Six Senses Laamu

Six Senses Laamu will close temporarily from 1 May to 8 October 2027 while renovations take place.

Six Senses opened Laamu's first resort back in 2011, and the atoll has stayed largely untouched ever since, a world away from the busy hum around Male. The remoteness used to cost you a domestic flight followed by a speedboat, which put plenty of travellers off. These days a scheduled, air-conditioned seaplane covers the journey, turning what was once a drawback into a genuine selling point.

Marteyne van Well has led Laamu for over a decade, and staff retention here is remarkable. That continuity shows in service that is precisely drilled and in an obvious sense of community among the team, which guests feel too. Only a handful of island resorts manage genuine hospitality that is both luxurious and familial; it takes everyone pulling in the same direction, and Laamu does it in abundance.

The 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'Swiss Family Robinson' look may be wearing thin for some, but we still love it. The generous use of natural materials and the driftwood-inspired styling are a joy. The overwater villas have barely changed since opening (a few pools have been added), yet they remain beautifully conceived and wonderful places to stay, from the roomy decks up to the 'crows nest' balcony. A handful of minor details betray their age, such as the electrical switches, but the Six Senses interior touches and the clever hiding of modern technology are exactly our kind of thing. The beach villas are similarly unchanged, though several multi-room ones have been substantially upgraded with sprawling layouts that suit families and groups of friends.

Longitude remains one of our favourite main restaurants for breakfast and dinner alike, thanks to its huge mix of buffet and live cooking stations and its seemingly endless choice. Sip Sip beach bar is a delightful lunch spot with a wide menu and excellent pizzas. Leaf, the treetop fine dining restaurant (very clearly inspired by Soneva's 'Fresh In The Garden'), was first class, and the new sake bar and teppanyaki tables at the Zen Asian restaurant add even more variety, all of it delicious.

Chill Bar sits at the centre of the overwater complex and is a superb spot by day or for drinks before or after dinner, with occasional low-key entertainment and a 'No Rush Hour' buy-one-get-one-free between 10 and 11pm (ask us for an Angelfish cocktail voucher when you book!). The Sip Sip pool bar is a great daytime option, with a big sunset-facing beach. We also thoroughly enjoyed a brilliant blind wine tasting in the Altitude wine cellar, expertly hosted by sommelier Akul.

The facilities are extensive: a dedicated surf team alongside the usual water sports, an open-air cinema, The Den kids club, a library, boutique, ice cream parlour, chocolatier and clinic. The excellent gym and yoga deck come with glorious views to help you burn off the calories. You can even join the staff on the back-of-house astro football pitch if that appeals. Getting around is by push bike, complete with a souvenir plaque bearing your initials to take home. As you would expect from Six Senses, there is a wonderful spa with a broad range of wellness treatments, a lovely reception and fabulous 'nest' outdoor treatment rooms looking out over the lagoon.

The Earth Lab highlights several sustainability projects, and we strongly recommend the back-of-house tour that your GEM (Guest Experience Manager) can organise. The real highlight, though, is The Shell, a purpose-built home to the Maldives' leading marine biology centre, with fascinating educational and interactive experiences for every age. It also carries out vital marine conservation research, and stands as proof of Six Senses' dedication to protecting the local environment.

Divers adore Laamu, because with so few resorts around you will almost always have the sites to yourselves. The snorkelling was a very pleasant surprise, as we had been a little dismissive of Laamu's reef in the past. The colourful corals have recovered beautifully and now teem with marine life. There are plenty of sharks, rays and turtles to find, and swimming to the nearby thilas or the seagrass fields, where triggers, turtles and rays feed, adds real variety. We even had a lagoon coral garden just outside our villa (#44) that was alive with fish, like a private aquarium.

Six Senses Laamu cares deeply for its team, its local community and its natural surroundings, just as much as for its paying guests. It is a special resort, an island with so much on offer that you simply will not want to leave. When you finally do, you will feel better informed as well as serene and refreshed.

