Hotels

The Best Luxury Resorts in Maldives

We’re taking a fine-tooth comb to one of the world’s most luxurious tropical destinations: Maldives.

By 

Todd Plummer

 |  March 31, 2025

Is there any destination in the world more synonymous with tropical luxury than Maldives? With electric blue waters, white sand beaches, and overwater bungalows where a butler is never far from hand and you’ll want for nothing, it’s the kind of dreamy destination that sets the standard for global tropical luxury. But Maldives isn’t just about the underwater wine cellars, Michelin-starred restaurants, infinity pools, and unbelievably excellent spas. It’s about the moments of quiet luxury, too. It seems like the very concept of barefoot luxury was invented here: Sip a rum punch as the sun sinks below the horizon, or listen as trade winds carry a salty breeze through the air, all while your cellphone is comfortably switched off and locked away in your room. 

There is no shortage of five-star luxury properties here, so we’ve gone ahead and done the work of hand-selecting the best of the best for you. If you’re looking for the ultimate guide to luxury resorts in Maldives, here’s where to start. 

The Best Luxury Resorts in Maldives

Cheval Blanc Randheli

As part of the LVMH-backed Cheval Blanc group, this Maldivian resort delivers understated, European-tinged opulence. In fact, the overall experience is called Cheval Blanc’s signature art de reçevoir, which means “the art of welcoming” in French. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy — who is behind some of the most beautiful hotels in the world, including the Aman New York and several One&Only resorts — the villas here are contemporary, creating a stunning canvas for the island’s tropical surroundings. The culinary offerings, curated by award-winning chefs, are nothing short of exceptional. Don’t miss the Cheval Blanc Spa that offers a hair salon by famed Parisian stylist Leonor Greyl and the only Guerlain spa rituals in all of Maldives. 

Joali Maldives

Art and design take center stage here at Joali Maldives, an immersive retreat on Muravandhoo Island in the Raa Atoll. Curated artworks adorn overwater and beach villas, and the on-site Art House offers guests a unique, interactive experience. There’s also the Manta Treehouse, a sculpture and functional space shaped like a manta ray, which honors the aquatic species living in the waters of Maldives. With views this good, you might just feel inspired to pick up a paint brush yourself. If you’re seeking a little rejuvenation, check out the Joali Spa by Espa, one of the most luxurious spa partners in the world. There are five restaurants here, including a can’t-miss Japanese-Peruvian restaurant housed in a space by famed architect Noriyoshi Muramatsu.

Joali Being

If you want to lean into a wellness experience, check out Joali Maldives’ sister property, Joali Being. It’s built on the principle of weightlessness, with a breathtaking spa area that blends ancient South Asian healing traditions with modern science. The team here will help curate individualized treatment plans, ranging from physical detoxification to mental clarity. The villas are designed with biophilic principles in mind, creating a sense of serenity that is second to none in Maldives. If you’re a spa connoisseur, this luxury resort is an absolute must. 

Velaa Private Island

Maldives generally has a baseline of luxury that feels higher than most tropical destinations — yet Velaa Private Island feels head and shoulders above the rest. Excellent butlers assigned to each villa act as your trusted concierge; and they are always available via WhatsApp to make reservations or change plans on a dime. And for a tiny island, there’s a surprising number of activities to choose from: the Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal; air-conditioned squash and tennis courts; a kids’ club; and a sumptuous spa complete with a “snow room” so you can cool off from that Maldivian heat. There are 47 spacious accommodations here, ranging from one-bedroom villas for honeymooners to sprawling beachfront villas that can sleep groups of 10. Water activities are a particular strength here, with many options available, from kayaks to “jetovator” jetpacks. 

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Fari Islands have been one of Maldives’ buzziest developments in recent years. This human-made atoll is owned by one of Singapore’s most prominent real estate families and is home to this exquisite Ritz-Carlton and Patina Maldives Fari Islands, a new Capella resort coming in 2027; guests at either resort are welcome to bounce around and experience the restaurants and amenities of the other two. But at the Ritz-Carlton, you’ll probably never want to leave. The sleek, contemporary villas here are second to none, creating a dramatic backdrop framing Maldives’ inherent, natural beauty. The atmosphere here is refined but never pretentious, with culinary experiences ranging from mind-bendingly good Japanese omakase to a festive food truck. Don’t miss the circular spa, dramatically set over water and inspired by the curves of a seashell.

One&Only Reethi Rah

Set on one of the largest private islands in Maldives, Reethi Rah has been a must-visit for glamorous travelers since opening in 2005. Each of its 122 villas is spaced generously apart, ensuring a sense of privacy that feels luxurious even by Maldivian standards. Culinary abundance is an emphasis here, with eight restaurants to experience during your stay. Bubbles and Starlight is a beachfront experience with live music, elevated Pan-Asian street food, and Champagne pairings. Taste of Souk is a Middle Eastern restaurant that turns into a lounge atmosphere after dinner. Botanica offers a farm-to-table concept sourced largely from the island’s own organic garden. 

Soneva Fushi

If you were to select a luxury resort in Maldives that epitomizes “barefoot luxury,” it would be Soneva Fushi. The castaway-chic villas are Robinson Crusoe–esque but completely luxurious, with private pools, personal butler service, and direct beach access. This is the ideal resort if you want to connect with the great outdoors. It offers a range of experiences, like zip-lining, e-foil rides, surf charters to nearby secret surf breaks, tennis and padel courts, and more. If you’re looking for a more polished resort experience, however, its sister property, Soneva Jani, which offers a luxurious, overwater villa stay, is probably the better choice for you. 

