Best Design Hotels in Maldives

Ozen Reserve Bolifushi is an ultra-luxurious resort nestled in lush tropical vegetation and surrounded by white beaches and turquoise waters. This exclusive island offers 90 stunning villas, each with a private swimming pool and beautiful ocean views. Just a short 35-minute luxury catamaran ride from Velana International Airport, the resort welcomes you to experience the epitome of relaxation and opulence. Villas feature timber flooring, high ceilings, and spacious bathrooms, providing a perfect blend of tradition and luxury. Some water villas even have slides leading into the lagoon. Culinary delights await you with a variety of dining experiences, showcasing traditional Indian dishes, Middle Eastern delights by the beach, and gourmet seafood creations complemented by excellent wines and champagnes. For adventure enthusiasts, the resort boasts one of the finest house reefs in the South Malé Atoll, making snorkelling and diving experiences extraordinary. A PADI-certified dive centre arranges courses and expeditions for exploration. Indulge in relaxation at the spa, offering 100% organic treatments, or stay active at the overwater gymnasium. Non-motorised water sports and semi-submarine adventures provide ample opportunities for marine exploration while complimentary bicycles are available for leisurely island rides around the island. Families are warmly welcomed with a Kid’s Club and Teen Lounge, where regular events and activities, including the educational Island Treasure Hunt, keep younger guests entertained.

W Maldives presents guests with contemporary design, vibrant social spaces, and world-class amenities. The 77 villas, designed by Miaja Design Group, take inspiration from the Maldives’ marine life and lush landscapes, featuring overwater and beach accommodations, including Supreme Overwater Two-Bedroom Villas and Oasis Two-Bedroom Beach Villas with private pools and exhilarating water slides. The resort’s culinary experiences include sustainable ocean-to-table fine dining at FISH, expertly grilled dishes at FIRE, and international favourites at KITCHEN, alongside exclusive pop-up events with renowned chefs.

The overwater bar SIP serves Latin American-inspired cocktails against breathtaking sunsets, while the WET Deck pulsates with energy, featuring the Maldives’ first Splinterworks Vertex water slide. The AWAY Spa offers indulgent treatments in overwater pavilions, while the Rise & Energize programme provides year-round wellness and fitness activities. Guests can explore one of the Maldives’ finest house reefs, embark on bespoke excursions to the private island Gaathafushi, and experience a seamless blend of adventure and relaxation. Sustainability remains at the core of the resort, with eco-conscious design elements, a biogas plant, and a commitment to self-sustainability by 2026. W Maldives is a vibrant playground where bold design meets indulgence, offering an unforgettable island escape.

This blissful island retreat seamlessly blends beachfront and overwater living with contemporary architecture and interiors – with crystal blue waters as its backdrop. From relaxing to spa treatments to an energetic workout in the fully equipped gym, the spectacular overwater views can be enjoyed from every angle. There is a superb range of dining options which include fusion cuisine from Japan and Peru, Mediterranen-inspired menus and many delightful all-day snacks.  The private butler service, sporting activities, kids club (and more!) offer guests the option to enhance their Maldivian experience. This is the ideal choice for a holiday where sanctuary and seclusion are high on the agenda.

The Kuda Villingli resort is a paradise on earth due to its turquoise sea and lush forests. The hotel’s villas fuse Asian design aspects with traditional Maldivian styles to create elegant and inviting places to stay. Guests have a choice of beachfront villas or over-ocean villas, both of which have Egyptian cotton bed linen and private pools. The Kuda Villingi is home to an exclusive spa, the Maldive’s largest pool, surf spots and exceptional dive spots, guests will simply never get bored. The resort is home to many different dining establishments ranging from the chic Restaurant which serves classic local dishes to Mar-Umi which serves Peruvian Japanese fusion dishes which are bound to excite the palate of even the toughest food critics. It is also home to a beachfront bar, Mediterranean restaurant, Korean restaurant, and Indian-Arabic fusion restaurant.

Situated on its own private tropical island St Regis resort is one of the most luxurious Indian ocean escapes. The vibrant marine life surrounding St Regis, white sand beaches and the islands lush  rainforest make the resort nothing short of paradise. The island is home to numerous different Villas  which are spacious and modern, many villas also have their own private pools. Guests can choose  either to stay in a villa on the island or in an overwater suite where one can quite literally dive out of  bed into the turquoise hew of the Indian Ocean. The resort offers many experiences including yacht  hire, diving, water sports, spa treatments and private dining on the beach. St Regis is home to its own  Spa, infinity pool, private lagoon and exceptional butler service. St Regis boasts six different dining establishments which include a beachside pizzeria, a luxurious international restaurant, a Japanese  restaurant and a stunning overwater tapas restaurant.