Six Senses Laamu is the only five-star resort in Laamu Atoll, sitting deep within the Indian Ocean. A scenic 65-minute seaplane flight south from Male International Airport delivers guests to a place defined by untouched natural beauty and understated elegance.

'Barefoot serenity' captures the spirit of the resort, where white sand beaches, turquoise water and lush tropical vegetation create a naturally peaceful setting. The resort takes an individual, understated approach that encourages privacy and a strong connection to the surroundings, with every detail carefully considered and expressed through refined, minimalist design.

Accommodation

Six Senses Laamu offers 94 beachfront and overwater villas, thoughtfully designed to sit in harmony with the island's remarkable natural beauty. Every villa prizes privacy, comfort and relaxed luxury, making a tranquil retreat immersed in its surroundings. In keeping with the Six Senses philosophy, the villas are built from local and sustainable materials, so they blend with nature without any loss of refinement.

All villas come with either a king-size or twin beds, uninterrupted sea views and full air conditioning. Guests also enjoy an in-villa entertainment system, IDD telephone, complimentary Wi-Fi, hair dryer, lighted make-up and shaving mirror, and an outdoor bathroom with a rain shower. There are tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar, an in-villa safe and an extensive pillow menu.

Restaurants and Bars

Longitude
This open-air, two-storey overwater venue starts each day with a generous breakfast. In the evening there are themed dinners drawn from cuisines around the world, with a particular focus on South Asia, alongside engaging live-cooking nights.

Leaf
Set above the resort's organic garden, Leaf shows off the creativity of its chefs working with produce sourced locally from Maldivian fishermen and farmers. Dinner centres on an ever-changing Mediterranean menu that reflects the seasons and a spirit of innovation. Adults only.

Sip Sip
Rising from the swimming pool with its distinctive sunken bar and relaxed poolside seating, Sip Sip is a casual all-day dining spot. The menu covers homemade pizzas, crisp salads, juicy burgers, a choice of pastas and locally inspired desserts.

Chill Bar
Built over the water across several levels, Chill Bar sets the evening mood with a resident DJ. Skilled mixologists craft cocktails from the freshest ingredients, while an international and South Asian menu is served through the day.

Altitude Wine Cellar
Rising 6.4 metres above the Indian Ocean, this striking spun-glass wine tower holds a wide collection of Old World and New World vintages. Guests can join private or communal tastings and curated dinners, guided by the resident sommelier.

Ice
A lively choice of forty-eight unique, locally inspired ice cream and sorbet flavours awaits. The chocolate studio adds further temptation with a range of handcrafted homemade chocolates.

Zen
Zen serves a daily changing Japanese a la carte menu alongside an Omakase ('trust the chef') experience. Guests dine in a relaxed, casual setting on the upper deck, with the soothing sound of the ocean as company.

Facilities and Activities

The SHELL
The Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL) is a multi-use facility built for education and immersive marine conservation. It is also home to the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI). A central exhibition space invites guests to discover the colourful and varied local marine life through engaging, out-of-the-ordinary encounters. Other facilities include offices, a marine laboratory, a theatre and an interactive learning space, all supporting SHELL's aim of inspiring awareness and care for Laamu's marine environment.

Six Senses Spa
The spa has nine private treatment nests, either looking out over the ocean or tucked discreetly into the island's lush natural surroundings. Guests can awaken the senses with locally inspired and Ayurvedic treatments, therapeutic massages, yoga and fitness classes, and wellness workshops.

Water Sports
Explore the underwater world and enjoy crystal-clear water through diving and snorkeling, with guided snorkelling trips available alongside a resident marine biologist. A broad range of non-motorised water sports is on offer too, including kayaking, catamaran sailing, windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding.

From May to September, guests can make the most of prime surf conditions. The famous Yin Yangs break, one of the best known in the Maldives, lies a short boat ride from the island, with surf trips run daily through the season.

The Den
The Den is a complimentary club for younger guests aged 3 to 11. A babysitting service is also available on request, at an additional charge.