Six Senses Laamu

The location of this splendid Six Senses is what sets it apart. It’s on the Laamu Atoll, 150 miles south of Malé in an almost entirely undeveloped part of the country. Getting there is a little more involved; it’s a 60-minute domestic flight and speedboat transfer, rather than by seaplane like most other resorts. But once you arrive, you’ll be treated to one of Maldives’ most unspoiled landscapes, filled with colorful coral reefs and teeming with sea life. There are surf breaks a short boat ride away and excellent lagoon snorkeling just steps off the beach. The villas are made from local wood and palm-thatched roofs woven by local women and are finished with heavenly touches like outdoor showers and deep soaking tubs.

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island

With just 15 overwater villas at this posh all-inclusive property, you can expect truly personalized service and a real sense of privacy — and the island’s intimate size makes it an excellent option for a buyout. Each accommodation has its own large deck and private infinity pool, and the guest experience managers here are pros at creating fully bespoke experiences, from private yacht excursions to in-room dining. Sustainability is a priority here (the resort runs on solar power), and the vibe is decidedly low-key. If you’re looking for more things to do, you can hop on the resort’s house speedboat to the neighboring sister resort, Hurawalhi, which has a proper gym and the most quintessential of Maldives luxury experiences — an underwater restaurant. 

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

There are two Four Seasons properties in Maldives (the other is on Kuda Huraa Island in Malé Atoll). While equally fabulous, the Landaa Giraavaru location is the larger of the two. Found in the Baa Atoll, a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve, it is home to the largest marine conservation center in all of Maldives. All the better to make use of the house submersible for tours of the nearby coral reefs. Landaa Giraavaru has all the fixings of a Four Seasons luxury resort — a heavenly spa, great cuisine, excellent service — but it’s the yoga offerings that truly stand out. This is the world’s first yoga-therapy-certified resort, in partnership with renowned yoga school S-VYASA, and even casual down-doggers can choose from drop-in hatha, ashtanga, anti-gravity, and even aquatic yoga classes. Namaste. 

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

A recent renovation has brought Kihavah into a beautiful new chapter. Grab one of the house bikes to scoot around the island, or walk to savor each step of the resort’s white sand pathways. There is plenty to do at this luxury resort in Maldives, whether it’s dinner at the underwater restaurant, swimming laps in the country’s longest swimming pool, or taking advantage of the night’s dark skies with a guided session on the only research-grade telescope and observatory in Maldives. You’re never far from the ocean here. The villa options either have direct access to the beach or private staircases leading down to the water. Both room categories come with large private pools, as well as sunken glass-floor bathtubs. There are plenty of modern touches, too, including Bose sound systems in the villas and iPads for when you need to reach your 24-hour villa host.

Milaidhoo Maldives

In a place like Maldives, where over-the-top luxury can often take center stage, Milaidhoo offers a different approach. The service is more laid-back than reverential (each villa gets its own butler), and the property overflows with nods to Maldivian heritage. Local art adorns the walls, the villas are produced from local woods, experiences such as traditional cooking classes and fishing trips are offered, and the spa has Maldivian massages featuring locally sourced botanicals. Each of the 50 villas at this luxury resort in Maldives has thatched roofs and open-concept layouts for an indoor and outdoor experience that feels distinctly tropical.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

It’s difficult to stand out in a landscape like Maldives where there are so many excellent five-star hotels, but the 2019 debut of this Waldorf Astoria made a big splash. This luxury resort in Maldives is home to the country’s largest spa (at 107,000 square feet), and with an impressive 11 restaurants, it has more food and beverage outposts than any other resort in the country. Its Young Discovery Park is one of Maldives’ better kids clubs, complete with a water recreation area and plenty of activities catering to little ones and teenagers. 

The villas here are absolutely to die for — they range from 2,500 to 3,045 square feet, and you can handle everything from blinds to climate control from an iPad. Your private plunge pool comes with submerged loungers. The greatest luxury of all, however, is Ithaafushi – The Private Island, perfect for the most decadent of buyouts. It’s an adjacent private island with two villas, five swimming pools, its own overwater spa, and an entertainment center with a cinema.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Contemporary architecture, signature butler service, and a deliciously secluded 22-acre island just a 45-minute seaplane journey south of Malé make the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort so enchanting. Kids and teens will have plenty of activities to choose from so grown-ups can focus on the real tasks at hand: relaxing at the beach, chartering excursions on the resort’s 66-foot Azimut Flybridge 66 yacht Norma, or indulging in spa treatments at the Iridium Spa. Treatment rooms overlook the ocean, and the spa is also home to the “Blue Hole,” the most expansive hydrotherapy facility in the country. 

Foodies and wine lovers are spoiled for choice in the Maldives, but the St. Regis manages to stand apart with six restaurants (not too few, not too many, but totally doable in a single trip), with the crown jewel being Decanter, an underground wine cellar home to over 2,000 bottles from twenty-three countries. 

Raffles Maldives Meradhoo

It’s a little more effort to reach this remote Raffles — located one hour and 40-minute seaplane away from Malé, or a 50-minute domestic flight to Kaadedhdhoo, followed by a 10-minute boat transfer — but your reward includes fantastic marine life, unspoiled beaches, and a sense of scale that’s difficult to replicate anywhere else. It only takes 10 minutes to circumnavigate the entire island on foot, but it’s that intimate atmosphere that makes this resort feel special. 

Whereas other luxury resorts in Maldives can feel grand and hyperbolic, this one feels residential and personal. Every detail here feels considered and intentional, from the aromatherapy oil burners left at turndown to the house marine biologist who offers complimentary tours of the island’s reef. Keep an eye out for the two dozen or so resident hawksbill sea turtles who call the island home. If you want to feel like a luxury castaway, this is where to do it. 

Seychelles is another popular tropical vacation spot in the region, often compared to Maldives; learn the differences between the two in our guide to Maldives vs. Seychelles.

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