Maldives
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The Maldives are made up of more than a thousand coral islands scattered in the Indian Ocean. The water is crystal clear, the sands gleaming white and the diving and snorkelling are amazing!
The Maldives are perfect for honeymooners, this is a destination made for romance. Indulge your castaway, barefoot fantasies on these remote islands - with a picture postcard backdrop of natural beauty and calm.
These islands are home to an abundance of underwater wildlife, many resorts offer snorkelling from the beach on their own 'house reef' as well as excursions to other reef structures nearby. Most resorts have a professional PADI diving school with courses and excursions for both beginners and advanced.
The Maldives are also one of the world's top sites for whale and dolphin watching, with a quarter of the world's species to be found here - this is the place for making amazing memories!
Conrad Maldives Resort & Spa
Rangali Island - this resort adds stylish villas, health spa, excellent service, world class cuisine and luxury to the white sands, crystal clear water and deserted island feel of the Maldives. The buildings are in typical Maldivian style, and the intimate underground bar and dining room offer a unique experience. Honeymooners receive a complimentary bottle of champagne, fruit basket, one half day excursion per person, souvenir photograph and a free lobster buffet dinner with glass of champagne per stay.
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
Just twenty minutes by speedboat from Male airport, the 62 air-conditioned villas offer luxury and relaxation in this resort which offers a taste of paradise. Deluxe beach villas boast a private plunge pool, spacious beachfront terrace with sun beds, hammocks, and outdoor showers. The hotels restaurants provide uniterrupted views of the turquoise lagoon. The Taj Exotica is recommended for those clients seeking luxury and exceptional service amidst natural splendour.
Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi is a pristine island resort set within its own lagoon, and boasts the world's first underwater spa. The tiny island is just 383 yards long and 119 yards wide and offers privacy and barefoot paradise. All contemporary bungalows are fully equipped with plunge pool and air conditioning, 42 " plasma television and oversized kingsize bed. 12 Lagoon Bungalows, built over the Indian Ocean, are split-level with a private deck, sala and plunge pool. 2 330 square metre 2 bedroom Ocean Pavilions are situated furthest out in the sea with an indoor/outdoor infinity pool, from the living area and a dining room.
One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah, North Male Atoll
Reethi Rah means 'beautiful island' in the local language, and this all-villa retreat offers privacy, luxury and space, and all you would expect form a One & Only resort. The resort also offers a complimentary Kids Only Club, making this a perfect choice for a luxury family holiday.
One&Only Kanuhura
Situated on a kilometre-long coral island on remote Lhaviyani Atoll. A beautiful luxury hideaway offering high levels of hospitality and accommodation, excellent restaurants, bars and activities. 68 Beach Villas with ocean view bedroom area and a decked terrace leading to a private stretch of beach, 5 Duplex Villas, ideal for families, 18Water Villas with steps into the lagoon, 2 Grand Water Villas with separate living room and sculpted stone bath, 2 Grand Beach Villas with two ensuite bedrooms, whirlpool baths and living room.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Surrounded by a stunning natural lagoon in the North Male Atoll, here you can find rest and rejuvenation in the Island Spa, or enjoy an abundance of active watersports. Accommodation is in palm-thatched pavilions and bungalows, or on stilts above the water. 32 Water Bungalows offer a private sundeck with steps into the lagoon, an ocean view bath and an indoor/outdoor shower.
Four Seasons resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Situated on a beach fringed private island, a luxurious hideaway in the Indian Ocean. Dining is offered in four signature restaurants and bars, ayurvedic therapies in the spa and sailing and diving in the lagoon. 30 Beach Villas with Pool all have a 12 metre lap pool and garden/deck with Maldivian swing, a sand floor living/dining gazebo with stairs to an ocean view loft with daybed.
Soneva Fushi by Six Senses
Situated on Kunfunadhoo island in the Baa Atoll, Soneva Fushi is a mile long by less than 500 yards wide, built in rustic local style, the hotel blends perfectly into its environment, where you can explore either on foot or by bicycle. A stunning Six Senses Spa awaits you, along with numerous water sports, fine dining and luxurious villas. Each villa faces either sunset or sunrise, duplex Crusoe Villas and Suites (one or two bedrooms) have upstairs bedroom and downstairs living area / second bedroom. The Soneva Fushi Villa Suite & Tree House boasts its very own waterslide from the Tree House bedroom into the private pool. All Suites enjoy the personal butler service of a Mr Friday.
