North Malé Atoll · 45 mins by Speedboat
Patina Maldives Fari Islands
“All 90 villas have their own pool, with art around the island and ten places to eat.”
The Best Luxury Resorts in the Maldives
The best luxury resorts in the Maldives, sorted the way guests choose them: a boat ride from Malé, a villa over the water, total privacy, or barefoot luxury and wellbeing.
17 resorts 4 offers live from 20 min by speedboat
Near Malé
Luxury resorts near Malé, reached by boat
No seaplane needed: each is a speedboat or yacht ride from the airport, so they work with any flight time.
South Malé Atoll · 45 mins by Transfer
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
“Reached by the resort's own yacht, with Zuma Maldives and Terra among around ten places to eat.”
North Malé Atoll · 55 mins by Speedboat
One&Only Reethi Rah
“A large island with long, quiet beaches, about 55 minutes by speedboat at any hour.”
South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
Naladhu Private Island
“Just 20 houses, each with its own pool and butler, about 30 minutes away.”
North Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
Huvafen Fushi
“Thirty minutes by speedboat, with an underwater spa and a pool at every villa.”
North Malé Atoll · 20 mins by Speedboat
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
“Rustic wooden villas spread over the lagoon, about twenty minutes by speedboat.”
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Features
Over the water
Overwater luxury: water villas with their own pool
The lagoon below the deck, a pool on it, and service that knows how you take your coffee.
Dhaalu Atoll · 45 mins by Seaplane
The St Regis Maldives Vommuli
“All 77 villas have a pool and a butler, with dinner at ALBA, Orientale or Decanter.”
Baa Atoll · 25 mins by Seaplane
Vakkaru Maldives
“A private infinity pool facing the horizon, in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.”
Raa Atoll · 45 mins by Seaplane
Joali Maldives
“The Maldives' art-immersive resort, where every villa has its own pool.”
Noonu Atoll · 40 mins by Seaplane
Soneva Jani
“Water retreats linked by boardwalks across a vast Noonu Atoll lagoon, with a slide into the sea.”
Baa Atoll · 35 mins by Seaplane
Anantara Kihavah
“Dinner beneath the waves at SEA and a nightcap under the stars at SKY.”
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Features
Privacy
Small, private and very quiet
Fewer houses, more space between them, and an island that feels like your own.
Baa Atoll · 20 mins by Domestic flight
The Nautilus
“Just 26 houses, a butler for each, and no fixed times for anything.”
South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
Naladhu Private Island
“Small enough to book entirely for a celebration, and quiet enough to feel yours when you don't.”
Baa Atoll · 35 mins by Seaplane
Milaidhoo Island Maldives
“A boutique island in Baa Atoll where every villa has its own pool, 35 minutes by seaplane.”
North Malé Atoll · 20 mins by Speedboat
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
“The Private Reserve stands alone in the lagoon, reached only by boat.”
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Features
Barefoot & wellbeing
Barefoot luxury, nature and wellbeing
Shoes off, reefs to explore and a slower pace, without giving up any comfort.
Raa Atoll · 45 mins by Seaplane
Joali Being
“A wellbeing island in Raa Atoll, built around the spa, yoga and a hydrotherapy pool.”
Baa Atoll · 30 mins by Seaplane
Soneva Fushi
“The original Soneva: shoes off on arrival and wooden villas hidden among the trees.”
Baa Atoll · 30 mins by Seaplane
Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
“Its own manta ray research programme, in Baa Atoll, 30 minutes by seaplane.”
Laamu Atoll · 70 mins by Domestic flight + speedboat
Six Senses Laamu
“Villas of natural materials on Olhuveli Island, far south in Laamu Atoll.”
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Features
Villa spotlight
Signature villas
Estates, residences and beach houses at the very top of each resort.
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Features
On the map
Where the luxury resorts are
Near Malé by speedboat or yacht, north by seaplane, or far south to Laamu.
Illustrated map, not to navigational scale.
By speedboat
By seaplane or flight
Other transfer, e.g. yacht
Malé airport
- 1 Patina Maldives Fari Islands North Malé Atoll · 45 mins by Speedboat
- 2 Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi South Malé Atoll · 45 mins by Transfer
- 3 One&Only Reethi Rah North Malé Atoll · 55 mins by Speedboat
- 4 Naladhu Private Island South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
- 5 Huvafen Fushi North Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
- 6 Gili Lankanfushi Maldives North Malé Atoll · 20 mins by Speedboat
- 7 The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Dhaalu Atoll · 45 mins by Seaplane
- 8 Vakkaru Maldives Baa Atoll · 25 mins by Seaplane
- 9 Joali Maldives Raa Atoll · 45 mins by Seaplane
- 10 Soneva Jani Noonu Atoll · 40 mins by Seaplane
- 11 Anantara Kihavah Baa Atoll · 35 mins by Seaplane
- 12 The Nautilus Baa Atoll · 20 mins by Domestic flight
- 13 Milaidhoo Island Maldives Baa Atoll · 35 mins by Seaplane
- 14 Joali Being Raa Atoll · 45 mins by Seaplane
- 15 Soneva Fushi Baa Atoll · 30 mins by Seaplane
- 16 Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru Baa Atoll · 30 mins by Seaplane
- 17 Six Senses Laamu Laamu Atoll · 70 mins by Domestic flight + speedboat
Offers at these resorts
How to choose your luxury resort
Luxury in the Maldives starts with the island. Each resort has its own, so the beach, the reef and the evening are shared with very few people. At the top level, your villa has its own pool, someone looks after you by name, and getting there is part of the stay.
Over the water or on the beach
Overwater villas give you the lagoon from your bed and steps straight into the sea. Beach villas give you more space, more shade and your own stretch of sand. Most of these resorts offer both, so it often comes down to the villa rather than the island.
How far to travel
Patina, Waldorf Astoria, One&Only Reethi Rah, Naladhu, Huvafen Fushi and Gili Lankanfushi are reached by boat from Malé, so they work with any flight time. The St. Regis, Soneva, Four Seasons, Joali and Anantara Kihavah are seaplane resorts, further out and flown in daylight only.
How private
For the most seclusion, choose a small island: Naladhu has 20 houses and The Nautilus has 26. Larger resorts such as Waldorf Astoria and Patina offer more restaurants and activities, with villas still set well apart.
Looking for something more specific? See our guides to private island resorts, luxury overwater villas and resorts with a private pool.
FAQ
Luxury resorts: your questions
Which is the most luxurious resort in the Maldives?
It depends on what luxury means to you. For over-water living, Soneva Jani or The St. Regis. For privacy, Naladhu or The Nautilus. For food and choice, Waldorf Astoria or Patina. Tell us how you like to travel and we will suggest the best fit.
Which luxury resorts are closest to Malé?
Gili Lankanfushi is about 20 minutes by speedboat, and Naladhu and Huvafen Fushi about 30. Waldorf Astoria (by yacht), Patina (by speedboat) and One&Only Reethi Rah are all within about an hour, so none of them needs a seaplane.
Do luxury resorts have an underwater restaurant or spa?
Some do. Anantara Kihavah has SEA, an underwater restaurant, and Huvafen Fushi has an underwater spa.
Are these resorts good for families?
Several are. Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi have villas with several bedrooms and slides into the lagoon, and Joali has residences with up to four bedrooms. Ask us about family villas when you enquire.
When should we book?
As early as you can for December to April, and especially for Christmas and New Year, when the best villas sell out first. For May to November there is usually more choice.
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