The Maldives is famous not only for its overwater bungalows set atop the world’s most crystalline waters, but also for the level of luxury hospitality provided at most, if not all, of its resorts.
For almost all Maldives resorts, luxury is defined by practical privacy, natural beauty that trumps everything, interactive elements that highlight the resort’s uniqueness, and open design that allows the outdoors in. The Maldives’ inimitable serenity and vivaciousness should be at the forefront of each of these hotels and resorts. Otherwise, luxury is just an add-on.
Frankly, most resorts already boast a high-end status, so why then travel to the Maldives? Travellers go to the Maldives for its natural splendour, but they stay because it has become the pinnacle of luxury wellness travel.
Not all 5-star resorts in the Maldives are created equal. Some provide the basic requirements to label themselves as 5-star, and some really don’t care to bring what the Maldives has to offer to the forefront of guests’ stays.
Sure, you’ll find a spa, and perhaps concierge services, maybe an organic breakfast buffet with minimal carbs to set you up for the day. But do these Maldives resorts redefine luxury, broaden the scope of what it actually means? Do these resorts in the Maldives care about preserving the history and natural splendour of the country? The culture? The people? The environment? Well, some resorts simply treat the Maldives like it’s a cash cow. To hell with the environment, to hell with the locals, and to hell with integrity.
Not the ones featured in this article. These 5-star resorts in the Maldives are everything, and more, we want from forward-thinking, wellness-driven, luxury-brimming resorts to stay at while visiting this oasis of blues and greens famous as The Maldives.
When it comes to the following Maldives resorts, luxury is not the only prerequisite for a worthwhile stay. These establishments should foster well-being, an appreciation for their surroundings, creativity, and a sense of contribution. Resorts in the Maldives are starting to give back—and those that are not are being traded for those that are:
Among all Maldives resorts, luxury truly takes on a new meaning at COMO Cocoa Island. Situated on Makunufushi Island in the South Malé Atoll, this 5-star Maldives resort is a 40-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport. It boasts only 33 boutique-scale overwater villas, with a maximum capacity to host 72 guests (perfect for a wedding, no?).
COMO Cocoa Island is also home to COMO Shambhala Retreat, a world-renowned spa & wellness centre that features a hydrotherapy pool, yoga & pilates classes, and ayurvedic treatments.
But here’s the thing: this resort is certified with an EarthCheck Silver status, turning your stay into one that’s passively giving back. Initiatives to earn this badge of honour include coral restoration, waste reduction, and local sourcing of ingredients.
Perfectly castaway and perfectly tranquil on the Olhuveli Island in the Laamu Atoll—one of the most remote atolls in the Maldives—is the renowned Six Senses Laamu. Consisting of 97 villas, both overwater and beachfront, Six Senses Laamu is among the best 5-star Maldives resorts; luxury here is defined by solitude and serenity within nature.
However, what affords this resort its prestige is its approach to playful hospitality. With a philosophy of barefoot luxury, this 5-star eco-resort in the Maldives is a playground for adults: hammocks around every corner, glass decks to witness the ocean floor’s colours and textures, transparent bathtubs, and each villa with its very own tower.
Dining is vegetable-rich and healthful. Even the name of the iconic eatery, Leaf, which is perched atop a tree overlooking the garden from where its meals are sourced, reflects this.
Six Senses Laamu also places a strong focus on protecting seagrass ecosystems, and with its partnership with organisations like Manta Trust and Blue Marine Foundation, you can rest assured that any stay here contributes to more than just an awesome vacation.
Accessible only by seaplane and situated within a 5.6 km private lagoon that spans five islands, Soneva Jani effortlessly raises all Maldives resorts’ luxury standards. This ultra-luxury resort is perhaps not too famous for its extremely low-density development, one of the lowest globally, but it is for its expansive spread of overwater jetties and small island villas.
The design of these jetties is truly unique: tiled roofs that look, from afar, as though they are thatched, slides that cascade from high above every villa into the ocean, and texturised elements to create a warm yet elegant ambience inside.
Each villa houses a private pool and has a retractable roof for stargazing, as well as the already mentioned waterslide on the upper deck. The spa and wellness centre caters to all who seek a pamper, and the overwater observatory is perfect for those who find awe in the constellations. Other facilities include a dive centre, an eco centre, and a children’s club aptly named The Den.
Dining takes all kinds of exciting forms here too, from gazing up at the stars as you savour your meal at Observatory, gently stroked by ocean breezes, to discovering á la carte excellence while watching silent movies at the overwater Cinema Paradiso. Clearly, Soneva Jani is all about redefining luxury.
Soneva Fushi, Gili Lankanfushi, Joali, and COMO Maalifushi also deserve an extensive section within this article. One is more like a sprawling ethnic villa, surrounded by jungle and vast ocean hues, than it is a carefully conceived cashmere resort.
The other has villas built around a coral island, some so secluded from the rest of the resort that they can only be reached by patroon. Another one is famous for its adventurous underwater excursions alongside Manta Rays.
