Maldivian Hotels with the No Shoes Concept: 7 luxury places to relax for real

No shoes, no news. Traveling to the Maldives, you will probably hear this phrase many times. What does it mean? The daily hustle and bustle of the information age does not allow all of us to live in the style of a slow life, contemplating the beauty of the world around us and finding pleasure in simple things, such as touching snow-white sand, flowing water through our fingers, and unity with nature.

In an effort to provide travelers with the perfect vacation, some Maldivian resorts fully or partially implement this philosophy, inviting their guests to temporarily leave aside everything that may burden them, including shoes and gadgets. Maldivian sand contributes to this format, which, unlike quartz sand, does not heat up much and is comfortable for barefoot walks even in the hottest weather.

Resorts of the No shoes concept created all the conditions for a barefoot holiday: the maximum number of paths on the island are sandy or made of natural materials, which are comfortable to walk on without shoes. Even restaurants place tables on the shore, thus creating a romantic and relaxing atmosphere.

We offer to get acquainted with the selection of hotels in the Maldives that adhere to the concept of "no shoes" and give guests the opportunity to get an unforgettable experience.

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1. Gili Lankanfushi

Upon arrival on Gili Lankanfushi Island, guests will be offered to pack their shoes in a fabric bag with a drawstring with the inscription "no news, no shoes" and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of absolute relaxation and comfort.

To make your stay at the resort as memorable as possible, Mister Friday - your personal assistant on the island, named after the faithful assistant and friend of Robinson Crusoe - will help. Mister Friday is ready to fulfill any guest request around the clock: from unpacking luggage and entertaining children to organizing excursions and culinary travels.

In the resort restaurants, you can not only enjoy exquisite dishes but also experience aromas and tastes during "Dine in the Dark" - a blindfolded dinner.

The island has its own organic garden with fruit trees, fresh greenery, and exotic herbs. Skilled chefs combine the daily harvest from the local garden with the freshest seafood, creating unique dishes.

Special attention should be paid to the underground wine cellar of the resort, which offers more than 500 varieties of wines from different regions of the world. In addition to the extensive wine list, a feature of this cellar is its unique decor. The basement was designed around a huge tree trunk that washed ashore during the 2004 tsunami. Now this driftwood serves as a one-of-a-kind table for original tastings of various alcoholic beverages, cheeses, and chocolate, accompanied by experienced sommeliers.

Access to the Internet and television with satellite channels is provided to guests on request, which fully aligns with the concept of a carefree vacation.

Gili Lankanfushi was recognized as the No. 1 hotel in the Maldives and entered the top five hotels in the world according to Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2018.

Gili Lankanfushi

Guest services:

• 45 water villas and residences. Please note that there are no beach villas on the island.
• Luxury spa on stilts in the lagoon.
• Beautiful beach with coral sand and lush vegetation.
• Small tennis court.
• Choice of bars and restaurants offering various world cuisines.
• Gym and various water sports.
• Diving center and marine research center.
• Organic garden.
• Open-air cinema.
• Various excursions.

Gili Lankanfushi

2. Six Senses Laamu

Six Senses Laamu is the only 5-star resort on the remote Laamu Atoll, located in the southern part of the central Maldives. Barefoot serenity is the concept of this secluded resort.

Located in one of 97 luxury villas, guests can fully enjoy pristine beaches surrounded by lush vegetation and turquoise ocean waters.

Supporters of a more active lifestyle will not be bored, as the resort offers guests about 30 types of various activities: from excursions around the island and its surroundings to stargazing accompanied by a local astronomer.

On the territory of the resort:

• Club for young guests.
• Open-air cinema.
• Library.
• Boutique.
• Medical clinic with a round-the-clock doctor on call.
• Dive center.
• 5 bars and restaurants.
• Spa salon.

Guests visiting Six Senses Laamu between May and August get the rare opportunity to watch the birth of turtles on the hotel beach and accompany them to an independent life in the ocean waters.

Six Senses Laamu

3. Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi is considered the first luxury barefoot resort in the Maldives. However, luxury, in Soneva’s understanding, is not only spacious villas with thoughtful design, restaurants with exquisite cuisine from Michelin-starred chefs, and exclusive events, but also an opportunity to find harmony with yourself and the natural world.

Guests are offered to take off their shoes upon arrival and are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the philosophy of "slow life," slowly enjoying every moment of relaxation.

In addition to trips to popular excursions, beach picnics, participation in various water activities, and exploring the underwater world during snorkeling, you can:

• Create your own glass masterpiece at Soneva Fushi Art & Glass Studio.
• Take a 3-day and 2-night journey through Baa Atoll on the luxury yacht Soneva in Aqua.
• Make an informative excursion to the eco-center and organic gardens of the resort.
• End the day with dinner at a restaurant high above the tree canopy, inhaling the aromas of garden herbs.

The resort has won numerous awards, including "Best Luxury Island Villa Resort Worldwide" in 2020.

