The Maldives, with its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking landscapes, is a dream destination for many travelers. Finding the right accommodation plays a pivotal role in making a vacation unforgettable. This is where identifying the best hotels in Maldives becomes essential. These establishments not only offer luxury and comfort but also provide an immersive experience into the tranquil beauty of this tropical paradise. Given the wide array of exquisite options, selecting the perfect hotel can enhance the overall travel experience, making it truly memorable.
This article delves into the top 10 best hotels in Maldives, each promising an unparalleled stay with its unique offerings. From the eco-conscious luxury of Soneva Jani to the intimate and bespoke services at Joali, the exquisite beachfront villas at Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa, and the innovative sustainability of Six Senses Laamu, these hotels embody the pinnacle of elegance and eco-friendly luxury. Whether seeking a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo retreat, this curated list will guide travelers through the best hotels Maldives has to offer, ensuring every moment spent in this paradise is nothing short of unforgettable.
Soneva Jani
Soneva Jani Location
Soneva Jani is ideally situated in the Medhufaru lagoon within the Noonu Atoll of the Maldives. This exclusive resort encompasses the 150-acre Medhufaru Island along with four pristine islets, largely untouched and teeming with natural beauty. The resort is accessible by a scenic 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé or a swift 15-minute speedboat ride from Maafaru International Airport, ensuring both convenience and isolation.
Soneva Jani Accommodations
The resort boasts a collection of luxurious overwater and island villas, each offering grandeur and privacy. The water villas feature private pools, waterslides into the lagoon, and a retractable roof over the master bedroom for stargazing. Meanwhile, the island villas offer expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, steps away from the beach, perfect for families or couples seeking a serene retreat.
Soneva Jani Dining
Dining at Soneva Jani is a culinary adventure with a plethora of options tailored to all tastes. Guests can enjoy everything from a plant-based menu designed by raw food Chef Diana Von Cranach at Fresh in the Garden to indulging in the world-renowned Crab Shack, voted as the ‘World’s Most Romantic Restaurant’ by CNN. For a unique experience, the overwater Silent Cinema Paradiso offers dining with a movie, where guests can savor modern sashimi while watching a film.
Soneva Jani Activities
The resort offers an array of activities that cater to both adventure seekers and those looking to relax. Guests can engage in snorkeling and diving with experienced dive masters, explore the local marine life, or enjoy a sunset cruise spotting dolphins. For a more relaxed pace, Soneva Jani’s spa, Soneva Soul, provides indulgent treatments, or guests can unwind at the Silent Cinema Paradiso. The resort also offers unique experiences such as coral planting with the Marine Biologist to actively contribute to marine conservation.
Six Senses Kanuhura
Six Senses Kanuhura Location
Nestled between two uninhabited islands, Jehunuhura and Masleggihura, Six Senses Kanuhura provides a serene escape surrounded by a 360-degree beach. The resort is easily accessible via a short seaplane ride from Malé International Airport, placing guests in the heart of Lhaviyani Atoll’s natural beauty.
Six Senses Kanuhura Villas
The resort features 91 luxurious beachfront and overwater villas. These accommodations range from one to three bedrooms, each blending sophisticated style with tropical island charm. The villas are crafted from local, sustainable materials, offering privacy and direct access to the turquoise lagoon or beach.
Six Senses Kanuhura Dining
Dining at Six Senses Kanuhura is a diverse culinary journey. The resort offers multiple dining venues that showcase a variety of global cuisines, from traditional Italian dishes at Bottega to Southeast Asian flavors at The Market. Ingredients are sustainably sourced, with many coming from the resort’s own organic garden.
Six Senses Kanuhura Activities
A wide range of activities ensures that every guest finds something to enjoy. The resort offers everything from snorkeling and diving in vibrant reefs to wellness programs including yoga and biohacking PEMF body mats. For adventure lovers, watersports such as kitesurfing and catamaran sailing are available, while families can enjoy the Grow With Six Senses kids’ club and various family-oriented experiences.
Joali
Joali Location
Joali Maldives is exquisitely located on Muravandhoo Island in Raa Atoll, a region known for its deep and vibrant atolls. The resort seamlessly blends sustainable glamor with a vibrant joie de vivre philosophy, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of ivory sands and azure waters surrounded by breathtaking coral reefs.
Joali Villas
The resort boasts 73 villas, each offering a unique sensory journey with designs influenced by renowned studios like Autoban, Atolye4n, and Studio Glitt. These accommodations range from one- to four-bedroom configurations, featuring private infinity pools, butler service, and handpicked art, ensuring a luxurious and personalized stay.
Joali Dining
Joali’s dining experience is a testament to culinary excellence and innovation. The resort features several dining venues including Saoke, designed by the famous Noriyoshi Muramatsu, and Vandhoo with its delightful Asian and Levant flavors. For a taste of Italy, guests can visit Bellinis for authentic Tuscan dishes. The resort also offers personalized dining experiences and cooking classes at Her Kitchen, providing a diverse and enriching culinary journey.