Actually, who are we kidding? Every one of these resorts deserves an entire article. But, for the sake of keeping it short and sweet, you can read more about all of the mentioned luxury resorts in the Maldives here. And while you’re at it, fill out the form, submit it, and YOLO Travel will keep you in the loop on all things luxury Maldives travel. They will even send you a custom itinerary for your upcoming adventure.
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Not all 5-star resorts in the Maldives are created equal. Some provide the basic requirements to label themselves as 5-star, and some really don’t care to bring what the Maldives has to offer to the forefront of guests’ stays.
Sure, you’ll find a spa, and perhaps concierge services, maybe an organic breakfast buffet with minimal carbs to set you up for the day. But do these Maldives resorts redefine luxury, broaden the scope of what it actually means? Do these resorts in the Maldives care about preserving the history and natural splendour of the country? The culture? The people? The environment? Well, some resorts simply treat the Maldives like it’s a cash cow. To hell with the environment, to hell with the locals, and to hell with integrity.
Not the ones featured in this article. These 5-star resorts in the Maldives are everything, and more, we want from forward-thinking, wellness-driven, luxury-brimming resorts to stay at while visiting this oasis of blues and greens famous as The Maldives.
Wellness Resorts in The Maldives
COMO Cocoa Island
Among all Maldives resorts, luxury truly takes on a new meaning at COMO Cocoa Island. Situated on Makunufushi Island in the South Malé Atoll, this 5-star Maldives resort is a 40-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport. It boasts only 33 boutique-scale overwater villas, with a maximum capacity to host 72 guests (perfect for a wedding, no?).
COMO Cocoa Island is also home to COMO Shambhala Retreat, a world-renowned spa & wellness centre that features a hydrotherapy pool, yoga & pilates classes, and ayurvedic treatments.
But here’s the thing: this resort is certified with an EarthCheck Silver status, turning your stay into one that’s passively giving back. Initiatives to earn this badge of honour include coral restoration, waste reduction, and local sourcing of ingredients.
Six Senses Laamu
Perfectly castaway and perfectly tranquil on the Olhuveli Island in the Laamu Atoll—one of the most remote atolls in the Maldives—is the renowned Six Senses Laamu. Consisting of 97 villas, both overwater and beachfront, Six Senses Laamu is among the best 5-star Maldives resorts; luxury here is defined by solitude and serenity within nature.
However, what affords this resort its prestige is its approach to playful hospitality. With a philosophy of barefoot luxury, this 5-star eco-resort in the Maldives is a playground for adults: hammocks around every corner, glass decks to witness the ocean floor’s colours and textures, transparent bathtubs, and each villa with its very own tower.
Dining is vegetable-rich and healthful. Even the name of the iconic eatery, Leaf, which is perched atop a tree overlooking the garden from where its meals are sourced, reflects this.
Six Senses Laamu also places a strong focus on protecting seagrass ecosystems, and with its partnership with organisations like Manta Trust and Blue Marine Foundation, you can rest assured that any stay here contributes to more than just an awesome vacation.
Soneva Jani
Accessible only by seaplane and situated within a 5.6 km private lagoon that spans five islands, Soneva Jani effortlessly raises all Maldives resorts’ luxury standards. This ultra-luxury resort is perhaps not too famous for its extremely low-density development, one of the lowest globally, but it is for its expansive spread of overwater jetties and small island villas.
The design of these jetties is truly unique: tiled roofs that look, from afar, as though they are thatched, slides that cascade from high above every villa into the ocean, and texturised elements to create a warm yet elegant ambience inside.
Each villa houses a private pool and has a retractable roof for stargazing, as well as the already mentioned waterslide on the upper deck. The spa and wellness centre caters to all who seek a pamper, and the overwater observatory is perfect for those who find awe in the constellations. Other facilities include a dive centre, an eco centre, and a children’s club aptly named The Den.
Dining takes all kinds of exciting forms here too, from gazing up at the stars as you savour your meal at Observatory, gently stroked by ocean breezes, to discovering á la carte excellence while watching silent movies at the overwater Cinema Paradiso. Clearly, Soneva Jani is all about redefining luxury.
Honourable Mentions
Soneva Fushi, Gili Lankanfushi, Joali, and COMO Maalifushi also deserve an extensive section within this article. One is more like a sprawling ethnic villa, surrounded by jungle and vast ocean hues, than it is a carefully conceived cashmere resort.
The other has villas built around a coral island, some so secluded from the rest of the resort that they can only be reached by patroon. Another one is famous for its adventurous underwater excursions alongside Manta Rays.
Actually, who are we kidding? Every one of these resorts deserves an entire article. But, for the sake of keeping it short and sweet, you can read more about all of the mentioned luxury resorts in the Maldives here. And while you’re at it, fill out the form, submit it, and YOLO Travel will keep you in the loop on all things luxury Maldives travel. They will even send you a custom itinerary for your upcoming adventure.
