The Maldives is often a dream destination for people who love to travel. This tropical paradise, located in the Indian Ocean, is made up of 1,192 coral islands that are grouped in 26 atolls. Resorts in the Maldives are every luxury connoisseur’s dream. Offering crystal-clear waters at their doorsteps, top-of-the-line luxurious facilities, and impeccable service, these resorts offer the perfect destination for those looking for the ultimate holiday experience. The Maldives is the epitome of paradise. With its gold-hued sands, lush greenery, peaceful way of life, and the warmth and friendliness of its people, it is no wonder that the Maldives has consistently been chosen as one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. Its fame has attracted people from all walks of life, from backpackers to celebrities, and brought in millions of dollars in tourist revenue to the Maldivian economy.
One can find an uncountable number of hotels in the Maldives. They range from guesthouses and backpacker inns in the capital city of Malé to sky-scraping five-star resorts draped across coral islands, simultaneously managing to be both one of the country’s biggest attractions and contributors to the world-famous Maldives luxury tourism market. The extravagant and luxurious experiences offered at the many world-class resorts and hotels are what the Maldives is best known for. Guests choose to stay in luxurious over-water bungalows designed to blend in with the natural beauty of the Maldivian environment.
In recent years, luxury tourism has served as a significant portion of the tourist industry in the Maldives. High-end travelers, mainly from Europe, Africa, and Asia, typically patronize such tourist destinations. The burgeoning sector is characterized by the development of various luxury resorts, each boasting unique offerings. Luxury tourism is most sought after by tourists who wish to spend days in seclusion and relaxation, captivated by the picturesque view of the clear azure water punctuated with fresh, white foaming waves calmly crashing against the islands. The travelers are willing to pay more to be pampered and have their whims and fancies catered to. The natural beauty of the Maldives is its most endearing feature for luxury tourists, coupled with the idyllic hotels, luxurious accommodations, comfy bedding, high-quality linens, indoor and outdoor showers, and sumptuous buffet breakfasts. The Maldives has also branded itself as an aviation hub for private jets from the Middle East and Europe. We rounded up a list of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives:
Cheval Blanc Randheli
Located in the northern Noonu Atoll, Cheval Blanc Randheli is undoubtedly one of the most sophisticated resorts in the Maldives. Each of its 46 well-appointed villas is designed with luxury living in mind. The decor showcases cutting-edge elegance with a smooth blend of traditional Maldivian craftsmanship. The result is a perfect balance between indoor and outdoor living, all of which offer stunning lagoon views. The resort promises to deliver exceptional service with more than 310 passionate and expert explorers in place. Their accomplished team tailors each guest experience, from water, food, and nature to spa and remote explorer excursions. They oversee the resort’s five dining concepts under the meticulous eye of culinary talent with dedicated sommeliers who preside over wine purchases. Cheval Blanc pushes the bounds of fine cuisine with accomplished chefs who source only the finest and freshest ingredients, whether sourced locally from the Maldives or their unrivaled global network. Signature wellness journeys at the Spa Island support one’s boldest ventures, designed for those who seek life’s true luxuries: an exceptional private island lifestyle and the art of letting go. The ultra-luxe spa offers a range of remarkable personalized signature treatments and possesses a Namesake Spa, its only international location outside of Paris. The vision and design at Cheval Blanc Randheli stem from the rich imagination of the famous architect, reflecting a simple yet chic set of overwater and beachfront villa accommodations and five standout dining establishments. Called Maldivian Maison, encouraged by a gallery of domestic lounges, Cheval Blanc offers space to relax and access luxurious island life, expanding its unique concept of luxury with enhanced privacy in each villa.
Soneva Jani
The stand-out feature of Soneva Jani is, without a doubt, the villas. Built over the ocean from 100% sustainable wood, stone, and glass, the innovative design of these luxurious sanctuaries accentuates their natural surroundings. The most luxurious villas come with retractable roofs for private stargazing, and a couple have a seawater slide that whirlwinds down from the upper deck into the lagoon. They all come with private pools, comfortable daybeds, and dine-in options. Service is personal and deeply attentive to individual preferences. An on-site observatory hosts regular lectures and stargazing. The resort’s spa stays blissfully open until 10 PM, entwined with wellness philosophies of the East and West. In addition to holistic and Thai massages, there’s an Ayurvedic menu with purifying scrub and wrap experiences, as well as the opportunity for floating therapy in your villa. Soneva Jani champions the ‘Intelligent Luxury’ philosophy to ensure their guests only have ‘one planet’ experiences: to this end, 90% of the resort’s drinking water is purified, bottled, and served in reusable glass bottles.
