Machchafushi Island in the Maldives renamed Centara Grand Island

The little island of Machchafushi in the Maldives, home to the Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa, has been officially renamed the Centara Grand Island.

The first flight to the island since the renaming took place on 9 February from the capital Male, and a little piece of history was made as all the Flight Departure Boards at the airport clicked over to reveal the destination of flight 142205 as Centara Grand Island.

Only 200 of the country’s 1192 islands are inhabited so to have an island renamed is an honour and created quite a buzz in the idyllic archipelago.

The island is relatively close to Male Airport with an air transfer time of just 25 minutes or transfer by speed boat in 85 minutes. For diving enthusiasts the resort enjoys great diving with an excellent house reef complete with a sunken ship wreck and is within easy reach of the top dive spots in Ari Atoll.

With 112 Suites and Villas, Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa, delivers a unique Premium 4 star resort experience and is ideal for both couples and the family market, combining Barefoot Luxury with an active and varied social program for both adults and children alike.

Adults enjoy premium levels of service with a variety of dining options, pools, recreational activities, Sports and Fitness options, bars and lounges with nightly entertainment, and Centara Hotels & Resorts very own 5 stars Spa experience - Spa Cenvaree, whilst children benefit from the Centara Hotels & Resorts Kids Club concept offering 2 venues – Kid Camp and E-zone for ages 4 to 9 and 10 to 17 respectively.

The resort boasts 7 categories of beach front and over water accommodation from 76 sqm Beach Suites complete with separate living room, large terrace and indoor and outdoor showers, to 146 sqm  Luxury Beachfront Pool Villas complete with their own private pool and membership of the exclusive Island Club – which offers guests in selected categories of accommodation a “resort within a resort” experience.

Based around the small pool, Island Club guests enjoy premium levels of attention and service, access to the exclusive Club Lounge with daily servings of complimentary meals, snacks and drinks including complimentary evening cocktails and canapés and use of the private pool which features refreshing Spa Cenvaree mist sprays, complimentary mineral water, pre lunch cold towel service, afternoon fruits and sun bed concierge service.

A completely newly built project entailing an investment of US$49 million, it is the first such project for Centara Hotels & Resorts outside of Thailand.

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