During these sad times for avid travellers, there isn’t a day where we don’t think about travel, look into where we can travel to after the pandemic, or even where we can get to now while things start to look slightly brighter in some countries worldwide. While doing so, it certainly doesn’t hurt to day dream about some of the most beautiful all-inclusive resorts in Maldives, many boasting of luxurious bungalows and over-water villas.
The below follow no particular order. They are all individually beautiful, and undoubtedly many other resorts not mentioned below also top the list.
FUSHIFARU MALDIVES
Located on the eastern side of Lhaviyani Atoll, Fushifaru Maldives lies between two channels connecting the atoll’s inner lagoon to the outer sea. Metres away from the island are three major dive sites including the famous Fushifaru Thila, one of Maldives most iconic dive spots. Fushifaru Kandu is a national marine protected area, which is home to beautiful underwater creatures such as manta rays, turtles and more.
Restaurants at the resort offer signature Asian recipes, focusing on bringing guests the finest local varieties of seafood, while sunrise lounging and sunset cocktails may be enjoyed from the resort’s bar.
JA MANAFARU
Situated on a private island, JA Manafaru offers luxurious suites, beach bungalows and over water villas with private outdoor pools. Guests may also enjoy an additional three outdoor pools. The property is spread over 35 acres of peaceful white sandy beach, where an on-site PADI dive centre is also available.
All rooms are equipped with a private pool, a Nespresso coffeemaker, free Wi-Fi and complementary daily fruit. The over water villas enjoy panoramic views of the Indian Ocean with either a sunrise or sunset views. The villa host is available 24/7 and can arrange snorkeling trips and day trips to the nearby islands.
Complimentary snorkeling gears is available and guests can also enjoy a range of other water sports such as sailing, jet-skis, diving and stand-up paddle boarding. Additional facilities at the resort include a tennis court, a pool table, a games room, a gym as well as yoga sessions.
The beachfront Ocean Grill offers sizzling grilled meats and lobster buffets, while premium wine and cheese are available at The Cellar, located underground. Other dining options include international dishes, Maldivian cuisine, home-made pizzas, tapas a well as a selection of Asian food.
LUX* SOUTH ARI ATOLL RESORT & VILLAS
Surrounded by crystal clear waters and lush greenery, LUX* South Ari Atoll offers luxurious open concept rooms in chic beach-house style furnishing and an outdoor seating area. Each room comes with a coffee machine, minibar and a chaise lounge.
The resort features a whooping 8 restaurants, 5 bars, a spa and a fitness centre. Dining options include cuisines from Italy, Japan, Middle East and the Mediterranean.
HERITANCE AARAH OCEAN SUITES
Located in Raa Atoll, the 5-star Heritance Aarah features an infinity pool, 7 restaurants and 5 bars including a sky bar. Guests can enjoy different culinary cuisines including European, Middle Eastern, Sri Lankan as well as Interantional cuisine and seafood.
The property has the first Medi Spa, where aesthetic treatments, diet and nutrition, a wellness program and a weight loss program are also offered. Other wellness facilities include a fitness centre and a salon and nail service. And in case you’re travelling with young kids in tow, the resort also has the biggest kids club in Maldives.
AMILLA FUSHI RESORTS AND RESIDENCES
Amilla Fushi Resort Villas & Residences is a island resort located in Baa Atoll offering you a choice of island homes that hover over clear waters, nestled amongst lush tree tops or the shores of pristine white sand. The resort offers seven enticing restaurants, as well as three bars serving craft cocktails and fine wines.
The accommodation features a private beach area, a spa and a tennis court. Other facilities include a tour desk and a ticket service. On site or within the accommodation’s surroundings, guests may enjoy fishing, diving and snorkeling.
DIAMONDS THUDUFUSHI BEACH & WATER VILLAS
Surrounded by blue waters and white sand, Diamonds Thudufushi All Inclusive offers bungalow and over-water villas. The bungalows offer direct access to the beach, have a private veranda with armchairs and sunbeds, as well as an open air shower. The water villas feature a large terrace which overlooks the lagoon.
