Another Spanish company has taken over the management of the Barcelo Whale Lagoon Maldives resort in Alif Dhaal atoll and rebranded as Meliá Whale Lagoon Maldives.

Meliá Whale Lagoon Maldives is a five-star all-inclusive resort located within the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA).

The resort has 63 beach villas, 30 water villas and seven beach villas with pools. It has multiple dining venues, a Mandara Spa, and easy access to marine life, including whale sharks and manta rays.

It is accessible via a 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé.

This is the first Meliá resort in the Maldives. The group manages more than 350 tourist properties in 40 countries.

“The Maldives represent the essence of our purpose: to grow in the world's most exclusive destinations and create unique moments in incomparable settings, delivered with the hospitality that defines Meliá," said Gabriel Escarrer, Chairman and CEO of the group.​

According to tourism news outlets, Meliá took over the management of the resort after it was sold by Sri Lanka's Browns Investments.

Browns sold the island late last year for USD 57.5 million (MVR 887 million) to ASB Hotel Properties. The company is a subsidiary of Dubai-based Albwardy Investment