Velaa Private Island is considered by many to be the finest resort in the Maldives, which is a very high bar to clear. It’s also one of the most expensive, which means expectations are sky high, so does Velaa live up to them?
Alila Kothaifaru
Alila, meaning ‘Surprise’ in Sanskrit, was acquired as a brand by the Hyatt group in 2018, and more often than not the big international hotel bra...
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Amilla
Baa Atoll
Amilla is an impressive, modern luxury resort in the Baa Atoll that aims to compete at the 5 star deluxe level, which these days means it has a lot of competition in the Maldives. Translating as ‘My Island Home’, Amilla Fushi mixes large residences (...
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Anantara Kihavah Villas
Baa Atoll
Kihavah hits the perfect note between the height of modern luxury and the essence of an authentic Maldivian island. The interior of the island is lush and beautiful, while the facilities, service and dining are unsurpassed in the Maldives (the underw...
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Baglioni Resort Maldives
Dhaalu Atoll
Opened in August 2019 and located on the island of Maagau, in Dhaalu Atoll, this exclusive resort of 96 villas, seeks to offer guests a bespoke stay in the heart of the Indian Ocean with the unique Italian hospitality of Baglioni Hotels.
This is ...
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Baros
North Male Atoll
One of the first islands to be developed for tourism in the Maldives, and originally recognised as a divers’ resort a short speedboat ride from Male, Baros has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Perennial favourite of tourism founding father...
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Constance Halaveli
Ari Atoll
Halaveli is a lovely 5 star resort but is still a long way from the most expensive, and so we consider it excellent value in its class. Villas are very well-appointed, and all feature private plunge pools, even the 'entry-level' water villas.
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Huvafen Fushi
North Male Atoll
Huvafen Fushi was in the vanguard of the Maldives surge towards high end luxury in the early 2000s and has meandered through various conceptual in...
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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
Raa Atoll
Opened at the end of 2019, the Intercontinental is a 5 star resort with matching facilities. We were impressed with the snorkelling and easy access from the beach. The resort has a total of 81 spacious Beach, Lagoon and Overwater Villas and Residen...
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Milaidhoo Island
Baa Atoll
Milaidhoo Island is a luxury resort concept from Universal Resorts, one of the best established hoteliers in the Maldives. Given the extensive pedigree derived from ever-popular islands such as Baros & Kurumba, pre-opening expectations were high. We’...
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Naladhu
South Male Atoll
Naladhu is one of our favourite luxury spots in the Maldives. Consisting of only 19 beautifully appointed villas, which makes for a distinctly boutiquey feel, guests have a choice of serene lagoon-facing beach villas or dramatic ocean-view rooms, ove...
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OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI
South Male Atoll
The impressive Atmosphere group has taken over the management of this super 5-star luxury resort (previously Jumeirah Vittaveli) and it becomes the flagship offering within the group's newly branded uber-luxe OZEN Collection. Open since December 202...
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Park Hyatt Hadahaa
Gaafu Atoll
Park Hyatt Hadahaa is a small, high quality resort in the southerly Gaafu Atoll.
While service is as one would expect from a modern 5-star resort, what really sets this island apart is the quality of the easily-accessible house reef, which is on...
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Patina Maldives
North Male Atoll
Patina Maldives is the second of the Fari Island resorts to open in the North Male Atoll. A ‘destination within a destination’ concept creates a collection of luxury resorts along with The Ritz-Carlton and to be joined by Capella (currently scheduled...
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Raffles Maldives Meradhoo
Gaafu Atoll
Raffles, Accor’s flagship luxury brand, brings a reputation for service and distinctive style to the Maldives. When the acquisition of Meradhoo island was announced we were curious as to how the existing property’s somewhat blingy design language mig...
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Vakkaru Maldives
Baa Atoll
Opened in December 2017, Vakkaru is a luxury property that has been built with fastidious attention to detail in mind. It was clear from our first visit to the island just before opening that great care had been taken to respect and protect the natur...
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W Maldives
Ari Atoll
W Maldives will be closed for extensive renovations from 1 May 2024. The anticipated reopening is Nov 2024.This beautiful island resort belongs to the W brand of properties within the world-famous Marriott portfolio, and describes itself a...
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Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
North Male Atoll
Opened in 1995, this is a 'sanctuary for the senses' and offers everything you would expect of the Banyan Tree brand. This resort is all about calm and regeneration, achieved in the spa through a wide variety of massages and body treatments.
Th...
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COMO Cocoa Island
South Male Atoll
A small, intimate island owned for the last 15 years by COMO (Singaporean billionaire Ong Beng Seng’s hotel venture) and a 45 minute speedboat ride from Male.
All 33 suites lead directly into the water and their design is inspired by the traditi...
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Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa
Raa Atoll
Following the incredible success of Emerald Maldives it was really only a matter of time before the Italian operator expanded its portfolio in the destination. After the acquisition of the naturally beautiful Faarufushi, much work was done to bring t...
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Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa
Raa Atoll
We were eager to get through the doors of Emerald and were one of the first operators to visit the island during the soft-opening period in August 2019 and we've since returned for a second visit now the island is fully operational. We’re delighted t...
