Top 10 luxury hotels in the Maldives
The Maldives is one of those picture-perfect destinations that are completely true to the pictures on the front of the postcards. The extremely high standard of its luxury hotels and the spectacular diving aside, it’s hard to find a destination to rival its display of sharp and intense colour – the iridescent turquoise waters, the vivid greens of the palm trees and mangrove, and the brilliant white of the powdery sands. The Maldives might have close to 150 hotels, each on its own private island, but no two islands are the same…
The Coco Palm Bodu Hithi has extraordinarily well-appointed and spacious open-plan beach villas with beamed ceilings, an enormous round tub in the centre of the room and the pièce de resistance, a large private pool enclosed in a small garden. A CD of local Maldivian music puts guests in the mood for their Maldivian getaway.
One of the most luxurious hotels in the archipelago, Cocoa Island from the Hong Kong based COMO group, has ocean villa rooms shaped like dhoni, typical Maldivian wooden fishing boats, and one of the most beautiful lagoons in the country. Superb spa facilities with hydrotherapy pool and massage therapists who are hard to rival are also a highlight.
Operated by the Anantara group, Naladhu is an exclusive island of private luxury villas with the likes of Sadie Frost as regulars. The villas are decorated in an understated cosy colonial style with an outdoor shower and a breathtaking glass-encased private Cleopatra bath looking out to the sea.
Owned by the Per Aquum group, Huvafen Fushi is one of those legendary hotels that has succeeded in making every hotel hotlist on the planet – and not without reason either. Everything about this hotel breathes refined taste and understated elegance, especially its underwater spa.
The Shangri-La Villingili takes a while to get to as it is to the very south of the Madives, however, its large verdant exotic island and luxurious tree house villas with infinity edged pools overlooking the surrounding mangrove forest are worth it. The Shangri-La’s peripheral location also means it is a diving haven for amateurs and professionals alike.
It takes a while to reach this paradisiacal state-of-the-art hotel as it is located to the north extremity of the country, which is what gives Hadahaa its isolated ‘castaway’ ambience. Incredible design features like the oversized upside down dhoni acting as the reception area gives this hotel a slick edge that no other has.
An impressive example of design and nature working together in perfect harmony, the Gili Lankanfushi’s restaurant, for example, is a large tree house with views over the incredible surrounding lagoon, and its ocean villas are a slight step up from something one would imagine Robin Crusoe to have built for himself, which makes up this hotel’s irresistible charm.
Small and without all the flashy facilities found at its neighbours, Mirihi is however is fully-deserving of its place in this top 10 for its personal and warm service, the complete break-away atmosphere, and the attention to detail. Guests won’t find televisions in the rooms or swimming pools here due to the owner’s environmental convictions, but who needs a pool with such a picture-perfect lagoon?
One of the largest hotels in the Maldives, the Conrad Rangali truly has something for everyone, from its world-famous Ithaa underwater restaurant, to its dazzling range of accommodations. The hotel comprises two islands linked via a bridge from which you can see enormous sting rays in the evenings.
Kihavah is just perfectly appointed for a romantic break in complete privacy as the water villas are completely self-sufficient, each with its own private infinity edged pool – the largest private pools in the Maldives – that blends in perfectly with the turquoise lagoon.
Rooksana Hossenally is Deputy Editor at EasyvoyageUK.
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Thanks for breaking it down by island – it can be overwhelming to choose where to go when you’ve never been to the Maldives before. For me, it’s Cocoa Island hands down!
Right there with you Rashad! Cocoa Island was my favourite without doubt – the staff is genuine and the director was an incredibly kind and thoughtful man. The accommodation is beautiful, the story behind the island gives it some depth and the facilities (esp the spa) are fantastic, as is the food and the spectacular shared pool. And don’t even get me started on the lagoon…one of the best in the country!!
We’re booked for the Park Hyatt Hadahaa in December. It’ll be our first time to the Maldives. Can’t wait!
Brilliant Meagan, its distance from the main hubbub of the other atolls give it a tranquility that is rarely found on the other islands…I think if really getting away from it all is what you’re after, then you are going to love it! The reception area is stunning – an enormous upside down ‘dhow’ (traditional fishing boat) with sand floors…wish I could go back! :)
OMG. Paradise found! I can’t pick a fave between Coco Palm and Naladhu. Naladhu might edge out with that glass pool!