These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest guidance before travelling. Our writer visited these hotels prior to the pandemic.
Soft white sands, rippling coconut palms, impossibly pink sunsets and night skies so clear and so dark you can easily trace your way along the Milky Way – the wondrous topography of the Maldives was made for love. And whatever your romantic style there’s a resort for you, from castaway-style eco-luxe retreats, to trend-setting designer digs, to Miami-esque isles with buzzy beach clubs, to action-packed all-inclusives, health and fitness getaways, and far-flung smudges of sand where you’re just as likely to see a green turtle as another human being. Here’s our pick of the most romantic hotels in the Maldives, including the best for overwater villas, private plunge pools, open-air cinemas, Michelin-starred restaurants, beachfront dining and spectacular diving facilities.
Soneva Fushi
Eydhafushi, Maldives
The motto here is “no news, no shoes” and, true to their word, guests’ footwear is confiscated on the traditional dhoni boat transfer from Malé. The 65 villas made from natural materials are sandwiched between jungle and beach. Fun extras include an open-air cinema on the beach, planetarium, treetop yoga, a Mr or Mrs Friday (aka personal butler) assigned to each villa. There’s an excellent choice of dining options, including bountiful breakfasts with juicy mango and papaya, fresh-from-the-oven pastries and healthy ayurvedic tonics at Mihiree Mitha, plus a treetop restaurant Fresh in the Garden for Maldivian fare such as tuna with lychees and edible flowers.
From
£
1,113
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
COMO Maalifushi
Thaa Atoll, Maldives
Currently the only resort to inhabit the tranquil Thaa Atoll, Como Maalifushi is seductively low-key, attracting famous fashion designers and Hollywood celebrities with its minimalist styling, knowing service and superstar-worthy food and facilities. The spa is a destination in its own right, and nothing ruffles the friendly, experienced staff, who are used to dealing with high demands. Discreetly positioned around the island are 65 villas, ranging from capacious beach suites fronted by perfect-white sands, to sweeping over-water beauties, with rambling decks, infinity pools and waterside cabanas. Bathrooms are huge, with enormous Japanese-style soaking tubs, indoor and outdoor showers.
From
£
485
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
The moment you step off the jetty at this grown-up, sophisticated retreat in the Baa Atoll you’re greeted with tropical grandeur – from the coconut boulevard and traditional Maldivian architecture complemented with chic contemporary interiors, to the dazzling white sandbank stretching out into the Indian Ocean. Ultra-private beach and water villas feature steep thatched roofs, coral walls, snuggly beds and cosy living areas in island-style turquoise and sand hues as well as enormous bathrooms. Huge outdoor spaces include private infinity pools, mezzanine-level lofts accessed by a spiral staircase and direct access to the beach or turquoise lagoon.
From
£
1,083
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
JOALI
Muravandhoo, Maldives
One of the most sensuous resorts you could hope to visit – it’s all about delighting the senses. The enormous villas, exemplary service, exquisite food and fabulous amenities exceed most people’s expectations by some considerable margin. There are 73 villas in six categories, starting with a spacious suite on the beach and culminating in a deluxe three-bedroom overwater apartment with two pools. All villas have traditional thatched roofs, sea views and an infinity pool. Most villas have outdoor baths and showers. If JOALI were a person, it would be Lauren Bacall – cool, classy, sophisticated and seductive – but with an added warmth that is utterly irresistible.
From
£
1,372
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
• The best Indian Ocean hotels
The Nautilus Maldives
Baa Atoll, Maldives
This island retreat has all the tropical hallmarks of the Maldives you’d expect: white sand pathways, lofty palms and stained wood boardwalks. This is the epitome of ‘barefoot luxury’ – it would be easy to cast off your flip-flops on arrival and not feel the need to put them back on until the moment you depart. There are 26 beachside and overwater houses – quite close together but that’s not unusual for the Maldives – found beachside or on stilts overwater. All have private pools and high ceilings with wooden bead chandeliers and conical-shaped roofs. The whole vibe of the place is relaxed and informal, but with an incredible attention to detail. Very impressive, consistently.
From
£
1,517
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Baa Atoll, Maldives
The island of Kihavah, a mesmerising 35-minute seaplane ride north of Malé within the Baa Atoll, is truly a paradise, ringed by the whitest of powdery sands and beyond that crystal-clear turquoise waters that are a playground for a rainbow-like collection of tropical fish. Its remote location means endless horizon views and the starriest of night skies that are best experienced atop the resort’s Sky Bar, which is also home to the Maldives’ largest telescope.
When not snorkelling with manta rays, there is an overwater spa and a choice of six excellent restaurants and bars but, really, it is all about the talcum-white sands and turquoise waters.
When not snorkelling with manta rays, there is an overwater spa and a choice of six excellent restaurants and bars but, really, it is all about the talcum-white sands and turquoise waters.
From
£
765
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
LUX* North Male Atoll
North Male Atoll, Maldives
Miami meets the Maldives at this ultra-modern, playful resort, which has gone for a contemporary, super yacht-inspired, youthful, energetic vibe. It’s well suited to couples seeking trendy eateries and lounges with live DJs and underwater aquariums, a glass-enclosed overwater spa, a private sandbank for picnics, and two-level villas with private sun terraces and infinity pools. Lazy poolside lunches and retro ice cream parlours await, but for something more intimate, try the private dining room at Barium with its underwater aquarium or book a romantic twilight dinner for two on a candlelit pier.
