Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Since opening in 2019, Emerald Maldives has earned a firm place on our Highly Recommended list and remains a consistent favourite among Angelfish guests — the strong satisfaction ratings speak for themselves. We've returned several times and are impressed by how well the resort is kept.

The villas are generously proportioned, with interiors that lean towards clean minimalism lifted by vivid, nature-inspired artwork. Bathrooms are expansive, carrying a clear Italian sense of luxury, and the king-size beds rank among the most comfortable we've come across. All villas offer direct beach access, and the two-bedroom family units stand out as a particular highlight — likely to be much in demand during school holidays. The Superior Beach and Water Villas are exceptionally large, perhaps even more than a couple needs, while the Royal and Presidential categories are designed to impress from the moment you step inside. Externally, the architectural details are thoughtfully handled: slanted rooflines, living walls, and even palm trees planted along the water villa jetty.

Dining is a real strength. The main restaurant, Aqua, serves a varied buffet with live cooking stations and thoughtful seating that manages to feel surprisingly intimate. The speciality restaurants — all covered under the Deluxe All Inclusive plan — elevate the experience further. Beach Grill serves seafood and pizza with sand between your toes; Asiatique offers a range of Asian dishes and a lively Teppanyaki bar; and Amazonico, also set on the sand, is one of the finest South American restaurants we've encountered anywhere.

The main bar and beach area has a polished resort atmosphere. The indoor bar contains the evening entertainment well enough, though we'd welcome a more rustic beach bar for quiet sundowners — the island is certainly large enough to accommodate one. In the meantime, the generously stocked in-villa minibars (included on the DAI plan) offer a fine alternative. Wine lovers will appreciate the selection, with a well-priced premium list, and we particularly recommend trying a Tuscan bottle from Emerald's underwater ageing cellar.

Facilities are strong across the board. The kids' club is wonderfully imaginative, the sports centre helps offset the inevitable overindulgence, and the spa is both spacious and inviting. The dive centre is well-equipped and professionally run, while the water sports outlet, though compact, offers a decent range of equipment.

The house reef is conveniently close in several spots and easily reached from the beach near Aqua and the family villas. For a more extended snorkel, swim out from the beach by the water villa jetty and follow the drop-off eastward back towards Aqua — or the reverse, depending on conditions.

Emerald has firmly established itself in the Maldives' premium all-inclusive segment. Thoroughly recommended, particularly for families of all ages.

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa is a 5-star deluxe property and a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World, set on a 20-hectare private island in Raa Atoll surrounded by 1.5 km of white sand beach. The resort features 120 spacious villas split evenly between beach and overwater categories, blending contemporary and tropical design throughout.

The resort is reached by seaplane from Malé. Its sister property, Emerald Faarufushi, lies just 20 minutes away by speedboat, making a two-island stay an easy and attractive option.

Each villa is well appointed with modern air-conditioned bathrooms featuring walk-in showers, outdoor 'under the stars' showers, twin bathtubs, and separate WC and bidet. Interiors include king-size or interconnecting beds, dressing rooms, walk-in closets, working desks, satellite TVs in both the room and bathroom, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the resort. All villas also benefit from tea and coffee making facilities, a daily refreshed minibar, twice-daily maid service, and personal safes. Room-controlled air conditioning and overhead fans add to the comfort.

Dining choices are plentiful. The main Aqua Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a lavish buffet and live cooking stations. The Beach Club Grill offers grilled seafood, meats, and pizzas for lunch and dinner. Two speciality restaurants — Amazonico (South American) and Le Asiatique (Asian) — are popular for dinner and require advance booking. The resort also features the Emerald Spa with nine treatment rooms, a relaxation area, steam bath, and sauna; a state-of-the-art fitness centre with Technogym equipment; two tennis courts (one convertible to a football pitch); two padel courts; a PADI-certified dive centre; and complimentary non-motorised water sports. Children are well catered for at the 1,500 sqm Dolphin Kids Club, which offers supervised indoor and outdoor activities and a dedicated kids' restaurant.