Top 11 Hotels in Maldives: Ultimate Guide to Luxury, Celebrity Stays, and the Best Resorts

Maldives is one of the most famous countries in the world, known for being a tourist haven due to its incredible beaches, clear turquoise waters and luxury private resorts with their own islands. Many people visit Maldives, with yearly numbers going upwards of 1.8 million in 2023. The country is a top pick for people seeking luxury, billionaires and even celebrities, with many high profile names spending their vacation on the archipelago. We all know these individuals would stay at the top hotels in Maldives given their wants, which is why today we will be discussing luxury, celebrity stays and the best resorts!

Why Choose the Maldives for Your Stay?

As mentioned before the top hotels in Maldives, or rather all resorts in Maldives, are located on their very own island, allowing for an unparalleled experience of privacy and cosy comfort. There’s an air of exclusivity as all your needs are tended to almost immediately, with special requests being granted as well, tailored to your specifications. 

The resorts also offer varying experiences depending on where they’re located! For example, North Male’ Atoll is widely known for having an influx of manta rays when it’s in season, with South Male’ Atoll being known for various shark dive points where underwater enthusiasts can enjoy their time with these magnificent beasts. The atolls and resorts have a lot more to offer though, which we’ll be going over shortly.

Top 11 Hotels in Maldives

The island nation already has a penchant for being an unbeatable holiday destination and this is only magnified by the experiences and surrounding environment. These resorts are also known to have exceptional customer care, along with an eye for detail & inclusivity of travellers. Without further ado, here are our top hotels in the Maldives, in no specific order.

1. Cocoon Maldives

Highlight: Known as the first design hotel in Maldives, Cocoon Maldives combined the beauty of Italian design with the unique visuals of Maldivian culture to create a breathtaking destination. Nestled in Lhaviyani Atoll, a 30 minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport will have you vacationing here in no time.

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: The resort is outfitted with a variety of accommodation options both on the beach and over the cerulean waters, complete with modern amenities and lodgings that cater to couples, families and solo travellers. They are also a community driven lot, evidenced with the Cocoon Foundation which opened on 2nd December 2022. The foundation was made to enhance the quality of the denizens of the local community within Lhaviyani Atoll (Cocoon Maldives) and Raa Atoll (You & Me Maldives, a resort under the Cocoon Collection). With a focus on economic, educational and environmental sustainability, the Cocoon Foundation aims to empower the younger generations with the knowledge and confidence to further improve upon the existing environmental practices conducted within the country, resulting in a healthier future for all who reside in the archipelago.

2. Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Highlight: A proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa is a deluxe all-inclusive establishment that boasts 120 accommodation options with varying characteristics but is equipped with the same amenities. Pair this with their eco-friendly initiatives and you’ve got a resort that is environmentally conscious that doesn’t compromise on luxury.

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: Known as an ECO Green Resort, Emerald is taking the environmental initiative by doing the following practices:

• Switching from plastic to glass
• Weekly marine life protection sessions with resident Marine Biologist
• Usage of local products of quality for cuisines

Allow yourself the best of both worlds: the luxury of kings and queens that considers the health of the environment around them. With a short 40 minute seaplane ride, you too can experience this 5 star resort and all it has to offer.

3. Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Maldives

Highlight: Having won the ‘Most Sustainable Resort’ at TTM Awards 2024, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Maldives has established itself as a friend of the ecosystem it inhabits, with its Marine Lab leading efforts such as coral restoration, reef monitoring, bi-weekly reef cleanups and more. 

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: The resort is a haven for those that want peace and privacy, due to the fact that there are only a total of 48 rooms to be booked. This creates an air of intimacy and serenity that is not as prevalent in Maldives resorts as one might think. So for the couples, honeymooners and long-married spouses, this is the resort for you.

4. ROBINSON Club Noonu Maldives

Highlight: ROBINSON Club Noonu Maldives has a wide variety of entertainment options that are sure to keep boredom at bay as you vacation at this incredible island. Along with the usual activities such as diving, windsurfing, football, sundowner parties and more, the resort has a few other unique activities that are tougher to find in Maldives such as water polo, slacklining, crossboccia and more. 

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: The resort is the perfect getaway for active travellers and families, with ROBINSON being outfitted with a kids club that takes care of kids of varying ages, allowing the parents to kick back and truly relax for a while. Those who are more on the active side of life will also be thoroughly entertained with the amount of in-land and aquatic activities to choose from.

5. Baros Maldives

Highlight: One of the first resorts to open in Maldives (1973), Baros Maldives is known to bring back visitors time and time again . With 50 years under their belt, Baros is guaranteed to give you the island retreat you’ve been dreaming of.

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: 50 years will instil any business with the knowledge and confidence to provide the quality of service, experiences and intimate atmosphere a lot of couples have in mind when visiting this island nation. With a label such as the ‘World’s Most Romantic Resort’, Baros ensures the fires of romance are stoked and kept that way even after you leave the resort, as the memories alone are enough for years to come.

6. Soneva Fushi Maldives

Highlight: Where eco-luxury meets celebrity presence, Soneva Fushi Maldives is a 5 star establishment that not only takes care of the guests that stay there but puts the health of the island and people at the forefront of their practices as well. The resort is in partnership with a variety of environmental organisations such as NGO Save Our Seas, the Olive Ridley Project and the International Pole & Line Foundation and is in the process of growing coral fragments to help strengthen the island’s reef. Hundreds of guests have seen and experienced their commitment, along with some popular celebrities such as Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, Katrina Kaif and Gordon Ramsey to name a few.

