Imagine a place where the sun shines for 12 hours every day, the water is clear as glass and beneath it is a secret world alive with iridescent fish, sea turtles and whale sharks. Well, paradise exists – and it’s called the Maldives. Of course, it’s only fitting that such a place comes complete with hotels sprung straight from the pages of Architectural Digest, and in the Maldives you’ll find everything from over-the-water mansions with private speed boats to four-poster beds on the beach – and every dreamy detail in between. Get ready for utter, unashamed bliss and read on for our picks for the best hotels in the Maldives.
Milaidhoo Island
We take our collective hat off to the designers of Milaidhoo. The sun-bleached wooden villas all strung along a sail-shaped boardwalk, are understated yet tantalisingly luxurious, the views are dazzling 180-degree vistas, and even the restaurant doesn’t miss out on the action. Cleverly built across three ‘boats’ with glass floors, you’ll watch schools of fish swim by as you dine on dishes inspired by the Maldivian Spice Route. During the day, it’s more than tempting to spend every hour soaking in your private pool (you’ll scarcely know where it ends and the ocean begins) or being pampered in the botanical spa. However, Milaidhoo’s private island is in the heart of the Baa Atoll reserve, a watery wonderland in which to snorkel amongst whale sharks or embark on moonlit dives to see the famous bioluminescent plankton. If you prefer to stay relatively dry, kayak or SUP just off the beach, or take a catamaran for a spin.
Six Senses Laamu
A solitary wave of green in the Laamu Atoll, its only neighbours tiny, uninhabited isles and vivid coral reefs, there’s nothing ordinary about Six Senses Laamu. Sunken loungers in the pool, an outdoor cinema in a grove of palms and spa nests on the beach are just the tip of the umbrella… Especially at the resort that famously has its own Ice & Chocolate Studio featuring over 40 ice cream flavours and handmade truffles infused with lavender and mint mojito. Getting around the vast resort needn’t be boring either: stroll along the decks, watching for marine life below, or ride to the beach on a personalised bicycle – plus you can slip into the crystalline waters for a swim from just about anywhere, be it the stellar restaurant or your stilted ocean villa. Six Senses Laamu is also committed to protecting the marine life it shares these waters with so don’t miss the chance to join a project for a few hours. Plan it right with a visit between May and August, and you might just see turtle hatchlings make their journey back to the ocean.
Bandos Resort
A fringe of coral and flaxen sand, ringed by an impressive drop-off into the cerulean sea, Bandos is the prettiest of barefoot havens. Here, life is all about gently swinging hammocks, well-timed massages, and as little fuss as possible. Sitting within the North Malé Atoll, there is endless choice when it comes to fabulous dive sites–you may even end up swimming with a whale shark–and on any given day, you could go island hopping in a glass-bottomed boat, parasail over the tranquil water, or zoom across the bay in a banana boat. By sunset (you won’t want to miss it), settle in at the Huvan Bar, which aptly means blue skies and calm seas… And if you’re still not ready to retire, a private, lantern-lit dinner awaits on the beach.
Gili Lankanfushi
Heavenly doesn’t begin to describe Gili Lankanfushi. A sliver of silver in the North Malé Atoll, much of the resort is set on the water, whilst some villas are completely unattached to the island and reachable only by speedboat. The most palatial come complete with water slide, rooftop jacuzzi, cinema and natural coral pool. Construction of the resort was as damage-less as possible and materials include eco-friendly plantation teak, bamboo, and palm fronds, reinforcing Gili Lankanfushi’s commitment and passion for conservation. During your stay, every detail is taken care of by your own ‘Mr Friday’, who will arrange picnics on untouched islands, sea salt foot scrubs, sunset cruises in the wake of Spinner dolphins, and boat trips to markets of Malé. Just say the word…
Coco Palm Bodu Hithi Resort
Picture stepping onto your villa deck, with nothing before you but sky-blue ocean and ocean-blue sky – and then seeing Eagle rays glide past and Hawksbill sea turtles nesting in the shallows. This is just one of many Kodak moments that awaits at the Coco Palm, which, incidentally has its own turtle rescue program, and is a resort that looks after its island home as much as its guests. Alongside the usual activity suspects, you’ll have the chance to join marine biologists on intrepid dives to Shark Point, plant new coral in the nursery, and spend time with researchers looking after the turtles. At the end of the day, retreat to your over-the-water villa; with their easygoing style, private pools and views that could launch 1000 dhoni boats, each is as picture-perfect as the last. And when you’re not discovering the wonders of the ocean, head to the bar for the meanest basil and strawberry martini, the frangipani-lined pool or spa, with a list of treatments from Indonesia to India.
Komandoo Island Resort & Spa
Leave reality behind as you journey to this tiny island in the Lhaviyani Atoll. At Komandoo, there is nothing between you and the open water and days are spent snorkelling from your private deck and diving the enticing house reef alongside a menagerie of fish, turtles and rays. The entire atoll is a diving mecca–the island offers PADI courses too–and the nearby Kuredu Caves are home to over 60 green sea turtles – certainly a sight to behold! Back at the resort, you’ll find cushy sun loungers in the infinity pool, barely a few steps from the sea, and secluded dining under the stars. For an extra memorable day, visit Komandoo’s turtle rehabilitation centre and see how important their work is before boating over to 5.8 Undersea, the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant. This is the life…
