Most travellers to the Maldives never give Malé, the main island and capital city, a second glance. They step off the jumbo jet, breeze through Velana International Airport, and head straight for a seaplane bound for a picture-perfect resort. Yet if you take a moment to pause a little longer, and the capital city reveals another side of island life: bustling markets, a museum steeped in centuries of years of history, and stories etched into coral-stone mosques.

Barceló Nasandhura Malé, the capital’s only 'five-star' stay, offers a front-row seat to it all, a sleek urban escape that lets you experience the Maldives beyond the atolls.

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In Short:

Staying at Barceló Nasandhura turns a simple transit stop into a genuine and authentic Maldivian experience. Its proximity to the airport makes it an ideal prelude or encore to your island escape, perfect for when flight schedules don’t quite align. Yet the property stands confidently on its own, with immaculate contemporary rooms, a gorgeous pool with cinematic ocean views, and a gracious team who will make your stay memorable.

The Location

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The newly-opened property couldn’t be better placed. Within walking distance of some of Malé’s key landmarks, it’s close enough to soak up the bustle of the city yet near enough to the airport to make even the longest journey feel effortless. A ten-minute drive, or a breezy fifteen-minute ferry ride, delivers you right to its doors.

During a walking tour with Dive Club Maldives, I discovered the city’s rich history and culture firsthand. The National Museum of the Maldives stood out for me, offering a window into the lives of ancient sultans, how Islam was introduced to the islands, and the nation’s deep maritime roots through intricate scale models of “dhonis” — traditional Maldivian boats — and even a full whale skeleton whose sheer size left me astounded.

Maldives National Museum

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(L) The National Museum, (R) hukuru Miskiy Mosque

A short stroll away stood the coral-stone Hukuru Miskiy Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Malé’s oldest structure, built in 1658. Its interlocking coral blocks, hand-carved motifs, and lacquered woodwork speak to painstakingly detailed craftsmanship. Equally fascinating are the adjacent minaret, constructed in 1675, and the graveyard, where coral stone tombstones with rounded tops mark women’s graves and pointed tops denote men’s.

The tour also wound through the city’s bustling fish and produce markets, where each evening dozens and dozens of manta rays gather in a mesmerising display at the harbour to feed on scraps that the fishermen toss from the day’s catch. After lingering at a row of local handicraft shops, I returned to Barceló Nasandhura with my hands full of souvenirs and my mind still tracing the day’s discoveries. The city that many see only in passing had left its mark.

The Background

The hotel officially opened at the end of April 2025, one of Spanish Barceló Hotel Group’s 300-plus properties worldwide, and their second in the Maldives after Barceló Whale Lagoon in South Ari Atoll. Barceló’s 90 years of hospitality experience are evident throughout, with Nasandhura heralded as the city’s first highly rated urban retreat.

Rising 16 storeys above the island, it commands attention with a sleek and modern silhouette that I spotted from the airport’s seaplane terminal. The hotel stands out along Malé’s skyline, visible from various other points across the city. Its sea-facing façade is punctuated by a glass skybridge on the 15th floor, a perfect perch for photos provided you aren’t afraid of heights.

The Guests & Ambiance

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Inside, Nasandhura strikes a sophisticated balance between contemporary design and Maldivian charm. Striking teal hues immediately catch the eye in the lobby, where a suspended installation of undulating translucent panels cascades gracefully to echo the gentle flow of ocean waves. The panels elegantly spill down to almost completely cover a crisp white wall behind the hotel’s three check-in counters, framed on either side by warm wooden paneling.

The space feels open and airy, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing the ocean beyond. Warm wooden accents and crisp white finishes create a serene, welcoming atmosphere, while wide cushioned rattan seating scattered throughout the lobby invites guests to absorb the sense of comfort that the design itself evokes.

Often regarded as a transit and business hotel, Nasandhura attracts a varied clientele. Its proximity to the airport, complemented by the hotel’s shuttle service, makes it an ideal stop for travellers whose international flights land outside seaplane departure windows, allowing for an overnight stay in Malé before continuing to or from a Maldivian island resort. I stayed for two nights before heading off to Barceló Whale Lagoon, enjoying the urban side of the Maldives that we don’t often see online.

The Rooms

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The hotel offers 136 elegantly designed rooms, most with sweeping ocean views, along with 116 serviced apartments for longer stays. I stayed in one of the highest hotel rooms in all of Malé, a modern corner suite on the 15th floor, boasting breathtaking panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, the cross-sea Sinamale Bridge connecting Malé, Hulhulé, and Hulhumalé, the airport, and the city’s bustling streets below.