Guests can make use of the spa and the range of therapies it offers. The resort is also equipped with with a library, games and a Nintendo Wii. A dive centre is also available and a range of water sports such as canoeing, waterskiing and deep sea fishing may be enjoyed.
The main restaurant at Diamonds Thusufushi offers Italian, Asian and Maldivian cuisines for lunch and dinner. It also offers theme nights buffet and barbecue. Fresh seafood and international options can be enjoyed at the Water Villas Restaurant. The resort also features three bars for alcoholic beverages and refreshments.
VELASSARU MALDIVES
Velassaru Maldives offers luxurious beachfront and over-water accommodation with uninterrupted . Guests can enjoy a wide range of water and adventure sports, as well as sunset cruises, yoga classes and boat trips on a Maldivian boat where the crew demonstrates traditional fishing methods.
The resort features relaxing spa treatments in over-water pavilions, a fitness centre, a tennis court and an infinity pool with the view of the beach and the ocean.
Featuring wooden ceilings and floors for a tropical atmosphere, the bungalows and villas are equipped with a flat-screen TV, international TV channels and DVD player. Some rooms also come with Nespresso machine and wine chiller. The private bathroom comes with beach bags and slippers.
Velassaru features 5 restaurants, where a wide variety of international specialties are prepared, including fresh sea food, Japanese, international and grill pan Indian options. The 2 beach bars serve cocktails and wines. In-villa or dining can also be arranged.
KANDIMA MALDIVES
Located on the largest island in Dhaalu Atoll, Kandima Maldives has the longest outdoor swimming pool in the Maldives, an abundance of water-sports, the largest beach club and tennis and basketball courts. It offers a marine biology centre, an art studio and cooking classes. The resort offers studios and villas with a private terrace and private pool.
Kandima Maldives has a gym with personal trainers and provides classes like anti-gravity yoga, Zumba and aqua-bike classes. Guests can also hire bikes and electric scooters. For total relaxation, the spa offers massages, facials and a range of Signature local treatments. They also operate the Kandima Kids Club which is run by a multilingual team of certified child care-givers.
The property features a whooping 10 restaurants and bars where guests are left spoilt for choice with mouth-watering flavours from all over the world!
CONSTANCE MOOFUSHI MALDIVES ALL INCLUSIVE
Featuring sandy white shores and crystal-clear lagoons, Constance Moofushi offers a luxurious beach escape in Maldives’ South Ari Atoll.
The property boasts a beautiful infinity pool, while each villa features an uninterrupted view of the Indian Ocean from the private sun deck. The villas come with a minibar and tea/coofee making facilities.
The over-water Uspa by Constance features relaxing body massage and a yoga pavilion. The charming beach provides for afternoons of beach volleyball and diving. Guests can enjoy International buffets and à la carte grilled dishes, as well as refreshing cocktails at the property’s bars.
W MALDIVES
The spacious villas at W Maldives come with a private plunge pool which offers direct beach, reef and ocean access. Offering a tranquil escape, the resort also features a diving centre, a fitness centre and an outdoor infinity pool.
Villas are fitted with a 42-inch plasma TV and a BOSE CD and DVD player. They feature outdoor daybeds, a tea/coffee maker and minibar. International menus, barbecue foods as well as seafood can all be enjoyed while staying at W Maldives.
AWAY® Spa features a massage menu as well as Ayurvedic and facial treatments. Guests can also enjoy yoga, aqua aerobics and water sports.
DIAMONDS ATHURUGA ALL INCLUSIVE
Offering a luxurious paradise experience, Diamonds Athuruga All Inclusive features spacious villas, a spa offering Ayurvedic treatments and a dive centre.
Over-water villas feature a large terrace with direct access to the lagoon. They are fitted with a canopy bed and come with a living area and large en-suite bathroom. The beach front bungalows have a private veranda with seating area and an open air shower. All rooms come with tea/coffee making facilities.
