The 18 best 5* hotels in the Maldives

There is a stereotype that hotels in the Maldives provide exceptionally luxurious conditions for recreation and only five-star extra-class hotels await any vacationer. In fact, there are even 3* hotels in the Maldives, but in this article we will tell you how not to get lost among the many 5* hotels.

At first glance, all hotels are similar: a thatched villa by a turquoise lagoon, quality textiles on a king-size bed, and a romantic sunset view from the terrace. But how then to choose a hotel in the Maldives? Don't toss a coin! In fact, you just need to dig a little deeper and you will understand that not all resorts in the Maldives can boast a luxurious house reef, a la carte restaurant, an underwater restaurant or multi-level overwater villas with a home cinema and an infinity pool.

We have compiled a list of the best 5* hotels in the Maldives, taking into account the quality and luxury of the services provided, prestigious awards and awards, reviews from vacationers, as well as our experience in organizing holidays on the islands.

W Maldives

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Atoll: Dhaalu.
Location from Male: 40 minutes by seaplane.
Transfer to the hotel: by shared seaplane, private jet or domestic flight.

The resort complex Niyama Private Islands Maldives is located on two picturesque islands - Play and Chill - connected by a wooden bridge. Chill is more suitable for romantics, Play - for families with children. The villas of the resort have luxurious designs and amenities: bamboo or marble floors, natural materials in the interior, a frescoed rain shower, one or more pools, large ceramic baths under the stars on a private terrace, personal butler service.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Resort highlights:

• surfing, which is considered the best in the Maldives;
• Subsix Underwater Restaurant - champagne breakfasts, lobster medallion for dinner, and reef-view DJ parties at night.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Atoll: South Male.
Location from Male: 30 minutes by boat.
Transfer to the hotel: yacht.

Waldorf Astoria opened in the summer of 2017 and has already managed to attract the attention of the world famous model Alessandra Ambrosio, tennis player Serena Williams and film director Jessica Steindorf, who came here in December 2019. The hotel will delight you with a huge infinity pool, smart devices in all rooms, a spa reserve in the hotel's botanical garden, underwater scooter rides, parasailing. Photos on a swing, like a famous fashion model, will blow up your instagram.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Hotel advantages:

• 11 restaurants of world cuisines - Terra, The Ledge by Dave Pynt, Glow, Li Long, Yasmeen, Tangled, The Rock, Tasting Table, Amber, Peacock Alley, Nava.
• 10 spa rooms, including an overwater villa - from effective and relaxing massages to cutting-edge skin and hair care using traditional and modern ingredients.
• House reef, diving, snorkeling, yoga, tennis, cycling around the island.
• For families with children, there is an entertainment center that allows you to relax separately and safely, both for children and parents.
• Couples organize unforgettable romantic wedding ceremonies.
• Exclusive split-level overwater villas with an infinity pool, outdoor hot tub for two, overwater hammocks, glass bottoms in selected rooms and impeccable service.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Atoll: South Ari, Rangali Island.
Location from Male: 30 minutes by seaplane.
Transfer: by seaplane to the hotel or by local airlines to the nearest airport, and then by boat.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island will exceed all your expectations. A two-level villa with a bedroom completely submerged under water and panoramic windows is a highlight not only of the resort, but of all the Maldives. In addition, Conrad invites its visitors to enjoy delicious beef tenderloin at the exquisite underwater restaurant Ithaa; relax in the spa - the winner of the award "Best Private Island Spa & Hotel Spa, Haute Grandeur Awards 2017" - using cosmetics from world brands Valmont, Elemis and Thalgo; explore the colorful world of one of the finest house reefs in the Maldives.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

At Conrad Maldives Rangali Island you will find:

• Luxurious overwater villas with infinity pools, jacuzzis, glass bottom rooms and more.
• Beach villas with private garden, pool and butler service.
• 12 gourmet restaurants and bars, including a wine room with 950 different brands of wine.
• Developed infrastructure and entertainment sector - from a professional children's club to all kinds of water activities.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Grand Park Kodhipparu

Atoll: North Male, Kodhipparu island.
Location from Male: 20 minutes by boat.
Transfer to the hotel: boat.

Grand Park Kodhipparu is part of Singapore's Park Hotel Group and was designed by the world-famous Hirsch Bedner Associates. The resort was opened in 2017. Luxurious design catches the eye: traditional Maldivian motifs using wood and rattan, neutral tones and pools merging into the ocean.

