Best Luxury Hotels in Male City

Inhabiting its own island, just a 25-minute speed boat from Velana International Airport, the Banyan  Tree Vabbinfaru is one of the Maldive’s top all-inclusive resorts. Its villas are all moments away from  the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. They are spacious and bathed in natural light, they all also have their own private pools and modern amenities. The hotel offers many experiences to guests  like scuba diving, cultural evenings, holistic wellness experiences, private beach BBQs and floating  breakfasts. The resort is also home to a renowned Spa which focuses on traditional Asian healing  practices. The Banyan also boasts the Madi Hiyaa, an overwater restaurant which serves  exceptionally fresh Japanese dishes. The hotel’s bar, the Naiboli, is the perfect place to end your day  as guests are invited to enjoy divine craft cocktails and refreshing nibbles.

Having been around for 50 years, this resort has continually reinvented itself, while maintaining a reputation as one of the finest in the Maldives. Book a villa, a suite, or the Baros Residence, with designer toiletries, a deep free-standing tub, an outdoor shower with palms and plants, 24-hour butler service and a private infinity pool. There are so many places and ways to dine here; consider a romantic meal on the floating Piano Deck, aboard a dhoni at sea or in The Lighthouse. Indulge in some spa treatments, unwind in the Relaxation Sala, or take a class led by the in-house yogi.

JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is a luxurious retreat located on Hathaa Finolhu in the Kaafu Atoll, just a 15-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. The resort offers 80 private pool villas, including 47 overwater villas, each designed with modern island aesthetics and featuring a private deck with panoramic ocean views. Guests can enjoy an exceptional culinary journey across seven dining venues, from fine dining at Riva to the vibrant flavours of Athiri’s South American cuisine and the fresh, locally inspired dishes at Pure. The resort’s Spa by JW provides a tranquil escape with a range of treatments, a steam room, sauna, and a relaxation pavilion. Fitness enthusiasts can make use of the 24-hour gym, while multiple outdoor pools, including a children’s pool, offer ample space to unwind. The resort also caters to families with dedicated activities for younger guests. With its pristine beachfront setting, private pools, world-class dining, and rejuvenating wellness facilities, JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort promises an unforgettable island experience in the heart of the 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.

Just 20-minutes by speedboat from Male airport, this brand new resort on Amingiri Island is taking bookings for its very first guests in September 2022. 109 villas are either on the beach or overwater, all with their own pools, ocean-facing bathtubs and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the paradise views of the surrounding aquamarine lagoon. Additionally, the family-friendly resort offers a shared pool, a kids’ pool, a spa, salon, fitness centre, a kids’ club and a teen zone, as well as six dining concepts and bars (one of which is adults-only, specialising in gin and champagne and suspended above the water).

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.