Maldives – the name itself brings together the image of expansive blue ocean, pristine white sand beach, and a mesmerizing underwater world. An archipelago in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has captured the attention of millions around the world, who are keen to spend some quality time amidst the marvelous beauty of this tropical island country. The best part is that you do not have to give up on your comforts to enjoy the incredible natural beauty of the Maldives. In fact, the Maldives is synonymous to luxury, and you will find some of the most luxurious resorts and hotels in this country. Here we will look at the top 15 resorts in the Maldives that offer the utmost luxury and comfort, ensuring you one of the most memorable holidays of your lifetime.
Top 15 Luxury Resorts in the Maldives You Can’t Miss
1. One & Only Reethi Rah
Location: North Male Atoll
One & Only Reethi Rah is a family-friendly resort, although couples on a romantic holiday also frequent this place.
- Accommodation: The place has beach villas and water villas with access to a private beach and gorgeous view of the ocean.
- Activities: Water adventures like snorkeling, scuba diving, and even water sports are available here along with tennis and football courts for those interested. The place also has a kids’ club with plethora of fun activities and attractions.
- Dining: There is Tapasake for Japanese cuisine, Fanditha for Arabian cuisine, and Rabarbaro for Italian cuisine. Botanica restaurant gives you the chance to enjoy a farm-to-table cuisine, while Fanditha is where you go to experience overwater dining.
2. Soneva Jani
Location: Noonu Atoll
Soneva Jani is a Maldivian resort known for its extravagance and sophistication.
- Accommodation: Enclosed in lush greenery, this resort offers a mix of water villas and island villas with retractable roofs, giving you the chance to sleep under the stars. Most villas also have a slide that will take you directly into the pool or into the water lagoon.
- Activities: Activities are in the form of guided snorkeling and scuba diving tour. Playing padel tennis, enjoying an outdoor movie screening, indulging in a private beach dinner, relaxing in the spa, and going on a sailing experience are some of the things awaiting you at the Soneva Jani resort.
- Dining: When it comes to dining, you will be spoilt for choice as there are several cuisines and dining experiences to try here.
3. Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Island
Location: Fari Islands Archipelago
One of the fantastic luxury resorts in the Maldives, the Ritz Carlton Maldives Fari Island screams elegance and sumptuousness.
- Accommodation: Ritz Cartlon has a combination of magnificent beach and island villas that offer both sophistication and comfort along with a breathtaking view of the ocean. It also has signature villas that have a large living room, 2-4 lavish bedrooms, a dining area, and a private pool.
- Activities: You can indulge in snorkeling, kayaking, tennis, and volleyball at Ritz Carlton Maldives. There is also a kids’ club named the Ritz Kids, perfect for children between the ages of 4 and 12 years.
- Dining: The Ritz Carlton Maldives has seven restaurants, serving Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Arabesque, EAU Bar, IWAU, Summer Pavilion, La Locanda, and Beach Shack are the restaurants and bars you will find here.
4. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Location: Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll
Sleek and stylish are the two adjectives that describe the villas at Four Seasons Resort Maldives.
- Accommodation: The resort offers both bungalows and villas with access to the beach or to the ocean. The resort also has specialty suites that come with 2-4 bedrooms with private amenities and facilities, perfect for families and large groups.
- Activities: At Four Seasons Maldives, you can delight in a host of aquatic adventures like boating, fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Water sports in the form of lagoon kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, etc., are also available here.
- Dining: Blu Beach Club is known for serving the finest Italian cuisine, while Al Barkat is where you can savor cuisine of the Levant.
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5. St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Location: Vommuli Island, Dhaalu Atoll
Shrouded with verdant forest on one side and the azure Indian Ocean on the other, St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is stylish, luxurious, and eco-friendly.
- Accommodation: The resort is home to 33 beach villas and 44 water villas and even signature villas, the John Jacob Astor Estate being the largest in the whole of Maldives.
- Activities: A stay at this resort would give you the opportunity to explore its coral reefs with underwater diving and snorkeling, sunset cruising, dolphin watching, spa rejuvenation, and water sports.
- Dining: As for dining, you can experience everything from casual, family dining to luxury, fine dining here.
6. Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island
Location: Olhahali Island, North Male Atoll
Secluded, expansive, and luxurious, Olhahali Island is just a 15-minute seaplane ride from Male city.
- Accommodation: The villas of this resort have a contemporary Mediterranean design with Maldivian elements. Offering both water villas and beach bungalows, the Jumeirah Maldives resort is home to luxury rooms that come with floor to ceiling windows, large sun decks, infinity pools, and access to the ocean.
- Activities: When you are not lounging in your room, you can indulge in a variety of activities, including underwater adventures, water sports, fun activities, yoga sessions, breakfast sessions on the beach, and lots more. Do checkout the Talise Spa, an overwater spa, where you can relax with the numerous massages and beauty treatments while enjoying the view of the ocean.
