- Survey reveals that families love the Maldives, but are put off by the lack of facilities for families
- Leading Thai hotel operator addresses concerns with the launch of family-centred Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives
- Part of multi-island destination The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, which will also welcome Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives in Q1 2025
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is bringing its prowess in family travel to the Maldives through its Mirage brand following its success in Thailand, Vietnam and Dubai. Situated on a multi-island destination called The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, Mirage will be joined by Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives when it opens early next year forming a two-island, one-destination experience.
Just opened, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is a vibrant underwater world-themed resort with unique facilities and concepts, including a large water park and the country’s longest lazy river. The opening marks the first phase of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts and the broadening of the appeal for a destination more known for honeymoon retreats than family fun.
The results of a consumer survey of family travel preferences, commissioned by Centara, supports the timing of the family-travel specialists’ expansion in the market, revealing that while there is a strong desire to travel to the Maldives, as a family destination it is perceived as high-cost and lacking in facilities.
Conducted by UK-based market research and polling company Survation1, the Family Travel in the Maldives survey found that the Maldives has many attractive factors for visitors, most notably the appeal of a “Once in a Lifetime” Experience (50%), the chance to Stay in Overwater or Beachfront Villas (38%), and Experience Local Culture (35%).
Unfortunately, the majority of respondents (55%) said they were unlikely to consider the Maldives for their family vacation due to its perceived High Cost (67%), the Feeling of Being “Trapped” on a Small Island (20%), and concerns about Children Getting Bored (14%).
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives will endeavour to fill this gap by meeting guests’ requests for Warm, Family-friendly Hospitality (47%) and Water Parks (26%). The resort offers lagoon pools, mini atolls, slides and splash zones, where Uncle Octopus uses his tentacles to create the current for the 284-metre- long lazy river which traverses the length and breadth of the island.
Survey respondents also called for Family-style Accommodation (37%), and the resort’s 145 beachfront or overwater rooms and villas are spacious and filled with tailored amenities, including outdoor terraces and bunk beds in every family room.
The resort is a wonderland for kids serving up fantastical experiences designed to spark the imagination, thrill children, and delight their parents. Journey into a Stingray-themed playground, take a trip into the Nurture Zone featuring a wild orchid garden, dive into the sweet treats of the Willy Wonka-inspired Candy Spa for kids massages and teen treatments, or join Mr. & Mrs. Jellyfish at a choice of six restaurants and bars.
The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts is a two-island, one-destination experience in the Maldives
