Best Design Hotels in Maldives

This resort can be found on its own private island nestled amid lush green foliage. In addition to the traditional villas, the resort also offers the Private Reserve, complete with its own gym, chef, and children’s area. All of the villas are luxuriously outfitted with pools and plush bedding and the resort also offers premier diving, a Lego room, music room, library, and decadent dining options to please any palate. An excellent menu of excursions and activities includes a picnic, dolphin sunset cruise, eco-friendly windsurfing, and an astronomy dinner cruise.

Soneva Jani is nestled within the tranquil waters of the Noonu Atoll, presenting breathtaking panoramic views of turquoise waters and blue skies. With just 51 over-water and three island residences, the resort offers guests privacy and space. Choose from Chapter One: Water Retreat or Chapter Two Water Reserve Villa (the latter being the most recent properties) – all of which boast private pools and some of which have their own waterslide into the lagoon. Dining is an international affair with several restaurants presenting varied menus; from plant-based dishes to seafood and the exciting secret menu and location concept. A wide range of activities and experiences, for all the family, can be enjoyed within the resort and within the local area; from dolphin spotting, diving, DJ’ing, cooking classes or a restful time at the spa.

Searching for somewhere especially remote? The Thaa Atoll will provide that luxury castaway feel. Take the beautiful 60-minute seaplane journey to the resort (which is a highlight in itself), where you can check into your suite, villa or water bungalow, with up to two bedrooms. Eat the freshest sushi and sashimi at Tai, dine anytime of day at Madi, and enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere at Thila. Menus are based around COMO Shambhala Cuisine, a healthy cooking concept, with gourmet meals available in the privacy of your own accommodation. And guests can take advantage of the wellness options at the resort’s COMO Shambhala Retreat.

With two private house reefs teeming with green turtles, reef sharks and bigeye trevally, this is an elite dive spot. 33 overwater villas have an understated design, adding to the sense of serenity encouraged at the resort. COMO Cocoa Island is a place to disconnect from the outside world; take a yoga class in the open-air studio, book a Shambhala massage treatment beside the lagoon, ease aching muscles in the hydrotherapy pool and take a wellness class to get fine-tune your holistic well-being. The food is created to balance flavour and nutrition, with organic ingredients rich in living enzymes, vitamins and sea minerals, served raw, steamed or grilled for optimum health benefits.

Located on the North Malé Atoll, this superb 5-star resort presides over the ocean with its luxurious villas complete with decks and overwater hammocks. Indulgent gourmet dining and romantic white beaches make this a great place for couples. There is an excellent choice of water sports which include lessons for beginners in windsurfing, catamaran sailing, water skiing and wakeboarding, and of course, diving. There’s also a number of daily excursions meaning that families will also enjoy a stay here. Cooking classes and an exclusive spa are also on-site for fun and relaxation when you aren’t strolling the beach or enjoying the mesmerising views of the turquoise Indian Ocean.

Since opening a little over a decade ago, Six Senses has maintained a strong commitment to sustainability. Shoes are discarded on arrival, making it true barefoot luxury, and with the opportunity to feel the soft silver sand between your toes, and soak in your own glass-bottomed bathtub with marine life passing beneath, who needs footwear? It offers some unforgettable experiences and excursions, like sunset dhoni cruises, private picnics, sand-dune dining, chilli dining (at a communal table, surrounded by a garden of chilli plants), Cinematic Orchestra DJ sets and jungle movie nights.

The ultimate in exclusivity, you can book your own private island within the already super private Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi; it comes with five pools, a cinema, two spas, a children’s playground and an entourage of chefs and butlers. Found in the South Male Atoll, the resort is spread across just over two miles and three islands (including the private one), accommodating 11 dining venues, watersports and a sprawling wellness centre. Shakira recently shared snaps on social media of herself and her family at the hotel, living the Maldivian dream, paddle boarding and taking speed boat rides from the hotel.

This beachfront haven is one of the best for exploring the Indian Ocean from either your oceanside villa or overwater villa nestled amid lush vegetation on a pristine island. Crystal waters are prime for snorkelling amid the five species of turtle that call the reef home and there’s an underwater dining room for a truly unique experience. Don’t miss the on-site holistic spa which can tailor-make a wellness experience during your stay or the many dining options.

Interactive sculptures and curated artworks accent the spaces in this deeply stylish and contemporary beach resort. Guests are accommodated in 90 Beach and Water Pool Villas each with between one and three bedrooms, or 20 Fari Studios. Patina offers 12 dining concepts (including a beach club, an Aegean kitchen on the sands, a tuk-tuk serving gelato and a Japanese-Nordic fusion restaurant. There’s also a Footprints Kids Club, a dive school by Dive Butler International and a watersports centre. And a calendar of events presents the likes of artisanal craft workshops, holistic healing sessions, modern art exhibitions and themed feasts.

Land via seaplane and check into your private villa (one of 73) on Muravandhoo. An unspoilt idyll, the resort is committed to maintaining the local ecosystem, having banned single-use plastic and preserved 1000 trees in its build. Joali’s ESPA spa caters to adults and kids alike, and little ones have their own range of activities beyond, with junior chef classes, treasure hunts and native storytelling. You may want a romantic meal for two on your own terrace, or to arrange a BBQ on the beach. But there are also several dining venues onsite: Vandhoo, Bellinis, Saoke, Mura Bar And Lajoi.

A conch shell will be blown to herald your arrival at this five-star idyll. It boasts a Bamford Spa, activities (arts and culture workshops, a kid’s programme, kayaking, snorkelling, volleyball and tennis) and an amazing circular overwater pool with a terrace of nap pods. Guests can eat at Culinary Island, Grand Sunset Beach and Fari Marina Village, with Italian food at La Locanda, Middle Eastern fare at Arabesque, family-friendly meals at the Beach Shack and Cantonese flavours at the Summer Pavilion. The indoor areas melt into the outdoors in The Ritz-Carlton’s villas and suites, all of which are served by an Aris Meeha personal butler. The Residence has a private outdoor pool, its own spa room and a full kitchen with a dining room and an al fresco eating area.

Luxury abounds here, but there’s also plenty of rest and recreation to choose from. Enjoy villas that cater to adventurous visitors or kick back in style in one of the over-the-water studios on one of two private islands: Play and Chill. Hop back and forth between the two islands for alternating thrills and adventure and tranquillity and relaxation. An exclusive spa and premier dining are ideal for after a day of water sports, biking, or reef diving.