Located in the Indian Ocean between the Arabian and Laccadive seas, Maldives is as idyllically remote as one can get.
An archipelago of 26 atolls that give rise to 1200 islands and sandbanks stretching across the equator from Ihavandhippolhu in the north, to Addu in the south. The smallest Asian country and the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign state, the Maldives’ coral islands rise no more than 1.8 metres above sea level. They are low, flat and impossibly beautiful with their silky white sand beaches and lush green interiors offset by the crystal-clear waters of the Arabian Sea. Home to 187 species of coral reef and thousands of colourful fish, sea turtles, whales and dolphins, spending time here is like stepping into an untouched world. Impossibly tranquil, a paradise found.
Around the islands the sea is shallow, offering exceptional snorkelling and diving opportunities as well as a range of water-based activities. The accommodations are spectacular, ranging from private beachfront villas to overwater bungalows with the kind of laid-on luxury that dreams are made. Linger on sundecks suspended above striking blue waters, nap in hammocks strung from palm trees and watch the sun dipping into the horizon while you dine – as there is sensational food to enjoy with your refreshing signature cocktails. Pamper yourself with a range of soothing spa treatments, and do find time to visit the capital city Malé.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the best luxury resorts in the Maldives:
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru - 9.5
Where Four Seasons’ resorts land, their legions of fans will faithfully follow, safe in the knowledge that they are guaranteed luxury with a difference. With the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, that is certainly the case as it is located in a natural and remote UNESCO Biosphere Reserve wilderness and is deeply committed to environmental programmes to safeguard its environment.
There are 103 villas designed in the native Maldivian style both on water and on land; four separate swimming pools; an Indian-influenced Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat; eight restaurants and bars for acclaimed sustenance and a whole host of water activities available at the Blu Beach Water Sports Centre on their pristine beaches. Sign up for the Manta on Call service to be whisked away to snorkel with the manta rays when they appear near the resort, swim around the more than 4,500 coral frames or help rehabilitate sea turtles.
Families are welcome here with open arms with everything from Family Friendly Villas to a whole host of kid’s activities with the Kids for all Seasons programme at the Kuda Velaa Club and the Marine Discovery Centre. There are also three on site boutiques as well as a Rossano Ferretti hair Salon for when you need to look your best.
It is also possible to island hop, combining a stay here with Four Seasons’ other Maldivian property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, just a short flight or luxury catamaran voyage away, aboard the Four Seasons Explorer.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa - 9.5
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is one of three distinct and stunning resorts operated by the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in the Indian Ocean, the others being a property at Landaa Giraavaru and the private island of Voavah on the Baa Atoll. The first of the three resorts to open (1998), Kuda Huraa offers just 96 guest rooms with pools inspired by traditional Maldivian thatched architecture both on the beach and over water. There are four restaurants including Baraabaru which also offers cooking lessons, the Reef Club with Italian cuisine, the casual Café Huraa with its signature dish, Maldivian curried lobster and Kandu Grill. There is also a poolside bar to refresh those taking a dip or sunbathing.
For pampering there is a spa with a difference – one located on its own island and reached with a two-minute boat ride. There are seven thatched roof treatment pavilions with louvred side walls to let in the ocean breezes and wooden floor decking with a portal included beside each massage bed through to the marine life below. Other highlights include a private garden courtyard with open air shower, a Night Spa and a Kuda Spa Kids and Teens menu offering 12 treatments especially for children and teenagers aged between six and sixteen years of age. Leisure facilities wise, there are two beaches on either side of the island, two swimming pools – an infinity edge freshwater pool with a large sun deck and the adults only Serenity Pool, both with pool service together with a children’s pool adjacent – plus a 150 square metre fitness facility overlooking the ocean. Other wellness activities include a jogging trail plus group yoga and meditation sessions held at the yoga pavilion facing the ocean.
Water sports abound at the resort offering anything from Dolphin Cruises to fishing, kayaking to snorkelling, wakeboarding to surfing with a dedicated surf school, Recreation Centre and Dive Centre. Young guests are also catered for with Kuda Mas Kids’ Club with a wide range of supervised activities both indoors and outdoors with the Furaavaru Teen Centre for those a little older. This is also the home port to the Four Seasons Explorer, a luxury catamaran available for three-, four- and seven-night cruises. The resort has its own resident marine biologists overseeing an Interactive and educational Marine Discovery Centre with a turtle rearing programme, available to impart knowledge about the marine life and coral reefs surrounding the resort.
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One & Only Reethi Rah - 9.5
The One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives has graced just about every awards list since it opened back in 2005 and still remains at the top of the tree as simply one of the most romantic places on earth. Located on its own 44 hectare (109-acre) private island in North Malé Atoll, the One&Only Reethi Rah offers 122 luxurious villas discreetly positioned along the sweeping bays of the island. It is serviced by eight restaurants, lounges and bars to appeal to every palate and a whole host of other facilities for recreational enjoyment.
There are 12 pristine beaches of soft white coral sand, three swimming pools, each with its own tropical setting and striking features and a wide range of water activities including setting sail on a local dhoni or a speedboat from a fleet of six luxury yachts and boats or learning to dive from the resort’s PADI Instructors. Other outdoor facilities include two jetties, two floodlit tennis courts, a climbing wall and a FIFA-approved professional synthetic grass football field. The award-winning Spa offers 13 treatment rooms, a Watsu pool, a Chi Pavilion for yoga and meditation and a Spa Courtyard with steam, saunas and vitality pool. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness centre with outdoor Queenax training area, a nail studio and a hairdresser, barber and a NEO Boutique. Children are welcomed with an array of innovative complimentary activities from the KidsOnly programme.
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When it opened in December 2013, Velaa Private Island was hailed as the ultimate, ultra-exclusive, “beyond luxury”, experience in the Maldives. With a reported 1-million-pound wine cellar, Clarins amenities in every bathroom, a José Mariá Olazábal golf academy and snow room in the spa, Velaa certainly has much on offer. The 50-acre island – Fushivelavaru - is located in the Noonu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé. Velaa translates as turtle in the native language and the children’s club is called Lha Velaa – little turtle.
There are 43 private villas, houses, and residences, four four-bedroom residences and the Romantic Pool Residence – a 1-bedroom villa only accessible by boat (dhoni) – which like all the accommodations boasts a private pool - and stunning views. Back on the mainland 18 of the 43 guest-retreats provide the “over water” experience. The spa provides a plethora of treatments with Clarins being the chosen brand. On the sports front, there is squash, tennis, a wall-climbing face, gym, football pitch, yoga, diving, snorkelling, jet skiing and kayaking. The José Mariá Olazábal golf academy is quite special. The Masters Champion helped construct just 170 metres of greens and fairways, aimed at helping a player’s short game. The resort has three restaurants and bars offering modern European cuisine, teppanyaki and fine wines. View more images and find the best rates for Como Cocoa
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JOALI Maldives - 9
The first of two JOALI lifestyle properties in the northern Maldives situated on neighbouring private islands, the luxurious JOALI Maldives opened in 2018 and sits on Muravandhoo Island, tucked away in the secluded and idyllic Rae Atoll. Each resort has its own style and focus with JOALI BEING on Bodufushi offering a nature immersive wellbeing retreat for adults only (14 years plus) and JOALI Maldives offering an immersive art experience.
Surrounded by the deep turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, complete with palm fringed white sandy beaches, JOALI Maldives is all about sustainable glamour and the design and construction has been sensitively done, built around existing trees, to ensure the delicate ecosystem is maintained. There are 73 elegantly appointed beach and ocean over water villas offering one-to-four-bedroom villas and residences served by six restaurants and bars with cuisine ranging from Asian, to Peruvian, Italian and Mediterranean dishes. For cigar lovers, the Whiskey & Cigar Lounge is an obvious lure as is La Joie, serving chocolate and ice creams for those with a sweet tooth.