From
£
848
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
The Residence Maldives Dhigurah
Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives
A rustic all-inclusive with a sublime setting, roomy villas, fun facilities and charming staff. White sandy pathways wind through leafy tunnels of banana, coconut and palm trees, giving the island a lovely adventurous edge. The main swimming pool is a marvel too; 42 metres of glassy water raised slightly above the beach for the full Maldivian infinity effect. Elsewhere, there’s a watersports centre and a lovely Clarins spa set in lush tropical gardens with six treatment rooms built over water. Most guests stay on an all-inclusive package, which allows them to make use of three restaurants, a beach club and a bar, as well as all of the restaurants at The Residence at Falhuumafushi.
From
£
317
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo
Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives
This elegant tropical reimagining of the original Raffles Singapore offers privacy, serenity, nature and style, alongside some serious luxury and tip-top service. The design is refreshing: think breezy verandahs, checkered floor tiles, striped monsoon blinds, lazily turning fans and louvre windows. The beach is a perfect ring of platinum sands, haloed by watery ribbons of turquoise, aquamarine and royal blue and coral reefs teeming with colourful fish. Alternatively, you could stay on Meradhoo’s overwater retreat, a loop of villas and leisure facilities sitting completely separate from the island, reached via a two-minute boat ride.
From
£
643
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi
Shaviyani Atoll, Maldives
On Sirru Fen Fushi – or ‘secret water island’ – Fairmont Maldives offers a blissful blend of creamy white beaches and lush forest reaching out into untouched ocean. With vaulted ceilings above expansive beds, macrame finishes and ornately carved furniture, the standard villa offering comes with direct access to the beach, along with plunge pool and outdoor bathtub. The overwater villas are decked out similarly, but here, vast copper tubs sit inside spacious bathrooms and views of the ocean are uninterrupted. Whether it’s sunrise yoga, a Coralarium tour or a massage at the Willow Stream Spa, there is a consistent sense that you are in the very best of hands here.
From
£
497
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Kanuhura
Maldives
Located in the lovely quiet Lhaviyani Atoll, Kanuhara is ideal for couples. With a fabulous range of facilities, tip-top dining, bright villas and perfect beaches, there are enough activities to keep you busy for weeks on end, and the fact that the island is completely ringed by dazzling white sands means you never have to look far to find a patch of paradise to yourself. On top of all of that, there are two more ravishing islands for guests to frolic on; Jehunuhura, which you can speedboat to anytime to take advantage of sun loungers, cabanas and Drift restaurant; and Masleggihura, where you can be dropped off and left completely alone for a few hours. Bliss.
From
£
337
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Gili Lankanfushi
Lankanfushi Island, North Male Atoll, Maldives
It’s hard to resist the charms of this award-winning Maldivian resort. Imagine rustic palm-thatched wooden villas floating against a backdrop of limpid sea, silky white-sand beaches and lush vegetation. The 45 overwater villas recall wooden boats floating at sea – rustic yet luxurious. The seven stand-alone Crusoe Residences offer a ‘castaway experience’, complete with their own small boat, while the others stretch along stilted jetties. Gili also brags the largest overwater villa in the Maldives: the Private Reserve, set on its own island. The hotel’s motto is ‘No news, no shoes’, so everyone pads around bare-foot and mobile phones are forgotten.
From
£
987
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Six Senses Laamu
Laamu Atoll, Maldives
Six Senses Laamu is one of the most remote properties but as one of the island nation’s very finest hotels, it’s absolutely worth it. Fabulously expensive, but also generally fabulous, this is the epitome of barefoot luxury – guests are requested to stay barefoot the entire time they are in the resort unless they’re wearing flippers for snorkelling (if you believe in strict dress codes for dining, this probably isn’t the place for you). The resort is home to six bars and restaurants and the spa is first rate. For a real treat, it’s possible to take a picnic lunch on a nearby deserted island which, for several hours, you’ll have all to yourself.
From
£
574
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Amari Havodda
Maldives
This island paradise is perfect for couples; not too big, or too small – but plenty of corners of calm beside bars with atmosphere. The island itself is just 2,600 feet long and positioned on the Gaafu Atoll, and while you can see a few distant islands, it certainly feels like you have the Indian Ocean all to yourself. There’s a decent-sized pool that sits at the heart of the island plus a series of vast pagodas built alongside lofty palms and wooden decks, and activities include Maldivian cooking classes, movie nights and live music performances. You can do as much, or as little, as you see fit. Most guests stay on a fully inclusive rate, with all meals and alcohol included.
From
£
252
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
One&Only Reethi Rah
Reethi Rah, Maldives
Reethi Rah (‘beautiful island’) is perfect for couples in search of privacy and the ultimate in laidback luxury. It even operates on its own time zone, which is set one hour ahead of Malé, in part so that guests can marvel at the transcendental sunsets at a more cocktail-friendly hour. The Fanditha Bar is the place to be at this time, with its cabana beds, shisha pipes and chilled-Ibiza vibe. Elsewhere, romantic Botanica is a lantern-lit spot under the trees with an emphasis on ‘garden-to-fork’ dishes, and Tapasake is good for ocean views. The Jean-Michel Gathy-designed villas are glorious; honeymooners should plump for the Grand Sunset Residence with its private beach, outdoor cinema and choice of pools.
From
£
1,572
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Contributions by Kate Bolton, Lauren Ho, Grace Holliday, Jenny Johnson, Jamie Lafferty, Simon Parker, Caroline Shearing & Xenia Taliotis