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Marriott International has opened a new resort under its JW Marriott brand on Vagaru island in the Shaviyani atoll in the Maldives.

The property is the first JW Marriott to open in the Maldives, and is located a 55-minute seaplane flight from the capital of Male.

The resort features 60 villas with private pools and decks; duplex overwater pool villas; and single-storey overwater pool villas on stilts above the Indian Ocean. A number of fitness and spa activities are on offer at the resort’s overwater gym and open-air pavilion. The resort features five restaurants and three bars; a Little Griffins, a Family by JW kids' club; an adults-only infinity pool area at the tip of Vagaru island; and a clubhouse. An onsite marine biologist can arrange diving and snorkelling excursions on the nearby reef. Rates start from US$886 (about A$1,287) per villa, per night.