What sets this property apart however are the artworks, with interactive and experiential pieces located throughout the island. Many pieces resulted from an artistic collaboration with local artists and artisans, supporting their community, whilst any artistic guest may take to the canvas in the hotel’s art studio. It is the Maldives first and only immersive art resort. Other facilities include the JOALI Spa by ESPA with eight treatment rooms; a second floor fully equipped Fitness Centre for working out with a view; a large outdoor pool; a Yoga Pavilion; tennis courts; a water and marine sports centre; a Library for those wanting some quiet time and a boutique – the Maison de JOALI. The property also has its own chef’s garden and for kiddies, the Kids of JOALI programme will keep them focused and entertained for hours with treasure hunts, storytelling, cooking classes and more.
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JOALI BEING - 9.5
JOALI BEING is something very different for the Maldives – the first dedicated and fully nature immersive wellness sanctuary for adults only which celebrates the “joy of living”, offering its guests a personalised transformative wellbeing journey to rejuvenated health and happiness. It is an eco-friendly island as well, caring as much for the guest experience as for maintaining the environment it finds itself in. JOALI BEING promotes the idea of “weightlessness” – the shedding of stress and mental burdens – although it is also available physically in the sensory deprivation chamber.
Located on the secluded island of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll, there are 68 one-, two- and three-bedroom beach and over water villas, with each of the thirteen room categories, split between beach, water, family and ocean residences, offering spacious living spaces, a private pool, outdoor showers and butler service. The premier accommodation is the unique four-bedroom Wellbeing Ocean Residence, an over water villa with panoramic ocean views, a wellbeing room, gym, aerial yoga facilities and a movement zone. The four dining destinations all follow an earth to table initiative, with traceability for every ingredient, and fresh and locally harvested foods supporting sustainable small farms. Plantae focusses on fresh vegetarian and vegan dishes; Su offers ocean to table pescatarian menus, B’Well is inspired by nature whilst Mojo features international cuisine.
If the Maldives awarded Michelin stars, the Chef Kuntal Kumar would hold three. His cuisine is that good. With wellbeing at its core, based on the four pillars of mind, skin, microbiome and energy, it will come as no surprise that the Spa offers 39 treatment rooms and a whole host of transformational spaces sited across the island, each offering a unique name and concept, including a hydrotherapy hall, a sensory deprivation room, a Russian Banya, a sound therapy hall and Aktar, the resort’s herbology centre. There are also, of course, beautifully cascading swimming pools and palm fringed beaches to discover if you can drag yourself away from the peace and tranquillity of your villa.
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COMO Maalifushi - 9
Located in the Maldives’ southerly Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi fits perfectly into its environment: an impressive and sophisticated contemporary island resort offering 65 land and over water rooms, suites and villas. These spaces include the COMO Residence, a duplex, four-bedroom property with amazing Indian Ocean views, contemporary living spaces, a media room and a full kitchen for self-sufficiency - with a butler on hand as required. Three restaurants are available including Madi, an all-day dining venue serving Maldivian, Mediterranean, Indonesian, Thai and healthy COMO Shambhala cuisine; Tai, a Japanese restaurant serving fresh local seafood with a sunken sushi bar for terrace dining and the family friendly Thila, serving salads, seafood, pizzas and Turkish pide. This latter space also offers music, billiards and an open-air pool bar.
For holistic wellness, there is the COMO Shambhala Retreat with its eight over water, ocean-fronting treatment rooms, steam, sauna and Jacuzzi, a large pool, a fully equipped inside/outside gym and a spa boutique. The Spa also features an al fresco yoga pavilion with complimentary daily classes and private yoga, Pilates, and pranayama meditation tuition on request. Activities wise, opportunities abound with resort facilities including a dive centre offering a variety of non-motorised water sports, a resort boutique, a Library and a Play by COMO children’s programme for kiddies aged four to 12 and a games room.
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LUX* South Ari Atoll offers a contemporary Maldivian experience with all the 193 beautifully designed bungalows, villas and pavilions located either on the lagoon or strung out along the long sandy beach. With a laid-back ambiance and the opportunity to explore the best of what the Maldives has to offer, the architecture is a modern take on the traditional Maldivian thatched roofed architecture. Here, you will find chaise longues temptingly located on the four kilometres of sandy palm fringed beaches, staircases down to the ocean from the water villas and seven dining concepts to suit every palate from Japanese to the Oriental, international cuisine to Italian or a café serving signature coffees roasted in house. Bar-wise, there are five around the resort to quench your thirst with one a fully-fledged beach club with a floating dance floor.
For wellbeing and fitness, there is the award-winning LUX* Me Spa offering 15 exclusive spa villas (including four over water); an outdoor relaxation area; a sauna and hammam; plunge pools, man-pedi facilities; a hair and bridal studio; a Spa Boutique and yoga classes in a Yoga Grove with sea views. The state-of-the-art Lux* Me Fitness Centre offers a range of TechnoGym equipment and fitness, stretching, progressive and adapted exercises. There are several water sports offered on a complimentary basis including snorkeling trips to the house reef, canoeing, pedal boats and kayaking. Other sports offered by the Dive Centre include diving, windsurfing, waterskiing, jet skiing, kite surfing, flyboarding and much, much more.
On land, enjoy table tennis, two floodlit tennis courts, two resort swimming pools, billiards, Pétanque, bicycles and beach cruisers. For mini travellers, PLAY is a specially designed programme to entertain kiddies from three to eleven years with a wide range of thoughtful and expertly curated age-appropriate activities. Other facilities include an on-site clinic, hotel boutique and a range of excursions available including island tours, speedboat trips or sunset cruises on Dhonis (the local boat), luxury catamarans or other crafts. If that is not enough, the resort offers pop-ups and surprises that are visual, aural and gustatory.
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Siyam World - 9
Siyam World, Maldives is a unique resort with a smile on its face, one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It offers a light-hearted approach to life which is different from other properties in the Maldives. It is perfect for those who cannot resist a luxury property which adds a water slide onto a Maldivian overwater villa and which also features the largest floating water park in the region. Siyam World is Maldives re-imagined!
This all-inclusive resort which opened in October 2021 offers 19 stylish accommodation categories, all with private pool – villas, rooms, pavilions and residences - spanning from 89 to 3,000 square metres both on land and over water. Of these, 181 are located on the beach and 291 are over water accessible via five separate jetties, 152 with water slides and 24 allocated to the premium accommodation segment known as The Beach House Collection. Premium guests have a range of privileges and benefits from butler service, to floating breakfasts, private seaplane transfers, spa treatments and more.
There are 14 restaurants and bars for a dine around choice with diverse menus ranging from international buffet favourites to Thai, Indian, Maldivian, Spanish and Japanese cuisine with two allocated for the premium accommodation dwellers only (The Orchid infinity pool bar and Arigato, the Japanese restaurant) and an underground fine dining wine cellar which is not included within the rate. Facilities abound and water activities include three swimming pools (one child free), the Siyam Water World and a range of water sports – windsurfing, catamaran sailing, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, snorkelling and free trial diving. Other amenities include football and futsal, tennis courts, badminton courts, a fully equipped fitness centre, beach volleyball, beach cricket and basketball. For pampering, there is the Veyo Spa and wellness area with 18 treatment rooms with double massage tables, open-air rain showers and flower baths. The spa includes a hydrotherapy area which includes chill pools, steam baths and saunas plus mani-pedi stations, a salon and a spa boutique. For fitness, there are group yoga and pilates classes, aqua aerobics, beach boot camp, morning beach run, power walking and sunset meditation.
For Little Explorers, there is the Kidz World Kids Club for those aged between four to eleven years of age with weekly activities including craft making classes, pizza making, storytelling, kid’s yoga and Zumbini classes for kiddies and teens. For teens, there is Not for Kidz, an adult free hang out zone for those aged between twelve to seventeen. For entertainment, there is live music, DJs, local dance classes, karaoke nights, dance shows and pool, beach and foam parties.
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Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa - 9
For those craving a pure Robinson Crusoe experience with an endless azure blue horizon and a white sandy beach fringed with palm trees, then this architecturally significant resort on North Huvandhoo, close to the equator, might be an ideal choice. Located far away from the other well-trodden atolls in the Maldives, the small, sleek and sophisticated Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa offers just 51 luxurious villas: 33 land villas and 18 water villas which are built over water.