The Park Hyatt provides guests with the ultimate Indian Ocean Luxury adventure. Guests can have a  number of adventures from learning essential survival skills and then eating freshly caught fish to diving with turtles, sharks and tropical fish, there is something for everyone at the Park Hyatt. The  Park Hyatt is the perfect destination for families as it offers a variety of kids’ experiences which include experiences which teach children about the maritime world and sustainability. The Park Hyatt is home  to 51 luxurious Villas and the exquisite 3-bedroom Kiaali residence. Villas are all either over the water  or metres away from it and many have private pools. The resort’s restaurants The Dining Room and  The Island Gill offer a range of international and local dishes in a stylish and open-air environment.  The Park Hyatt is also home to the overwater intimate Japanese restaurant, Koi, which serves guests  incredibly fresh Japanese food all whilst they gaze over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The  Park Hyatt also offers private beach dinners and in-villa dining at all times.

Choose from either overwater or beach villas at The Standard. There are 115 in total, with mood lighting and infinity pools, each providing easy access to the protected house reef, for some scuba, snorkel and sailing action. The hotel’s spa has a hammam, a cypress steam room, a meditation studio and aerial yoga classes. And the four eateries include the overwater Maldivian restaurant, Guduguda. The Standard has an inflatable water park, a kids club and a programme of entertainment, such as traditional Maldivian Boduberu, beach movie nights and karaoke.

Home to the Maldives’ first-ever Medi-spa, this retreat is in the Raa Atoll. Choose from 150 villas, some over-water, duplexes, others on the beach and those best suited to family groups. Depending on the category, you can benefit from butler service and a private pool, with those in ocean suites able to dine at an overwater restaurant and exclusive bar. There are five further restaurants, providing buffets, grilled seafood, Sri Lankan fine dining and a chef’s table, plus several bars with views to die for. Plus there are two swimming pools, a playground, a kids club, futsal fields, tennis courts and watersports.

Perched on a huge lagoon, beside the jungle and the ocean, this all-villa resort is on Sirru Fen Fushi island, in the Shaviyani Atoll. Stay on the beach, hidden in the mangroves, over-water or in a luxury tented residence nestled in the jungle. Each makes use of local materials, with local design and ranges from one to three bedrooms. Play tennis, beach volleyball and water sports, take a Maldivian cooking class, paint at the onsite art studio and swim in what is the longest swimming pool in the Indian Ocean. Other amenities include the Willow Stream Spa, four restaurants, a kids club and a teen games room.

Sitting on the Southernmost tip of Raa Atoll, on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and within its own natural lagoon, Maamunagau Island offers the perfect family holiday. Boasting an exceptional kids’ club, resident chefs and most recently, manta ray retreats, the resort accommodation is well-suited to hosting families in beautiful, spacious villas and residences. As the first and only all-Club InterContinental resort, guests are spoiled with complimentary benefits alongside five-star facilities. With 81 beach, lagoon and over-water villas, as well as six restaurants and bars, the resort enjoys the peace of a boutique hotel but hosts world-class resort facilities.

Sun Siyam Iru Veli is a 45-minute seaplane from Male, this island idyll with a chilled vibe and a pool in every villa couldn’t be more suited to couples of all ages looking for a taste of barefoot luxury with one of the best all-inclusive indulgences in the Maldives.

An all-inclusive resort that covers diving or spa credits, excursions, activities and a free minibar is hard to find. You get all these at Iru Veli as well as the option of eating a la carte in the overwater Italian restaurant Roma, or beachfront Grouper Grill whilst the buffet is excellent too. You know this is a ‘more inclusive’ rather than a standard all-inclusive offering before you even get to Sun Siyam Iru Veli while waiting for your seaplane flight, you can indulge in a head and shoulders massage and food and drinks in Sun Siyam Resorts’ comfortable airport lounge.

Once on the island, divers can join three dives a week without having to pay extra, while non-divers receive spa credit. See how Maldivians live on a local island tour, enjoy a sunset cruise to spot pods of dolphins, and go snorkelling with a guide. You can also take a half-hour windsurfing lesson and try jetskiing too.

And for those wanting to see how the local farming community works, farm-to-fork dining takes on a whole new meaning at Iru Veli, which is supplied by two island farms owned by the Maldivian-owned Sun Siyam Resorts group. Visit Udhdhoo farm island, a 10-minute boat ride away, to see how the company makes food miles shrink. Some 38 different types of fruit and veg are cultivated by a team of gardeners, supplying about a third of Iru Veli’s fresh produce.

Raaya by Atmosphere is situated on a lush private island in Raa Atoll. The resort draws inspiration from the natural surroundings and the open ocean, offering guests a sense of adventure. It features 187 beach and ocean villas with stunning ocean views. The resort experience is intertwined with the story of Seb, a shipwrecked artist who made the island his home. Seb’s story adds a unique touch to the resort, showcasing his art studio, ship, and watch towers converted into dining and star-gazing venues. In the evening, guests can enjoy live entertainment, traditional Boduberu performances, and cultural events. The resort offers various exciting activities such as diving, water sports, and excursions on the open ocean. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures, including archery, kids’ play areas, mini golf, and paddle tennis. Guests can also indulge in delicious food and pampering spa treatments at Maai Spa. Overall, the resort promises an unforgettable and immersive experience in a beautiful and adventurous setting.