The Emerald Collection – owned by the Scarapicchia family – is expanding its portfolio with the opening of three new resorts, the five-star Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa, and two further resorts in Zanzibar.

The 20-hectare Emerald Maldives Resort, which has just opened, is located in the Northern Maldives archipelago in the Raa Atoll and has a 120-hectare lagoon which is home to 1.7km of coral reef, as well as its own private marina which can be accessed by seaplane.

The US$200m property has 120 villas which have been constructed using bamboo, natural stone and “Langhi Langhi” leaves.

“We wanted to create a real sanctuary from the external chaotic modern life, able to accommodate both couples and families,” says Simone Scarapicchia, partner and director for sales and marketing at the Emerald Collection.

The Emerald Spa has 10 air-conditioned bungalows and offers Thai and Balinese treatments. Guests can also enjoy a wide range of leisure opportunities, including watersports, tennis, diving and a gym, equipped by Technogym.

The resort also has four concept restaurants – the Aqua Restaurant, the Beach Club Grill, Le Asiatique and the “Amazonico Restaurant”.

“We want to stimulate the creation of longlasting memories for all our guests by meeting and exceeding their expectations at all times, and by surprising them with what we call the natural elegance of the Maldives said Scarapicchia.

The two new resorts in Zanzibar are currently on-site, with openings expected within the next 12-18 months. No further details are available at this time.

The Emerald Collection is an Italian company which develops, owns and manages luxury resorts in East Africa, the Maldives and the Caribbean.