There are four restaurants and a bar – The Dining Room serving an à la carte international menu, The Island Grill for regionally inspired dishes and The Bar for sipping cocktails or long, iced drinks overlooking the Indian Ocean - with private dining offered in select locations around the island for those who want the ultimate in seclusion. The Chef’s Garden Treehouse is an innovative plant-based culinary adventure and Koi@ The Drift offers Japanese cuisine. For pampering, there is The Vidhun Spa with five couple’s treatment villas, offering Dhivehibeys-inspired massage, skin care and wellness rituals. The Spa also houses a 30-metre pool and bubble pond, the other 44-metre freshwater infinity swimming pool being located near the beach. There is also a Fitness Centre, a yoga studio and Blue Journeys PADI 5 dive and activity centre offering access to some of the best dive sites in the world. The Activity Centre offers a range of tailormade excursions, dolphin spotting, equator trip, traditional fishing and picnic on an uninhabited island.
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Kudadoo Maldives - 9.5
Designed to escape from the monotony of everyday life, Kudadoo Maldives Private Island offers a world of possibilities to enjoy any time of the day or night. As an ultra-luxury fully-inclusive resort, there is nothing to sign for but everything to experience. Even better, it is sustainable luxury too –The Maldives’ only fully solar powered private island – and has been stunningly designed by Japanese master architect Yoji Yamazaki. There are just 15 over water residences at this secluded little Eden offering an open plan layout with plenty of natural light and airflow and a 44 square metre private pool. As all the accommodation is of a similar size (apart from the two-bedroom ones of course), the only difficult decision to make before you arrive is whether to opt for a Maldivian sunrise surprise or a sunset one. You will be met by a private butler who will attend to every whim, 24/7, whilst your residence offers state of the art electronics, 137-centimetre flatscreen television with Bang & Olufsen surround sound.
A sister island to the adult-only nearby Hurawalhi, also designed by Yamazaki, where guests may enjoy both the facilities and restaurants, this all-inclusive is style personified, designed for an A-list clientele. Dining is available 24/7 anywhere you want to sit on the island, in your residence, on Dream Island, the beach or of course, in the resort’s restaurant located in the island’s hub, The Retreat. There is also access to the owner’s own Wine Cellar for a Cheese and Wine tasting with a difference, together with unlimited consumption of seven different premium Champagnes and a wine list of over 80 wine marques. For pampering, head to the Sulha Spa, a private sanctuary at The Retreat overlooking the ocean, featuring its own Lonu Cave, The Maldives’ first Himalayan Salt Chamber. You can also enjoy a sauna and steam room, work out in the well-equipped Fitness Centre, exercise with a personal trainer or simply find your inner Zen with Yoga and Meditation.
Unlimited water sports, excursions, diving and snorkelling are all included and easily arranged via your butler – you just have to choose your adventure. If you want to push the boat out, literally, you can hire the resort’s luxury yacht, Bella, too for private excursions. You pay once … and everything is fully-inclusive – premium Champagne, spirits, cigars, Spa, watersports and you have access to all the restaurants at Hurawahli – where you only have to pay to dine at the amazing 5.8 underwater restaurant
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Hurawalhi Island Resort, Maldives - 9
Hurawalhi Island Resort, Maldives is an ultra-chic, adults only five-star resort designed with a modern, minimalist take on traditional Maldivian architecture. The quintessential Maldivian retreat, this island property is surrounded by pristine, palm fringed white sandy beaches and a deep turquoise ocean, offering 90 villas in total split between the beach and the ocean. There are seven bars and restaurants ranging from the all-day Canneli for both buffet and à la carte dining, Kashibo for a taste of Asian street food, JFK (Junk Food Kitchen) for an alternative take on fast food classics to the spectacular 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant. For shoreline lazing, cocktail in hand there is Coco Bar, with the bar at Kashibo offering Shochu cocktails over water and the Champagne Pavilion for the ultimate sunset champagne cocktail with canapés.
Facilities wise, there is the Duniye Spa offering a natural, holistic and personalised approach to wellbeing; a fully equipped Fitness Centre; a Medical Clinic; a Games Room with table tennis, billiards and so forth; the Thari Boutique for branded merchandise, clothing and more plus Fine Jewels offering gemstones and jewellery at reasonable prices. Activities include sunset dolphin cruises, private sailing, deep sea fishing and a wide range of watersports. There is also The Manta Trust Marine Biology Centre run by the resort’s resident marine biologist; Prodivers offering regular scheduled guided diving and snorkelling trips; a freshwater infinity swimming pool, artificial courts for football, tennis and badminton and a deep-sea sport fishing boat.
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Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi - 9.5
It is just a 45-minute sail on a luxurious yacht from Malé International Airport to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. This is a perfect and relaxed way to make a Maldivian entrance after a long-haul flight. The property’s chic, contemporary and tech savvy guest accommodation stretches over three pristine private islands and a reef and offers a total of 119 generously sized villas, all with private pools, located on the beach, over the reef or over water. For those who would like more privacy, there are also two stand-alone duplex Stella Maris Ocean Villas accessible only by boat. The ultimate accommodation however has to be Ithaafushi Private Island, a 32,000 square metre private Eden where a three-bedroom beach villa, a two-bedroom overwater villa and a four-bedroom residence are housed alongside five swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, entertainment club house, a spa, a gym, a children’s pool and a playground – complete with dedicated chefs and a personal concierge to fulfill any whim.
The resort is served by eleven tempting dining venues, including the internationally renowned Zuma, Terra where there are private dining nests crafted from bamboo up in the treetops, Glow - the garden to table concept, The Ledge by Michelin-starred chef, Dave Pynt and Amber, the signature Champagne bar for a perfect sundowner. Activities wise, walk from the sandy white beaches onto the private reef and explore the copious marine life waiting to be discovered or choose from a wide range of water sports such as fishing, scuba diving, windsurfing, waterskiing, X-Jets Jetpacks, surfing, diving and sailing. For pampering, there is the Waldorf Astoria Spa, a thatched oasis with ten treatment villas including some over water, offering curated treatments designed to rebalance, relax and enjoy. Complementing the spa’s facilities, there is the Aqua wellness centre, the first of its kind in the Maldives, featuring a purpose-built hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain, steam room and sauna. For yoga lovers, head over to the Ocean Pavilion for Sunset Yoga and for the energetic, there is a well-equipped fitness centre, tennis and Padel courts. Private tutored sessions for both racquet sports are available.
For the younger members of your family, there is the Stars Club for up to 12 years old and Club Nova for teens up to seventeen.
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COMO Cocoa Island is one of the smaller, more discreet island resorts in The Maldives with just 33 overwater villas located within the quietness and privacy of South Malé’s sandy atolls. Designed by award-winning Singapore architect, Cheong Yew Kuan with a subsequent re-imagining in 2019, this is the archetypal resort that one dreams about when thinking of The Maldives. With a sea rich house reef surrounded by palm fringed white sandy beaches and the intensely turquoise waters for which the destination is renowned, COMO Cocoa Island is perfect for those seeking a restful break away from the cares of the everyday.
Resort facilities include the all-day dining Ufaa Restaurant showcasing modern interpretations of Indian and Mediterranean cuisine using only the freshest of local produce and the Faru Bar for that “feet in the sand” cocktail at the end of a busy day relaxing. For the active, there is a 25-metre infinity edge swimming pool; a lounge and internet room; a library with internet and printing facilities and COMO The Shop for those vital necessities. There is also the COMO Shambhala Retreat for spa and wellness offering a menu of Asian-inspired holistic therapies within two double and one single massage pavilions and one couple’s pavilion, each offering an outdoor shower/tub in the lush gardens. The double storey wellness building features an open-air yoga pavilion with a view of the ocean with a gym underneath offering cardio equipment and free weights. There is also a TRX hydrotherapy pool, a steam room with separate male and female facilities and a Cadilla-Reformer Pilates Studio. For water activities, head to the PADI Dive Centre with options for all levels of scuba diver plus a water sports centre offering snorkelling, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and boat charters of the resort’s COMO Princess Yacht for that custom sunset cruise, for watching dolphins frolicking away or for a fishing jaunt.
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With nearly 200 resorts in Maldives, the competition in the luxury market is becoming fiercer by the year.
