A hotspot for honeymooners, Maldives is an equally popular destination among surfers, divers, spa enthusiasts, sunbathers and even the occasional celebrity.
People flock to the sunny island country for its clear waters and reefs, great waves, blue lagoons, remote white beaches, as well as the exquisite properties that are continuously popping up on the 26 small islands, or atolls, that make up the Republic of Maldives.
Many of these resorts are built on unpopulated and pristine grounds to ensure exclusivity where guests can still enjoy serenity and privacy.
So, as Maldives continues to attract a flood of tourists, vacationers are pretty much guaranteed a holiday without being inundated with fellow tourists and that makes vacationing in Maldives one of the crowns of luxury travel.
Here, we list the best resorts in the sun-drenched nation, providing unparalleled services and seclusion from the moment guests place their feet on the powder-soft sand of their chosen Maldives beach.
SEE ALSO: 25 photos of luxurious private islands you can rent for your next vacation
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Cheval Blanc Randheli
Part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group, Cheval Blanc Randheli is a 45-villa resort set in Noonu Atoll, 40 minutes north of capital city Malé by seaplane. Contemporary yet indigenous, each loft-style villa is furnished with materials from the Indian Ocean and natural textures. All Cheval Blanc villas offer private infinity pools, overwater decks and private gardens. The Owner’s Villa is accessible through its own private berth and jetty for the ultimate seclusion, where guests can relax at their own private spa.
The resort also features the Cheval Blanc Spa, offering tailored treatments by renowned French cosmetics brand Guerlain. For a bite, choose between the resort’s five restaurants, ranging from fine dining to relaxed alfresco options. Recently, Cheval Blanc Randheli also launched its own luxury yacht service, taking guests for extended diving trips and intimate adventures for honeymooners or friends.
Nightly rates for villas are from US$1,600 to US$3,700. Rates for the Owner’s Villa is on request.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Located on two islands connected by a 500m bridge, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has 50 water villas, 79 beach villas and 21 over-water villas at its Spa Retreat. The smaller Rangali Island is open only to adults, mostly housing the water villas. Two of the resort’s water villas — the Sunset Water Villas — are set in their own lagoon with glass-floored living room, a rotating bed and private infinity pool, while an island host is at the guest’s beck and call throughout their stay.
Guests can enjoy all the resort’s facilities, which include 11 restaurants and bars, two spas and sailing or snorkelling trips for a chance encounter with mantas, dolphins and whale sharks. The resort is most notable for its distinct and extensive dining experiences such as the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, an all-glass undersea restaurant. If dining underwater is not your thing, a breezy option is to dine under the stars at Koko grill, which seats a cozy number of 10 guests and offers Japanese-inspired grilled dishes.
Nightly rates for villas are from US$750 to US$4,150.
Naladhu
With only 20 residences to choose from, plus only being able to host less than 50 guests at a time, Naladhu is the most intimate resort on our list. The resort is set on the island of Velighandu Huraa in the South Malé Atoll and is easily reached via a boat ride from Malé International Airport. Its biggest accommodation is a two-bedroom pool residence with 600 square metres of space and is two storeys high. Suitable for families with kids, it has its own private beach and daybed balcony overlooking the Indian Ocean.
All villas are equipped with their own pools with great views. Service is also remarkable — personal house masters, otherwise known as butlers, will escort guests to their resting places upon arrival and ensure that their every whim and fancy are taken care of. All-day dining is available at the resort’s fine-dining restaurant, The Living Room, where the menu changes seasonally to reflect a fusion of classic Maldivian cuisine with international twists featuring star produce such as fresh fish, imported meats and locally sourced tropical fruits.
Nightly rates for villas are from US$1,760 to US$7,965.
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