Best Luxury Hotels in Maldives

This minimalist Maldivian paradise features 80 freestanding villas, offering a mix of luxurious beachfront and overwater accommodations, each with its own private pool. The resort’s dining options are impressive, including an overwater Mediterranean restaurant, a beachside churrascaria, and a vibrant teppanyaki grill. The resort’s unique spa is set in air-conditioned treehouses above a grove of palm trees, providing a variety of tropical treatments, from ritual Thai massages to red coral facials. For those seeking adventure, the resort offers a range of activities such as diving, kayaking, and windsurfing, all enhanced by the stunning Indian Ocean backdrop.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, offers a unique island getaway blending luxury, tranquility, and eco-consciousness. The resort’s design, inspired by local Maldivian elements, combines modern luxury with sustainable practices, using renewable energy and locally sourced materials. Guests are encouraged to embrace the island’s natural surroundings by exploring barefoot, enhancing the authentic experience while promoting environmental awareness and respect for nature.

Situated in the Shaviyani Atoll, the JW Marriott Resort and Spa Maldives provides an unforgettable experience. Guests are welcomed with traditional BoduBeru drums and vibrant Maldivian dances before being escorted by their personal Thakuru (butler) for an in-villa check-in. The resort features luxurious overwater and beach villas with private pools, expansive decks offering stunning Indian Ocean views, and plush bedding for ultimate comfort. Set amidst tropical greenery, each villa serves as a tranquil retreat, allowing guests to connect with the island’s natural beauty.

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.

Arrive via speedboat and heralded by the blowing of a conch shell, as you step into this resort inspired by nature’s elements. Half of the accommodation is beachfront, the other is set on stilts overwater with villas offering a peek into the marine life below via glass panels. Dive further into the ocean with the M6M dining experience, a restaurant set six metres below the sea, scuba lessons, snorkelling the reefs, or via a sub expedition, riding just one metre beneath the surface. The resort also has a spa (with over-water treatment rooms and therapies based on the principles of earth, wind, water, fire and wood) as well as a beach club, bars, an infinity pool and multiple other dining experiences. This is the true definition of desert island luxury.

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.

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.