Soneva Gili by Six Senses
The first all over-water villa resort in the Maldives, reached a by a 15 minute speedboat transfer from Male. Soneva Gill offers luxury, privacy and pure escapism – and every effort is taken to make the resort environmentally friendly. Accommodation is in 44 stilted Villa Suites and Residences set along jetties stretching into the lagoon, and all offer roof-top and over-water sundecks, open air bathrooms with ocean view baths and entertainment centre. The Resort’s pool, bar and restaurants, Six Senses Spa and diving centre are all located on the small island of Lankanfushi.
For the ultimate luxurious private escape2luxury, Soneva Gili Private Reserve , accessible only by motor boat, consists of five buildings with a large open-plan living and dining area, private spa, gym waterslide from the rooftop sundeck into the pool and a resident 24 hour butler service.
Coco Palm Bodu Hithi
An enchanting hideaway set amongst soft, sandy walkways, white beaches, coconut palms and beautiful azure seas – contemporary styling, fine dining offered over the water and in an alfresco setting, the over water Coco Spa, infinity pool and fantastic diving opportunities – pure luxury and escapism ! The 100 private villas boast endless views across the lagoon, all are air-conditioned with TV, DVD/CD system, private sun deck, bath and private courtyard garden with plunge pool. Escape Water Villas have a separate sitting area, wooden bathtub overlooking the plunge pool on the split-level sun deck and enjoy butler service.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
Perfectly placed on the island of Dhuni Kolhu in the remote Baa Atoll, offering a magical tropical setting, this resort attracts those guests seeking that ‘lost in paradise’ experience. The resort offers a choice of dining and bars, including Asian specialities at Cornus restaurant and a la carte dining beneath the stars at Cornus Seafood Grill. Facilities include a Dive Centre, waterskiing, sailing and windsurfing, tennis, volleyball, fitness centre and the Coco Spa. 98 detached air-conditioned villas are all located within steps of the sea, 12 Lagoon Villas are built over the lagoon with iPod dock, spa bath and rain shower, and a private splash pool in the deck, 2 sumptuous Sunset Lagoon Villas have spectacular views, separate living room, and butler service.
Banyan Tree Maldives, Madivaru
This luxury resort opened in the summer of 2007, and comprises of one island with six Private Tented Pool Villas and two private islands, each with a villa offering two people the opportunity to experience a true castaway adventure. Each villa has 264 sq m of space, with three interlinked pavilion style ‘tents’ for bedroom, living area and bathroom, all surrounded by a timber decking leading to a beachfront pool. All Villas have a dedicated Island Host. Set in the North Ari Atoll, arrive by seaplane (30 minutes) or take the 3-4 hour cruise aboard the Banyan Velaa.
Anantara Resort Maldives
Part of the acclaimed Anantara Resorts & Spa group, this stylish luxury resort is situated on Dhigufinolhu in the South Male Atoll, only 25 minutes from Make airport. It shares facilities with the sister-hotel, Naladhu Maldives – 19 intimate Ocean and Beach Houses all with infinity-edge pool and serviced by a personal House Master – which include fine dining venues, land and water activities, a PADI dive centre and even a cookery school. The resort offers dolphin-watching and Dhoni trips to explore the lagoon. 2 Deluxe Overwater Pool Suites boast a private Pool on their deck, and glass-floored bathroom with infinity bathtub.
Diva Maldives
A small island resort, surrounded by a crystal clear lagoon and miles of turquoise ocean, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The island is 25 minutes by Male by seaplane and 2.5 hours by boat, a short unforgettable journey. The sea is never closer than in the exclusive Water Villas, standing on stilts over the lagoon where you can simply slip from your own private deck into the water, There are 11 spacious and opulent double Treatment Rooms on the beach, each with a terrace and a private garden area with an outdoor shower. Four lavishly furnished double treatment rooms stand on stilts jutting out over the lagoon, all with terraces over the water and outdoor showers and lounges.
Constance Halaveli Resort
Floating in the North Ari atoll and shaped like a curved dhoni is the new Five Star Halaveli Resort. It is a place where time seems to have stopped and dreams become reality. The shadow of the 86 villas, all with private plunge pools, fall on the turquoise lagoon. The three restaurants, one on stilts, and the Spa ensure that both the body and mind are well cared for.
The Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi, Spa Resort & Marina
A luxury boutique resort and ‘Small Luxury Hotel of the World’ that is an effortless blend of nature-influenced design and truly indulgent luxury. The crystal clear turquoise waters of the shallow waist-deep lagoon surrounding the island stretch as far as the eye can see. From palaces to beachfront villas, all featuring variously circular baths with views, private garden pools, circular beds and outdoor bathrooms.