Like the lobby, the rooms feel open and airy. Floor-to-ceiling windows dominate the ocean-facing wall, and I often found myself lost in thought on the peaceful L-shaped balcony as life unfolded beneath me — ferries gliding past as the sun rose to bathe the sea in gold, planes touching down at all times of day with new flocks of curious travellers, and the city’s colourful mosaic of buildings illuminated at night.

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The suites are minimally sophisticated and bathed in natural light, featuring a soothing palette of whites and blues. Plush bedding promises extra restful nights, while ocean-inspired accents and natural wooden finishes bring subtle warmth and a sense of place.

Bathrooms are equally luxurious, featuring rainfall showers and indulgent lemon-verbena and tangerine toiletries. A window from the bathroom into the bedroom is another clever touch, letting natural light pour in and adding to the bright and expansive feel of the space.

For larger groups, the hotel features family rooms with a small sitting room and dining area. The forthcoming presidential villa boasts three master bedrooms, three balconies, and a spacious sitting room, promising privacy and opulence unlike any other.

The Dining

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Barceló Nasandhura offers three distinct spots to grab a bite, sip coffee, or enjoy a mocktail. I found myself most often at Oivaru, the property’s all-day dining gem on the third floor. Named for the Dhivehi word for “ocean current,” it’s a nod to both the sweeping ocean views and the feel of the place: Rich wood tones, vertical rope lattices, a striking hanging rattan fish, and coral-green accents all evoke the Maldives’ traditional dhoni vessels. Oivaru’s open-air terrace is particularly magical at night, conversations carried on the breeze as you indulge in one of their many delicious desserts. The crème brûlée or a treat from the chocolate fountain are highly recommended.

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Given the Maldives’ centuries-old fishing culture, seafood is naturally the star here and I gravitated towards it when picking out dishes from the international buffet. The seared tuna steak with soy-ginger glaze in particular was a standout for me. Live cooking stations added theatre to the experience, and I found myself hoping the shrimp wok would be on the following evening’s menu. For those less inclined toward fish, other international offerings are varied and inventive, with daily menu changes and themed dinners like Japanese fusion night.

Downstairs, Alimas, the lobby café, is where the city meets the hotel. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels let you watch the ebb and flow of city-dwellers and tourists on the seaside street outside, while still tucked inside a serene, stylish corner of the hotel. It’s perfect for coffee and light bites, getting work done, or people watching.

Wellness

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Barceló Nasandhura’s spa offers the tranquility of the islands without ever leaving the city.

Almost hidden on the third floor, Wellness by Mandara draws from Eastern healing traditions, blending soothing rituals with a contemporary urban aesthetic. The menu is extensive, with signature Mandara treatments, nourishing facials for radiant skin, tension-relief and warm stone massages, gua sha therapy, and dedicated manicure and pedicure services. All facial and body treatments use products by award-winning British skincare brand Elemis.

It’s hard not to include Nasandhura’s rooftop infinity pool, a few floors up, in the hotel’s wellness story. It’s a peaceful escape suspended above the bustle of Malé, a place where the city hum softens and the horizon stretches endlessly.

The Staff

Barceló’s near-century of hospitality expertise shines especially bright at Nasandhura, where the experience begins long before check-in: The team makes its presence felt the moment you step into the arrivals hall at Velana International Airport. I tend to be an anxious traveller, but never once did I feel adrift. The Nasandhura team was right there, greeting me with a smile, sharing practical exchange rate tips, and whisking my luggage straight to the hotel’s shuttle.

When I had a 6.30am seaplane to catch, the team had already arranged a packed breakfast for the road. It was a small but telling gesture that perfectly encapsulates Barceló’s signature blend of care and sophistication.

How would you describe Barceló Nasandhura Malé to a friend?

Barceló Nasandhura Malé is the ideal beginning or end to any Maldives getaway, effortlessly marrying high-living refinement with genuine practicality. The hotel is dynamic and versatile, capable of being exactly what you need it to be: a serene sanctuary to recharge before or after an island escape, or a stylish base for exploring the rhythm and culture of the city. No matter your purpose for staying, every detail is crafted for refined comfort, from its elegant modern interiors to sweeping views that make even a simple moment feel cinematic.

@barcelonasandhuramale

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