17 best hotels in the Maldives for the ultimate bucket list holiday

Curating an edit of the best hotels in the Maldives is a task which should not be taken lightly. Not least because, for many, the Maldives is the spot for their once-in-a-lifetime holiday. The ultimate honeymoon destination. A place of undisputed beauty, where over-water villas are the standard and white-sand beaches seem to stretch out for all eternity.

Luxury hotels and beach resorts have appeared, over the last decade, in their hundreds – but when you’re spending ~so~ much, you’ll want to make sure you’re making the right choice.

Of course, almost every single Maldives resort – spread across its own private island – offers turquoise waters, ocean views, state-of-the-art spas and countless restaurants. And today, most Maldives beach hotels have made admirable strides towards sustainability to boot (perhaps even owning their own biosphere reserve or coral programme). So, the very best hotels in the Maldives have to go one step further.

The spa has to be one of the best spas in the world, dangling atop a lagoon in the Indian Ocean with clear panelled floors providing breath-taking views into the coral gardens below, preferably. There should be an underwater restaurant. And a world-class jungle restaurant, too. You should be able to partake in sushi-making classes and gin cocktail making masterclasses. There needs to be something else. As such, ahead, a definitive guide to the crème de la crème of hotels in the Maldives across both the North Malé Atoll and South Malé Atoll, which can all be reached from Velana International Airport.

Which part of the Maldives is the best to stay? | Which Maldives hotel is best for couples? | Which Maldives hotel is best for families? | Extra tips for booking your holiday in the Maldives. | The best Maldives hotels: full reviews.

Best Maldives hotels 2023 at a glance:

1. Diamonds Athuruga Maldives Resort & Spa
2. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
3. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
4. Raffles Maldives Meradhoo
5. Meeru Island Resort & Spa
6. LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
7. Velassaru Maldives
8. Radisson Blu Resort Maldives
9. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
10. Conrad Maldives

Which part of Maldives is the best to stay?

Wondering which island in the Maldives is best? Hulhumalé? Baros? Fonimagoodhoo? Olhuveli Male? Re-frame your question to which hotel in the Maldives is best, because to be honest, the islands in the Maldives are tiny, and each hotel typically takes over the entire thing. Try and embrace just one island rather than worrying about hopping around – and kick back in your private pool without considering leaving. If you’re on a budget, consider a hotel that’s a boat ride, rather than a sea plane ride, away from Malé, where the international airport is. That’ll save a few pennies.

Which Maldives hotel is best for couples?

Romance is big business in the Maldives – in fact, it’s generally considered to be honeymoon central. And for good reason. If you’ve got your heart set on a romantic post-wedding fortnight in tropical heaven – and you’re dreaming of waking up atop a muslin-draped four-poster bed, knowing a floating breakfast is waiting outside for you in your private ocean-side pool – then there’s nowhere better. We’ve spotlighted our favourite Maldives hotels for honeymoons below, but particular highlights include the Prince and Princess of Wales-approved Cheval Blanc Randheli and Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas-approved Coco Prive.

Which Maldives hotel is best for families?

As well as the Maldives being epic for a romantic holiday or honeymoon, it’s a wonderful holiday destination for families, too. Lots of hotels have kids clubs, and the space and privacy served up at most of the resorts is second-to-none. JW Marriott Maldives Resort and Spa is our top pick for families, while Le Meridien Maldives has an epic kids club and countless activities to keep little ones entertained. We also love: Fairmont Maldives and Sirru Fen Fushi.

Choosing the best hotel in the Maldives: booking tips

It’s always worth checking a resort website for yourself (don’t just rely on third-party hotel booking platforms) and even consider contacting the hotel for specific, up-to-date information. You don’t want to fly all that way only to turn up and find out the overwater spa isn’t actually finished, there’s construction work happening or the scuba dive sites are closed.

On that note, if you’re a keen diver – and you already know you’d like to book some diving days – it’s always worth contacting the scuba dive centre separately, prior to check-in. Who knows: they may even offer you a discount if you book your dives in before arrival.

Most resorts will have several different types of rooms – ranging from ‘Garden villas’ to ‘Deluxe Over-Water Suites’. Bear in mind that a garden villa might not have direct private beach or sea access, while a water villa will likely be on stilts.

There’s no such thing as a ‘bad time’ to visit the Maldives – but the time of year you choose will affect the price. Worth noting: the high season is December to March, with spikes over Easter and also in August. Travelling outside of this period? Check out our guide to where is hot in October.

For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.

Scroll for our full edit of the best hotels in the Maldives in 2023 that are well worth travelling to.