The Best Resorts in the Maldives: From Floating Villas to Overwater Paradises

Each Maldivian resort offers its unique touch to travellers. Whether the resort is the perfect place for families or the ultimate luxury getaway, it’s always personalised to be memorable. But there are certain aspects to every resort in the Maldives that makes it similar. The white sandy beaches, the sound of wind rustling through coconut palms, and the friendly touch from the resort staff. Over time, the Maldives has embraced everything from sustainability to eco-luxury. Travellers can find floating villas to overwater villas. And although the spa experience in the Maldives is like no other, you can also find spas that are on their very own island!

As resort concepts in the Maldives develop, everything has become more curated for travellers to enjoy. Dining options have become more diverse, located in pristine jungles and on tree-houses. From sustainability programmes to cocktail making and learning sports with famous footballers, the Maldives has become an all-in-one destination. And although you might find a lot of destinations ‘like’ the Maldives, it’s never the Maldives! So, how do you choose the perfect destination for your trip to a country with such a wide array of options?

1. JOALI Maldives / JOALI Being for Couples

JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING have been gaining popularity with quite a lot of travellers as of late. These destinations offer the perfect getaway for a quiet, health-focused and sustainable trip.

JOALI BEING is located in the pristine Raa Atoll extremely popular among divers. This location is well-known for its diverse marine life. After a scene 40-minute seaplane ride, JOALI BEING greets you with love and a sense of community. Here, travellers can reconnect with nature, and go on a journey of self-discovery. For many, the journey at JOALI BEING is what keeps bringing them back. On top of the luxury villas and the multitude of dining options, JOALI BEING offers you something a bit more personalised. Recently, Jeremy and Pia Jauncy found themselves back in the resort for the exact same reasons.

JOALI Maldives is another popular destination for couples as well as families looking for a scenic getaway. Just like JOALI BEING, JOALI Maldives is also located in Raa Atoll. The journey of JOALI Maldives is all about new experiences and the thrill of exploration. This wonderland of creativity brings art to life, as the resort invites travellers to explore more. The sense of discovery recently brought the long-time partner of Christiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez to the property. Her trip started on the luxury airline Beond, to the popular TMA seaplane, finally reaching the beautiful resort destination!

2. LUX* South Ari Atoll for Family Getaways

If you’re looking for a resort located nearby Male’ for your family trip Lux* South Ari Atoll is worth looking into. Located just 25 minutes away by seaplane, this luxury retreat is recommended by travellers to travellers. What makes this resort perfect for families? As you step off the seaplane, the team at LUX* South Ari Atoll greets you with ice cream! This is just the start of a magical family getaway at the resort.

The resort offers everything. From treasure hunts to board games at sunset with cocktails for the adults, it combines the activities of little ones into the vacation of the grown-ups. LUX* also offers its very own brand of ice cream, ICI, for both adults and young ones. Whether you want sorbet or gelato, ICI has a flavour for everyone’s tastebuds. Everything is curated for the perfect family trip. A stay at the Family Lagoon Pavillion, a specially crafted programme for teens and spa days for the kids! That’s what a family getaway at LUX* South Ari Atoll is all about.

3. A Solo Trip at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Although the Ritz-Carlton Maldives is known as the perfect retreat for couples, there is no reason not to enjoy this beautiful resort by yourself. After all, it’s all about embracing the circle of island life at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. You can choose from the wide range of beautiful villas to the wide array of dining options at the resort. Loyal to its brand, the Ritz-Carlton Maldives offers travellers unforgettable moments and curated journeys.

Learn a little about the Maldivian culture and treat yourself to a spa day. From your arrival, you are greeted with tidbits of the Maldivian culture. Whether it is the Sangu conch shell that welcomes you to the island or the Aris meeha who makes your stay welcoming, everything is created to make your stay the most memorable.

4. Vakkaru Maldives – Group Adventure

It’s all about packing your travel bag, getting that insurance coverage for your trip, and taking that friend’s trip out of the group chat this year. If you’re looking to take a group trip to the Maldives, Vakkaru Maldives would make for the perfect spot. This 5-star luxury resort is located in the beautiful Baa Atoll. You could not find clearer waters and more scenic views if you tried! Baa Atoll is popular for its breathtaking untouched beauty, and Vakkaru is all about embracing the timeless sanctuary. Your 30-minute scenic seaplane ride will land you right in paradise.