- Dining: Apart from all this, the Jumeirah Maldives strives to provide you with a great culinary experience, with international, Peruvian, and Greek cuisines.
7. Soneva Fushi
Location: Kunfunadhoo, Baa Atoll
If you want to stay in a place where you are cut off from the outside world and other people, Soneva Fushi is the right place for you.
- Accommodation: Located on one of the largest islands in this island country, Soneva Fushi gives you the chance to stay in large, luxurious villas and private residences (some inspired by Robinson Crusoe), either surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean or the lush greenery of the island.
- Activities: At Soneva Fushi, you can experience eco-friendly surfing along with the regular water sports. Ziplining over the forest is one of the coolest things to do here.
- Dining: Apart from this, numerous culinary experiences await you here. Mihiree Mithaa, Once Upon a Table, Out of the Blue, Flying Sauces, and Shades of Green are a must-try here.
8. Velaa Private Island
Location: Noonu Atoll
Dreamy, elegant, and cozy, Velaa Private Island is the best resort for couples, families, and even large groups celebrating a special occasion.
- Accommodation: Private residences are large villas with multiple rooms and a variety of amenities and facilities that are often booked for weddings, celebrations, and get-togethers. Then there are two-bedroom pool houses idea for families of four or five. Couples on a holiday can choose a more secluded Romantic Residence.
- Activities: Those who love adventure will enjoy their stay here, as Velaa Private Island offers some unique water sports like electric surf boarding, flyboarding, tandem jetovator, and hoverboarding. There is also a kids’ club and a spa here.
- Dining: For dining, you must Athri, the main restaurant ran by 14 chefs from different countries. Several other restaurants numerous cuisines are also available here.
9. InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
Location: Maamunagau Resort, Raa Atoll
Another villa located near Maldives’ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, InterContinental Maldives is all about lush greenery, white sands, and blue waters.
- Accommodation: Guests can choose to live at the residences (perfect for large families and groups) or villas (ideal for couples and small families).
- Activities: For the ultimate luxury experience, you can become an InterContinental club member to enjoy some amazing benefits like exclusive lounge access, everyday continental breakfast, evening canapes, cocktails, and more. A family-friendly resort, you will find plenty of family-oriented leisure and adventure activities here. Diving, turtle nesting, dolphin cruising, sandbank cruising, reef snorkeling are the must-do things here.
- Dining: As for dining experiences, you can enjoy everything from casual and fine dining to private and intimate dining experiences here. Apart from all this, do check out the Manta Ray Reserve located close to this resort.
10. Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
Location: South Male Atoll
Privacy, seclusion, and tranquility – three things that you will receive at Anantara Veli Maldives Resort. A resort exclusively for couples and adults, Anantara Veli is the right choice for those on their honeymoon or romantic holiday.
- Accommodation: The resort has private villas both on the beach and on the water. The beach villas are covered by greenery, giving you the much-needed privacy, while the water villas give you direct access to the lagoon.
- Activities: Couples can spend quality time together while getting a couple’s spa, indulging in a variety of water sports and adventures, trying scuba diving and snorkeling, playing golf, going on a cruise, or trying deep sea fishing.
- Dining: You get to enjoy romantic date nights at Cumin, Origami, Dhoni Bar, Baan Huraa, and more, which offer both ocean views and great food.
11. Cheval Blanc Randheli
Location: Randheli Island, Noonu Atoll
Extravagant, yet glamorous, Cheval Blanc Randheli is one of the most sophisticated resorts on the Noonu Atoll.
- Accommodation: A family-friendly resort, you get to choose among water villas, beach villas, and island villas, each containing sun deck, a large day bed, swimming pool, and a gorgeous view of the ocean.
- Activities: From water adventures like snorkeling, diving, and paddleboarding to leisure activities like yoga, meditation, swimming, and spa treatments, there is plenty to do here. There is also the kids’ club, where children can indulge in numerous indoor and outdoor activities.
- Dining: When exploring the resort and indulging in the activities tire you, head to one of the five restaurants and three bars where you can try the local cuisine, Italian cuisine, Japanese and East Asian cuisines, and more. The White, Diptyque, Deelani, The Spa Bar, and The White Bar are the best here.
12. Park Hyatt Maldives Huvadho
Location: North Huvadhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll
Contemporary, sleek, and yet eco-friendly, Park Hyatt Maldives is one of the best resorts in the Maldives, on the secluded Huvadhoo Island.
- Accommodation: A variety of beach villas and overwater villas are dotted along the island, with different facilities and amenities. There is also the Kiaali Residence, a 3-bedroom overwater villa, spread across an area of 895 square meters, offering you the ultimate luxury.
- Activities: Activities at the Park Hyatt include snorkeling discovery, reef exploration, scuba diving, and PADI certification. For the little ones, there are sandcastle building, junior scuba diving, and a host of other weekly activities, while couples can go for a picnic on a private island and enjoy a candlelight dinner on the beach.