On the island:

• Beach and water residences. Soneva Fushi stands out with large villas and entire residences with several bedrooms and recreation areas.
• Water slides. Beach and water residences have real water slides, allowing you to slide straight into the lagoon or a spacious pool.
• Open-air observatory.
• 14 bars and restaurants, including a wine cellar, ice cream room, organic garden, themed restaurant on the sand, and more.
• Children’s club for toddlers and older children.
• Diving center. The island is located on Baa Atoll, home to the most beautiful coral reefs in the Maldives.

Soneva Fushi

4. Summer Island Maldives

The resort harmoniously combines the island barefoot lifestyle with excellent resort service. Summer Island is a 4-star hotel considered one of the best in its category.

In the main Samuga restaurant, guests can not only eat deliciously but also watch the preparation of various dishes. At the Hiya overwater restaurant, which serves premium beach villas and water villas, visitors can enjoy exclusive fusion cuisine.

Summer Island also offers its guests:

• Stay in one of the water or beach villas.
• Refresh in the infinity pool.
• Use the services of a spa and gym.
• Hone skills in various water sports.
• Take a scuba dive and place an engraved lock on the world’s first underwater wall of love.
• Participate in various excursions and other entertainment.

Summer Island Maldives

5. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, located in the rich waters of Baa Atoll, impresses from the first minutes with its laid-back sophistication. Villas with thatched roofs blend organically into the natural landscape, and their interiors are distinguished by elegant luxury.

Here, travelers can feel as close to nature as possible. Local specialists have developed activities, adventures, and excursions aimed at caring for natural resources.

During your stay at Coco Palm, you can:

• Visit the garden where fresh basil, rosemary, eggplants, chili peppers, and other herbs and vegetables are grown, then dine in the garden and explore traditional Maldivian cuisine.
• Go on an individual educational tour with a marine biologist to observe various underwater inhabitants.
• Enjoy a cup of tea with a Maldivian family in a relaxed atmosphere and learn about local life.
• Participate in the restoration of coral nurseries.
• Scuba dive in ocean waters under the guidance of experienced instructors.

The hotel island is not small by Maldivian standards. Services include:

• Almost 100 beach and water villas, with and without pools.
• Elegant spa complex with ancient techniques and traditions.
• Diving center and water sports center.
• 4 bars and restaurants offering dishes from various world cuisines.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

6. The Nautilus Beach & Ocean Houses Maldives

The exclusive private resort The Nautilus Beach & Ocean Houses Maldives, located on Baa Atoll, consists of 26 beach and ocean houses and residences, providing a fully individualized approach to each guest. Travelers who choose a holiday at The Nautilus Maldives do not even have to go to the airport waiting area. From the moment you land at Malé airport, a resort representative will meet you and take you by limousine to a private VIP lounge, where you can relax comfortably while immigration procedures are handled on your behalf.

The resort has no dress code, schedules, or time restrictions. Restaurants have flexible working hours and cater to all guests’ culinary preferences. Solasta Spa specialists develop individual programs and offers for each guest, available at any time of day, either in one of the three spa pavilions or in your room.

The resort is surrounded by soft, snow-white sands, allowing guests to enjoy a beach lifestyle in every corner.

The Nautilus is the only resort in the Maldives that is a member of the French association Relais & Châteaux, guaranteeing compliance with the highest standards of the hotel and restaurant industry.

Additionally, The Nautilus ranked among the top three resorts worldwide and was named the best resort in the Indian Ocean by Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2020.

The Nautilus Beach & Ocean Houses Maldives

7. Kuredu Island

The lively Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, located on Lhaviyani Atoll, is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and long white sandy beaches.

The resort encourages guests to follow the unofficial motto “no shoes, no news.” Some hotel restaurants and the wine cellar have sandy floors, allowing visits barefoot. However, it may be more comfortable to wear flip-flops or flat sandals, as some surfaces, like wooden terraces and paths around the island, can heat up in the sun.

The resort generally adheres to a “tropical casual” dress code, meaning light and loose clothing for both day and evening.

Guests of Kuredu Island Resort & Spa can spend time in one of many restaurants and bars or reserve a table at the underwater restaurant “5.8,” located nearby at Hurawalhi Maldives.

The Kuredu wine cellar contains over 1,100 exclusive premium wines from around the world. A qualified sommelier will gladly assist guests in making the best choice.

In addition to classic resort activities and excursions, guests can learn golf basics or improve their skills on the Maldives’ first golf course.

The hotel has 387 rooms, from cozy beach bungalows to romantic overwater villas. It is one of the largest resort islands in the Maldives, covering 57 hectares, while many other private islands are only a few hundred meters in diameter. Kuredu stretches 1,800 meters in length. It has everything:

• Two spas.
• Golf course.
• Tennis court.
• Bicycle paths.
• Children’s club.
• Huge selection of restaurants and bars, including a tea house.
• Incredibly wide range of water and land activities for the Maldives.
• White parties – DJ nights, which are rare in the Maldives.

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa