Best Resorts In The Maldives
- thefivestaredit
- Nov 25
- 9 min read
Discover our top 10 luxury 5-Star resorts in the Maldives
Article summary>>
In this article, we take a look at our top 10 luxury 5-Star resorts in the Maldives.
Soneva Fushi
Velaa Private Island
The Nautilus
Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi
Joali
Joali Being
Anantara Kihavah
St Regis Vommuli
Ritz Carlton Fari Island
Intercontinental Maamunagau
Best Resorts In The Maldives
For more 5-Star resorts in the Maldives, click here>>
1 - Soneva Fushi.
Barefoot luxury wasn’t invented here, but it was perfected. On Kunfunadhoo, a lush private island in the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll, Soneva Fushi hides large beach villas among the palms. Interiors: reclaimed woods, generous living spaces, open-air bathrooms, and private pools that add to the serenity. Families gravitate to multi-bedroom beach villas; couples claim tucked-away bungalows or the dramatic overwater options. A private butler takes care of everything from bikes to beach picnics.
Days are happily unscripted. Drift over a thriving house reef, then cool off in the Cinema Paradiso after dark. The Observatory points you to Saturn’s rings; the Glass Studio turns empty bottles into art. The Den might be the Indian Ocean’s best kids’ club, freeing adults for the spa, sunrise yoga, or a lazy sail on Soneva Aqua. Eating well is a given: Out of the Blue for wood-fire and ocean views, Fresh in the Garden for produce plucked steps away, and the famous complimentary ice cream and chocolate rooms for unscheduled detours.
The mood is quietly indulgent—bare feet, salt-stiff hair, staff who remember your favourite juice. Expect a “no news, no shoes” rhythm, strong sustainability cred.
Location: 30–40 minutes by seaplane from Malé; a world away once you land.
2 - Velaa Private Island.
Velaa feels purpose-built for privacy. Tucked in the far Noonu Atoll, this compact island keeps numbers low and service tight, so you spend more time looking at reef-blue water than thinking about logistics. Villas range from beach hideaways wrapped in greenery to overwater pavilions with big decks and proper plunge pools; interiors lean calm and tactile, with soft woods, linen, and stone, bathrooms that open to the sun and breeze without sacrificing comfort. The Romantic Pool Residence, reachable only by boat, is the headline spot and for good reason.
Days can be as quiet or dialled-up as you want. There’s a polished watersports centre for seabobs and jetboards, sailing and deep-sea fishing; a PADI team for dives on healthy nearby sites; and a house reef that’s easy to love. Golf fans get a short-game academy designed with Olazábal, unusually solid for a tiny island. The spa brings a thermal journey, cloud-like flotation bed, and results-driven facials; the gym and tennis courts keep the routine honest.
Dining is strong across the board, from toes-in-sand grills to Aragu, the fine-dining spot that pairs thoughtful plates with a serious wine list. The bar handles sunset with class.
The mood is polished and discreet: honeymooners, friends travelling well, return guests on a first-name basis. Location: a scenic seaplane hop from Malé, then into your own quiet orbit.
3 - The Nautilus.
This tiny private island runs on a simple idea: your time, your way. With just a handful of beach and overwater villas, each with a proper pool and generous living space, The Nautilus feels more like a string of small homes than a resort. Interiors are easy on the eye, with sun-washed wood, soft textiles, big bathrooms, and sliding doors that make the ocean part of the room. A dedicated “House Captain” quietly sorts out the details, from unpacking to boat runs.
Dining is famously unscripted. Breakfast at 4 p.m.? A candlelit grill on the sand? It's yes by default. Restaurants include Thyme for relaxed, all-day plates, Zeytoun with a Levantine tilt, Ocaso for flame and spice, plus Naiboli bar for tapas and long sunsets. The Solasta Spa sits over the lagoon with treatment suites, a yoga pavilion, and a compact gym; schedules bend around you. Off the deck: calm snorkelling on the house reef, paddle boards and kayaks, and seasonal mantas at nearby Hanifaru Bay.
The mood is ultra-private and low-friction—honeymooners, quiet celebrants, return guests who like names remembered and plans flexible. Service is warm and instinctive; it's a perfect setup.
Location: in the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll, about a 30-40-minute seaplane from Malé, ringed by clear water, soft sand, and starry nights that make late dinners feel entirely sensible.
4 - Waldorf Astoria, Ithaafushi.