Grand Park Kodhipparu

The hotel's spa has repeatedly been awarded the best spa in the region, including the international recognition of the World Luxury Spa Awards in 2018. The procedures use a cosmetic line from the Italian brand Comfort Zone.

Grand Park Kodhipparu

Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Atoll: South Ari.
Location from Male: 25 minutes by seaplane.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa has been awarded the 2019 KAYAK Travel Award as one of the best resorts in the Maldives. Tamara Spa, the resort's spa, won the World Luxury Spa Awards 2017 as the best spa in the Indian Ocean. Here you can improve your health and relax with the help of unique treatments based on Ayurvedic as well as holistic approach - when both soul and body are taken into account. You will be pleased not only with traditional massages, but also with high-quality cosmetics and ideal views from the treatment rooms.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa

The resort's lagoon has one of the finest house reefs in the Maldives. Already after 10-20 meters from the beach you can observe the riot of colors of the underwater life of the Maldives: from manta rays to whale sharks. Special semi-submerged boats allow you to observe marine life without diving into the water.

You can talk endlessly about luxurious villas, interiors, swimming pools, jacuzzi, various entertainment programs - everything is at the highest level. We advise you to book a picnic on a personal uninhabited island: not every resort in the Maldives can boast of this.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Amari Havodda Maldives

Atoll: Gaafu Daalu.
Location from Male: 65 minutes by local airlines. This is one of the most remote resorts.
Transfer to the hotel: by seaplane to the local airport Kaadhedhoo, then 10 minutes by boat to the hotel.

Despite the fact that Amari Havodda Maldives is one of the most remote resorts in the Maldives, this five-star nest will appeal to couples who love luxury and extreme sports. What is worth coming here for is excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. Professional multilingual PADI instructors offer both simple one-hour dives and an offer for professionals: night dives, drift diving, Air Nitrox program for longer dives. In addition to coral reefs, here you can see sharks, tuna, barracuda, sailboat fish.

Amari Havodda Maldives

On land, all the benefits of a 5-star hotel in the Maldives await you: water and island villas, luxurious furniture, swimming pools, jacuzzis, spa, excellent cuisine, represented by three restaurants and a bar (Asian and international cuisine).

Amari Havodda Maldives

Ayada Maldives

Atoll: Gaafu Dhaalu.
Location from Male: 55 minutes by local airlines and 50 minutes by speedboat.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane, boat.

Ayada Maldives has been named one of the Top 25 Best Hotels in the World by Traveler's Choice 2019 TripAdvisor. This hotel is worth a look for those who travel with the whole family.

Ayada Maldives

Entertainment and amenities are provided so that no one will ever be bored:

1. Surfers will catch the best waves in the Maldives off the island. Ayada employs the best instructors and experts in the Maldivian waves.
2. During excursions, snorkeling and other activities here you will see reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, nurse sharks, a variety of birds, 5 varieties of turtles, flying foxes, rays, dolphins and many others.
3. For children, the Zuzu Kids Club operates with professional nannies.
4. One of the best spas in the Maldives with an area of 3500 sq.m - AySpa will give you real bliss. Be sure to try the Vichy shower and the Turkish hammam.
5. In 8 restaurants and bars of the island you can taste the culinary masterpieces of Japanese cuisine, including teppanyaki dishes, grilled dishes; Asian cuisine, European, Mexican, Oriental.
6. The highlight of the resort is a two-level villa on stilts and with a terrace that offers a 180-degree view of the Indian Ocean.

Ayada Maldives

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Atoll: North Huvadhoo, Hadahaa island.
Location from Male: 1 hour by local airline from Male to Kooddoo Domestic Airport, then 40 minutes by speedboat to Hadahaa.
Transfer to the hotel: local airlines, then the boat.

The romantic Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is located in one of the deepest atolls of the Maldives - North Huvadhoo. Snorkeling in one of the best house reefs in the world is sure to please.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Park Hyatt is the first and only hotel in the Maldives to be certified by EarthCheck for international environmental standards in design and construction.

At The Island Grill, enjoy the best of the rich Maldivian cuisine.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Como Maalifushi

Atoll: Thaa.
Location from Male: 60 minutes by seaplane to the island.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane, boat.

Como Maalifushi will give you a boost of rejuvenating spa treatments from Asian specialists in the field of holistic medicine. Treatment rooms with panoramic windows are located in houses above the water - everything is thought out here for relaxation and beauty creation. The hotel pays special attention to the leisure of children: they are shown how to grow crystals, they are taught the Maldivian language, weaving from palm branches.

