Best Luxury Hotels in Maldives

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.

Nautilus provides a highly personalised and luxurious experience for guests in the heart of the Maldives. With only twenty-six beach and ocean villas every detail is tailored to you for your trip. Each villa has its own separate living area, and private pool and has every modern luxury one might want. The Nautilus is the perfect choice for guests seeking a private and exclusive getaway in the idyllic Indian Ocean. The resort offers many incredible experiences like luxury yacht trips, private beech cinema screenings and private beach dinners. Dining at the Nautilus is another bespoke experience as guests are invited to eat whatever they desire whenever they are hungry and explore the Mediterranean-Arabic fusion restaurant Zetyoun or the Japanese-South American fusion restaurant Ocaso. These restaurants, as well as Thyme, the resort’s international restaurant, have no open or closing times, chefs are at guest’s beck and call at all times.

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.

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.

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.

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.