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Heritance Aarah
Raa Atoll
Another 5-star player in Raa atoll in what is quickly becoming a crowded market. We were pleased to see the vegetation has fleshed out nicely since our first visit during soft opening, so aesthetically it’s looking very nice for a new resort and the...
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Hurawalhi Island Resort & Spa
Lhaviyani Atoll
Crown & Champa is a very well-established Maldivian hotelier that built its reputation on a mix of larger, high-volume & smaller, boutique islands in the four-star bracket. In 2016 they made their first step into the highly competitive 5-star field w...
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JA Manafaru
Haa Alifu Atoll
This island certainly has a lot to offer whether travelling as a couple or family. Beautiful, spacious villas all come with their own private pool and "villa host". Expect fabulous food in different dining outlets, stunning wide beaches with powder...
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LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
Ari Atoll
LUX* South Ari Atoll has been through a number of incarnations: formerly LUX* Maldives, Diva Maldives, before that White Sands, and some of us remember the humble Ari Beach. It is now a modern, stylish, hip and trendy resort offering bright and airy ...
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OZEN LIFE MAADHOO
South Male Atoll
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO is part of the Atmosphere group's luxury OZEN Collection. The island is a long, narrow strip on the Eastern rim of the South Male Atoll. Like most of its Male neighbours, there’s no house reef straight off the beach, but twice-daily...
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Six Senses Laamu
Laamu Atoll
Six Senses was the first resort to open in Laamu in 2011 and the atoll remains largely undeveloped, a far cry from the now bustling hubbub around ...
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Atmosphere Kanifushi
Lhaviyani Atoll
Kanifushi was the first offering from Maldivian operator Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, targeting the growing interest in higher quality all inclusive resorts. It opened in 2013.
The island is one of the longest in the Maldives (2.5km) with an im...
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Constance Moofushi
Ari Atoll
The lovely Moofushi - a hugely popular member of the Constance Group and in our opinion one of the best all-inclusive packages in the Maldives at this level. A beautiful little island only 300m x 160m offering soft white sandy beaches and good snork...
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Cora Cora Maldives
Raa Atoll
After a change of ownership, Cora Cora Maldives, on Raa Maamigili, opened on October 1st 2021, positioned as a 4 star Deluxe, All Inclusive resort.
The Cora Cora team have completely rebranded and uplifted the resort, adding dining options, fresh...
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Mirihi Island Resort
Ari Atoll
Mirihi has been around for over 20 years, during which it has built a loyal base of repeater clients that return again and again to a welcoming and homely atmosphere.
It’s a naturally pretty island, with a great beach that extends about two-third...
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NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort
Gaafu Atoll
This attractive resort comprises 120 detached and spacious, contemporary-style villas in a mixture of beach and over-water accommodation. We were impressed with the overall quality, relaxed ambience and facilities of this 4-star plus resort. Food i...
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OBLU SELECT Sangeli
North Male Atoll
OBLU Select is a good value, all-round resort that appeals to a range of clientele. While we found the majority of guests to be young-to-middle-aged couples, there are also a few families and older guests too. As with Atmosphere’s other islands, ther...
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Adaaran Select Meedhupparu
Raa Atoll
The only resort in Raa atoll when it opened around 20 years ago, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu now has many new neighbours in what looks set to become a busy atoll, which perhaps prompted this long-established resort to make some enhancements to its off...
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Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
Baa Atoll
Situated in Baa Atoll, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu remains close to our hearts. The epitome of the 'No News, No Shoes' resort, it combines wonderful natural assets with traditional accommodation, good food and a great array of facilities...all at prices th...
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Dhawa Ihuru Resort
North Male Atoll
Dhawa (formerly Angsana) Ihuru remains one of our most popular Maldivian properties, first and foremost for its outstanding house reef. The drop off encircles the island, ranging from just a few metres from the beach to no more than 50m, and wide, sh...
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Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat
Ari Atoll
The scattered rings of low-lying islands have always offered a therapeutic antidote to the thrash and pother of increasingly hectic daily lives, a...
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OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO
North Male Atoll
OBLU NATURE Helengeli is in one of the remoter parts of the North Male atoll, 50 minutes by speedboat from Male. Historically, the island has always been known for its snorkelling and diving. Under ownership and management from Atmosphere Hotels & ...
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Reethi Faru Resort
Raa Atoll
Opened in December 2017 in Raa Atoll, this new sister resort to the long-established Reethi Beach has proven very popular. The island was originally a coconut plantation so there are lovely areas of beautiful lush foliage in many parts of the resort....
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Makunudu
North Male Atoll
Makunudu is a wonderful unspoilt island in North Male Atoll and one of only a handful of resorts these days with less than 50 rooms. It is the perfect place if you are after peace and tranquility mixed in with some low key watersports such as snorke...
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Boutique Beach
Ari Atoll
We had the pleasure of meeting Boutique Beach owner Romney Drury and snapped up her invitation to visit, and we were warmly welcomed and looked after by manager Afzal and his team.
The hotel is 10 minutes’ walk from the island’s harbour, or a coup...
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