Built in 2012, this Thai-style resort is one of the best all-around luxury picks in the Maldives. Highlights include 108 attractive waterfront rooms, great food, a large infinity pool, and an excellent house reef. Dusit Thani is pricey (for good reason), but it also includes nice freebies such as snorkeling gear, kayaks, Wi-Fi, daily yoga classes, a kids' club, and in-room Nespresso machines. The resort’s biggest drawback is its out-of-the-way location, at least 35 minutes from Male Airport by plane. The similarly priced Taj Exotica has a more convenient location, but it lacks Dusit Thani's kids' club.
Built in 2012, this Thai-style resort is one of the best all-around luxury picks in the Maldives. Highlights include 108 attractive waterfront rooms, great food, a large infinity pool, and an excellent house reef. Dusit Thani is pricey (for good reason), but it also includes nice freebies such as snorkeling gear, kayaks, Wi-Fi, daily yoga classes, a kids' club, and in-room Nespresso machines. The resort’s biggest drawback is its out-of-the-way location, at least 35 minutes from Male Airport by plane. The similarly priced Taj Exotica has a more convenient location, but it lacks Dusit Thani's kids' club.
With thoughtful and clean design elements, chic and modern decor, luxe amenities like L' Occitane bath products, and guests ranging from families to honeymooners, Velassaru Maldives is a luxury property with a lively, casual vibe. It's also got one of the most impressive infinity pools we've seen. The 129 rooms come with thoughtful features like polished coconut shell decor accents, personal wine fridges, plunge pools, outdoor showers, and private beach areas. There's also a large public beach with a teeming house reef, overwater spa, dive center, watersports center, and five restaurants and two bars -- and it's only 25 minutes via speedboat from Male.
With thoughtful and clean design elements, chic and modern decor, luxe amenities like L' Occitane bath products, and guests ranging from families to honeymooners, Velassaru Maldives is a luxury property with a lively, casual vibe. It's also got one of the most impressive infinity pools we've seen. The 129 rooms come with thoughtful features like polished coconut shell decor accents, personal wine fridges, plunge pools, outdoor showers, and private beach areas. There's also a large public beach with a teeming house reef, overwater spa, dive center, watersports center, and five restaurants and two bars -- and it's only 25 minutes via speedboat from Male.
The luxury One&Only Reethi Rah is a stunning resort occupying a large private island a 15-minute flight or 45-minute boat ride from the Male Airport. The 122 villas here have big private decks, many with their own pools, and all are right on the beach or over the lagoon. The resort offers plenty for kids and adults alike, including outdoor pools, tennis courts, a full-service spa, big gym, and even a climbing wall, not to mention kids' clubs and an activities menu offering everything from sailing on traditional boats to diving. There are a number of restaurants with a wide variety of cuisine types, including Japanese, Italian, and Middle Eastern. Half-board meal packages are available. Overall, it's a great choice for those traveling with kids, but couples may prefer the Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, which is adults-only.
The luxury One&Only Reethi Rah is a stunning resort occupying a large private island a 15-minute flight or 45-minute boat ride from the Male Airport. The 122 villas here have big private decks, many with their own pools, and all are right on the beach or over the lagoon. The resort offers plenty for kids and adults alike, including outdoor pools, tennis courts, a full-service spa, big gym, and even a climbing wall, not to mention kids' clubs and an activities menu offering everything from sailing on traditional boats to diving. There are a number of restaurants with a wide variety of cuisine types, including Japanese, Italian, and Middle Eastern. Half-board meal packages are available. Overall, it's a great choice for those traveling with kids, but couples may prefer the Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, which is adults-only.
Situated on its own stunning private island, the luxury, 45-unit Gangehi Island Resort offers a tranquil vacation in beautiful natural surroundings. The property offers a mix of rooms and villas, including rustic-chic overwater bungalows with direct access to the crystal water. All are spacious and have lovely verandas and large bathrooms; higher categories add extras such as Nespresso coffeemakers. The resort features a mix of buffet and a la carte restaurants and the food here gets particularly great reviews from guests, plus all-inclusive packages are available. Other features include a spa, basic gym, diving center, boutique selling souvenirs and local handicrafts, and a small library. For something a bit more impressive (and more expensive), Kandolhu Maldives has more dining options, a better gym, and luxe in-villa perks such as iPads, curated wine fridges, and whirlpool tubs.