While we have fully reviewed twenty Maldivian luxury experiences, there are so many more that deserve to be mentioned.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is the luxury hotel brand's first foray into the region. Located in the North Malé Atoll, the resort is just 10 minutes by seaplane, 45 minutes by speedboat and an hour by yacht – from Malé. There are 100 beautifully appointed 1 to 3 bedrooms villas, each with views over the ocean – either from the beach or overwater – an infinity swimming pool, sundeck, and butler or Aris Meeha. The rooms are contemporary in design – beach resort chic. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives offers a number of land and water sports including tennis, football, fishing, diving, badminton, pétanque and there is a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Opt for a private sandbank experience or celebrate love under the starry night sky with a beachfront dinner.
The property recently announced a partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society and the development of their Ambassadors of the Environment program. The Ritz-Carlton Spa Maldives has nine rooms and offers a host of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments. The Ritz Kids Club is designed for ages 4 to 12, with the island’s four pillars – land, water, environmental responsibility, and culture prominent in the activities that younger guests are offered. There are three resorts in the Fari Islands of which the Ritz-Carlton is one. Built around a Beach Club, the shared Fari Marina will offer guests numerous alternative dining experiences. The resort itself has seven restaurants and bars – the highlight being the Maldivian offshoot of Singapore’s Michelin-starred Summer Pavilion.
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Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is the inaugural flagship property by sophisticated lifestyle brand Patina Hotels & Resorts, the latest hospitality concept by Capella Hotel Group. Designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, there are 90 Beach and Water Pool Villas alongside 20 Fari Studios, all themed to embody a sense of sanctuary wellbeing. The Fari Studios sit on the edge of Fari Marina Village and are perfect for guests who prefer to be at the heart of things. The one-and-two-bedroomed pool villas are set into tropical greenery or look out over the calm lagoon. The unique, two-story, three-bedroom Beach House has a rooftop terrace and large private 21 metre pool set within its enormous garden which leads to the beach.
Two-Michelin starred Chef Nick Bril oversees the eateries where the best of ingredients take centre stage. Roots is a plant-based slow food option. Helios celebrates sun-ripened Mediterranean freshness. Brasa brings flame grill and Patagonian spirit. And Kōen unites Japanese precision with Scandinavian flair. Pop-up food trucks – GOGO Burger, Tum Tum and Tuk Tuk Gelato traverse the island. The Art Gallery exhibits works by local and international artists in residence, while the fashion boutiques showcase a collection of limited-edition by the tastemaker behind Mr & Mrs Rake. FLOW is the spa with its specialist Watsu and floatation treatment rooms and Hammam Suite. Sustainability and positive impact are alive in every facet of this property.
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Soneva Fushi, Noonu Atoll
In 1995, Eva and Sonu Shivdasani opened Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. It was to revolutionise the concept of the luxury island resort. Using the moniker – no news, no shoes – guests were encouraged to immerse themselves in their holiday and forget any and all troubles. Footwear was discouraged, as were telephones and the internet – they still are today. Soneva promoted sustainability when that word was hardly uttered. It also lavished all its guests with the kind of service you would expect in a palace hotel. An original desert island hideaway.
There are 63 Robinson Crusoe style eco-chic villas hidden among dense tropical foliage – many built to resemble tree houses – and 8 Water Retreats. They range in size from one to nine bedrooms and are designed to offer maximum luxury, space, privacy and unforgettable views. They all open to their own private stretch of sugar-white sand and most have their own private seawater pool. Activities include a spa, private beach with water sports facilities, bikes on loan, an observatory, open-air cinema, floodlit tennis court, group yoga, tai chi classes, jogging trail, ice-cream parlour and library. The resort can organise scuba diving, motorised water sports, and local boat trips. Soneva Fushi is reachable by scenic 30-minute seaplane flight directly from Malé International Airport, or a 12-minute speedboat ride.
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Soneva Jani, Noona Atoll
Following on the success of Soneva Fushi, Eva and Sonu Shivdasani opened the ultra-romantic Soneva Jani in the Noona Atoll in 2016. Much was expected – and has been delivered in abundance. The intimate Soneva Jani resort is made up of five islands and has just 24 water retreats and 27 new water reserves. There are private beaches, lagoons, cinema screenings, cruises and a private wine tasting room, yet Soneva Jani is as much for families as it is for escapist couples. Nearly all the villas feature their own water slides – great fun for younger and indeed older guests. The villas offer the best of everything, some even have a retractable roof.
There is a four-room spa, a kid’s centre, gym, dive centre, water sports club and one of the finest observatories in the Indian Ocean. The resort has its own astronomer who is on hand to introduce you to the stars. The Gathering is the main breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant offering but there are a plethora of other dining locations including on any one of the beaches, the resort yacht, in-room and the Crab Shack. Located on the island of Medhufaru in the northern Atoll of Noonu, it takes around 45 minutes to fly by seaplane from Malé to Medhufaru – the main island that Soneva Jani sits atop.
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When Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton announced that it was opening a resort under its Cheval Blanc brand on the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, fashionistas and oenophiles around the world rejoiced. Their adulation was fully vindicated as LVMH has produced one of the Indian Ocean’s most stunning properties. With no expense spared, the 45 one and two-bedroom villa property experience begins on arrival when guests are transferred to Randheli island in a beautifully appointed Cheval Blanc Private Airways DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplane. On arriving on Randheli, they are introduced to their majordomo (butler) and the ultimate luxury beach Indian Ocean resort experience takes hold. The Cheval Blanc Randheli was designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, a Belgian who specialises in creating extremely special hotels and resorts. He has worked with brands including Aman, Mandarin Oriental and One&Only.
The villas are superb – complete with high ceilings, plush and comforting furnishings, hammocks, daybeds, and loungers. Guests walk or bicycle around the resort. Facilities include tennis, yoga, fitness boot camps, a golf simulator, and the only Guerlain Spa in the Indian Ocean. There are a plethora of water sports on offer – including diving and snorkelling. Pods of spinner dolphins and turtles can be seen in the waters surrounding the resort. The cuisine served is sensational. Enjoy Japanese and Asian-inspired dishes at Diptyque, curries at The White, pizza at Deelani and haute cuisine at 3 Michelin-starred winning chef Yannick Alléno’s 1947. The Owner’s Villa is one of the finest suites in the Indian Ocean. It sits on its own 2-acre island, has 4 bedrooms, a 25-metre swimming pool and is only accessible by dhoni. Superb.
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A one-hour flight due south from Malé to Kadhdhoo Airport, the gateway to the Laamu Atoll, and a short speedboat journey get you to the Six Senses Laamu where a warm welcome awaits – followed by a holiday of superlatives. The resort features 97 water and beach villas – all constructed from sustainable materials. The island on which the resort sits – Olhuveli – is close to some of the best surfing in the Indian Ocean and the property is popular for lovers of water sports – especially between May and September. The Six Senses is renowned for its spa offerings and the spa at Laamu is the reason why – with nine nests and many treatments from some of the most highly trained aestheticians in the world.
There are two main restaurants at the Six Senses Laamu including LEAF which serves incredible organic dishes with ingredients from local fishermen and growers. Zen is a laid-back live kitchen that offers Japanese fusion food and Sip provides guests cocktails and casual dining – pizza and burgers. Deck-A-Dence has 6 glass-bottomed tables where guests can enjoy a meal over the ocean. Chill Bar serves Vietnamese cuisine, stiff cocktails, and a resident DJ spins tunes to suit the mood. Along with an outdoor cinema, ice cream outlet, daily yoga classes and endless walks on – often deserted – beaches, the resort really does tickle the Six Senses.
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Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences
The Baa Atoll in which Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences sits is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Amilla boasts a number of room categories from treetop villas to estate houses and even a glamping bubble tent with a total of 68 units on offer. The resort is sleek, cool, minimal, and modern. Of the 26 atolls in the Maldives, Baa is arguably the best for diving and the resort is close to Hanifaru Bay where from May to November, manta rays and whale sharks congregate in vast numbers. The H.U.B. – Home of Underwater Biosphere – is the resort’s cathedral to all things water-based – from diving lessons to booking out a kayak. The Javvu Spa offers ten treatment pods and every treatment imaginable is available. There is also a nail bar and hairdresser/barber.