Water sports such as fishing, canoeing and windsurfing can be arranged. Guests also have a choice of snorkelling spots to enjoy. Other facilities include a library stocked with books, games and a Nintendo Wii. The Resort offers 5 different restaurants serving Japanese, Maldivian as well as seafood.
KANDHOLU MALDIVES
Located in North Ari Atoll, villas at Kandholu Maldives feature a flat-screen TV, an iPad, a Bluetooth speaker and a GoPro Hero5 camera. The private bathroom comes with a shower, a bathtub and a hairdryer. All rooms offer wonderful ocean views.
Kandolhu Maldives offers a 24-hour front desk. It also features a laundry service and a small boutique selling toiletries, postcards and souvenirs. Measuring just 200 metre by 150 metres, the island features wide sandy beaches and a colourful reef which is ideal for snorkelling.
DRIFT THELU VELIGA RETREAT
Nestled on the pristine island of Thelu Veliga, Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat features its own magnificent house reef. The villas are tastefully designed to evoke the authentic, unspoilt charm of the Maldives. Some villas have private access to the beach while some are stand over the island’s turquoise lagoon.
Guests can pamper themselves at the Intimate spa or take on water activities such as snorkeling, diving and kayaking. Additionally, the resort offers a menu of bespoke romantic experiences which may be arranged upon request.
The property offers a variety of cuisines including local seafood with continental Asian flavours. In-villa, on-the-beach private dinners and seafood barbecues may also be arranged for guests upon request. Guests can also enjoy refreshing beverages and light dishes at the sunset-facing bar and lounge.
LILY BEACH RESORT AND SPA
The 5-star All-Inclusive Lily Beach Resort and Spa offers luxurious villas and suites and features two outdoor pools, a diving centre and five bars and on-site restaurants, one of which offering panoramic lagoon views. Featuring a private deck or terrace, each room is equipped with a home theatre system. A Nespresso machine, tea making facilities and minibar are also available.
Tamara Spa’s, featuring holistic rejuvenating therapies is spread across over-water spa pavilions. Guests can also make use of the fitness centre as well as tennis courts. Having its own coral reef garden, the resort allows for easy access to more than 50 dive sites. Personalized programs are available, from beginners to PADI certified levels. Snorkeling equipment is also provided by the property.
SONEVA JANI
Located in a 5.6 km lagoon in the Noonu Atoll, Soneva Jani features both overwater and island villas. Each water villa opens to its very own stretch of lagoon and is complete with a private pool and a retractable roof to stargaze from the master bedroom. Some of the villas have slides from the top floor directly into the lagoon below.
All villas are equipped with a spacious master bedroom with an adjoining kids sleeping area. They come with an open-air bathroom with bathtub, shower and lagoon access. They even have a walk-in mini-bar with an espresso machine and a private wine cellar selection! Each room features an outdoor deck and seating area with sun loungers sitting directly on the lagoon.
The main facilities of Soneva Jani are located at The Gathering, which is a three-storey structure that hosts the main dining outlets as well as an Observatory, a Spa, gift-shop and a water sports and dive centre. There is also an overwater silent cinema, a tennis court, a labyrinth gardens, an eco-centro and a Children’s Den on the main island.
Soneva Jani offers a number of dining options and cuisines, as well as the complimentary cheese room, chocolate room and ice-cream room for all guests!
HIDEAWAY BEACH RESORT & SPA
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers luxurious boutique accommodations in the Haa Alif Atoll in Northern Maldives. The resort offers exclusive villas with personal butlers, while the island offers a tropical and natural space. The spacious villas come with private pool and direct beach access. The property offers the only operational fully-equipped private Marina in the country and the only in-house professional tennis academy.
If you’re after some pampering, the spa features 12 private treatment suites, a steam room and a hair salon set in manicured gardens. The property also features two outdoor pools, a gym as well as a beach volleyball court. Guests can enjoy extensive water sports like fishing, on-site dive center and a range of excursions.
The resort offers four dining options serving International dishes, European dishes, modern Indian cuisine, as well as seafood, and a selection of pizzas and snacks.