There are many candidates for the world’s most sparkling electric-blue water, but it’s hard to picture any destination exceeding the Maldives’ natural splendor. Split among 1200 clustered in 22 atolls in this island nation on small private islands, the Maldives resorts also offer absolute seclusion.
And what they sell goes beyond conventional luxury: they are renowned for their foreign elegance, gourmet dining and high-class furniture in beachfront villas or, more possibly, hanging oversea. Nevertheless, the main draw still goes back to that water-filled with powdery white beaches and boasts a richly colored undersea environment to be explored by divers and snorkelers.
List of 5 Best Luxury resorts in Maldives for 2020
Emerald Maldives resort and Spa:
This idyllic new resort is located in the north-western part of the Maldives archipelago in Raa Atoll, taking over Fasmendhoo Island. The USP here is the all-inclusive aspect, which is executed elegantly. When you’re on the island, there’s no reason to think about additional costs (a few things, including jet-skiing) – even the minibar is replenished regularly, which is rare for this caliber’s five-star hotel. With 20 hectares of land to enjoy in Emerald, the Maldives has more space than other islands, allowing for anonymity around the 120 villas separated between the beach and the sea.
Food is a highlight, with four restaurants to explore including Amazònico, Maldives’ first South American restaurant: a lantern-bedded, rainforest-style space with open fire grill. Villas are eligible to book at a lower rate than many of the all-inclusive rivals at the resort, although this does not come at the size, equipment, or service price – all of which are impeccable.
Kandima:
Kandima is taking a full-blown resort model at an affordable price point to the Maldives. It is a privately owned island, three kilometers long, with acres of space and tap events. There are over 40 near-private dive sites and all sorts of water sports in the huge turquoise lagoon, one of only a handful of hotels in the Dhaalu atoll chain. There are basketball, badminton, five-a-side, volleyball, gym and craft lessons, and an outstanding children’s club with a mini water park, as well as gravity-defying aerial yoga, a Maldives first.
The style is much like a modern Ibiza boutique, whose color scheme is bright and glossy. You will do something new every day with 11 different bars and pubs, a surf club and pool at the south tip and another 100 m pool by the water sports headquarters. It is easy to see why it won the best newcomer in last year’s Maldives travel awards at this price point.
The Western Maldives Miriandhoo:
The Miriandhoo Westin Maldives is a sleek, futuristic contrast to the traditionally found castaway-chic resorts in the archipelago. The resort was designed by Japanese developers and Italian architects with a sleek look, piazza-inspired entry, and luxurious suites complete with toto wireless toilets. There are six room types but no short straws to draw because all of them have Westin’s Heavenly beds and are situated along the island’s fringes, providing stunning views of the sea.
Overwater villas have decks spanning the entire length of the open-plan apartments, with a private swimming pool, outdoor shower, and stairs leading directly to the dock. The tropical landscape of the island is home to a rich mix of marine life, from reef sharks to manta rays, overlooking a pristine turquoise lagoon in the Baa Atoll, Maldives’ only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. No need to think about solo travelers, a photo studio with on-hand pros will help you capture Insta-worthy holiday shots.
Kanuhura Maldives:
Set on a long, fish-shaped island, Kanuhura looks wild and beautiful enough to have those moments of Crusoe style but tiny enough for a lost book to nip back into. Cycle to breakfast under a coconut and papaya forest and visit vast, barren beaches where hammocks swing amid palm trees. The 80 rooms are detached wooden cabins including 20 constructed over the azure shallows on stilts, all minimalist whites, and light wood painted with vivid geometric artwork.
A 30-minute boat ride allows visitors to swim over shoals of vivid blue and gold surgeonfish and four-meter manta rays while the therapists at the Kokaa Spa sell body masks flavored with crushed pearl and Himalayan crystal salt or moist mud blended with fresh seaweed, ginger, and orange. There is also a children’s club where 4-11-year-olds will go on treasure hunts or dress up as pirates and sail to Jehunuhura, the island of the hotel where there is a tiny bar, too.
Constance Moofushi:
Gliding through the glittering Indian Ocean down to the South Ari Atoll is a beautiful sight in itself-walk off the seaplane on Constance Moofushi’s ivory shores and your breath is always taken. Verdant paths give way to sandy beaches while twisting jetties lead to stilted villas with ‘thatch and rope.’ Dotted with airy pubs, Oceanside restaurants, and an overwater pool, this island of paradise is small – in less than 15 minutes, you can walk its palm-fringed perimeter.
Although the mood is horizontal by day, DJs spinning chilled tunes and chefs rustling candlelit grills on the beach at dusk on the island. Head for Oceanside sunsets and hypnotic views to the Totem Restaurant, or to the Manta eatery for more Maldivian fish curries. One of the only luxury all-inclusive resorts on the Maldives, you’ll find that cocktails, fun culinary deals, most water sports, and an underwater excursion are all part of it.
Conclusion:
When something needs to be named “a paradise with a postcard,” it must be the Maldives. Imagine the white sand islets overlooked by tropical palms, fastened like pearl necklaces on dreamy atolls, seemingly floating on the turquoise seas. Better yet; imagine this as a venue for some of the world’s finest luxurious resorts.