The resort has two tennis courts, a football pitch and two swimming pools. The Emperor Beach Club is the heart of the Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences. From here guests can eat, drink, choose excursions or just rest and relax. The Sultan’s Village Kid’s Club keeps the younger guests amused. There is a photographic studio on-site and there are outdoor cinema nights. Amilla fulfils every culinary need - from Feeling Koi – formal Japanese izakaya – to a traditional British Fish & Chips shop, Joe’s Pizza, and the Wine Cellar – which is an oenophile's dream. Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences is a 30-minute seaplane flight from the Maldives capital, Malé in a northerly direction. Alternatively, it is a 10-minute boat ride from the nearest regional airport at Dharavandhoo.
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Nautilus
The Nautilus experience begins as soon as your flight lands and you’re met and driven by limousine to a private VIP lounge for immigration, before being ushered onto a seaplane for a seamless transfer to their corner of the Baa Atoll. Elusive and totally total privacy, The Nautilus has only 26 Beach and Ocean Houses lining the shores. Each is a secluded haven with separate living rooms, a freshwater swimming pool and its own private butler. A furnished sundeck and out-of-this-world ocean views. Places to sink in, unwind and enjoy life’s greatest gifts. The glass-bottomed living rooms in the Ocean Houses are a triumph! For a once-in-a-lifetime stay, it has to be the scene-stealing Nautilus Mansion, a literal sandcastle that was personally designed by the resort’s Maldivian owner as his ideal of a beach house.
Indulge in activities that range from the beach, house reef, flotilla of boats, dive centre, yacht, spa, steam room, yoga pavilion with daily yoga, meditation and fitness classes, 24-hour gym, free water sports gear and a kids' club. There’s also a family-friendly pool on the beach at the island’s edge dotted with cosy cabanas and sun lounges – plus, you’re perfectly placed to take advantage of the gourmet canapés served all day at Naiboli pool bar. The Solasta spa is made up of three overwater treatment huts with glass bottoms so you can watch the tropical fish swimming around from your massage chair. Talk about a fully immersive and rejuvenating ocean experience!
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Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort in the South Malé Atoll is surrounded by silky white sandy beach. Just a 35 minutes speedboat journey from the international airport, it is ideal for a family holidays and speaks to the vision of the true island getaway. The 110 stylishly designed villas and over water suites are positioned to catch the sunrise or sunset, some have their own private plunge pool. The food at Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort is relaxed and informal with an array of seafood and meat grills at the aptly named SEA.FIRE.SALT. Lighter meals are available poolside. Anantara Veli serves Teppanyaki and authentic Thai dining overlooking the lagoon.
Take time in your garden courtyard, soak in the outdoor bath or lounge on your private sun deck. Guests can head to the over water spa for a day of wellness and pampering or enjoy activities such as scuba diving and surfing. Take a short pontoon ride to the island of Gulifushi for a picnic on the deserted beach. Salute the sun at Yoga with the fitness coach and meditate before the Indian ocean. Or simply step into the surf from your beach pool villa, or dive into the lagoon from your over water suite. You may be lucky enough to see dolphins, whale and reef sharks, and manta rays, with the excellent visibility and breath-taking reefs. For the more adventurous, there are many other thrilling water activities such as jet skiing, kayaking, banana boating, parasailing and flyboarding. Either way, Anantara Dhigu Maldives invites you to write your own chapter of world class adventure.
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Cora Cora Maldives
Amongst the turquoise waters of Raa Atoll, the recently opened Cora Cora Maldives has an idyllic location. Only 45 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport, this striking new 5-star resort is further enhancing the dream destination. The 100 guest rooms are a mix of iconic Maldivian overwater villas and airy beach suites set amid lush vegetation. All have uninterrupted ocean views and easy access to the beach. They feature work by local artists and are finished with splashes of the resort’s signature colours. During your stay take a culinary journey through the range of restaurants. The Italian restaurant Aquapazza overlooks the beachfront pool and is dotted with daybeds perfect for lounging – and ordering cocktails. Tazäa is a buffet-style restaurant inspired by the spice route; Ginger Moon, which is an all-female staff is Thai; and Japanese restaurant Tien serves fresh sushi and sake.
Visit the Cora Cora Maldives Museum which provides fascinating insight into the island state's original culture with more than 400 historical artifacts and works of art. A tour will take you to an old traditional furnished wooden house and partially excavated 900-year-old pre-Islamic sunken bath. At the hotel’s MOKSHA spa, relax in one of the seven individual treatment rooms - four overwater and three on the island. There is a gym, yoga pavilion, open-air cinema and kids club. Take a sunset cruise, or visit one of the local islands. You can swim to your heart’s content, grab a board or kayak. Pop on a mask and some flippers, and plunge into the extraordinary underwater world where bright coloured fish flit by as you float above the vibrant corals in the surrounding reefs.
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The Residence Maldives is essentially a luxurious twin island resort, linked by the longest resort to resort land bridge in the Maldives within the Gaafu Alifu coral atoll. The Residence Maldives at Falhummaafushi is a 94-villa boutique resort of over water and beach pool villas. It features a feast of dining options ranging from The Dining Room for all-day Asian and Indian Ocean menus to alfresco seafood dining on the beach with The Sunset Grill or a cocktail or two with snacking at The Beach Bar, The Library Bar or South Beach. For pampering, there is The Spa at Clarins for holistic treatments and massages alongside yoga and meditation classes.
The adjoining The Resident Maldives at Dhigurah meanwhile offers 173 beachfront and over water villas, each with a private pool deck. For easing hunger, there is The Dining Room once again, Li Bai for Cantonese cuisine within a quieter garden setting, Earth Table for farm to fork dining, The Island Grill for tapas and music or the Reef Shack for snacks and drinks. Head to Long Island for cosy cocktails or for livelier action and to The Beach Club for cocktails with a party beat. There is a sister Clarins spa here too and at both resorts, a whole host of water activities and diving to explore the richness of the marine life in the encircling ocean. Kiddies are well catered for and there is a 42-metre infinity pool for lap lovers, a fully equipped gym with steam room and saunas and yoga and fitness classes for all.
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Milaidhoo Maldives is a tiny island paradise of barefoot informality situated right in the heart of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve near to Hanifaru Bay. With a protected coral reef and an island full of tropical vegetation, this resort offers some of the best snorkelling and diving opportunities in the Maldives, with a white sandy beach perfect for couples as only kiddies over nine are welcomed here. This private island has just 50 light filled air-conditioned villas either over water or in a secluded beachside setting and all feature private pools, thatched roofs arching up to the rafters and custom furnishings with every luxury on tap.
The largest accommodation is the butler serviced Two-Bedroom Ocean Residence with a curved private pool and panoramic ocean views from the large sundeck. Set over two stories, there is a hidden gym for working out in the eaves with master bathrooms that open right out to the ocean. Everything is bespoke with even the restaurant Ba’Theli by the Reef serving island cuisine housed on a floating boat in the lagoon, reached by a wooden pier. Other foodie havens are The Shoreline Grill with prime cuts and freshly caught fish, Chef’s “Teppanyaki” Table and Wine Room, the Compass Pool Bar overlooking the infinity pool and the ocean and the Ocean Restaurant with that beautiful sea view. Four over water pavilions comprise the property’s spa where holistic treatments incorporate botanical essences and the healing traditions from Africa. There are also yoga and meditation sessions daily plus every kind of water activity enhanced by the knowledge of a marine biologist.
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The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort features 33 elegant and sophisticated land villas and 44 over water villas, all boasting either ocean or garden views and encircling a small private island and private lagoon. All the accommodation has been designed with eco principles in mind and have a determinedly contemporary feel with soaring arched roofs offering magnificent views out to sea. The largest over water accommodation is the three-bedroom, over water John Jacob Astor Estate with its own private gym, cinema room, spa suite, kitchen, 92 square metre infinity pool, jacuzzi and two plunge pools. There are also separate staff quarters to ensure butlers are on hand to cater to every whim. On land, the premium accommodation is the dramatic Caroline Astor Estate made up of three interconnecting beach villas and a 67 square metre swimming pool. Butlers are on hand to organise family friendly marine adventures with water sports, private yacht driven excursions and diving on offer.
Resident guests will enjoy the pampering offered by the over water Iridium Spa with the largest hydrotherapy pool in the Maldives, a tennis court and a divine outdoor infinity pool whilst bon viveurs will enjoy the menus of six restaurants and bars designed to placate the inner man. Choices range from Crust & Craft, a pizzeria; the subterranean fine dining Decanter; Cargo located within the gardens with a Middle Eastern menu; pan Asian cuisine at Orientale and the signature restaurant Alba serving Italian classics. The over water Whale Bar serves signature St Regis Bloody Mary accompanied by a selection of tapas designed to share.
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Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island
Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island is just a short 15-minute seaplane flight from Malé and offers contemporary lifestyle living with 67 modernist white villas sited either over water or on the private beach. All these air-conditioned rooms enjoy a design-led interior complete with outdoor terraces and private pools with the largest two-bedroom residences and three-bedroom retreats perfect for families or groups. Private butlers are on hand to help with itineraries whilst experiences range from cinematic screenings to watersports, private yacht charters, to nature walks with the chef to big game fishing and diving.
There are even trips abord a semi submarine and turtle discovery hunts, alongside a Kid’s Club with a range of supervised aquatic activities to be enjoyed safe in the knowledge that your kiddies and teens will be kept entertained. Fitness wise, re-energise at the 24/7 gym, take a yoga class or simply relax at the Talise Spa, an overwater serene sanctuary for holistic beauty treatments, even for children. For wining and dining, there is everything from in-villa floating breakfasts in your pool to all day international dining at Glow; Peruvian and Japanese fusion cuisine at Kayto; beach club snacking at Shimmers with Greek and Mediterranean dishes; the Café Lounge for speciality coffees and pastries and even a Gelateria for a welcome ice cream or frozen yoghurt.
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Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort enjoys a remote, private location on Gaafu Alifu in the southernmost reaches of the Maldives with just 38 villas and residences. The 21 beachfront villas are joined by a circle of overwater villas, just a short boat ride away with both locales enjoying their own resort infinity pool. Cool calm and collected with a marine palette contrasting with the bright white linens of the four poster beds, the style is grand island chic with more than a reference to the original Singaporean Raffles. The generous two-bedroom residences are perfect for families and friends whereas the Raffles Royal Residence takes things up a notch and is the ultimate three bedroomed hideaway suitable for A-list VIPs craving privacy.
A team of Marine Butlers will help organise water activities and diving, leading the dives and you might just bump into a turtle enroute as 20 are said to have made their home here. Food wise, the main restaurant is the all-day dining Thari with an international menu, The Firepit for BBQ on the beach and Yuzu serving Nikkei cuisine. Alongside there is Yapa Pool Bar for innovative cocktails and The Long Bar, taking its name from the original Raffles and serving a mean Maldives Sling. For relaxation, head to the serene overwater Raffles Spa for personalised facials by Biologique Recherche and body treatments by Aromatherapy Associates. Fitness wise, there is an expansive gym, a pretty jogging route winding through the landscaped gardens and yoga and Pilates classes for all.
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Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is a laid-back barefoot luxury resort, built with sustainability principles, located on a private island in the North Malé Atoll. An intimate resort with just 45 overwater thatched villas, eleven with private pools, the essence is on enjoyment and harmony with the natural world, with guests cared for by hosts known as Mr Friday after the Robinson Crusoe classic. With a rustic design utilising recycled materials combined with luxury textiles, there are secluded Crusoe Residences reached only by boat with the premium accommodation being the Private Reserve, the largest overwater villa in the world.
When it comes to dining, enjoy the fruits of the resort’s large organic garden, with Kashiveli, the all-day modern European Maldivian fusion restaurant; By the Sea for authentic Japanese fusion food complemented by a wide selection of sake and the Overwater Bar overlooking the lagoon for a lighter lunchtime menu and for innovative cocktails when the sun goes down. For destination dining, try a romantic meal in the Underground Wine Cellar with over 500 varieties of wine. Facilities wise, there is a large infinity pool; tennis courts; a Jungle Cinema; a dedicated Marine Biology Laboratory; all kinds of water sports including swimming with manta rays and big game fishing; cooking classes and more. Guests may even choose to contribute to the Coral Lines project, growing small living coral fragments to help rebuild the area’s reef system. For surfers, the Surf Shack will offer private surfing lessons to enjoy the world class breaks in the area whilst the Ocean Paradise Dive Centre is perfect for those who want to explore the underwater world. For pampering, head to the Meera Spa for bespoke organic treatments, a water’s edge fitness centre, yoga classes and more.
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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is the quintessential Maldivian retreat complete with soft white sandy beaches fringed by palm trees. Located in Rae Atoll, a short boat ride from the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – Hanifaru Bay – and adjacent to a unique Manta Ray sanctuary, there are 81 beach, lagoon or overwater residences and villas, dressed in a soothing neutral coastal palette and understated luxury. This first and only all-Club InterContinental Resort offers beachfront villas set in private tropical gardens; split level family villas; unobstructed over water villas with pools and the ultimate resort experience – the three-bedroom overwater residence looking out onto an endless watery horizon.
For wining and dining, choose from destination dining in private locations or enjoy the signature Lighthouse with seasonal seafood menus. Other options include the waterfront Fish Market for sea to table seafood, Café Umi for traditional favourites and light snacks and The Collective with different stations ranging from The Deli to the Pizzeria and the Gelato Bar. For adults only, experience The Retreat for lazing by the pool, curated cocktail in hand with a finger food paring menu, or the Sunset Bar for champagne cocktails in a dhoni-shaped bar as the sun goes down and the swim up Pool Bar for refreshments throughout the day. The calm retreat of the award-winning overwater AVI Spa promises to awaken the senses with a host of restorative signature treatments using products by leading wellness brands, yoga and more whilst the Planet Trekker Kids Club is ideal for families with a range of activities to connect with the natural world. The Fitness Centre allows guests to continue their activity journey whilst there are a wide range of water sports opportunities to explore the area.
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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers a range of 150 luxurious, contemporary styled accommodation from over water villas and beach front residences to a Spa Retreat with villas featuring spa rooms, split between two islands – the intimate adults only Rangali Island and Rangali-Finolhu, the larger main island, linked by a 500-metre bridge. The ultimate accommodation is The Muraka, a luxurious two-level residence with part of the modernist structure hovering over water whilst the master bedroom is submerged nearly five metres under the sea. Restaurants and bars abound with Ithaa, the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant; the overwater Sunset Grill with a menu of seafood and prime cuts; UFAA by Jereme Leung for par excellence Chinese fare; Mandhoo Spa Restaurant for bio-dynamic cuisine; Koko Grill for Japanese inspired cuisine; Vilu Restaurant & Bar for Mediterranean inspired food and wine pairings; The Quiet Zone for bespoke cocktails for over 16’s only; The Rangali Bar for chilling on the beach; The Cheese and Wine Bar offering over 100 fromage with wines; The Wine Cellar for special gourmet degustations and the buffet-style Atoll Market.
For wellbeing, the resort offers two spas – the larger Spa Retreat offering a range of holistic treatments serving to immerse guests in every aspect of a healthy lifestyle - and the smaller Over-Water Spa with 17 rituals designed with ISUN. Activities wise, there are all kinds of watersports, snorkelling safaris, whale shark and dolphin spotting expeditions, submarines, private yachts and more. Other facilities include the Maaja Explorers Kids’ Club with teen programmes, a 24-hour gym, a dive centre, tennis court and two infinity pools – one The Quiet Zone pool for adults only, the other, a 430-metre pool for families complete with a Kid’s Pool for little ones.
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JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is situated on a private island in the Shaviyani Atoll, offering 60 over water and beach villas, all with private decks and pools. Designed in a smart contemporary fashion with a neutral palette and roof lines that ape the local traditional Dhoni boats, these villas are spacious, airy retreats located either within tropical gardens or looking out over the ocean. The largest accommodation are the beachfront and overwater Duplex Villas with two story living offering even more space, perfect for families. For keeping the little terrors occupied, the Little Griffins Kids Club offers over 100 activities for kiddies aged three and over, some involving the entire family.
