The captivating island archipelago and azure waters of the Maldives have plenty to offer you as a traveler with the best hotels in mind. Known for its breathtaking 1,000+ islands grouped in atolls, over a million tourists flock to the island country to frolic along its white sand beaches and swim in its warm crystal-clear waters.
Located in the north-central part of the tropical Indian Ocean, the Maldives is also one of the most popular and expensive places to visit in the world.
But this is understandable. Maldives has become a hotspot for luxury resorts, with many of them offering luxurious accommodations, personalized service, and gourmet cuisines that will take you on a mouthwatering adventure. The captivating island is also known as a honeymoon destination and has many facilities that are specifically designed to cater to couples.
Continue reading to discover the most expensive Maldives resorts for a luxurious stay on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
The 9 Best Maldives Resorts
Sit back in your chair (or imagine you’re relaxed in a hammock, with a tropical mocktail) and keep reading to picture yourself in any of these luxury hotels in the Maldives. Here are 9 resorts and luxury Maldives hotels that are sure to elevate your stay.
Soneva Jani
Soneva Jani is a private island paradise where you can go and relax in the lap of luxury. The resort is located on the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, making it one of the most remote islands in the Maldives. To access this top Maldives resort, you can take a 45-minute seaplane flight from its bustling capital city, Malé.
Soneva Jani has been built with sustainability in mind, and this is rather apparent with solar panels powering all its daytime operations. If you’re an environmentalist, you’re sure to appreciate this. It also features lush organic gardens and a state-of-the-art Waste-to-Wealth facility that recycles about 90% of its waste. This helps Soneva Jani ensure that it has an eco-friendly footprint.
The resort features a wide range of accommodation options and premium services, including:
- Villas and overwater bungalows; and
- Restaurants and bars (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) which are sure to delight your belly and satisfy your thirst.
There are also activities available on-site, including:
- Diving and snorkeling trips for water babies; and
- Fishing excursions for those who appreciate the thrill of the catch.
The St Regis Vommuli Resort
The St Regis Vommuli Resort in the Maldives is a luxurious resort located on the southern Dhaalu Atoll. Like the Soneva Jani Resort, you can take a 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé to St Regis. Known for its luxury villas and rainforest showers, it is an ideal place to stay if you’re looking for one of the top resorts in the Maldives.
The St Regis Vommuli Resort in the Maldives has been designed to be one of the most luxurious resorts in all of Asia, as you’ll see from the private terraces amidst its island-inspired design. The resort offers guests many amenities, including:
- A spa to relax your cares away;
- A fitness center for those looking to keep fit while on holiday; and
- An infinity pool offering you breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.
Cheval Blanc Randheli
Located on the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, Cheval Blanc Randheli is another luxury resort you’ll find in the northwestern region of the Maldives. So luxurious, in fact, it has been listed as one of the best hotels in the world by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award in 2017.
The resort is located on a private island and features 45 spectacular villas, each boasting a strikingly beautiful and contemporary design. Plus, it’s one of the most intimate and exclusive stays you could look for in the Maldives.
But Cheval Blanc Randheli is not only famous for its architectural design—this 5-star resort in the Maldives offers you a few luxurious services, including but not limited to:
- A private white sand beach;
- A spa with six treatment rooms;
- A restaurant with a Michelin star;
- An exclusive wine cellar; and
- A 24-hour personal butler service.
All of these amenities, plus its stunning location, makes it one of the best hotels the Maldives has to offer.
The One&Only, Reethi Rah
One&Only Reethi Rah is located on an island off the coast of North Malé Atoll in the Maldives archipelago. You’ll be able to reach the luxurious resort by sailing for 50 minutes on a yacht or by taking the popular seaplane ride, which takes approximately 15 minutes.
One&Only Reethi Rah 122 villas, so you’ll be sure to appreciate the legacy of luxury here. It is situated on the Maldives island of Reethi Rah and has been open for just over 2 years.
The resort’s villas were all built with traditional materials (like tropical wood, for example) and have been designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. Situated around a lagoon, the villas give you complete privacy and uninterrupted views of the ocean or tropical rainforest.
The resort also has eight restaurants, including a fusion of cuisines. You can choose from French, Italian, and Asian dishes such as their Thai Beef Salad or Linguine Al Pesto. As a guest, you can order meals from the comfort of your room at any time thanks to the resort’s 24-hour room service.
Other amenities in this island dream include:
- A spa;
- A fitness center;
- A sauna and steam room: and
- An outdoor infinity pool overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean.
Velaa Private Island Maldives Resort
Velaa Private Island Resort & Spa is located on Velaa Island in the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives. The resort is designed to provide you with an unforgettable experience with amenities, activities and service that will make it feel like your very own private island.
You’ll enjoy a wide range of water sports, including snorkeling, diving, and surfing at Velaa Private Island Resort & Spa. The resort also has a variety of restaurants, bars, and a lounge to suit every palate, so don’t feel shy to embark on a culinary adventure here. Plus, guests can enjoy their time at the spa or one of the many other activities available on-site.
The resort has four different room categories:
- Beach Pool Villas;
- Beach Pool Houses;
- Over-Water Villas; and
- Beach Residences.
Each type of villa provides a different experience for guests depending on how much seclusion and privacy you want from other guests.
Soneva Fushi
Soneva Fushi is another luxury resort in the Maldives that boasts sustainable tourism. You can find the eco-friendly hotel in the Baa Atoll. The Soneva Fushi Resort is located on one of the most beautiful atolls in the Maldives, with a total area of over 430 square miles. The Baa Atoll is recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. The resort has several features that make it stand out from other resorts in the region.
The resort has been designed to be as eco-friendly as possible: 15% of its electricity is generated by solar panels, rainwater is collected for non-drinking purposes, and sewage water is recycled for irrigation purposes. The luxury Maldives resort also uses natural fertilizers for organic farming on-site, a much-appreciated process by those who care about the environment.
Joali Maldives
Located in the lush island of Muravandhoo in the Raa Atoll, Joali Resort is a luxury resort that offers you an exclusive and attentive service. Due to its location, some 106 miles away from Malé, Joali offers you a chance to get away from it all and enjoy your holiday in complete privacy.
The resort has 73 private villas, which are either beach or water villas (and residences, too). Each comes with its own private pool, and all the amenities that you would expect from a luxury resort. Their staff is known for being attentive—from their Head Chef to the rest of the hotel staff. If you value and appreciate excellent customer service above all, Joali is the resort to be for an enjoyable stay in the Maldives.
Gili Lankanfushi, Lankanfushi Island
Famous for its luxury, privacy, and sustainability, Gili Lankanfushi is another equally stunning resort island in the Maldives.
The island, which has been owned and managed by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited) for a decade, has been completely transformed into a luxury resort with a focus on sustainability. The luxurious resort has also been named one of the best resorts by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2017.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is a luxury resort on the island of Landaa Giraavaru in the Maldives. You’ll find it located within the renowned Baa Atoll.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru offers a variety of services and amenities to the guests staying at its 103-villa resort, including but not limited to:
- Luxurious accommodations
- Dining options
- A spa
- Four pools
- An infinity pool
- A fitness center
Which of the Maldives Top Resorts Is Best?
With all these incredible options shared, it can be hard to choose from these top resorts in the Maldives. That said, the best luxury hotel in the Maldives for you is one that has the amenities, room or villa size, and leisure facilities that you need. As the Maldives is an Islamic country, you can rest assured that you’ll indulge in halal food at all resort restaurants.
Once you’ve found the right resort for you, why not have a look at this Maldives domestic travel guide? It’s sure to help you make your way around this island archipelago and hop from one island to the next.
