The Maldives is such a dream destination for many people… and with more than 120 beautiful luxury resorts to stay at, it’s hard finding the perfect one. After spending a month in the Maldives (check our travel itinerary here), meeting many locals who know the best resorts and exploring different atolls, we have collected and listed 7 beautiful luxury resorts we personally like the most. They are all easily reachable from Malé International Airport (20-45 minutes away), have both beach villas and overwater bungalows, are excellent rated and some are even quite affordable too! So whether you are searching for a romantic getaway, a relaxing retreat or a unique place to surprise someone special, be sure you check out the following 7 most beautiful luxury resorts in the Maldives.
Ps: we link to booking.com because of the good prices, they don’t charge a service fee and most importantly you can often cancel your reservation without any cost a few days before your check-in. Another option is to use this link to get a $45 discount on your first booking on Airbnb.
Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat (South Ari Atoll)
Have you ever dreamed of staying in a luxury resort on a remote island? We found the perfect place for you! Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat is located on a tiny secluded island in South Ari Atoll, only a 35-minute seaplane ride away from Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Drift Thelu Veliga retreat is surrounded by a stunning lagoon, has a perfect powdery beach and (our most favorite thing) it’s super close to ‘whale shark point’. This is a very famous spot to swim with the biggest fish on the planet, the whale sharks. You can choose between a charming beach villa with access to the beach or a water villa on stilts overlooking the lagoon. Both have a beautiful wooden interior, a large king-sized bed, and a private sun terrace. Waking up with the sound of the ocean or stargazing the whole night, this is the place in the Maldives to experience a real castaway feeling.
LUX* South Ari Atoll
Paradise found! Located a 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport, there is this picture-perfect luxury resort surrounded by a crystal-clear lagoon. LUX* South Ari Atoll is a huge all-inclusive resort where guests have unlimited access to the 8 restaurants, 5 bars, the island gym, and all the activities going from beach yoga sessions to reef snorkeling trips. There are 7 types of beach villas and 3 different kinds of water villas each with their own oversized bathroom, sundeck, infinity plunge pool, and swinging love nest cabana. (Picture time!) And with one of the best coral reefs around for snorkeling and diving, this place is HEAVEN!
Anantara Kihavah Villas (Baa Atoll)
Imagine a private island with coconut and mango trees surrounded by a stunning lagoon with endless views… Welcome to Anantara Kihavah Villas! This beautiful luxury resort is located in the Baa Atoll, a 35-minute seaplane flight away from Malé International Airport. It’s blessed with an amazing house-reef and all the villas are just perfect. They have a private pool, oversized bathtub, and yoga mats… and also feature the latest technologies such as an iPad or Bose sound system and have a direct beach/lagoon access. Another highlight is their 4-in-1 dining concept where you can enjoy a fine dining experience underwater. Though it’s a bit pricey, staying at Anantara Kihavah Villas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Coco Bodu Hithi (North Male Atoll)
Coco Bodu Hithi is a dream for everyone searching for the perfect relaxing holiday while enjoying all the modern comforts. It’s stylish, beautiful and has an award-winning overwater spa. This luxury resort is located in North Male Atoll, a 40-minute speedboat ride away from Malé International Airport. It’s quite big, with 4 different types of villas of which the “Coco Residences” are real gems. The villas are set apart from the rest and form their own private sanctuary. STUNNING! Coco Bodu Hithi also offers 5 restaurants and 2 bars with a reputation for serving some of the best food in the Maldives. Honeymoon, romantic getaway or a relaxing retreat, this is the place to go.
Baros Maldives (North Male Atoll)
Looking for the perfect spot to propose or celebrate your honeymoon? You’ve found it! Baros Maldives has won “World’s Most Romantic Resort” for the sixth time in a row now, so that’s worth a visit, right? It’s a small island surrounded by a beautiful turquoise lagoon, only a 25-minute speedboat ride away from Malé. All the villas in this resort are ultra-luxurious with a private sun deck, in-villa bar, outdoor shower, and a private pool. The resort offers plenty of amazing dining options, like the Piano Deck that sits on the lagoon. So romantic with the sunset! Furthermore, Baros has the first eco-dive center in The Maldives. They offer different coral planting projects and you can even adopt your own coral. You gotta love it!
Velassaru Maldives (South Male Atoll)
A secluded spot with stunning interrupted ocean views far from the stress of everyday life… that’s how you can describe Velassaru Maldives the best. Although it’s remote, it’s still close to Malé, only 25 minutes by speedboat. The resort has 5 restaurants, 2 bars and offers great activities like dolphin cruises and night snorkeling trips. Besides, it has an incredible infinity pool and a beautiful white sand beach. Part of the “Small Luxury Hotels of the World”, it’s one of the best resorts in the Maldives. You can choose between 10 types of rooms, from bungalows to water suites with infinity pool and butler service. Relax at your private terrace, snorkel in in the lagoon and dine under the stars… In other words, this resort is a perfect choice for couples and honeymooners!
Dhigali Maldives (Raa Atoll)
Dhigali Maldives is one of those places that you just can’t get enough of. It’s a quite new resort, located in the more remote Raa Atoll, and a 45-minute seaplane ride away from Malé. Stylish, modern, cozy, romantic, secluded… This place is a true paradise! Dhigali is surrounded by a crystal-clear lagoon, has a beautiful house reef and a beach with Instagram-perfect swings. There are 5 restaurants, 2 bars, and it offers many great things to do. You have 8 types of rooms to choose from, from beach bungalows to elegant box-shape villas with private pools. Besides, this resort offers free yoga sessions and has also a PADI dive center to complete some dive courses. Honeymooners, couples or families… Dhigali Maldives is a great choice for everyone!
Now you’ve read our article about the 7 most beautiful luxury resorts in the Maldives, you might be ready to go. Following websites can help you plan the perfect trip:
- Skyscanner to book the best and cheapest flights
- Booking.com to book your accommodation
- Lonely Planet to purchase a detailed Maldives travel guide
- Tourradar to join one of the amazing group tours
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