- Dining: As for dining, you would be spoilt for choices at this resort. The Dining Room, the Island Grill, Koi at the Drift, and Chef’s Garden Treehouse are the restaurants you must check out here.
13. Hurawalhi Island Resort
Location: Lhaviyani Atoll
If you are planning your honeymoon in the Maldives and would want to stay in a secluded place away from families and children, the Hurawalhi Island Resort is one of the best Maldives islands for couples.
- Accommodation: An adult-only resort, the beach and ocean villas are designed to exude a cozy and romantic vibe. The resort offers plenty of activities to keep couples engaged.
- Activities: Right from getting a relaxing massage together to trying water sports, you will find plenty to do at the Hurawalhi Island Resort. Apart from this, you can go for boat excursions, play games at the Games Room, try tennis and padel, and reach your fitness goals at the gymnasium. You can also visit the Marine Biology Center here to learn more about the marine animals.
- Dining: One of the best and unique dining experiences you can have at the Hurawalhi Island Resort, an underwater restaurant, located 5.8 meters below the sea. Kashibo, Coco Bar, Canneli Restaurant, Champagne Pavilion, and Junk Food Kitchen are worth visiting.
14. Balgioni Resort Maldives
Location: Maagau, Dhaalu Atoll
Balgioni Resort is where Italian decor and hospitality meets the Maldivian beauty. The stylish villas over the blue waters and the white beaches promise you a paradisical vacation.
- Accommodation: From beach and water villas perfect for two people to grand villas with 2-3 bedrooms to accommodate families and large groups, Baldioni Resort offers plenty of accommodation options. The largest villa here complete with swimming pools and decks can accommodate nine people.
- Activities: You will find all the popular Maldivian activities at this resort as well. Be it scuba diving and snorkeling to boating, jet skiing, and other water sports, the island has everything to keep you occupied. While adults can entertain themselves with a beach game or a visit to the spa, kids can have a fun time with an exclusive play area with a pool.
- Dining: From ocean view restaurants to beachside dining, the restaurants and bars at Balgoni Resort Maldives have everything to tantalize and satisfy your taste buds. Fuego, Mirto Pool Bar, La Limonaia, Yama, and Taste are the best restaurants here.
15. Vakkaru Maldives
Location: Baa Atoll
Vakkaru Maldives is another resort that is located within Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Accommodation: The 111 villas and residences of the Vakkaru Maldives resort lie amidst the two thousand plus coconut trees covering this secluded, reef island. In case you want to stay at a villa, you can choose among beach villa with plunge pool, overwater villa, beach pool villa, and overwater pool villa. As for residences, there are both beach and water villas, ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedrooms.
- Activities: Scuba diving is one of the best things to do here, as you can get trained by the PADI dive instructor. The resort also offers plenty of water sports and excursions like manta snorkeling, water skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, jet skiing, big game fishing, and more. You can also go on a luxury yacht tour here.
- Dining: Vakkaru Maldives has five amazing restaurants, two bars, and their very own wine cellar. Amaany, Onu, Cabana, Vakku, Isoletta, and Lagoon Bar are a few that you must try. The resort also offers bespoke culinary experience in the form of organic garden dining, luxury destination dining, and the ultimate sandback escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The duration between November and March is the best time to visit Maldives, as the weather is dry. On the other hand, if you want to avoid the tourist crowds, the months of March and November are the best, as they are considered to be shoulder seasons and attract less crowds.
2. How to travel to the Maldives resorts from Male airport?
Transportation from the airport in Male to almost all the resorts in the Maldives is via speedboat or seaplane. The resort where you have booked your stay will provide the airport transfers as well. You can also take a domestic flight to reach some of the islands in the Maldives.
3. Are the luxury resorts of the Maldives suitable for solo travelers?
Yes, there are plenty of luxury resorts in the Maldives that cater to solo travelers. It is best for solo travelers to choose resorts that cater to adults to enjoy privacy, tranquility, and activities meant for grownups.
4. What are the unique experiences you can enjoy at the resorts in the Maldives?
Almost all luxury resorts in the Maldives will have a well-equipped spa that you can enjoy while relishing the view of the ocean. Starlit movie nights, dining on the beach, snorkeling with manta rays, scuba diving and certification, etc., are some of the unique experiences you will find at the resorts in the Maldives.
5. Should I book a Maldives resort in advance?
Yes, it is extremely crucial to book a Maldives resort in advance, especially if you are visiting the island country in the peak tourist season.
6. Do all Maldives luxury resorts offer all-inclusive packages?
Yes, a few of the Maldives luxury resorts offer all-inclusive packages that include stay, all meals, drinks, and a few activities as well. It is always best to check with the resort before making a booking if you are looking for all-inclusive Maldives packages.
The Maldives is a true piece of heaven on earth, and the luxury resorts here will help you to enjoy the beauty and offerings of this island country in the best way possible. So, which one of the 15 luxury resorts in the Maldives managed to impress you the most? Let us know in the comments.