Joali Activities
Joali Maldives offers a plethora of activities tailored to enhance the guest experience. From snorkeling with manta rays to wakeboarding and yacht excursions, the resort ensures every moment is filled with adventure and luxury. Additionally, guests can participate in bespoke Maldivian experiences, engaging with the local community or relaxing in unique settings like the Manta Ray Treehouse.
Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa
Emerald Faarufushi Location
Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is nestled within the Raa Atoll in the Maldives, a hidden paradise spanning 7 hectares on a lush private island surrounded by a 100-hectare stunning lagoon with a vibrant coral reef. The resort is accessible by a scenic 45-minute seaplane journey from Malé airport or a 40-minute domestic flight to Ifuru Domestic Airport followed by a 5-minute speedboat ride.
Emerald Faarufushi Accommodations
The resort offers 80 luxurious villas divided into six categories, including 38 beach villas and 42 overwater villas. Each villa blends into the natural environment with a minimalist and sophisticated design incorporating elements of wood and stone. Seventy of these villas boast their own private pools overlooking the ocean, providing guests with an intimate and serene experience.
Emerald Faarufushi Dining
Guests at Emerald Faarufushi can enjoy a variety of dining experiences. The Aqua restaurant, situated on the beach, offers a lavish buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring global cuisines such as Mediterranean, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese. The Beach Club Grill and Restaurant, directly on the beach, serves fresh fish, seafood, meat, and vegetables, all cooked on a stone grill to enhance the flavors. Additionally, the Carnivorous Restaurant provides a unique South American dining experience with its Brazilian steakhouse style, located along the shoreline.
Emerald Faarufushi Activities
The resort is equipped with a full-service water sports center located on the pristine white sandy beach. Here, guests can engage in non-motorized activities such as Hobie-cat sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing under the guidance of the skilled Water Sports Team. For those seeking more thrill, motorized water sports like jet skiing are available at an additional charge. The resort also features a 5-star Diving Center, offering guests the opportunity to explore the vibrant marine life of the Indian Ocean through a variety of diving and snorkeling experiences.
Six Senses Laamu
Six Senses Laamu Location
Six Senses Laamu is uniquely positioned in the Laamu Atoll, offering guests a secluded paradise with a myriad of marine life and pristine coral reefs just a short distance away. It is the only five-star resort on this remote atoll, accessible via a brief seaplane flight, which ensures exclusivity and tranquility.
Six Senses Laamu Villas
The resort boasts 94 spacious villas including beachfront villas, over-water bungalows, and private pool villas. Each villa is crafted from sustainable local materials, designed to harmonize with the natural beauty of the island while providing privacy, comfort, and stunning ocean views.
Six Senses Laamu Dining
Dining at Six Senses Laamu is an epicurean journey with a variety of dining options. The main restaurant, Leaf, offers international and local cuisine, while the specialty restaurant, Altitude, provides panoramic views of the lagoon. The resort emphasizes sustainable dining practices, using fresh local ingredients to create imaginative and nutritious dishes.
Six Senses Laamu Activities
The resort offers a wide range of activities, including snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Guests can also enjoy unique experiences such as the Junior Marine Biology program, guided by the Maldives Underwater Initiative team, or relax with a movie at the Cinema Under the Stars. For those seeking adventure, there are options like surfing the famous Yin Yang break or taking a private island experience.
Kudadoo
Kudadoo Location
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island is located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, offering guests a secluded and exclusive experience on a private island. This luxurious retreat is accessible by a 40-minute seaplane transfer from Velana International Airport, providing both convenience and an escape to a private paradise.
Kudadoo Accommodations
The resort features 15 overwater villas, each designed with a contemporary and minimalist esthetic. These villas use natural materials and large windows to maximize the stunning ocean views. Each villa boasts its own private infinity pool and direct access to the lagoon, ensuring a private luxury experience with mesmerizing views.
Kudadoo Dining
Dining at Kudadoo is an exquisite affair with multiple options that cater to all tastes. The main restaurant serves a variety of international cuisines, while the specialty seafood restaurant offers fresh catches. For a unique experience, guests can dine in the wine cellar or enjoy the culinary delights at the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant, 5.8 Undersea, located at the nearby sister resort, Hurawalhi.
Kudadoo Activities
Kudadoo offers a range of activities to enrich the guest experience. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. The resort also features a spa and a fitness center, along with wellness programs that include treatments at the Sulha Spa with its Lonu Cave of Himalayan Salts for a rejuvenating experience.
Vakkaru Maldives
Vakkaru Location
Vakkaru Maldives is nestled in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its exceptional biodiversity. The resort’s secluded setting on a private island offers timeless ocean views and direct access to vibrant coral reefs and deep blue holes.
Vakkaru Villas
Guests at Vakkaru Maldives can choose from an array of luxury villas, ranging from one to two bedrooms, each harmoniously blending contemporary design with natural elements characteristic of Maldivian culture. The villas offer either direct beach access or a serene over-water setting with private terraces and hammocks, perfect for couples or families seeking a blend of intimacy and space.