There are five restaurants and three bars at the resort including Ailaa for all day dining with international dishes; Fiamma for Italian favourites; Kaashi for Thai delicacies up in the treetops; Hashi for traditional Japanese cuisine; Shio, the signature grill restaurant for fine cuts and seafood and the Wine Room situated within Ailaa and featuring 1,620 bottles from around the world. Bar wise, enjoy Wabi Sabi for Japanese inspired smoked cocktails, sakes, teas and whiskies; Rum Baan up in the tree canopies for 98 signature rums and the relaxed Horizon with its swing bar seats, overlooking the sea. For total relaxation, head to Spa by JW with its couple’s ocean view treatment rooms offering a range of authentic therapies and for the finishing touches, there is an in-house hair salon and mani-pedi station. Activities-wise, there are three pools – the main Horizon Pool, Pool 18 and the kiddie’s Little Griffin’s Pool. There is also the Dive & Water Sports Center for every kind of water-based activity you can think of.
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Constance Moofushi is located on a secluded island within the South Ari Atoll of the Maldives which enjoys some of the best diving sites in the country. In fact, the property lists 32 such sites within close proximity to the island. This all-inclusive resort offers 110 contemporary beach, water, sand and senior air-conditioned villas with the design style being relaxed, simple and rustic with some featuring sun terraces whilst others sit directly on the sand.
There are four restaurants and bars including the barefoot dining Manta Restaurant offering a buffet selection with views out over the ocean and a plentiful wine list; the beach front Alizée Restaurant under canvas and palm trees with a menu of seafood and grilled fish and meats; the Totem Bar on the beach for kicking back with a smoothie or iced tea, casual snack menu available and the Manta Bar, adjoining the restaurant, for an inside/outside location where signature cocktails are on tap to the sound of a DJ deck. For relaxing, there is the Constance Spa set on a jetty out to sea with eight single and couples’ treatment rooms, a gym with free weight area, a resort pool and a yoga pavilion. Activities wise, there is diving; excursions on a traditional Dhoni boat; big game fishing; snorkelling; non-motorised water sports and an entertainment lounge with pool table, darts, chess, table tennis and more.
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Baros Maldives is just a 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé with the crystal-clear house reef surrounding the island, teeming with marine life – manta rays, turtles and exotic fish - and over 30 great diving sites in relative proximity in the North Malé Atoll. An established luxury boutique resort, one of the first on the Maldives and privately-owned, set in lush tropical landscaping, there are 75 villas – 45 on the beach and 30 over water, many with their own pools or direct access to the lagoon and all enjoying seclusion and privacy. All the guest accommodation is thoughtfully designed by Maldavians using natural indigenous materials and attention to detail to produce elegant interiors, with all the luxury touches and gadgets one comes to expect these days. The premium hideaway is the beachside Baros Residence, surrounded by verdant gardens and enjoying its own seven x three metre pool with 24/7 butler service.
When it comes to dining, there are three restaurants and three lounges and bars including the overwater Lighthouse Restaurant offering both seafood and Asian / Mediterranean fusion cuisine with a good wine cellar alongside; The Cayenne Grill for al fresco dining under gazebos over the lagoon for a mix of casual dishes and lighter fare and The Lime Restaurant for international favourites overlooking the lagoon with healthier options served on a deck by the main infinity pool. The Lighthouse Lounge sits above The Lighthouse Restaurant and offers panoramic views to go with a cocktail or two, Sandbank offers dining under the stars on a private sandbank whilst Sails Bar in the popular choice for a glass of wine or a pint, entertained a couple of times a week by local musicians. For pampering, the Serenity Spa tailors personalised treatments in single and couples’ treatment rooms, hidden within the tropical gardens with yoga and meditation sessions arranged in the air-conditioned spa pavilion or around the resort. Other activities include private excursions on the resort’s Serenity yacht; big game fishing, guided reef snorkelling expeditions; local island excursions; sunset dolphin cruises and water sports. Alongside, there is a fully equipped fitness centre, table tennis, pool plus the Maldivian Lounge to explore the country’s heritage.
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Constance Halaveli is situated on the North Ari Atoll and features 86 airconditioned over water and beach villas overlooking a sparkling turquoise lagoon. Neutrally toned and complemented by pops of marine colour, each features its own private balcony or terrace with plunge pool. Many have been generously designed specifically with families in mind, whilst others are double storey including the crème de la crème accommodation, the Presidential Beach Villa with its two wings of facilities accommodating up to six guests. When hunger beckons, head to the main all-day dining Jahaz Restaurant with an international menu and featured daily evening buffets or Jing Restaurant for an Asian menu. Both enjoy wine cellars with more than 22,500 bottles from around 325 winemakers on offer. The Meeru Beach Grill is a casual grill for prime cuts and seafood whilst the Kaika Sushi Bar offers traditional Japanese sushi and sashimi. Come the cocktail hour, there is Jahaz Bar & Lounge open until midnight and Jing Bar with indoor and terraced seating.
Relax with a classic Constance Spa treatment in the serene spa overlooking the Indian Ocean. Treatments are customised as required within either single and couples’ treatment rooms and one Thai treatment room. There is also a yoga room and Yoga Master available, a steam room and sauna, hot and cold plunge pools, a fully equipped gym and an Ocean Salon for those finishing touches. For activities, there is beach volleyball and soccer, table tennis, a chess board, water sports – both motorised and non-motorised, a wide range of excursions and a TGI Dive Center which is PADI accredited. For junior VIPs, the Constance Kids Club will keep four- to eleven-year-olds occupied with a range of activities.
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Vakkaru Maldives is situated in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll surrounded by white sandy beaches and a house reef brimming with marine life, just a 25-minute seaplane ride from Malé. There are 113 beach and overwater villas, over 2,000 coconut trees and residences with simple elegant interiors full of rustic charm, most with private pools or whirlpool. There are seven wining and dining venues including the beachfront Amaany serving international dishes in a Maldivian manner; Isoletta for a classic Italian menu; Vakku for open air grilling, cooked to perfection; Onu for Southeast Asian dishes with an open kitchen; the Lagoon Bar for creative cocktails and Japanese delicacies; Cabana, a poolside lounge and bar for snacks and high tea and the Vakkaru Reserve wine cellar with 520 labels to choose from for the best cheese and charcuterie experience.
For rejuvenation, head to the soothing and serene ambiance of the Merana overwater Spa where inner tranquility awaits. Facilities include 12 treatment rooms offering an array of pampering together with a whirlpool, plunge pool, fitness centre, sauna and steam room. For kiddies, there is the Parrotfish Club with extensive tailored activities for three- to twelve-year-olds and for teens, there is the Coconut Club with a range of facilities to suit. The resort’s dive and water sports centre, Splash, features a range of aquatic adventures, water sports, excursions and more whilst the Sports Fields offer floodlit tennis courts, volleyball and badminton courts.
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Lily Beach Resort & Spa at Huvahendhoo, Maldives
Lily Beach Resort & Spa at Huvahendhoo, Maldives is an all-inclusive Maldivian resort located on Huvahendhoo at South-East Ari Atoll, just 25 minutes’ seaplane ride from Malé. Cleverly, one side of the island is reserved as a quieter area, suitable for couples where the spa, the water villas and the AQVA infinity pool are located and the other (the Fun Zone) is where the action happens with family activities, the Turtles Kids Club with pool and the Beach family villas, with the beating heart being the Vibes Bar with its swimming pool, water jets, music and DJs in the evenings.