Como Maalifushi

The resort complex combined the best services and won the hearts:

• exquisite beach and water villas;
• Maldivian and Japanese cuisine restaurants;
• only healthy food, steamed or grilled according to the COMO Shambala nutrition concept;
• SUP, shortboarding, surfing (the resort has a special area with artificial waves);
• excursions to the open ocean and swimming with marine life.

Como Maalifushi

Ozen Reserve Bolifushi (ex. Jumeirah Vittaveli)

Atoll: Male.
Location from Male: 20 minutes by boat.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane, catamaran.

The guests of the Ozen Reserve Bolifushi Hotel, coming here, relax mentally, spiritually, exotically, enjoying the special conditions that are created here:

• spacious villas and suites with water slides and private pools;
• exclusive Royal Reserve residence with its own infrastructure: secluded beach, spa pavilion, outdoor jacuzzi, gym, swimming pool, bar and specialty restaurant, kitchen, wine cellar and office space for staff;
• the only synthetic ice rink among all the islands;
• extensive resort dining options, including an exclusive multi-sensory dining experience at Originǝ Restaurant, an impressive wine collection and a special selection of cigar lounges;
• one of the largest children's amusement park in the Maldives Kuda Koli.

Ozen Reserve Bolifushi

There is also a spa and fitness center on site. To maintain physical fitness, they offer to attend individual and group yoga, stretching, and meditation classes.

Ozen Reserve Bolifushi

Huvafen Fushi

Atoll: North Male.
Location from Male: 30 minutes by speedboat.
Transfer to the hotel: boat.

Landscapes, surroundings, nature, ocean, style, the interior of the island bungalows and the layout of the entire Huvafen Fushi hotel are reminiscent of scenes from a movie, but as soon as you step on the white sand, everything becomes a reality. Only here is the world's only underwater spa. Visitors will be able to try scuba diving, go on a cruise to see dolphins and whale sharks. The hotel is maximally equipped for people with disabilities. In addition, on the territory of the hotel:

• there are themed restaurants that reveal to visitors all the secrets of cooking exotic island dishes;
• in a wine cellar at a depth of 8 m, you can taste wines tested over the years in a romantic setting;
• conduct an author's massage according to the method of Beata Aleksandrovich using sensory therapy and Thai stretch marks;
• There is a unique opportunity to enjoy beauty treatments and products developed by Teresa Tarmy, London-based skin care expert, exclusively for Huvafen Fushi - a technique based on progressive facial rejuvenation procedures, cleansing the body with a detox diet.

Huvafen Fushi

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Atoll: Raa.
Location from Male: 40 minutes by seaplane or 30 minutes by domestic flight, then 15 minutes by speedboat.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane or domestic flight, then speedboat.

A mile and a half of soft, white sands surrounded by azure waters, a combination of tropical scenery and stylish design, complemented by a contemporary Deluxe All-Inclusive concept, and leisure and entertainment options for guests of all ages make this a magnificent resort ideal for couples seeking privacy and romance, as well as for family vacationers.

Restaurants serve international, Mediterranean, Latin American and Asian cuisine. And Emerald SPA offers a wide range of relaxing Balinese and Thai treatments.

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

For those who love an active lifestyle, the resort offers a variety of water activities, diving, state-of-the-art Technogym, two tennis courts and professional assistance in creating individual training programs.

Little guests will also not be left without attention. At their disposal is the territory of the Dolphin children's club, an area of 1500 square meters, filled with fun games and entertainment.

The resort has won a number of awards, including the 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award.

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island

Atoll: Lhaviyani.
Location from Male: 110 kilometers from the international airport.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane.

According to the unique concept of Kudadoo Maldives, its guests can receive any services provided by the policy of the resort, anytime and anywhere. In addition to high-class service, the hallmarks of this luxury resort are:

• sustainable design residences by renowned architect Yuji Yamazaki;
• exquisite gastronomic treats from a chef who is in love with his work;
• a cheese and wine cellar featuring exclusive wines from prestigious estates, cheeses, cured meats and marinated delicacies;
• luxury yacht Bella, which is ready to take passengers on board and take them on an unforgettable journey around the islands;
• an eco-oriented approach, which is expressed, in particular, in the complete transition to solar panels, the use of environmentally friendly building materials and the minimization of the use of single-use plastic.

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island

Numerous awards and prizes confirm the high level of Kudadoo Maldives services.