When it comes to dining, the resort presents Japanese overwater dining and Modern European cuisine inspired by the Archipelago. Other dining options create Maldivian cuisine, while wine will come with over 450 labels from around the world. Soneva Jani also offers a Dinner under the Stars experience (not included in the rate). If you’re more of a film buff, don’t miss the mid-ocean cinema – a short boat ride from the property – or, for the more in-depth Maldives culture experience, why not visit a traditional performance? The Den is filled with books, but you can also play table football and pool or delve into your nearest video game. Your Soneva Jani experience doesn’t just begin or end at the airport – it begins when you board a luxury yacht at the international airport (transfers are included in your villa rate).
Velaa Private Island
Think of exclusivity, think of Velaa Private Island. Reaching the private island is as unique as the island itself. Operated by Aries Maldive and located in Noonu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane ride from the Maldives’ capital city Malé. With just 47 private villas and residences – 7 over-water, 18 beach, including wellness villas and residences, and 22 quaintly positioned in the island’s tropical woodland, everything about the luxurious hideaway is individual.
Genuinely bespoke service comes in the form of the island’s Privee – a collection of one-of-a-kind moments that cater to individual guest wishes, from private sunset shopping to a commissioned art piece. Velaa features dedicated family and adult areas, including kids’ extracurricular activities through an exclusive tie-up, the world’s finest spa brand, an array of dining venues, two exceptional luxury yachts including a 75ft ‘Dhoni’, and experiences of all kinds, both on property and out at sea – in fact, at Velaa, all villas and the entire island are set right in the ocean with the house reef available to be explored straight from the villas. A commitment to sustainability underpins the Velaa Private Island ethos, ensuring that the natural beauty and rich culture of the Maldives will be preserved for generations to come.
Aerial views of the intimate five-acre island reveal its exquisite design, including the choice of high-quality finishes to complement the surrounding natural beauty. Every space has been thoughtfully designed from scratch and is a haven for creatures great and small – including guests. With utmost privacy guaranteed, guests can’t help but become a part of the island’s residential community of nesting birds, chirping geckos, and freely roaming tortoises. The more adventurous wild bunnies have been bred entirely on the island as part of a protected breed, with Velaa a sanctuary for rescued domesticated animals.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru epitomizes the luxury for which the hotel brand is famous. This palatial property enjoys a particularly idyllic island location, with its 103 thatched-roof villas standing either over the mesmerizing lagoon or directly on the pristine beach. It prides itself on world-class service and experiences, enhanced by a quiet philosophy of global responsibility, conservation, and embracing eco-tourism. This sense of responsibility can be experienced in a number of diverse excursions and activities, finishing most memorably in an overwater Indian restaurant. World-renowned for its luxurious activities, opulent rooms, and exceptional service, Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru could equally be recognized for its ardent and dedicated efforts to protect and celebrate the natural surroundings, a top spot for luxury island lovers.
The resort’s commitment to eco-friendly principles and wellness begins at check-in. Despite its large footprint, Four Seasons operates its own sustainability program, encouraging waste reduction, resource efficiency, and conservation by actively supporting staff members’ local community projects. On the land, the Beach Villas and villas with private pools stand away from the beach on stilts and provide even more privacy alongside stunning ocean views; they all have sumptuous king beds, sunken bathtubs, outdoor showers, and access to a private coral reef. Above the azure waters of the two-acre lagoon are the Water Villas and water suites, boasting panoramic vistas – you may even see a manta ray or two swimming lazily by, specifically from the two-storey accommodations. It’s truly a hideaway designed for those seeking peace and quiet – and, yes, perfection. The spa is a sanctuary complete with Ayurvedic rituals, rooftop serenity, wet areas, Jacuzzis, a steam room, a sauna, and a sauna bar, while daily, expert-led yoga, meditation, tai chi, and pranayama are also available. Additionally, a resident Ayurvedic doctor is available on the island, offering a range of personalized treatments designed to achieve optimal health. Divers will want to explore the nearby Turtle Reef – part of a Marine Discover Centre led by resident biologists and home to significant research and marine conservation projects, such as coral reefscaping and genomic research. In addition, there are various dining options spread across the resort, some of which are directed by a local chef of Indian origin.