Cocoa Island COMO
Cocoa Island is a small, private island resort designed for those seeking an easygoing, foot-in-the-sand experience. The rich, warm waters and bountiful coral also promise some of the world's best beaches, snorkelling and diving. Wake up to an empty horizon from your over-water bungalow. Rooms are inspired by dhoni boats, as used by local fishermen, adjoined by simple wooden walkways built above the shallow ocean. From your room, walk out on to a private terrace; from your terrace, slip into a warm Maldivian sea. Each room features a private sun deck with loungers and a dining table, fresh fruit daily, TV and CD player with DVDs and WiFi. Facilities: Eat like a castaway - fresh lobster, caught locally, dine feet-in-the-sand, beneath an alang-alang pavilion and huge Maldivian sky. An excellent water sports and dive centre, gym with yoga facilities, and a COMO Shambhala retreat offers a full range of treatments.
Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa
Set amidst sensational sandy beaches and lush tropical foliage, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa is a unique all-villa property located in a spacious, boutique-style environment. Stylishly furnished accommodation includes private ocean retreats and tropical tree house villas, unique to the Maldives with superb views. Guests can enjoy a tempting selection of dining and entertainment facilities, innovative treatments at CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, and a variety of aquatic leisure activities, or explore by bicycle the five neighbouring islands connected by a 17-kilometre road. Those seeking an experience with a difference can enjoy a cruise on a luxury yacht with lunch on the equator.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa at Huvahendhoo
The ever popular Lily Beach Resort has always had a great reputation world-wide for its pristine beaches, lush green vegetation, great house reef just metres away with amazing dive sites all-around. The recently renovated resort has been re-opened as a Platinum plan All Inclusive Luxury Resort. The extravagant restaurants offering fine cuisine from traditional Maldivian dishes to Indian and Chinese fusion food, enough to tingle your taste buds. During your relaxing holiday step inside the over-water spa pavilions purely designed to be sanctuaries for the inner self to refresh and rejuvenate your spirit as well as your physical being. Self-contained Luxury Villas, half over the water, king-sized four-poster beds and direct access to the lagoon from private decks. Deluxe Water Villas - Romantic and very private; with a distance of 15-feet between each villa, these villas feature a hand-crafted standalone bathtub with Jacuzzi and an additional Jacuzzi pool on the deck and direct access to the lagoon. Sunset Water Villas are individually designed and ultra-private, situated on the sunset side of the island, each with its own individual butler, with a private deck and direct access to the lagoon.
Alila Villas, Hadahaa
The Alila Villas, Hadahaa the latest offering in contemporary lifestyle luxury from the Maldives is a delightful, extremely eco-friendly resort featuring a diverse landscape of palm, coconut and banyan trees, tropical flowers and pristine sandy beaches. Fifty villas are nestled amongst the tropical surroundings or are set above the waters of the Indian Ocean and boast minimalist design, using natural materials such as stone and wood and luxurious amenities. Features have been designed to enhance the island's natural beauty and vast sliding windows aim to unite guests with the ocean surrounding them, while spacious wooden decks provide the perfect space from which to enjoy glorious sunsets and stars.
Vivanta By Taj - Coral Reef
This is a hip, luxurious yet affordable solution to holidaying in the Maldives. Chic and comfortable accommodation coupled with innovative food and levels of service synonymous with the Taj Group. Located on Hembadhu Island, less than 32 kilometers from Male airport, Vivanta by Taj - Coral Reef has been refurbished and redesigned to offer a personalised holiday experience for families and couples alike. Boasting one of the best spots for diving, amateurs and professionals can explore the resort's very own house reef and shipwreck. The less intrepid can take stock and relax in the property's Jiva Spa, inspired by the Indian philosophy of wellness while appetites of all ages can be tempted by the variety of fresh and enticing culinary options created by the talented chef’s team. Guests can choose from thatched Beach Villas with large beachside porticos or the Water Villas, with private decks looking out to the lagoon. All offer unrivalled views of the sea, outdoor shower areas for private relaxation.
Fact File
Flying time: 10 hours 20 minutes (direct)
Time difference: 5 hours ahead of GMT
Currency: Rufiya, although the US Dollar is widely accepted
Language: Divehi – but English is spoken in the resorts
Visas: Not required for British Passport holders
Climate: Generally warm and humid with sunshine all year round. The best time to visit is between November and March, when it is dry with very little wind
Recommended for: Beach Living, Diving & Snorkelling, Romance, Peace & tranquillity
Weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | 30 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Rainfall (inches) | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
