FROM ABOVE, THE MALDIVES’ ATOLLS resemble a string of glimmering pearls dotted with ritzy resort gems—but not all have the same sheen, or the same amenities for that matter. With hundreds of options to sift through, choosing the right one for your trip can be an overwhelming prospect—almost as daunting as the average Maldivian resort’s breakfast buffet options.
Whether you’re addicted to diving, looking for a quick getaway, want accessibility, or in need of some serious R&R, we’ve selected the perfect Maldives resort for every kind of traveler.
Perfect for Bucket-list Diving and Snorkeling
Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
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Courtesy of Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
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Courtesy of Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
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Courtesy of Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
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Courtesy of Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
Located in Baa Atoll’s UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, this Four Seasons resort is mere minutes from world-famous Hanifaru Bay. Between June and October, hundreds of manta rays flock here for feeding. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru provides guests with a “manta on call” phone that rings as soon as the marine biologists spot them in the bay. Guests can then gear up for one of the world’s most unique and mesmerizing snorkeling experiences.
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
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Courtesy of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
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Courtesy of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
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Courtesy of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Known for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, you can spend your entire day watching massive schools of fish, turtles and reef sharks swim by. For an adrenaline-pumping dive experience, book a day trip to get up close with the tiger sharks off the southern island of Fuvahmulah.
hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/maldives/park-hyatt-maldives-hadahaa
Perfect for Food Fiends
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
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Amber. Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
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Li Long. Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
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Lagoon Pool. Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
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Nava. Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
This South Malé Atoll hideaway gives new meaning to the term “food paradise.” Its 11 unique restaurants pack a serious culinary punch in the Maldives’ resort dining scene. From the world’s first overwater Zuma to Beijing-style Peking duck at Li Long to perfectly cooked wagyu at The Ledge by Dave Pynt, each is worthy of an award.
hilton.com/en/hotels/mleonwa-waldorf-astoria-maldives-ithaafushi
The Nautilus Maldives
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Courtesy of The Nautilus Maldives
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Courtesy of The Nautilus Maldives
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Courtesy of The Nautilus Maldives
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Courtesy of The Nautilus Maldives
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Courtesy of The Nautilus Maldives
Unscripted dining is a level of luxury that only the Maldives could manage. Want caviar for breakfast? Pancakes for dinner? Done and done. This luxe-boho-chic resort has no set menus or dining times. Whatever you’re craving, day or night, the creative chefs here will whip it up for you.
Perfect for Families with Kids
Soneva Fushi
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Dolphin Cruise. Courtesy of Soneva Fushi
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Zipling at Soneva Fushi. Image Credit: Aja Ng
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Lego time in The Den at Soneva Fushi. Courtesy of Soneva Fushi
This barefoot luxury resort is a playground for travelers of every age. Famous for having the Maldives’ largest kids’ club, here, parents have been known to bribe their offspring with a trip to the resort’s ice-cream room to get them to leave. With everything at hand, from educational marine programs to silly scavenger hunts, kids will dream about their Soneva vacation long into adulthood.
soneva.com/resorts/soneva-fushi
LUX South Ari Atoll
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Family on the beach. Courtesy of LUX* Resorts & Hotels
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Beach Picnic. Courtesy of LUX* Resorts & Hotels
Ice cream awaits as soon as little ones step off the seaplane at this family-forward resort. The kids’ club here has a jam-packed schedule of activities from Zumba to face painting to pizza making. The island’s spa also has a special menu designed for kids (including a Tutti Frutti facial) and parents to indulge together.
luxresorts.com/en/maldives/resort/luxsouthariatoll
Perfect for Party Vibes
Patina Maldives
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Courtesy of Patina Maldives
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Courtesy of Patina Maldives
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Courtesy of Patina Maldives
Creating social moments is a key strength of this laidback-luxe resort that has an edgy entertainment curator on staff. Most of the 13 F&B outlets, including three food trucks, are in a sandy, oceanside laneway that inspires mingling. A winning personality is essential for all the guest chefs, artists and athletes they bring in. And Patina loves to throw an outrageous party: New Year’s Eve 2024, for example, featured aerialists, a fire show and pop star Kelis.
patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islands
Perfect for Long Weekenders
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
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Courtesy of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
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Grand Beachfront Pool Villa Extended Living Area. Courtesy of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
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Grand Beachfront Pool Villa Interior. Courtesy of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
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Grand Beachfront Pool Villa Sala Deck. Courtesy of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Don’t have long for your Maldives getaway? A quick 25-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport in Malé, and you’re ditching your shoes for a sandy escape at this banyam Tree outpost. Celebrating nearly 30 years, this small, rustic beach resort is perfect for a quick trip to paradise. Highlights include the open-air treatments in its Thai-inspired spa, the overwater Japanese restaurant and its pristine slab of blinding white beach. We also hear its conservation initiatives have recently been enhanced.
banyantree.com/maldives/vabbinfaru
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
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Over Water Villa with Ocean View. Courtesy of Anantara Veli Maldives
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Courtesy of Anantara Veli Maldives
This adults-only resort offers up dreamy weekenders just a 25-minute speedboat from the airport. After its recent facelift, its villas are stylish and breezy, surrounded by a gorgeous lagoon primed for snorkeling. Nearby sister resort Anantara Dhigu (and its stellar spa and overwater Thai restaurant) are just across the lagoon.
Perfect for Wheelchair Accessibility
Amilla Fushi
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Courtesy of Amilla Fushi
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Courtesy of Amilla Fushi
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Courtesy of Amilla Fushi
The leading inclusive resort in the Maldives has a litany of certifications and memberships, making it the most wheelchair-accessible resort in the Maldives. Specially designed villas with wider doorways and ramps cater to guests with mobility needs. But that’s not all; Amilla Fushi also has beach wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs, adaptive yoga and customizable marine activities with specially trained instructors.
Perfect for Wellness
Joali Being
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Areka. Courtesy of Joali Being
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Arrival Jetty. Courtesy of Joali Being
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Salt Room. Courtesy of Joali Being
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Watsu Pool. Courtesy of Joali Being
The Maldives’ first wellness resort offers multi-day and week journeys for whatever ails you. From weight-loss programs to sleep programs to anti-aging, there is a team of doctors and practitioners to deliver every treatment under the Maldivian sun. The healthy, fresh food isn’t bad either.
Velaa Private Island
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Courtesy of Velaa Private Island
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Courtesy of Velaa Private Island
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Courtesy of Velaa Private Island
One of the Maldives’ most plush resorts recently cut the bamboo ribbon on its new wellbeing village. Focusing on holistic Ayurvedic treatments, it also has a healthy food restaurant, open-air meditation pavilion and fitness center. High-tech options are also on offer, including IV therapy, blood testing and osteotherapy.
Perfect for Sustainability
Kudadoo Maldives
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Kudadoo Maldives Private Island is a fully solar-powered resort
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Architect Yuji Yamazaki on the roof of The Retreat. Courtesy of Kudadoo Maldives Private Island
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The majestic sea turtle continue to thrive in the protected waters surrounding Kudadoo. Courtesy of Kudadoo Maldives Private Island
As the first resort in the Maldives run entirely on solar panels, Kudadoo is a beacon of sustainability. Its 15 overwater Japanese ryokan-style villas are made with sustainable wood and energy-efficient design, all featuring open-plan spaces and natural ventilation. And like most high-end resorts in the Maldives, they have cut out single-use plastic and have their own desalination and bottling plant for fresh water.
Six Senses Laamu
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Leaf overlooking the garden. Courtesy of Six Senses Laamu
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Six Senses Laamu has always used glass bottles for all its drink water to eliminating of single-use plastic. Courtesy of Six Senses Laamu
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Jungle Cinema. Courtesy of Six Senses Laamu
A castaway favorite, this Six Senses resort is also among its most sustainable. Its new marine lab, the Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu, is dedicated to education and conservation. It includes an impressive marine laboratory, cinema room and kids’ zone. The resort also works with foundations to track and help save hundreds of manta rays and Maldivian turtles.
sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/asia-the-pacific/maldives/laamu
Lede images (left to right): Courtesy of Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru; courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi; courtesy of Joali Being; courtesy of Soneva Fushi
Hero image courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Katie Lockhart
Katie Lockhart is a travel & food journalist and copywriter traveling full-time around Asia. She writes ..Read More
