives, the country’s first and only integrated resort and game-changing retreat.

The opening of SAii Lagoon Maldives also marks the debut of Curio Collection by Hilton in South East Asia, and the fifth Curio Collection by Hilton property in Asia Pacific. With a total of 198 rooms and villas, the resort will be Hilton’s third property in the Maldives, making the global hospitality company the largest and longest-running international hotel operator in the Maldives. Hilton opened the country’s first internationally branded resort in 1997, and today, it operates Conrad Maldives Rangali Island which features 151 villas, suites and THE MURAKA Residence, as well as the 122-villa Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, which was recently unveiled in July 2019.

“For over 20 years, through the many firsts that Hilton has introduced in the Maldives, we have been sparking travelers’ imagination of waking up right above the Indian Ocean, or dining and even sleeping beneath the crystal-blue sea. In addition to putting the Maldives on the global map, we have brought meaningful opportunities for employment and we continue to make positive contributions to the livelihood and well-being of local communities said Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “With the launch of SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, we are looking to further deepen ‘The Hilton Effect’ in the Maldives and continue to set new benchmarks for hospitality through innovation.”

Just 15 minutes by boat from Malé International Airport, SAii Lagoon Maldives will be an outstanding option for island vacation-seekers on all occasions – from exotic weekend breaks to immersive extended vacations.

“We are excited to welcome the world to SAii Lagoon Maldives. Guests will be able to experience the exquisite beauty of this destination, with plenty of places to stay and play. The architecture is quirky, and the interiors are daring. And yet, the resort also has a wonderfully inspiring ambience. We want everyone to walk into the resort and instantly feel a sense of excitement and exploration,” said Martin van der Reijden, General Manager of SAii Lagoon Maldives and Vice President of Operations of CROSSROADS Maldives.

“The Maldives is a dream destination for global travelers and we are thrilled to pair its tropical charm with Curio Collection’s spirit of discovery,” said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio Collection by Hilton. “SAii Lagoon Maldives is a breathtaking resort with distinct character and direct access to the fantastic facilities at CROSSROADS Maldives. Supported by Hilton’s 100 years of hospitality, guests of this resort are guaranteed memorable experiences in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.”

Every room at SAii Lagoon Maldives is adorned with a bright, contemporarily eclectic design that reflects the archipelago’s maritime heritage, complete with natural textures, driftwood décor and marine-inspired hues and views. Guests can choose from a series of rooms and villas, including overwater pool villas.

The resort’s innovation is also showcased at its restaurants and bars. Miss Olive Oyl is a vibrant poolside Mediterranean seafood grill and bar, while Mr. Tomyam is an exciting Thai fusion eatery with an open kitchen and alfresco dining areas. bean/Co serves fresh coffee, premium tea and grab and go snacks, including healthy wraps and signature ice cream sticks. Guests will also have access to Café del Mar, the world-famous beach club, which will bring Balearic beats, beach parties and international DJs to the Maldives for the first time.

The resort’s ocean-view infinity pool and fitness center will allow guests to refresh and recharge in paradise. A wide range of water sports and recreational facilities will also be available at The Marina @ CROSSROADS, a 30-berth marina and vibrant lifestyle district.

The PADI-certified Watersports & Dive Center will provide regular excursions and private tours into the underwater world. The Marine Discovery Centre will teach guests about the resort’s extensive conservation activities, including a Junior Coral Curator program and clownfish release initiatives, and the Maldives Discovery Centre will showcase the culture of this captivating country. Other facilities include the Lèn Be Well Spa and Junior Beach Club and Camp.

The Marina @ CROSSROADS will also house the CROSSROADS Event Hall, which can be accessed directly from SAii Lagoon Maldives via a footbridge. The first dedicated conference center in the Maldives, this state-of-the-art facility will provide options for all types of business functions, whether it be large-scale corporate events or innovative team building breaks.

SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton is also part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton's 17 world-class brands. Members who book directly through the preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Hilton Honors Points and money to book a stay, free standard Wi-Fi and an exclusive member discount that can't be found anywhere else. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key.

To celebrate the hotel’s opening, Hilton Honors members will earn an additional 1,000 Points per night for bookings from now until February 29, 2020 when booking directly with Hilton.

SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton is located at South Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives. For more information, or to make a reservation, travelers may visit SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton or call +960 6651300. For more information on Curio Collection by Hilton, please visit newsroom.hilton.com/curio.

About Curio Collection by Hilton
Curio Collection by Hilton is an upper-upscale, global portfolio of more than 70 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts. Curio Collection properties provide travelers authentic experiences through distinctly local offerings and unexpected amenities tailored to every traveler type, all while providing the benefits of Hilton and its award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors. Read the latest brand and hotel stories at newsroom.hilton.com/curio; discover Curio Collection destinations through the eyes of locals with 48-hour itineraries at citiesbycurio.com; determine what kind of traveler you are by taking the curiosity quiz; and connect with Curio Collection on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Hilton 
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 17 world-class brands comprising nearly 5,900 properties with more than 939,000 rooms, in 114 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 world’s best workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its 100-year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, more than 94 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. 

About CROSSROADS Maldives
Crafted from tales of the past, designed to inspire the present, CROSSROADS Maldives is the next chapter in the story of one of the world’s most amazing destinations. The archipelago’s only “one-stop, non-stop” lifestyle destination invites adventurous travellers from the four corners of the globe to cross paths and explore a treasure trove of iconic oceanfront resorts, upscale lifestyle outlets and endless entertainment offerings, as well as the stunning natural, cultural and nautical attractions that have lured maritime travellers to the Maldives for centuries. CROSSROADS Maldives is where cultures meet. To learn more visit  www.crossroadsmaldives.com.

About S Hotels & Resorts
S Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Singha Estate Public Company Limited, is a new era Thai-inspired personalized hospitality company that caters to upscale travellers with an independent spirit. The group offers guests a portfolio of 39 properties in 5 countries with a total of 4,647 keys and provides guests with the opportunity to experience the best destinations from a unique perspective while enjoying world class facilities and tailored services. S Hotels & Resorts’ properties are located in attractive, unspoiled locales to provide an exclusive playground built around nature, culture, wellness and adventure, with luxurious amenities and fine cuisine. Each property boasts its own distinctive, destination sensitive designs and unique signatures while also providing consistency thanks to a well-defined brand philosophy and a service culture that focuses on exceptional guest experiences backed up by Thai-inspired hospitality and global quality standards. To learn more, visit www.shotelsresorts.com.
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For more information and high-resolution images, contact:

 Brinda Hora
Crossroads Maldives
+960 7307074
Brinda.h@Crossroadsmaldives.com

Clare Woodford
Hilton – Asia Pacific
+65 9819 1457
Clare.Woodford@hilton.com

David Johnson
CEO, Delivering Asia Communications
Tel: +66 (0) 2246 1159
E-mail: dj@deliveringasia.com
Website: www.deliveringcommunications.com