Destination Guide - Maldives
Updated: Sep 25
Welcome to our Guide to the Maldives
The Maldives is one of those places that really does live up to the hype. Powder-white beaches, impossibly clear water, beautiful villas and some of the best hotels in the world, all scattered across tiny islands in the Indian Ocean.
But the trick with the Maldives is choosing the right one. From incredible house reefs and tiny barefoot islands to glamorous resorts with brilliant restaurants, huge kids’ clubs and enough going on to keep everyone entertained, no two hotels are quite the same.
Get the island right, and it is very hard to beat.
THE DESTINATION
Made up of thousands of tiny islands, the Maldives is spread across the Indian Ocean, with most luxury resorts occupying an island entirely of their own.
And while the photographs can make them all look fairly similar, the reality is very different. Some islands are tiny and beautifully intimate, others are large enough to cycle around. Some are all about the reef and marine life, while others have huge lagoons, incredible beaches and enough restaurants and activities to fill two weeks.
It can be barefoot and wonderfully simple or completely over-the-top glamorous. Which is exactly why we love it.
BEYOND THE BEACH
This is where the Maldives really comes into its own.
The snorkelling and diving can be exceptional, with turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, whale sharks and huge shoals of tropical fish all possible depending on where you stay and the time of year.
A brilliant house reef is always high on our list. There is something very special about being able to walk straight out of your villa, put on a mask and be surrounded by marine life within minutes.
Add paddleboarding, sailing, surfing, diving, dolphin cruises and some very beautiful boats, and it is surprisingly easy to spend most of the holiday in the water.
BEYOND THE LAGOON
The Maldives has changed enormously over the years, and the best resorts now offer far more than simply beautiful beaches.
Think seriously good restaurants, private beach dinners, cinema under the stars, tennis and padel, brilliant kids’ clubs, art studios, cooking classes and beautifully thought-out experiences that make each island feel completely different.
And then there are the spas. Beautiful overwater treatment rooms, incredible wellness programmes and the kind of places you can happily lose a few hours in and come out feeling completely reset.
Or you can ignore absolutely all of it.
Swim before breakfast, read a book, have a very long lunch and realise you haven’t worn shoes for seven days. Both approaches work rather well, and that’s exactly why the Maldives is always high on our list.
ISLANDS WE LOVE
01.
JOALI Maldives
Raa Atoll
One of Sarah’s all-time favourite Maldives stays, and quite possibly one of the prettiest hotels in the Indian Ocean. JOALI is glamorous, colourful and full of personality, with incredible villas, brilliant food and beautiful art woven throughout the island. What we love most is the attention to detail. From chilled towels and sunscreen waiting by the pool to little touches you didn’t know you needed until they appear, everything feels incredibly considered.
A brilliant choice for couples or families wanting serious luxury, but with a little more character and fun.
JOALI BEING
JOALI BEING is the calmer, wellness-focused sister to JOALI Maldives, but still every bit as beautiful. The whole island has been designed around wellbeing, from incredible treatments and hydrotherapy to movement, nutrition and personalised wellness programmes. But this isn’t a bootcamp. You can dip in and out as much as you like, enjoy the gorgeous villas and beaches, and still have a very luxurious Maldives holiday. Perfect for anyone wanting to properly switch off, reset and come home feeling considerably better than when they arrived.
02.
Cheval Blanc Randheli
Noonu Atoll
Cheval Blanc is one of those hotels that gets almost everything right. Beautifully designed, incredibly private and polished without ever feeling stiff, it has some of the most impressive villas in the Maldives, along with brilliant food and exceptional service. There is a real sense of space here, from the huge villas to the private beaches and peaceful setting, and everything feels very calm and considered. It is particularly good for couples, special occasions and families wanting a seriously luxurious stay without anything feeling too showy. One of the smartest addresses in the Maldives, and always a favourite for clients who want the very best.
03.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
South Ari Atoll
A bit of a Maldives classic, and the one Hannah never stops talking about.
Spread across two islands, Conrad has loads of space, beautiful beaches, brilliant snorkelling and diving, and a really good choice of restaurants, so it works especially well for families or couples who like a little more going on. Ithaa, the underwater restaurant, is still one of those experiences everyone remembers, while the villas range from easy family options to some seriously impressive overwater stays. A great all-rounder, and one we come back to again and again.
04.
