Maldives-based ADK Company has signed a joint venture agreement with Turkish hotel brand Caprice Gold to develop the Maldives’ first Islamic resort.

The five star 673-bedroom Caprice Gold Maldives island resort will be located in the Shaviyani Atoll Gaakoshibee in the north of the country and will feature a spa with separate sections for men and women, eight treatment rooms, four of which will be situated over water, plus a beauty/barber shop and a health and fitness centre.

Gaakoshibee will be the largest resort in the Maldives and will feature separate beaches, villas and swimming pools for men and women. It will not serve alcohol and pork at its four halal-certified restaurants.

“This resort will become a holiday destination for Muslims throughout the world,” said ADK chair Ahmed Nashid. “We saw the hotel being operated by Caprice Gold in Turkey. They operated the place under the Islamic concept and the occupancy is very good.

“I’m extremely confident the company can make this concept a success.”

Development on the resort started in 2007, initially to be a Renaissance resort to open in 2009, but plans never came to fruition. Caprice Gold, renowned for its Islamic tourism, will invest MVR2.6bn (US$170m, £102m, €123m) on the resort, which is nearing completion and is expected to open in October this year.