Situated on its own stunning private island, the luxury, 45-unit Gangehi Island Resort offers a tranquil vacation in beautiful natural surroundings. The property offers a mix of rooms and villas, including rustic-chic overwater bungalows with direct access to the crystal water. All are spacious and have lovely verandas and large bathrooms; higher categories add extras such as Nespresso coffeemakers. The resort features a mix of buffet and a la carte restaurants and the food here gets particularly great reviews from guests, plus all-inclusive packages are available. Other features include a spa, basic gym, diving center, boutique selling souvenirs and local handicrafts, and a small library. For something a bit more impressive (and more expensive), Kandolhu Maldives has more dining options, a better gym, and luxe in-villa perks such as iPads, curated wine fridges, and whirlpool tubs.
This upper-middle-range, family-friendly hotel is a quick (and free) shuttle ride from the Male International Airport. Though most guests here are in transit, staying for a single night before or after a flight, there are plenty of things to do on the premises. Tropical grounds in the rear offer tennis and lawn games, while in front, there is a white-sand beach and large outdoor pool area. The 136 rooms and suites (king beds or two twins) have minibars and views of the Indian Ocean (many come with small balconies). In the morning before check-out, guests can enjoy a beautiful buffet in the bright, contemporary restaurant on the fourth floor. Perhaps the most significant draw of the hotel, though, is that it is the only place in the capital allowed to serve alcohol -- hence a fun evening mix of expats, locals, and tourists at the pub and the pool bar. Wi-Fi and customer service are spotty.
This upper-middle-range, family-friendly hotel is a quick (and free) shuttle ride from the Male International Airport. Though most guests here are in transit, staying for a single night before or after a flight, there are plenty of things to do on the premises. Tropical grounds in the rear offer tennis and lawn games, while in front, there is a white-sand beach and large outdoor pool area. The 136 rooms and suites (king beds or two twins) have minibars and views of the Indian Ocean (many come with small balconies). In the morning before check-out, guests can enjoy a beautiful buffet in the bright, contemporary restaurant on the fourth floor. Perhaps the most significant draw of the hotel, though, is that it is the only place in the capital allowed to serve alcohol -- hence a fun evening mix of expats, locals, and tourists at the pub and the pool bar. Wi-Fi and customer service are spotty.
Known for being home to the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant, the Hurawalhi Island Resort is a luxe adult-only property located on a private coral island. Its 90 rooms range from overwater bungalows directly in the lagoon to beach suites with large decks offering access to a gorgeous stretch of white sand. Each unit features free Wi-Fi, espresso machines, and minibars, plus large bathrooms with rain showers. Some villas feature private infinity pools with stunning views. Dining options are outstanding here, as is the spa with a wide array of treatments and free yoga classes. Diving and snorkeling are two of the top attractions here, but there is also plenty to do on land, from sports to swimming in the gorgeous infinity pool and sipping Champagne while watching the dolphins. For something even more exclusive, consider the Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.
Known for being home to the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant, the Hurawalhi Island Resort is a luxe adult-only property located on a private coral island. Its 90 rooms range from overwater bungalows directly in the lagoon to beach suites with large decks offering access to a gorgeous stretch of white sand. Each unit features free Wi-Fi, espresso machines, and minibars, plus large bathrooms with rain showers. Some villas feature private infinity pools with stunning views. Dining options are outstanding here, as is the spa with a wide array of treatments and free yoga classes. Diving and snorkeling are two of the top attractions here, but there is also plenty to do on land, from sports to swimming in the gorgeous infinity pool and sipping Champagne while watching the dolphins. For something even more exclusive, consider the Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.
Located near several popular dive sites in the North Male Atoll, Eriyadu Island Resort was one of the Maldives' first tourist resorts. With more than 30 years under its belt, this 76-room, upper-middle-range resort is slowly updating its style and moving toward four-pearl status. Pluses include an excellent, easily accessibly house reef; on-site activities; and direct beach access off all rooms. However, the lack of free water or Wi-Fi, average buffet quality and selection, and slow renovation process (there's a huge disparity in room quality) still leave much to be desired. Prices are fair for what you get, though; competitors such as Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, which also has an on-site reef and simple rooms, typically cost more.
Located near several popular dive sites in the North Male Atoll, Eriyadu Island Resort was one of the Maldives' first tourist resorts. With more than 30 years under its belt, this 76-room, upper-middle-range resort is slowly updating its style and moving toward four-pearl status. Pluses include an excellent, easily accessibly house reef; on-site activities; and direct beach access off all rooms. However, the lack of free water or Wi-Fi, average buffet quality and selection, and slow renovation process (there's a huge disparity in room quality) still leave much to be desired. Prices are fair for what you get, though; competitors such as Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, which also has an on-site reef and simple rooms, typically cost more.