Kudadoo Maldives Private Island

JA Manafaru

Atoll: Haa Alifu.
Location from Male: 90 minutes by seaplane.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane.

This resort won the 2021 Luxury Lifestyle Award, ranking among the top 5 luxury beach resorts in the Maldives. And in 2022, he received the Travelers' Choice award from TripAdvisor.

Here, the serenity of the Maldives is combined with the cozy interiors of secluded villas, the variety of dishes of seven gastronomic establishments, extensive entertainment activities and exotic spa and wellness services.

JA Manafaru

In the meantime, while parents enjoy a carefree holiday, young islanders can spend time in the children's area, where there are game consoles, board games and many other opportunities for exciting leisure.

JA Manafaru

Soneva Jani

Atoll: Noonu.
Location from Male: 35 minutes by seaplane.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane.

For the 26th year, the Soneva family has been impressing guests with award-winning eco-friendly luxury and unique experiences. The possibilities of the resort will satisfy the most demanding travelers. In addition to the services and entertainment traditional for the Maldives, Soneva guests are provided with:

• maximum privacy and space, as Soneva Jani is among the lowest density resorts in the world, and her residences are considered among the most spacious in the Maldives;
• wellness journeys with Soneva Soul, where innovative techniques are combined with traditional therapies, including Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine;
• exciting entertainment for children of all ages, from sensory games for toddlers to music parties for young people, in the largest children's area in the Maldives;
• educational courses for children and teenagers;
• 24/7 support from the Barefoot Guardian service, which will satisfy any customer needs and take care of all their concerns related to staying at the resort;
• private dinners with Michelin-starred chefs;
• meetings with astronomers, famous athletes, health professionals and other interesting people.

Soneva Jani

W Maldives

Atoll: North Ari.
Location from Male: 25 minutes by seaplane.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane.

This beautiful, heart-shaped island resort offers creative dining experiences from four restaurants, a boost of energy at the Away® Spa, a boost in fitness at the ocean-view gym, an adrenaline rush while parasailing, windsurfing or jet skiing around the nearby islands, explore one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, board the Escape yacht and go to meet whale sharks and other inhabitants of the deep.

W Maldives

Guests looking for a Robinson Crusoe day or night, a romantic getaway in a secluded villa, a private party or a desert island wedding can book Gaathafushi, a small private island located a stone's throw from W Maldives. This experience will undoubtedly give vivid impressions, good mood and will be remembered for a long time.

W Maldives

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Atoll: Baa.
Location from Male: 35 minutes by seaplane.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane.

The luxury hotel of the famous chain offers guests a full range of amenities and privileges inherent in the 5-star resorts of the Maldives, but not limited to this. Travelers who choose to live on this magnificent island receive a range of additional benefits, including:

• a visit to the world-class wellness center at AyurMa;
• access to the Manta On Call service, which allows you to be notified by the resort team when manta rays are sighted near the resort, take a short speedboat ride and swim with the largest known population of these majestic creatures;
• degustation of gastronomic masterpieces at the Blu Beach Club restaurant by Michelin-awarded Chef Gaetano Trovato;
• experience innovation at the most comprehensive watersports center in the Maldives;
• research and educational programs for teenagers passionate about the ocean, and much more.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Velaa Private Island

Atoll: Noonu.
Location from Male: 35 minutes by seaplane.
Transfer to the hotel: seaplane.

Guests of this luxurious resort can fully enjoy the nature and majesty of the Maldives, as well as all the benefits of a 5-star holiday.

Here you can:

• choose from stunning, spacious residences located on the beach or over the water, or book an ultra-private villa over the lagoon, which can only be reached by boat;
• cool off in the only Velaa Spa snow room in the Maldives;
• taste culinary delights at the Aragu gourmet restaurant and discover the collection of exclusive wines stored in the resort's secret wine cellar;
• try out innovative high-tech equipment for water sports;
• study at the Velaa Golf Academy under the guidance of professional athletes and play on the only Troon Short Game Golf Academy course in the Maldives, designed by Jose Maria Olazábal;
• go on an exciting sea excursion to the unspoiled Noonu Atoll.

Velaa Private Island

And this is only part of the impressive menu of opportunities that guests of this island resort receive.

Now that you have got acquainted with the best 5-star hotels in the Maldives, you need to listen to yourself in order to respond to the call of the Indian Ocean, the magic of 26 atolls and fly exactly where it is always summer, and a personal butler is already leading you to paradise!

Velaa Private Island