20 Best Maldives Resorts (2026)

The Maldives is a collection of tropical islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, with crystal clear lagoons, white sand beaches and some of the most breathtaking ocean views you’ll find anywhere in the world. It’s the kind of place where days are spent barefoot, swimming in warm waters and watching sunsets from your villa. From the best luxury beach resorts with spa facilities and romantic honeymoon hideaways to family-friendly stays with incredible settings, there’s something for every kind of traveller. However, choosing the right resort can be a bit of a minefield, so we've done the hard work for you! Here's our pick of the 20 best.

For a honeymoon escape

• Set beside one of the Maldives’ most impressive reefs, Reethi Faru Resort is made for couples who want privacy and plenty to do. Choose from garden, beach and overwater villas with ocean-view terraces, featuring airy spaces with bathtubs and rain showers. Spend evenings moving between six restaurants, sunset bars and a relaxing spa. Newlywed packages are available, catering to any romantic desires you may have.
• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is an island escape that delivers classic Maldivian romance with overwater villas, private plunge pools and huge ocean-facing decks. Spend days at the Jiva Grande Spa, dine at the award-winning overwater restaurant or explore the lagoon with the resort’s expert dive and water sports team.
• Amilla Fushi feels like a stylish island hideaway, with villas perched above the water, along the beach and hidden among the trees. Interiors feature abstract prints, sleek lines and natural wood furnishings, and each villa has its own private pool. There are eight restaurants, an overwater yoga pavilion and some of the Maldives’ best snorkelling nearby. The resort can tailor specific experiences for honeymooning guests, including candlelit dinners and romantic boat trips.
• Perfect for couples wanting a little extra space, Lily Beach Resort and Spa offers luxurious villas, an overwater spa, various dining options and a private reef full of marine life. Enjoy romantic beach dinners or pamper yourself at the glorious semi-outdoor spa that benefits from the relaxing sounds of the lapping waves. Kids are kept entertained at the Turtle Kids Club or with endless water sports.

• A true barefoot escape, Filitheyo Island Resort sits in the untouched Faafu Atoll. Expect rustic wooden paths, sandy trails and spacious villas with outdoor bathrooms. Couples can dive straight into the house reef, learn at the on-site dive school, or unwind with ocean views at the spa and restaurants. Special honeymoon excursions are available, including romantic boat trips.
• Gili Lankanfushi is designed for couples who want to switch off completely. This secluded hideaway offers stilted villas, powder white beaches and a famous “no news, no shoes” approach. Spend days at the Meera Spa, which has six overwater treatment rooms, enjoy Maldivian cooking classes, or explore the lagoon by kayak, windsurf or snorkel.
• Small, peaceful and wonderfully private, Kandolhu is made for honeymooners. Its 30 villas are contemporary in style, and include overwater options with plunge pools. The resort's restaurants, spa and easy access to top dive sites make it ideal for couples who want romance without the crowds.
• Inspired by traditional Maldivian dhoni boats, Cocoa Island’s overwater suites sit along wooden walkways above a vibrant lagoon. The COMO Shambhala Retreat is dedicated to renewing the body’s energies, overseen by master therapists and visiting yoga teachers. With private sun decks and award-winning dining, it’s a haven for couples seeking wellness and tranquillity.

For families

• Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is built for families who want space, service and plenty of activities. Roomy villas come with personal butlers, and some with private pools. While kids enjoy the club, floating aqua park and water sports, parents can relax at the Natura Bissé spa or dine by the beach. Babysitting services are also available.
• Surrounded by 1.5km of white sand, Emerald Maldives is an eco-conscious resort that uses wood and local materials across its airy villas, each with a private deck, plunge pool and garden. Families can choose from six restaurants, a kids club, tennis, water sports and a spa offering Balinese and Thai treatments. There is also a PADI dive centre on-site for keen divers.
• Perfect for active families, Kanuhura offers spacious beach and overwater villas with modern interiors, white woods and colourful artwork. Kids have their own club, while parents can enjoy five restaurants, daily yoga, snorkelling trips, tennis and access to two nearby islands by speedboat. Movie nights and special family packages are a lovely added touch.
• A great choice for families wanting a relaxed island escape, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi offers some of the Maldives’ largest beach villas. There’s a kids club, mini-golf, water sports, nature trails and a 20 treatment-room spa, plus restaurants serving everything from Vietnamese dishes to French cuisine. With rooms often being offered at a fantastic discount, this is certainly great value (for the Maldives).

• Set in Baa Atoll, Finolhu is a Robinson Crusoe-style retreat with a fun, adventurous feel. Elegant villas overlook the water, some with private pools and open-air bathrooms. Younger guests will enjoy the kids clubs, play areas and plenty of entertainment, from jugglers to DJs. There are four restaurants, private butlers and reef trips, so there’s something to keep everyone busy.
• Heritance Aarah stands out with its beautiful wooden villas, a first-of-its-kind medi-spa and impressive all-inclusive offering. There are six restaurants, large family suites, a kids club with different activities each day of the week, and endless activities from flyboarding to dolphin cruises. The 24-hour gym and tailored wellness programmes make it easy for everyone to unwind.
• Constance Moofushi is a relaxed resort that features overwater villas with bohemian interiors, sea-view beds, hammocks and outdoor showers. Families are well looked after with babysitting, water sports and an open-air cinema. Adults will appreciate sunset cruises, oceanfront spa treatments, lobster dinners and cocktails at the beach bar.

For the spa

• Anantara Veli is an adults-only island escape where wellness takes centre stage. Balance Wellness Spa offers tailored treatments, steam rooms, saunas and a peaceful relaxation garden. Guests can relax with soothing massages, beauty rituals and private spa experiences before dining at one of the five restaurants or exploring the surrounding reefs.
• Set in the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll, Milaidhoo Island offers just 50 beach and water pool villas with traditional thatched roofs and ocean views. The overwater spa features four treatment suites focused on African-inspired rituals and local ingredients. Try restorative massages, wellness therapies and meditation sessions. End the day with sunset sailing, private dining and the resort’s famous teppanyaki table.
• Four Seasons Kuda Huraa delivers ultimate pampering a short boat ride from Male. Beautifully crafted bungalows and speciality suites offer top-of-the-range accommodation, all with a private pool. The Island Spa Sanctuary features personalised therapies, calming massages and indulgent rituals. Enjoy award-winning Indian cuisine, reef conservation experiences, diving and family-friendly facilities, all without sacrificing luxury or relaxation.

• Huvafen Fushi brings the 'wow factor' with the world’s first glass-walled underwater spa treatment rooms surrounded by the ocean. Sleek overwater villas mirror the surrounding crystal blue water, with calming natural interiors. This private island retreat also offers sunrise yoga, reef trips with a marine biologist and an impressive dining scene. It’s the perfect choice for travellers wanting wellness with a sense of adventure.
• Soneva Jani is all about slow living, with private villas, natural interiors and a world-class spa offering personalised wellness journeys, healing treatments and restorative therapies. Guests can enjoy a silent cinema under the stars with a bottle of Prosecco, organic dining, marine-led snorkelling trips and the Maldives’ first overwater observatory. A truly memorable escape.

Still not sure?

• Browse through our full list of the best places to stay in the Maldives,
• Expand your search to see our suggestions in Sri Lanka,
• Or, contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.