Once upon a time, highly sought-after overwater bungalows were merely the stuff of vacationers’ dreams. There were only two choices for people looking for the ideal accommodation in locations like the Maldives – a hotel room or a beachfront villa. And then, the overwater villa became the new sought-after spot for a paradise vacation.
Nothing is better than lounging by your villa’s private pool or stepping out of your villa directly onto the gorgeous shores of the Indian Ocean. However, if the duration of your stay is lengthy, the same Maldives beach villas can get a bit boring after a while.
You’ve come to the perfect place if you’re in the mood for something completely new. From glamping in the Maldives to sleeping with the fishes, there are many amazing unique villas in the Maldives.
Unique Maldives Villas
Underwater villas, tented pools, and treehouses are all part of the unique Maldives experience. You just need to know where to look.
Tented Pool Villas
The Sirru Fen Fushi mansion from Fairmont is the latest opulent villa to join the Maldives’ collection. The resort presented a new oceanfront tent villa that offers a more eco-conscious alternative to conventional luxury hotels.
The new Beach Tented Villas were created to blend in with the Maldives’ natural surroundings and provide visitors with a safari-like experience. The resort’s innovative sustainability initiatives, from the Coralarium to the Sustainability Lab, are highlighted by the Conscious Castaway package, which was introduced concurrently with the new villas.
Despite providing a glamping-style experience, this property has all the luxuries you could expect. Visitors can request a personal chef for an in-home BBQ or even an on-site island mixologist to create cocktails at the private bar. Your on-call host can also schedule a private yoga lesson for you on the deck.
During your visit, notes in bottles will be concealed all over the property for a little extra mystery. The notes have redeemable freebies inside, such as sunset cocktails and treatments at the on-site Willow Stream Spa.
A tour of the sustainability lab, where you can learn about the island’s ecosystem, is also included in the package. Or you may attend a hands-on class where you can build turtle-shaped luggage tags from plastic bottles.
Half Beach – Half Overwater Villas
This type of villa is exceptionally unique – only two resorts currently offer a half beach – half overwater villa. What makes this villa so special is you’ll go through the entrance on land, and at the back of the villa, you go outside, and you’re right on the ocean.
Yes, this villa is literally half on land and half on the water. You can find this type of villa at either the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi or Dusit Thani Maldives.
In these unique villas at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, discover the luxury of the Maldives. You’ll find a sizable wooden overwater terrace, a private pool, and two master suites surrounded by a tropical garden in the Two Bedroom Reef Villa with Pool. It’s the essence of luxury.
Tree House
The whimsical and one-of-a-kind Treetop Pool Villas at Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences peek between whispering palm trees. They have two bedrooms and a private terrace where you can unwind and enjoy the lush, all-encompassing island views.
Enjoy your “Tarzan and Jane” fantasies in one of the tallest treehouses in the Maldives. Pass by a pool with a glass wall that is hung over the treetops while you soak up the expansive island vistas from the deck.
The Treetop Pool Villas provide a spa treatment area for couples so they can experience the deepest level of relaxation and plenty of privacy. Through a hidden route, reach your personal beach, where adventure is just a few meters away.
Underwater Villas
In the Maldives, overwater villas are nothing new, but what about underwater villas?
2018 saw the opening of the Muraka villa at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, which contains three bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a gym with a personal trainer on call, and outdoor space. The nearly 6,000-square-foot villa features both underwater and above-water floors.
The villa, which was created by a group of architects and whose interior was designed by Japanese architect Yuji Yamazaki, was actually constructed in Singapore before being brought to the Maldives.
The underwater room is submerged five meters (16.4 feet) deep and features transparent acrylic walls that offer a panoramic view of the surrounding ocean and fauna. There is a living room, a bathroom, and a king-sized bed where you may relax while admiring the colorful fish swimming past.
A spiral staircase connects the floors, or you can use your private elevator. The only color you can see when the elevator door opens is blue and nothing else: a 180-degree underwater dome constructed of 5-inch (135mm) thick acrylic.
The hallway, which is entirely built of glass, is stunning. The bedroom space is equally impressive. The bedroom’s king-size bed is cozy, and beyond it is a small sitting area with seats where you may unwind and take in the breathtaking view. If you want to darken the room or if you feel uncomfortable sleeping with all those fish staring at you, there is an automated shade on a track to ensure you have a good night’s sleep.
And don’t be concerned about the glass getting dirty; scuba divers clean the entire underwater structure once daily so you can enjoy uninterrupted ocean views. That’s some excellent housekeeping!
Aside from the infinity pool, there are two additional bedrooms, a living room, bathroom, kitchen, bar, and an outside “relaxation” balcony facing the sunrise. According to the website, The Muraka can accommodate up to nine people so it can cater to the whole family.
Standalone Water Villas
The 26 natural atolls that make up the Maldives archipelago are home to 2/3 of the world’s water villas, and staying in one is something you absolutely must cross off your bucket list. There are nearly 100 properties here, offering a dizzying array of accommodations.
Whether you’re an avid diver or environmentalist on your honeymoon or with a family seeking to splurge, there is a water villa here for you. Water villas in the Maldives have been featured on Instagram. These are the distinctive thatched houses that seem to float on the crystal-clear waters.
Water villas are not just excellent features for “share-worthy” images. They also offer easier access to the water and the ocean’s underwater wonders than standard beach villas while affording unbeatable privacy and serenity.
The Best Resorts to Find These Unique Villas
Now that you’ve learned all about unique Maldives villas, you need to know exactly where to go. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here is a short overview of some of the best resorts in the Maldives that offer unique villas.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
A premium 5-star Maldives resort on the water called Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is elevating the luxury travel experience in the Maldives to a new level. The hotel, which spans three islands in the South Male Atoll, provides visitors from across the world with 138 lavishly furnished villas in an inspiring environment, together with the outstanding True Waldorf Service experience.
Amilla Maldives Resort
The Baa Atoll island’s Amilla Fushi Resort Villas & Residences offers you a selection of island residences that float over crystal-clear waters. They are also tucked among lush treetops, or are situated on the shores of fine white sand. From your room in their Maldives private villas, you can enjoy an ocean view.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort
The opulent Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is on two islands joined by a bridge and offers roomy private villas. It has two award-winning spas and the glass Ithaa Restaurant, which is submerged in the ocean. Conrad Rangali Island’s villas, which extend up to 500 meters into the Indian Ocean, have wooden floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning sea or beach views.
Soneva Jani
Soneva Jani, the most opulent luxury resort in the Maldives and a top hotel brand globally, is encircled by pristine beaches draped in thick tropical vegetation and a turquoise lagoon with impossibly clean water and 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. There are currently 24 water villas and one beach villa at Soneva Jani.
OZEN Reserve Bolifushi
This resort is located on a stunning island that is perfect for families and couples seeking a stress-free vacation in the Maldives. The speedboat ride from Male Airport to the expansive white beaches and turquoise waters takes about 20 minutes. This is one of the most incredible destinations for finding water villas in the magnificent Maldives.
Final Thoughts on Unique Maldives Luxury Villas
With all the fantastic possibilities presented, it can be hard to choose which unique villa to visit. So, why not see them all? If you’re planning an extended trip to the Maldives, change up your scenery and stay in a unique luxury villa. And the next time you head back to the Maldives, try a new one. Tick them all off your list.
When you’ve selected your ideal villa, consider looking through this Maldives domestic travel guide. Just because you want to stay in your fancy villa all day does not mean you have to. Get out there and experience the Maldives.
