Best Resorts in the Maldives: My Personal Top 3

I lived in the Maldives for almost a year and was fortunate enough to visit many of the best luxury resorts in the Maldives.

A year in paradise… Well, not quite. I ended up living in the overcrowded, polluted capital city Malé.

But, living in the Maldives did give me easy access to some of the best resorts in the world. I have been lucky enough to visit many of them and I don’t think there has been a single resort I didn’t enjoy.

But, there is definitely a big difference between the higher-end and the lower-end resorts and for once I really recommend splurging: if you ever decide to travel here, choose one of the best resorts in the Maldives.

The pristine beaches, breathtaking water villas, great spa treatments, and delicious food… If you are looking to unwind and enjoy a few relaxing days in paradise then a resort island in the Maldives might be your ideal choice.

My Top 3 of Best Resorts in the Maldives

All of these resorts are private island resorts. That means it’s just that one resort on one beautiful, uninhabited island.

I’ve chosen three luxury resorts with different vibes and different price levels.

There are many private island resorts in the Maldives so I hope my selection will help you find one that’s perfect for you.

1. W Maldives

This is a different type of luxury resort in the Maldives.

The resort is comfortable, romantic and idyllic but it’s not the classic type of luxury. W Maldives is trendy, hip and just a little bit different from your standard romantic resort. And that is what I love about it!

From the fun games they placed in their airport lounge (we played Jenga!) to the ice cream stations (unlimited free ice cream!) they have scattered around the resort island…

W is a fun brand and they have integrated that well into this resort.

We took a seaplane to this resort and trust me, if you go to the Maldives and have the opportunity to take a seaplane to your resort instead of a boat, do it!

Flying over the different islands and resorts is absolutely stunning and an experience you will remember forever.

As with all luxury resorts in the Maldives, W Maldives is located on its own private island. It is a smaller resort and you can walk around the entire island within half an hour. However, there is enough to do to keep you entertained and help you relax.

The coral reefs in the Maldives are stunning so definitely try some snorkeling or go diving.

Sip on a cocktail while watching the sunset, go to the Spa, try some of the resort’s water sports and just relax… Enjoy the fact that you don’t have a care in the world for a few days.

The resort’s best rooms are their overwater villas but their beach villas with private pool, which I stayed in, are great as well.

If you are looking for a fun, modern, luxury resort in paradise, then I would say W Maldives is one of the best resorts in the Maldives for that!

Click here for more information and prices for W Maldives.

2. Kuramathi Maldives Resort

Kuramathi is the resort I have been to the most and even though I got to know it well, it never bored me.

This resort is larger than many other resorts in the Maldives and that made me feel there is more to do.

It has a wide range of restaurants and bars with different atmospheres, regular live music, good water sports, and a great dive shop. Their spa is really nice and if you are bringing the kids, they have a good kids club.

Kuramathi’s water villas with pool or jacuzzi are what I would recommend, but I also really enjoyed their beach villas with jacuzzi.

Kuramathi is slightly less luxurious than the other two resorts and much more family friendly.

If you are looking for a slightly more affordable resort with enough to keep you entertained, then Kuramathi is a great option.

Tip: walk to the far end of the island just before the sun sets.

Walking on this thin stretch of idyllic white sand, surrounded by nothing but perfectly clear water will truly make you feel you are in paradise!

Click here for more information and prices for Kuramathi Resort.

3. Anantara Kihavah Maldives

If you’re looking for one of the best luxury resorts in the Maldives you have to check out Anantara Kihavah.

The resort is set on a really beautiful, relatively small island with 80 villas.

They have both beautiful beach villas and over water villas, all of which are very spacious and have private pools.

Their Sunset Over Water Pool Villa would be my first choice, but all their villas are beautiful.

The resort has all the amenities you expect including a wide range of water sports, a great over water spa, and several dining options.

Two things worth highlighting here are that you can book a night on a luxury yacht, and one of the dining options is set in a restaurant underwater!

Children are welcome here as well and the resort has a kids club to keep them entertained.

Click here for more information and prices for Anantara Kihavah.

Additional Tips for Going to the Maldives

1. How Much Time to Spend in the Maldives?

If you decide to stay in a resort in the Maldives, four nights is generally enough.

No matter which resort you choose, you will be staying on a relatively small private island.

The islands are gorgeous and the resorts offer as many activities as they can, but apart from beautiful beaches, luxury resorts and really good scuba diving, the Maldives doesn’t have much to offer.

So if you want to extend your trip I would recommend combining a stay at one of the best resorts in the Maldives with a visit to Sri Lanka.

Tip: The Maldives is a popular honeymoon destination. If you’re planning your honeymoon and aren’t sure yet about where to go or you’d like to combine the Maldives with another destination, check out this list of the best honeymoon destinations in Asia.

2. Resort or Liveaboard in the Maldives?

If you love scuba diving I recommend booking a liveaboard in the Maldives.

Most liveaboards offer a week-long trip with four or more dives per day. This way you have access to many more incredible dive sites and get to see more of the Maldives.

Or even better: combine your liveaboard with two or three nights in a Maldives resort.

You can find some Maldives liveaboard reviews here or book your liveaboard online.

If you like liveaboards then also read: Why You Should Go on a Liveaboard to the Similan Islands in Thailand

3. About Your Flight to the Maldives

If you are going to the Maldives and arrive late at night your resort might not offer transfers anymore.

This would mean you’d have to spend your first night in a different hotel. This is not worth it if you are looking forward to a relaxing, luxurious trip because there aren’t any great hotels close to the airport and you waste a night this way.

Therefore, check with your resort until what time they offer transfers and if possible try to adjust your flight to that.

If you do have to spend a night close to the airport and want to explore capital city Malé I recommend staying at Hotel Jen Malé (formerly known as Traders hotel) in the center of Malé. This way you can get a glimpse of local life in the Maldives as well.

But, the most convenient option, closest to the airport is Hulhule Island Hotel.

Final Thoughts About The Best Resorts in the Maldives

I hope this article has given you an idea of what the best resorts in the Maldives are, but also about what a visit to the Maldives will be like and how to plan it.

Especially if you want to stay in an over water villa I’d recommend booking at least several months in advance. Many resorts in the Maldives only have a small number of over water villas available, and they often get booked a long time in advance.

Enjoy your time in the Maldives!

It really is a unique place to visit, and the resorts in the Maldives are definitely some of the best resorts I’ve stayed in anywhere in the world.

Also Read:

• Interview With an Expat About What Life in the Maldives is Really Like
• The Best Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean

 
Like this article about the best resorts in the Maldives? Pin it!

 

This blog post about going to the Maldives and the best resorts in the Maldives contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.