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Return to pristine island garden living where you will encounter an authentic, seductive, and indulgent ‘cast away’ atmosphere in a uniquely natural yet effortlessly elegant setting. Our 45 luxurious rustic over-water villas and residences are architecturally spectacular with bespoke, hand-crafted interiors stylishly locally sourced and are either sunken into the coral reef below or set on stilts above the Indian Ocean in a manner that allows guests to ‘step off’ directly into the private aquamarine sea below. Gili Lankanfushi is committed to an ever-evolving eco-luxury concept and sets the bar in exceptional services tailored to satisfy in the Maldives. Nature’s sights, sounds, and smells greet you every time you step outside. And all the time.
The overwater Meera Spa celebrates all that is nurturing and regenerative in our island cultural rituals. Qualified yoga instructors and an open-air ‘Ocean Paradise Pavilion’ offer space for bliss-inducing sunrise and sunset meditations, as well as well-being consensus from dawn to dusk. This year, Gili Lankanfushi will introduce the Maldives’ only 100 percent plant-based restaurant. Additionally, family space, Gili Veshi, opens, offering adult and child-friendly adventure for an unbeatably unique Maldivian family experience. With five global culinary experience dining valuations, including two within the top five categories circulating both images and independent worldwide evaluations, we engage with true F&B accolades. However, many criteria anticipate its segment position, including the eco-standards, the spa menu of treatments, and the expanded holistic offering (yoga).
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Not just another luxurious scene-stealing accommodation option, the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has something special and exclusive to offer to the thousands of international travelers who visit the Maldives each year. A mere 40 minutes away from Male via seaplane, this resplendent resort enjoys a central position between the true atolls close to the Equator. Its stunning sea-facing villas are as glamorous and full of contemporary design trends as they come. Each villa is Instagram material and boasts a separate sleeping space and living room, large wooden deck, outdoor rain shower, infinity pool, and strategic view of that ever-changing ocean.
In terms of dining, St. Regis Maldives Resort offers something extra special in the cuisine department. Yes, there’s good traditional Asian food as well as Mediterranean-fusion cuisine – normally available at luxury hotels. Buried deep within the troves of luxury amenities that are available to guests is the enchanting culinary space perfect for exclusive and private dining – underground. The world-famous St. Regis butler service is divine, and a long tradition of resort history is dedicated to inventing incredible recreational activities as part of their guest entitlements. Breakfast here is a culinary experience in shallow decadence that will take guests from one delight to the next, while day-to-day dining gives a small nod to the love of diverse explorations in international cuisine. The Iridium Spa offers VIP treatment pavilions, personal workouts with the resident wellness expert, yoga, mainland beach pub crawls, and brilliant sunset swims in the emerald Maldivian sea. Built into the island’s groves of tropical and green palm leaves, the overall architectural design of St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is cleanly modern and predominantly of natural, indigenous materials with just a hint of bare concrete. The atmosphere here rings clear to the Maldivian spirit. The best green and sustainable initiatives are entertained by the St. Regis brand, and they are the first Maldives hotel company to recycle aluminum cans and scrap metal while supporting the Women in Business Agreement, a pledge to support and provide equal opportunities to women in the Maldives.
Milaidhoo Island Maldives
Milaidhoo Island, Maldives, offers a relaxed, luxurious embrace of the original castaway experience. It’s a place that works a special kind of magic. Our guides have an intimate knowledge of the local waters, and they’re happy to share it with you, guiding you to the best spots for sensational fishing. A true deep-sea safari destination, depending on the time of year, you might catch the likes of sailfish, marlin, wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, trevally, barracuda, groupers, and bonitos. Then, catch back on to some nights of luxury and start your next days with a selection of breakfast offerings. A highlight is the gourmet champagne breakfast cruises. The team creates gourmet crafted food that sets the stage for absolutely magical evenings under the stars. Their mission on this island is to make you feel special, honored, amused, and appreciated. In addition to the local experience, the team is passionate about market services, deep privacy, and service quality.
