Eeny, meeny, miny, Maldives. There’s no questioning whether an escape to this remote aquamarine archipelago in the Indian Ocean is worth it (it unequivocally is), but the conundrum comes in choosing between the more than 160 places to stay there. To help you choose the right Maldives resort for you, we’ve combed the collection for some of the best of the best and honed in on what differentiates one from the next, spanning high design to easiest arrival. Dive in to see where your desires land you.
For Design
The stay du jour for modern design lovers is Patina Maldives. On the largest of four erected Fari Islands, the property’s 90 studios and villas embody a tropical modernist aesthetic. Designed by Brazilian Marcio Kogan and his MK27 studio, the resort quickly garnered awards from Architectural Digest and Interior Design Magazine. Think unexpected slate gray bedding, contemporary art works peppered across the island and mindful activities, such as paddleboard meditation for adults and sustainable wood race car-building for kids.
For Sustainability
Many Maldivian resorts take sustainability seriously, but the Soneva brand truly sets itself apart, as evidenced by their A-Z list, from “Air Quality” to the “Zooxanthellae” that reef coral requires to live. With two properties in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi, it’s first, and Soneva Jani, the brand is proudly 100 percent carbon neutral. Here, it’s all about the slow life, or “no shoes, no news” as they say, in step with treading lightly. However, that doesn’t mean boring—really putting the luxury in barefoot luxury are sumptuous villas, some even with waterslides, and private-chef beach dinners under the stars.
For Families
Both of the Emerald Collection’s resorts in the Raa Atoll, Emerald Maldives and Emerald Faarufushi, cater to families with their Family Beach Villa room category featuring a main bedroom and kids’ bedroom—not to mention a private pool and garden for making memories. There is also a Dolphin Kids Club at each property for children aged 3 to 12 where multilingual staff offer all kinds of creative, educational and engaging activities for young ones. They’re also all-inclusive so you can turn your focus to all the fun and sun.
For Wellness
A spa day is a quintessential part of any holiday in the Maldives, but COMO makes wellness a whole way of life. Through relaxation, movement and cuisine, the brand’s 360-degree approach blends ancient healing modalities with modern science to bring health into balance. Both COMO Maalifushi and COMO Cocoa Island feature their own award-winning COMO Shambhala Retreat as the restorative epicenter. For the ultimate wellness getaway, opt for the twin island experience with a 45-minute scenic seaplane transfer bringing you from one resort to the other.
For Romance
Created with couples in mind, Milaidhoo Maldives spells out their romantic intentions with “A Love Story” dedicated page atop their website. Whether it’s an engagement, wedding, honeymoon, babymoon or just because, the resort is well-versed in orchestrating swoon-worthy moments, spanning scented baths, candlelit dinners and rapturous nights spent hidden away on a secluded sandbank. Whether on the beach or overwater, all villas have their own pools for utmost privacy.
For Sport
Those looking to prioritize sport and fitness amongst all the leisure will fancy Velaa Private Island. The Noonu Atoll resort features a Golf Academy and 9-hole course designed by two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal. There’s also a squash court, climbing wall and soccer pitch, as well as the only covered tennis court in the Maldives. When it comes time for recovery, there’s a comprehensive Wellbeing Village offering cutting-edge medical treatments, ancient Ayurveda and even a snow room for cold therapy.
For Surfing and Diving
As the only resort in its remote southern atoll, Six Senses Laamu sets guests up for unparalleled surfing and diving in waters that feel all your own. The house reef, a short paddle from the beach, frequently offers a quick surfable left, or venture out with Tropic Surf to visit Yin Yangs nearby or Machines farther afield, both beautiful right waves. Multilingual Deep Blue Divers teaches PADI courses here, from Discover Scuba Diving to Divemaster, and the area is home to mantas year-round.
For More Space
Spanning three islands, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi not only offers more room to move about, but it also boasts the largest separate private island within its grouping for those craving next-level luxury and privacy. On the main isle, there’s plenty to keep you happily occupied though, including 11 dining venues and an expansive spa with 10 treatment villas and Aqua Wellness Centre. In fact, guests are tended to by a special Wellness Concierge to facilitate their well-being journey. No wonder it’s one of our Wow Picks.
For Bucket List Experiences
This two-island resort in the South Ari Atoll serves up some seriously extravagant, one-of-a-kind experiences. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is home to the first all-glass undersea restaurant, Ithaa, and undersea residence, the Muraka. If swimming in proximity to whale sharks is also on your bucket list, they can help with that—choose from one of three different excursion options to see the mythical creatures, either with others or private, via yacht or speedboat.
For Making the Quickest Getaway
If you crave all the splendor of the Maldives but want to get on the water fast as you can than Baros Maldives is your best bet. Once you touch down in Malé, the resort is just a 25-minute speed boat transfer away. This also bodes well for those who don’t love seaplanes. The Maldivian requisites are still here—overwater villas, private beach picnics, ocean excursions—and you can start lapping them up sooner rather than later.