Niyama Private Islands
Dhaalu Atoll
A brilliant choice for families, and one of the more fun, energetic resorts in the Maldives. Spread across two islands, Niyama has loads going on, from surfing and watersports to brilliant kids’ facilities, great restaurants and plenty of space to explore. It still feels luxurious, but never too serious, which is exactly why it works so well for families. A great option if you want the Maldives to feel relaxed, active and easy, rather than just fly-and-flop.
05.
Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort
Baa Atoll
Finolhu has a completely different feel to many Maldives resorts, with bold design, a little retro glamour and one of the most incredible sandbanks in the country.
There is a real sense of personality here, from the beach club and colourful interiors to the restaurants and overwater villas. It feels stylish without being too serious, and works especially well for couples, friends and families who want somewhere with a bit more character. A very photogenic Maldives stay, with plenty of energy and one of the best beaches around.
06.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
South Malé Atoll
Big, beautiful and very polished, Waldorf Astoria is all about space.
The villas are enormous, the private pools are some of the best in the Maldives and there is a huge choice of restaurants, so it works brilliantly for longer stays and families who like plenty of options. It feels glamorous without being too formal, and the yacht transfer from Malé is a big plus. One for clients who want the full wow-factor Maldives experience.
07.
Heritance Aarah
Raa Atoll
A really strong all-inclusive option, and one that gives you a huge amount without ever feeling too packaged. There is a great mix of beach and overwater villas, plenty of restaurants and bars, and loads included in the stay, which makes everything feel wonderfully easy once you arrive. It is particularly good for families and couples who want a beautiful Maldives island without constantly thinking about the bill.
A brilliant choice for easy, high-end all-inclusive luxury.
08.
COMO Cocoa Island
South Malé Atoll
Small, peaceful and wonderfully understated, the island is all about simplicity done incredibly well. The overwater villas are some of the most distinctive in the Maldives, inspired by traditional dhoni boats, and the whole island has a calm, private feel that makes it especially good for couples and honeymooners.
The wellness is excellent, the food is fresh and unfussy, and everything feels beautifully relaxed. A great choice if you want the Maldives to be quiet, chic and completely switched off.
09.
Soneva Fushi
Baa Atoll
One of the original barefoot-luxury hotels, and still one of the best. Set on a lush, jungle-covered island, Soneva Fushi feels wonderfully natural and completely unforced, with huge villas hidden amongst the trees, bikes instead of buggies and one of the best kids’ clubs anywhere. There is loads to do, from snorkelling and diving to outdoor cinema nights and incredible dining, but the real magic is how relaxed it all feels. A brilliant choice for families, and one of those hotels people tend to fall very hard for.
10.
Vakkaru Maldives
Baa Atoll
Lush, elegant and beautifully easy, Vakkaru is a brilliant all-rounder in the Maldives.
The island itself is gorgeous, with mature tropical greenery, a beautiful beach and a really relaxed feel, while the villas are spacious and the food is consistently strong. It works especially well for families thanks to the kids’ club, sports and plenty of space, but still feels grown-up enough for couples. One of those hotels that quietly does everything well.
THE BEST HOUSE REEFS
The Maldives is famous for its snorkelling, but a really good house reef makes all the difference. Our clients love being able to wander straight from the beach, mask on, and be surrounded by turtles, reef sharks and shoals of tropical fish within minutes. These are some of our favourite islands for incredible marine life right on your doorstep.
Conrad Maldives
COMO Cocoa Island
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Soneva Fushi
Heritance Aarah
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Traditionally, the best time to visit the Maldives is December to March, with long sunny days, calm seas and very little rain, which is why it makes such a perfect Christmas and winter-sun escape.
That said, the seasons are becoming less predictable, and we’ve had plenty of clients travel between April and November and come back with brilliant weather. The bonus? Rates are often lower, hotels tend to have stronger offers and the islands can feel a little quieter.
If you want the safest bet for sunshine, winter is still the classic choice. But we certainly wouldn’t rule out the rest of the year.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Maldives is all about finding the island that suits you. The best beach, the right villa, the strongest house reef, the family set-up, the food, the atmosphere, the transfer. It all matters.
We’ll match you to the resort that feels right, then take care of everything from there, so all that’s left to do is arrive, switch off and wonder why you ever booked the Maldives any other way.
Ready for the Maldives? Get in touch and we’ll make it happen.
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