Spread across three lush islands (plus a private-island outpost), Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi feels like a small archipelago with everything dialled in. The arrival is by yacht from Malé, and villas are the headline: oversized decks, proper private pools, outdoor showers, and interiors in woods and stone. Choose beach villas for sand-at-the-door mornings or overwater for that endless-lagoon effect; the Stella Maris duplexes sit apart, reached only by boat, for extra seclusion.
Days are laid back: Borrow snorkels for the house reef, take a kayak into glassy shallows, or let the water sports team ramp things up with seabobs and sailing. The spa sits over the lagoon with quiet treatment pavilions, a hydro circuit, and a yoga deck; there’s a serious fitness centre, tennis, and a generous kids’ club with its own splash zones.
Food is a strong suit without feeling showy: Terra for treetop tasting menus in bamboo nests, Yasmeen for Levantine comfort, a beach grill for barefoot lunches, and The Ledge for wood-fired meats; sunset lives at Peacock Alley with classic cocktails and sea breezes.
The mood is polished but relaxed, honeymooners and families sharing the same easy rhythm, service is quick, and the staff are genuinely kind.
Location: 30–40 minutes by yacht from Malé, ringed by pale sand and a calm lagoon, close enough for a smooth transfer yet far enough to feel like your own slice of paradise.
5 - Joali.
On Muravandhoo Island, JOALI mixes serious comfort with a playful art streak. Villas peel off into two camps: beach hideaways tucked behind palms and overwater pavilions with big decks, private pools, and bathrooms that open to sun and breeze. Interiors feel considered rather than flashy, with warm woods, woven textures, good lighting, and the kind of bed that makes late breakfasts inevitable. Each stay comes with a discreet Mura Butler who keeps plans easy and sandals optional.
Days slide between lagoon and reef. Snorkelling is simple off the jetty; turtles cruise by, and boat trips chase dolphins at dusk. The spa is a calm, garden-framed circuit of treatment rooms and relaxation nooks; there’s a solid gym, yoga by the water, and bikes for sandy paths. Families get a cheerful kids’ club and plenty of shaded corners. Around the island, site-specific art pieces turn strolls into mini treasure hunts.
Dining is a highlight without fuss. Vandhoo covers bright, spice-led plates; Saoke sits over the water for pristine sushi and tempura; Bellinis leans Italian with a breezy terrace; toes-in-sand grills handle the rest. Service is warm and quick, more friendly than formal.
Location: a scenic seaplane hop from Malé to the quiet Raa Atoll, with clear shallows, a healthy house reef, and sunsets that tend to shut everyone up in the best way.
6 - Joali Being.
On Bodufushi Island, JOALI BEING trades the usual resort script for a gentle wellness-first rhythm. Villas: beach sanctuaries tucked in palms and overwater retreats with big decks and private pools. Interiors are calm and tactile: light woods, soft fabrics, clever lighting, plus generous bathrooms with deep tubs and outdoor showers. A dedicated butler keeps the to-do list blissfully short.
The draw is the wellbeing hub: hydrotherapy circuit with salt room and saunas, a tranquil Watsu pool, sound therapy hall, herbology studio, and open-air movement pavilions. Daily programming ranges from breathwork and yoga to strength sessions and mindful hikes around the island; assessments and bespoke programs are available, but nothing feels pushy. There’s a good gym, tennis, and easy snorkelling off the jetty; boat trips chase dolphins at dusk, and the reef is lively enough for calm laps with a mask.
Food stays bright and clean without being joylessly “healthy.” FLOW handles produce-led menus, MOJO keeps beachside lunches casual, and SU tea lounge turns botanicals into sips worth lingering over. Don't worry, you can still get a great coffee and a proper dessert.
The mood is laid back and restorative. Solo resetters, couples, and friends travelling together, all looked after with warm, quiet service.
Location: a scenic seaplane hop to the Raa Atoll; once you land, it’s lagoon light, soft sand, and stargazing that make early nights an understandable choice. Wellness first retreat.
7 - Anantara Kihavah.
Tucked on a lush, oval isle in the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll, Anantara Kihavah pairs castaway calm with polish that never feels stiff. Every villa comes with a private pool and serious indoor-outdoor living: shaded daybeds, roomy bathrooms, and island-quiet bedrooms that make late starts inevitable. Choose beach for palms and powdery sand at the door, or overwater for that glassy-lagoon horizon and evening stingray fly-bys.
Days tilt toward the sea. The house reef is lively for easy snorkelling; seasonally, manta rays swirl at nearby Hanifaru Bay. Kayaks and paddle boards are on standby, while dive trips and gentle sailing fill the in-between. The overwater spa brings treatment suites open to the breeze and sky; sunrise yoga and a capable gym keep good intentions intact.