Expressly designed for you to relax and unwind in luxuriant elegance, the 50 spacious over-water and beach villas are suffused with stylish design elements celebrating the elegance of classical Maldivian aesthetics. Each of the luxurious villas at the resort at Milaidhoo Island is located on the sunset side of the island, offering the best views; all of our guests in these villas will be able to watch the sunset from the comfort of their private sundeck or private freshwater pool, which comes as standard in every villa. In addition, the resort boasts a variety of top-quality facilities and services, restaurants, and bars to suit the individual needs of all travelers. The restaurant is easily one of the best options, where they will truly enjoy a very diverse and unique menu of food representing local and international cuisine. They offer exquisite dessert options, crafted cocktails, and homemade ice creams, as well as well-known vintage wines. The sommelier enhances the experience by offering a voyage to the wine-selection islands in the main restaurant to enjoy a delectable variety of wine. The experience feels unique due to the immeasurable love for delightful wine.
COMO Maalifushi
Como Maalifushi epitomizes relaxed, barefoot luxury on the most beautiful island in the Maldives. Wrapped in white beaches, this Maldives resort simply skims the water’s edge. On land and in the waterline, it’s a beautiful place to be. Intimate, understated, and restful, Como Maalifushi is the epitome of a very special kind of luxury. The resort is nestled in an extraordinary location in Thaa Atoll, one of the largest, most beautiful marine atolls in the Maldives, and offers some of the best diving to be found anywhere in the world.
There’s an animation to Maalifushi, an energy that comes from the unspoiled bounty of the environment, but mainly from the staff, who treat each guest in a manner that is instantly accommodating and unremittingly friendly. Both activities and the Como Shambhala spa immerse mind, body, and spirit in pristine loveliness. Space in every sense at Como Maalifushi makes for a restful holiday. From the enormous suites that dig their toes into the sand to those overwater lounges, all buildings and rooms share this ethos of practicality and elegance. Food revolves around blends of European, Maldivian, and Indonesian cooking, tending also to the growing ranks of those interested in a healthier way of eating. Fresh produce such as cucumbers, lime, and light, citrusy finger limes have begun to be served. Beyond this, Como Maalifushi promotes environmental sustainability while also playing a major role in shaping the Thaa Atoll community and its Maldivian staff with their professional expertise and respect for guests and one another. With the energy of the place, incredible service, big-hearted and spacious at the same time, and a vibrant, intimate, and peaceful energy, it will definitely catch the strings from the most marshmallow of hearts to the most discerning.
Joali Maldives
Artists, art collectors, and creatives of all disciplines will feel at home at Joali Maldives. The resort’s unique selling point is the free-ranging and immersive art concept, which enhances the whole island’s appeal. Artworks and comfortable furniture blend seamlessly into the wild and lush environment, creating a dreamy atmosphere where luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. With just 73 villas and residences, the atmosphere is created for the ultimate luxury experience with personalized service all day long. The design and uniqueness of each villa are impressionable – freshwater pools, statement-size wardrobes, an oversized day bed in the living room, island-shaped beds, incredible bathrooms, and special wall art.
The four restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines from Japanese, Peruvian, and Mediterranean with Turkish influence and modern global cooking thanks to its Australian chef. Culinary show experiences day and evening are the main focus of the eateries and bars, where masterclasses and guest chefs will add further acclaim to destinations. The boutique spa has successfully launched a new range of holistic therapies, offering a full menu of wellness therapies and a program of visiting international wellness practitioners. The daily cultural workshops will be run by the hotel’s art and studio director and will cover areas such as pottery, paint sessions, floral arranging, and herbalism. Finally, given its incredible position in the atoll, Joali’s water sports and dive initiations team have already been instrumental in launching a number of incredible new excursions and tools, which will be further boosted next season with seaplane arrival ceremonies and music, as well as further cultural partnerships. Additionally, Joali Maldives pledges to do ‘one good thing’ every day; from contributing to marine conservation to supporting education projects in the Maldives, this sort of pledge that is continuously delivered year after year sets luxury standards in the Maldives.