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: Soneva Fushi is home to the world’s first fine-dining zipline experience at Flying Sauces. This restaurant is perched up 12 metres above ground on the treeline, where you zipline to get to your meal. A fusion of flavours from American, Italian and French cooking styles with the essence of Korean cuisine awaits in this fantastical island.

7. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Highlight: The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort exudes luxury and is known as one of Marriott Bonvoy’s crown jewels. Due to its heightened experiences across the board, this resort has become a fan favourite of those who love opulence and charm. 

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: The resort makes it a point to make sure their guests’ wants and needs are fulfilled to a tee and the St. Regis Butlers are there to do just that. Available during daytime and nighttime, the butlers will comply with any request you may have and ensure it is done to your specifications. They have 33 on-land villas and 44 overwater villas which were built with island themes in mind while garden or ocean views take up the scenery of your accommodation. 

8. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

Highlight: Known for its accommodation options that can only be reached by boat, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives takes privacy to a whole new level with their Crusoe Residences and the exceptional Private Reserve, the world’s largest stand-alone overwater villa. With a total area of 1,700 sqm, complete with luxuries such as a cinema, gym, spa and slide (along with other things), Gili Lankanfushi Maldives pushes the boundaries of resort accommodation like no other.

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: Due to its accommodation options mentioned above, the resort is known for having the perfect blend of privacy and luxury, so much so that you might not want to leave the villa in the first place. The resort is also a part of the Protect Maldives Seagrass movement which began in 2019. As a vital habitat for fish, nudibranchs, turtles, and echinoderms to breed, settle down, eat, and develop, they keep an eye on the condition of their seagrass beds year-round. This initiative, along with a few others, speaks to the resort’s commitment outside of the guests they receive.

9. One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives

Highlight: This resort is quite a favourite amongst celebrities, with big names such as Idris Elba, David Beckham, Milla Jovovich, Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe, marking One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives as a celebrity favourite.

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: The resort boasts one of the largest accommodation options in Maldives known as the Grand Residence. Built to a size of 2,121 sqm / 22,830 sqft, this residence is complete with two king beds, two queen beds, three bedrooms spanning two villas, multiple dining and living spaces, an entertainment area with an outdoor cinema, cabana and a 56-square-metre infinity pool, and that’s excluding the fantastic amenities. Live like royalty at this resort the second you step onto the island.

10. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Highlight: For those that want to spend their vacation in exuberance, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has the extravagant option of privately chartering a superyacht. Sail through Maldivian waters in style as calm winds accompany you, with sea salt gently caressing your olfactory senses.

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: When it came to the accommodations, the resort had an exceptional eye for detail, seemingly fusing modern design with the island life that Maldives is known for. A spacious sundeck and an opening to said sundeck offers freedom in many forms, with unbeatable views towards the boundless ocean during the day and the captivating sky during the night. 

11. W Maldives

Highlight: The resort is widely known as a playground for those that want luxury, adventure & relaxation and as proof of that, the resort offers a Robinson Crusoe experience on a secluded island where you can spend either a few hours, a full day or an overnight excursion.

Why it’s one of the top hotels in Maldives: W Maldives sports one of the best house reefs in the country, where it can be accessed by jumping off the sundeck of your villa. The resort sports a vibrant atmosphere that attracts those that are in the market for adventure & relaxation and this is evident with the experiences they have on offer such as diving with manta rays & whale sharks, private yacht charter, island hopping on a traditional Maldivian boat and more.

FAQs

Q1: Which part of Maldives is the best to stay?

A1: Maldives is known for many things so it’s quite hard to say whether there is a true ‘best’ place to stay. Instead, there are multiple places you can stay based on what can be offered to you, the guest. Let’s go atoll by atoll and see what they’re best known for:

• North & South Male’ Atoll: World-class dive sites, close proximity to the capital and the airport
  
• Ari Atoll: Manta ray and whale shark dives
  
• Lhaviyani Atoll: More world-class dive sites, some of the best beaches in the country
  
• Baa Atoll: A classified UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve due to the seasonal whale shark & manta ray convergence
  
• Raa Atoll: Diverse marine life due to the unique geographical and topographical features, accessibility of house reefs and dive sites

Q2: Where do billionaires stay in Maldives?

Q2: Billionaires tend to stay at resorts that are considered the top of the top in their circle, which amounts to the following resorts, along with the 11 that were mentioned in this post:

• Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
• Velaa Private Island Maldives
• Joali Maldives
• Cheval Blanc Randheli Maldives
• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Q3: Which hotel did the Kardashians stay in Maldives?

Q3: The Kardashians vacationed in Maldives in April 2024 at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

Q4: Where do celebs stay in Maldives?

Q4: In addition to One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives and Soneva Fushi Maldives, there are a few others that have had celebrities grace their presence with:

• Anantara Kihavah Resort Maldives
• Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences
• Huvafen Fushi Maldives
• Milaidhoo Island Maldives
• Soneva Jani Maldives

Why Choose MadlyMaldives to Plan Your Stay?

MadlyMaldives is a booking assistant that is known as a trusted partner for booking any and all trips Maldivian, especially luxury stays. Being a local business, MadlyMaldives precisely knows the in’s and out’s of the country, netting you the most pertinent information on where you’d want to go in the archipelago, while stitching together the perfect itinerary tailored specifically for you. 

MadlyMaldives offers competitive rates unlike any other, along with exclusive packages you get to choose from that are unavailable elsewhere. If you’re looking to plan your dream vacation to Maldives, reach out to MadlyMaldives and we’ll get you started on your journey.