Dining is a highlight without grandstanding. SEA, the signature underwater restaurant, stages reef life at eye level with a serious wine program; up on the deck, FIRE, SALT, and SKY cover flame, Asian-leaning plates, and cocktails with telescope-assisted stargazing at the observatory. Beach grills and in-villa barbecues handle barefoot cravings.
The mood is relaxed and quietly indulgent: honeymooners, families, repeat guests, all looked after by butlers who know the game. Location: a scenic seaplane hop from Malé to lagoon-blue water, soft sand, and your own little piece of heaven.
8 - St Regis Vommuli.
Design meets daydream on this private island in the Dhaalu Atoll. Beach and overwater villas all come with private pools, shaded decks, outdoor showers, and interiors that feel quietly upscale. Beds are excellent; bathrooms have deep tubs that make an early night very reasonable. A dedicated St. Regis Butler keeps everything frictionless.
The overwater Iridium Spa is a standout, especially the warm, saltwater Blue Hole hydrotherapy pool with an ocean panorama. There’s a good gym, tennis, and easy snorkelling on a healthy house reef; dives and dolphin cruises head out when the sea goes glassy. Kids get their own club and splash zones without taking over the island.
Eating well is easy and varied: ALBA for sunny Mediterranean plates; Orientale for wok, robata, and sushi; Cargo tucked in the palms; Crust for wood-fired pizzas; Decanter for a private tasting below the sand. Drinks at the Whale Bar are a habit you won’t regret.
The mood is polished but relaxed, with honeymooners and families sharing the resort. Location: a scenic seaplane hop from Malé to pale sand, clear water, and sunsets that seem to last longer than they should.
9 - Ritz Carlton, Fari Island.
In the North Malé Atoll, this resort spreads across a pale lagoon, with circular overwater villas and dune-fringed beach pavilions, each with a private pool and wide decks for sunrise and sunset. Interiors are calm and coastal: pale woods, stone, soft textiles, and bathrooms that open to a perfect blue sky. An Aris Meeha (island butler) keeps logistics invisible so the day stays nice and laid back.
The spa sits in a sculptural ring above the water, a quiet perch for steam, sauna, and rejuvenating treatments; there’s a well-equipped gym, tennis, and a watersports hub for snorkelling and sailing. Families get a Ritz Kids club with splash zones; the house reef rewards casual snorkels, and dolphin runs at dusk.
Dining covers a good range: La Locanda for Italian comfort, Summer Pavilion for Cantonese plates, Iwau for Japanese, Beach Shack for Mediterranean, and Eau Bar for sundowners that turn into dinner. A short hop to Fari Marina Village adds more dining and galleries.
The mood is luxury but relaxed: honeymooners, families and solo travellers sharing the same rhythm. Transfers by speedboat keep arrival smooth; after that, it’s lagoon, sky, and time on your side.
10 - InterContinental Maamunagau.
On a small, palm-ringed island at the edge of the Raa Atoll, Maamunagau keeps things breezy and well dialled. Villas come in two flavours: beach hideaways tucked into greenery and overwater pavilions that step straight into the lagoon. All have private pools, shaded decks, and big windows that pull in the blue. Interiors feel clean and coastal, 5-Star luxe.
Days slide between salt and shade. The house reef is an easy snorkel; manta excursions run in season to the nearby biosphere reserve. Kayaks, paddle boards, and sailing boats wait on the sand, while divers head for clear, uncrowded sites. AVI Spa sits over the water with calm treatment rooms and a simple hydro routine; there’s a well-equipped gym, tennis, and an adults-only pool.
Dining is varied: sunrise plates at Café Umi, toes-in-sand lunches at The Collective, sunset cocktails at the beach bar, and dinner up the whitewashed Lighthouse for views and fresh seafood. A nice touch: resort-wide Club InterContinental privileges, so breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening canapés are part of the rhythm.
The vibe is relaxed and friendly: honeymooners and families sharing the same easy pace. Location is a seaplane hop from Malé, with calm lagoon water, good coral life, and west-facing sunsets that slow the whole island down.
Best Resorts In The Maldives - Article 2025
All hotels & resorts on The Five Star Edit are independently selected by our editors. However, as an affiliate partner, we may earn small commissions when you complete a booking made through our links. This is paid to us by the advertiser, not by you and does not affect the price of your booking in any way.
Comments