Maldives
Soneva Fushi
Soneva Fushi is a barefoot-luxury hideaway on a private island in Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Vast beach and overwater villas with outdoor bathrooms, a soothing spa, and inventive dining set the rhythm. Expect an observatory, glass studio, Cinema Paradiso, and manta-rich snorkelling at Hanifaru, wrapped in dreamy castaway ease. 9.2
Velaa Private Island
Velaa Private Island is an ultra-exclusive retreat in Noonu Atoll, where overwater and beach villas with pools meet a sublime spa and private submarine. Michelin-trained dining, a wine tower, golf academy, and watersports set indulgent days. The mood is discreet, opulent, reef-bright, a seaplane hop from Malé in the Maldives. 9.6
The Nautilus
The Nautilus, in Baa Atoll’s UNESCO biosphere, is an ultra-private island of beach and overwater houses with pools and butlers. Unscripted, anytime-anywhere dining, Solasta Spa, and a tranquil lagoon set the rhythm. Expect reef snorkelling, yacht outings, and manta encounters at Hanifaru Bay. The mood is bohemian, bespoke, blissfully secluded. 9.6
Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi sprawls across three islands in South Malé Atoll. All villas feature private pools and butlers; highlights include treetop dining at Terra, The Ledge by Dave Pynt, and a serene overwater spa. The mood is opulent, beach-glam, 30 minutes by yacht from Malé, with reef-bright snorkelling steps away. 9.8
JOALI Maldives
JOALI Maldives is an art-immersive retreat in Raa Atoll, where design-rich beach and overwater villas with pools come with butlers. Saoke, Vandhoo and Bellinis handle evenings; Joali Spa by ESPA and a palm-fringed beach set languid days. The mood is playful, polished, a 45-minute seaplane from Malé with manta-bright reefs. 9.9
JOALI BEING
JOALI BEING is a wellbeing-only island in Raa Atoll, where airy beach and overwater villas with pools meet personalised programs. The AREKA spa, sound and hydrotherapy halls, herbology, and movement spaces anchor days; plant-forward dining nourishes. The mood is serene, transformative, ocean-bright, a seaplane hop from Malé with manta-rich reefs. 10
Anantara Kihavah
Anantara Kihavah rests in Baa Atoll, a lush island ringed by reef-bright shallows. Vast beach and overwater villas with private pools, an overwater spa, and the SEA underwater restaurant set dreamy days. Snorkelling, diving, and stargazing at the Maldives’ only overwater observatory captivate. Polished, barefoot-luxe, near manta-filled Hanifaru Bay nearby. 9.8
St. Regis Vommuli
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli crowns Dhaalu Atoll’s lagoon, a sculptural island of beach and overwater villas with pools and butlers. The Iridium Spa, situated in a whale-shaped pavilion, anchors bliss; Alba and Orientale lead the dining options. The mood is polished and design-forward, with a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé to technicolour reefs steps away. 9.6
Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands arcs over a tranquil lagoon in North Malé Atoll. Circular overwater and beach villas with private pools and butlers. The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA, water sports, Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, and Fari Marina Village. The mood is polished, design-forward, 45 minutes by speedboat. 9.8
InterContinental Maamunagau
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau floats in Raa Atoll, ringed by teal shallows and a house reef. Beach and overwater villas with pools, Planet Trekkers kids’ club, AVI Spa, and the adults-only Club InterContinental set the stage for languid days. Lighthouse dining and sunset cruises beckon. Polished, barefoot-luxe, near manta encounters at nearby Hanifaru Bay. 9.9
Kuda Villingili
Kuda Villingili hums in North Malé Atoll with beach and overwater villas, many with pools, orbiting one of the Maldives’ longest pools. The spa sits on its islet; eight dining venues, tennis and padel, surfing Chickens break, and luminous house reef keep days lively. Polished, contemporary, 30 minutes by speedboat. 9.8
Cheval Blanc Randheli
Private Island.
Cheval Blanc Randheli floats in Noonu Atoll, an LVMH maison of vast overwater and beach villas by Jean-Michel Gathy. Private pools, Majordome butlers, and a Guerlain Spa on its own island set an indulgent rhythm. Dine at Le 1947, Diptyque, and Deelani. Polished, ultra-discreet, a seaplane hop from Malé away. 9.8
Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru spreads across a lush Baa Atoll biosphere island. Thatched beach and overwater villas with pools, AyurMa’s holistic spa, manta-on-call adventures, and a Marine Discovery Centre shape days. Expect kite-surfing, diving, and sandbank picnics. The mood is polished, nature-led, seaplane-close to Hanifaru Bay nearby. 9.2
Six Senses Laamu
Six Senses Laamu, the Laamu Atoll’s only resort, is a barefoot-eco magic of thatched overwater and beach villas with glass-bottom baths and hammocks. Leaf’s organic gardens, a soothing spa, yoga pavilions, and sunset Chill Bar set the rhythm. Snorkel with turtles and mantas, surf Yin Yang, arrive by seaplane, then speedboat. 9.6
One & Only Reethi Rah
One&Only Reethi Rah sweeps across a vast North Malé Atoll island, with dramatic overwater and beach villas, each with a private pool and butler. Six kilometres of beach, a serene spa, tennis and padel, diving and sailing, and design-forward restaurants set a polished, high-glamour mood, just by speedboat from Malé. 9.4
Patina Fari Islands
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is a design-forward sanctuary in North Malé Atoll. Minimalist beach and overwater villas with pools orbit a sculptural beach club, FLOW Spa, and art installations. Restaurants span global flavours; Fari Marina brings boutiques and galleries. The mood is polished, creative, 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé. 9.8
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