There are 125 over water and beach villas, all offering a neutral soft colour palette and clean lined contemporary wood furnishings, so the emphasis is always on that unbeatable Maldivian seascape view. Food wise, the main restaurant is Lily Maa offering an international menu and themed buffets whilst there is also Spirit Bar & Lounge with its terrace for beverages throughout the day; Teppanyaki for Japanese cuisine; Tamarind overwater restaurant for Indian and Thai dishes and AQVA Pool Bar in the quiet zone for lighter meals near the quieter infinity pool. There is also the Beachbar for refreshments, near the watersports centre and Les Turquoise d’Aqua for à la carte fine dining. The overwater Tamara Spa, specialising in Balinese treatments, is everyone’s happy space reached by a long pier with its seven treatment rooms looking out over the ocean, each with Jacuzzi, outdoor shower and glass bottom floors. For fitness fiends, there is a fully equipped gym alongside floodlit tennis courts table tennis, billiards, beach volleyball and football. Other activities range from a watersports centre offering a wide range of aquatic activities plus a dive centre for exploring the reef. Kiddies can enjoy fish feeding, tree planting and sandbank family picnics.
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Huvafen Fushi Maldives, located in the North Malé Atoll, a 30-minute speedboat ride from Malé, offers just 44 elegantly simply contemporary bungalows and pavilions both over water and within lush vegetation on the beach ensuring privacy and seclusion. The pavilions and the Cube take things up a notch with avant-garde two storey living offering elevated viewing points over the ocean. Every kind of luxury gadget and amenity is included from Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers to butler service, freshwater swimming pools to private spa treatment areas. These are more like private residential beach houses with ample space to spread out and move around with the Cube enjoying a black lava-stone infinity pool, private steam and sauna and a top floor master suite. For wining and dining, there is the casual Celsius for breakfast and dinner with an international menu; Forno for wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean favourites; the overwater Salt for Japanese dishes with a Latin twist accompanied by a large selection of sake; UMBar for innovative beachfront cocktails; Raw for healthy alternative cuisine and Vinum with over 6,000 wines with 900 labels located eight metres under the island. The ultimate dining experience here however is Immerse… Latitude 4 degrees – with a romantic dining table eight metres below the ocean, a customisable menu and marine life floating by.
For pampering, the Huvafen Spa offers eight treatment rooms, two of which are underwater with reef views and steam, saunas and mani-pedi stations for immaculate nails and toes. Featuring a PADI accredited Dive, Watersports and Adventure Centre, offering both Diving and Scuba Diving courses for all, there is much to keep everyone entertained from jetskiing to parasailing, windsurfing to cat sailing, turtle and dolphin safaris to private yacht charters and more. Other facilities include a stunning, fibre-optic infinity resort swimming pool, an outdoor saltwater floatation pool – Lono Veyo; Indian Traditional Hatha Yoga and a Yoga Pavilion; Pump, a fully equipped gymnasium and The Lair, a lounge perfect for curling up with a good book, media and entertainment.
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Niyami Private Islands Maldives
Niyami Private Islands Maldives located in the Dhaalu Atoll a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé, encompasses twin islands – Play and Chill - with 134 one-to-three-bedroom villas and pavilions, most with private pools, offering very different ambiances. At Play, the emphasis is on fun, adventure and enjoyment with family orientated beachfront villas and the Indian Ocean’s largest Kid’s Club whilst At Chill, peace and tranquilly rule with a mix of beach and over water villas, the spa and culinary exploration offshore. Rooms are spacious, elegantly dressed and contemporary with every amenity you might want, including a popcorn machine, a Deli-In (full size fridge with gourmet treats) and personalised bicycles for roaming around with Thakuru (butlers) ready to help. The ultimate accommodation however – perfect for groups of family and friends – is The Crescent accommodating up to 14 adults and eight children within five over water villas linked by a central walkway, set apart from the rest of the resort. Butlers and housekeeping are always on standby.
For dining at the resort, it is very different from the normal as you can choose to eat under water, in the trees or out in the ocean. Choices range from Subsix for subaquatic dining; Edge for modern fine dining located half a kilometre offshore; Epicure offering all day international nibbles on Chill; Nest for dining up in the trees with Asian favourites; Tribal for African, Central and South American dishes; Blu for family dining on Play with Mediterranean flavours; Dune for an open-air lounge bar and beach club on the sand; the rooftop Fahrenheit with live music and The Deli for treats on the go. Chef also offers private cooking classes to take some skills and spices home. For pampering, Drift Spa will lull you by soothing your muscles and taking your cares away within six overwater treatment rooms and two treatment sanctuaries hidden within private gardens. Yoga sessions and family and child spa treatments are available too. This being the Maldives, water sports are plentiful, kiddies have their own Explorers Kids Club to keep them entertained and diversions range from dolphin spotting to Dhoni sunset champagne cruises, working out in the 24/7 gym to floodlit tennis, snorkelling and diving and more, much more. Of particular note, this is the only Maldivian resort with its own wave breaking right on the island’s shore so perfect for the surfing community.
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Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives is located across the Emboodhu Finolhu island, otherwise known as Three Coconut Isle, in the midst of one of the largest Maldivian lagoons. Just a 15–20-minute speedboat ride from Malé will see you on this lush island, known for its verdant tropical vegetation, flora and fauna and its pristine serviced white sandy beach. There are 64 luxury sea view thatched roof suites and villas, with bright, uncluttered interiors under soaring rafters, all enjoying a neutral palette with marine accents with carved wooden details and luxurious textiles. Nearly all have private pools with the premium suite being the award-winning two bedroomed Rehendi Presidential Suite, complete with two salas, a huge pool and sundeck, glass walled bathrooms, Frette linens and butler service on call 24/7.
Dining options range from Mediterranean flavours at the Deep End Restaurant; vintage wines, cocktails, cigars and more at the Equator Bar; everything from pan-Asian to international dishes at 24 Degrees Restaurant and small bites at the Poolside Bar and Restaurant next to the resort’s infinity pool. Of course, custom dining is available either in-room, on a sandbank, up in the treetops or out at sea – anything is possible as Taj is known for its personalised services. For soothing spa services, head to Jiva Spa to refresh, reinvigorate and relax with a range of Indian therapies and indulgences. There is every kind of water sport available whilst the Ocean Dive Center offers PADI dive and scuba diving courses from beginners to experts with dives down to the coral garden being one of the most popular.
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Baglioni Resort Maldives is located on the island of Maagau in Dhaalu atoll, a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé and offers a luxurious, understated resort utilising sustainable materials with a touch of Italian flair. Just under 100 over-water and beachfront suites and villas offer classically cool accommodation, most with private pools, surrounded by tropical nature and the sapphire blue seas of the Indian Ocean. For families, the largest beachfront accommodation will sleep up to four adults and four kiddies with room to breathe and a large pool with the ocean just steps away. The largest however is the over water Baglioni Residence with three bedrooms and large verandas and terraces looking out to sea, serviced by on call butlers, housekeeping and buggy service with a private chef cooking up a storm.
For food and wine, there are four restaurants including Gusto for authentic Italian cuisine; Umami for Japanese dishes; Taste for international favourites and the Pool Bar for chilling out with pasta, pizzas and salads whilst gazing out to the horizon. Guests may also enjoy special dining opportunities such as dining on the beach, enjoying a floating breakfast in villa, or enjoying a gastronomic feast in a cellar packed with fine Italian wines. For unwinding, head to the Baglioni Spa at the heart of the resort, hidden deep in lush vegetation, with four treatments rooms, a Yoga pavilion for yoga and meditation and a fitness area for keeping trim during your stay. Water sports opportunities abound with the Maagau Dive Centre; scuba diving; dolphin tours; romantic cruises; fishing; sailing and more. On land, there is a tennis court plus a host of culinary masterclasses from Italian to Maldivian to Japanese together with wine tastings and cinemas under the stars. The Baglioni Kid’s Club will keep the bambinos entertained too.
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Kuda Villingili is a private island just 25 minutes by speedboat from Male. The island features 75 beach & water villas - varying in size, bedrooms and with/without a private swimming pool. There are seven dining options offering international cuisine. The wine list ranges from affordable to outrageous - the 2012 Cristal is over USD1000 a bottle.
The spa has 8 treatment rooms - and the resort offers an on-site Wellness Doctor to help you through the aches & pains of life! Kuda Fiyo Children's Club is there to look after the little ones. The resort is very much one for the family and indeed surfers! The famous Chicken's Break is easily accessible from the resort and expect shakas from many of Villingili's guests! The beaches, sunsets and sunrises are - of course - spectacular!
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