AccorHotels has unveiled plans for a new midscale Mercure resort in the Maldives, which will include several facilities that are more usually associated with the luxury sector.

Located in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, a 55-minute flight from Malé, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers 68 villas, 43 of which are over-water and 25 of which are on the beach. Twenty of the villas feature a private six-metre-long swimming pool, with the top room category being the “sunset over-water pool villas.

There are also several F&B outlets, including an over-water tapas restaurant, plus a PADI dive centre, multiple water sports, a 50-metre swimming pool, tennis and badminton courts, a kids’ club and fitness centre.

“We are delighted to offer one of the best value full-service hotels in the south of Maldives at a time when airlift and inbound markets are diversifying for properties outside of the luxury segment,” said Patrick Basset, AccorHotels’ chief operating officer for Upper Southeast & Northeast Asia.

The launch of the new Mercure resort follows the recent opening of Dhevanafushi Maldives Luxury Resort, which will be managed by AccorHotels and rebranded as a Raffles in 2018.

AccorHotels’ midscale Mercure brand is now present in more than 700 locations across 58 countries.