Vakkaru Dining
The culinary experience at Vakkaru Maldives is a journey through a collection of delectable dishes served across six restaurants and two bars. Guests can savor everything from European to Asian cuisines, enjoy the vibrant Italian flavors at Isoletta, or experience the unique teppanyaki dining at Anguru. The resort also features Vakkaru Reserve, a wine cellar with a selection of fine vintage and non-vintage wines.
Vakkaru Activities
Vakkaru Maldives offers an extensive range of activities to cater to all interests and energy levels. Water sports enthusiasts can explore the house reef through guided snorkeling or dive into deeper adventures with PADI certified courses. The resort also organizes private boat charters for dolphin quests or romantic sunset cruises, providing guests with unforgettable experiences tailored to their preferences.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Location
Nestled in Raa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a private island retreat at the southern tip of the Atoll, boasting unobstructed ocean views and a vibrant house reef teeming with marine life, including a unique manta ray sanctuary.
InterContinental Accommodations
The resort features 81 luxurious Beach, Lagoon, and Overwater Villas and Residences, providing breathtaking vistas and exclusive Club InterContinental benefits such as complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea.
InterContinental Dining
Guests at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort can indulge in award-winning dining experiences. The resort’s culinary team crafts innovative dishes using the finest ingredients, offering exquisite flavors in an island setting. Dining options range from Mediterranean specialties at The Lighthouse to sea-to-table South Asian dining, ensuring every meal is a memorable event.
InterContinental Activities
The resort offers a plethora of water sports and excursions, such as snorkeling in the house reef and swimming with manta rays during their migration period. Guests can also enjoy a variety of motorized and non-motorized water activities, including jet skiing, wakeboarding, and private boat excursions, all available through the Marine Center.
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
Alila Kothaifaru Location
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives offers a serene retreat nestled in the scenic Raa Atoll, surrounded by a stunning house reef and embraced by nature’s wonders. This private island resort provides guests with an awe-inspiring destination, perfect for serene relaxation in harmony with the natural environment.
Alila Kothaifaru Villas
The resort features luxurious suites designed to be a home away from home, set in a paradisiacal environment. Each villa offers a unique sensory experience with designs that blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature, ensuring guests enjoy privacy and tranquility during their stay.
Alila Kothaifaru Dining
Guests at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives can cherish unforgettable moments with their loved ones, enjoying romantic candlelit dinners under the stars at any secluded spot of their choosing. This personalized dining experience allows guests to connect intimately with the natural beauty of the island.
Alila Kothaifaru Activities
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives provides a plethora of activities to explore the rich and diverse marine life of the Maldives. Guests can engage in non-motorized water sports such as sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling. The Dive Center by Euro Divers offers expert instruction and PADI certifications, ensuring an unparalleled diving experience in the vibrant lagoon.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
St. Regis Location
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is strategically located on the private island of Vommuli in the Dhaalu Atoll, also known as Southern Nilandhe Atoll, a region that opened to tourism in 1998. This makes it a relatively novel destination, offering a unique blend of tranquility and pristine natural beauty.
St. Regis Villas
The resort features 77 luxurious villas, each equipped with its own private pool. These include 44 overwater villas and 33 beachfront villas, designed to offer unrestricted views of the Indian Ocean or the island’s lush tropical gardens. The largest among these is the John Jacob Astor Estate, which not only includes a private gym, cinema room, and spa suites but also features a 92-sqm infinity pool, a jacuzzi, and two plunge pools.
St. Regis Dining
Dining at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is a diverse and exquisite experience with several restaurants and bars. Guests can enjoy modern Japanese Kaiseki cuisine at T•Pan, local and international dishes at Alba, or the family-friendly pizzeria Crust & Craft. For those seeking a unique dining experience, the underground wine cellar, Decanter, offers a five-course degustation and wine pairing dinner.
St. Regis Activities
The resort offers a wide array of activities, ensuring that there is something for everyone. These include traditional Maldivian fishing, zero-gravity yoga, and various water sports like snorkeling, diving, and jet skiing. The Iridium Spa provides a serene space for relaxation with treatments that include a private outdoor tub and a hydrotherapy pool overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Conclusion
Through this exploration of the top 10 best hotels in the Maldives, we have traversed a diverse tapestry of luxury, sustainability, and unparalleled beauty. Each hotel and resort detailed in this article offers a unique gateway to the serene allure of the Maldives, from the eco-innovative escapes like Soneva Jani and Six Senses Laamu to the personalized luxury of Joali and the vibrant aquatic life embraced by Kudadoo. These destinations not only promise exclusive and memorable experiences but also underscore the richness of Maldivian hospitality, culture, and environmental stewardship.
As travelers seek out the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and luxury, the Maldives remains a destination that beautifully caters to these desires. The hotels and resorts featured serve as remarkable examples of how the hospitality industry can amplify the innate beauty of a location while preserving its integrity and enhancing the guest experience. Whether for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo retreat, the Maldives, with its crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and idyllic accommodations, continues to be an epitome of paradise on Earth, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its tranquil splendor.