From Europe to Asia, Vakkaru Maldives brings you a variety of dining options. Whether you want pizza pasta fried rice or local dishes, Vakkaru has it all. For group travellers, the Four Bedroom Beach Pool Residence makes for the perfect villa. This is the largest villa in the resort, with the capacity of holding 8 adults and 4 children! In addition to the beautifully crafted rooms, the villa also comes with a separate living space, dining area and outdoor gazebo. This is one of the recent additions to the resort, which has opened up doors for group travellers to enjoy the Maldives together!

5. Soneva Secret to Discover Something New

Soneva Secret is the latest addition to the collection of beautiful Soneva resorts in the Maldives. This barefoot-luxury retreat has been a traveller favourite since its inception. Soneva crafts special moments that keep bringing travellers back to experience the personalised services at the resort.

With the launching of Soneva Secret, the resort is bringing travellers the first floating villa in the Maldives. The Castaway Villa, the first of its kind, brings travellers luxury overwater living experiences. Spread across two floors, the Castaway Villa is perfect for those seeking to experience something new. Whether you’re a solo traveller or a couple on a romantic getaway, this Villa is definitely something to try. Only accessible by sea, this unique villa is set to take your Soneva Secret experience to new heights.

Imagine walking into a place where everything slows down. Where you can finally take a deep breath and feel at ease. The stress and noise of daily life fade away, creating space for peace and balance. These places are not just about escaping; they are about reconnecting with yourself and discovering true renewal. This is why so many people, including some of the world’s biggest stars, choose them to unwind. Ready to discover where true rejuvenation begins?

Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa

Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa is the kind of place that draws those who seek true peace and rejuvenation. Celebrities like Pooja Hegde choose this sanctuary for its transformative wellness experiences. At Kagi, wellness isn’t just about relaxation; it’s a deep, personalized journey. The Baani Spa stands at the heart of this, offering a healing experience inspired by the rhythms of the ocean. With treatments like Release, Restore, and Regain, you’ll experience emotional detox, physical healing, and revitalization. Through a blend of Maldivian herbal therapies and modern techniques like hydrotherapy and reflexology.

What makes Kagi unique are the Baani Rituals, where you connect with the ocean’s energy. These cleansing rituals use local essences and herbal infusions, helping you release negativity and restore balance. It’s deeply spiritual, personal, and unlike anything else.

Kagi embraces the art of slow living, encouraging you to disconnect and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Barefoot walks on the Maldives beach, meditating by the ocean, and mindful meals that nourish both body and soul. Every moment here feels connected to nature.

Amanpuri

Nestled on the peaceful shores of Phuket, Amanpuri offers you a wellness journey unlike any other. This is where true relaxation meets luxury. It’s no wonder A-listers like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and supermodel Chanel Iman have jetted off to recharge in this peaceful haven. From the moment you step into this sanctuary, you’ll feel the calm wash over you.

At the Holistic Wellness Centre, skilled therapists blend ancient healing traditions with modern practices, creating personalized treatments that restore your balance. Whether you’re seeking detox, weight management, or simply enhancing your overall wellness. Every aspect of your stay is tailored to your needs. Moreover, you can enjoy the rejuvenating Aman Advanced Facial, a luxurious treatment that combines high-tech skincare with nature’s finest ingredients. Or retreat to your own Private Spa House for an intimate hydrotherapy session with panoramic views of the Andaman Sea.

Let the Amanpuri Awakening treatment soothe your body with a traditional Thai massage and rich herbal compresses. Or refresh yourself with the Vichy shower. Need something more energizing? Step into the Muay Thai boxing ring and find strength and focus in the most tranquil setting.

With 24-hour wellness support, your needs are met whenever you desire. Amanpuri isn’t just a resort, it’s an invitation to find your inner peace. To truly reset, and to embrace your most rejuvenated self.

Six Senses Zighy Bay

At Six Senses Zighy Bay, wellness is more than just a getaway. It’s a full immersion into peace, restoration, and self-care. Tucked away in the serene Musandam Peninsula. Surrounded by mountains and the azure waters of Oman, this quiet retreat has become a favorite for those who truly seek to reconnect with themselves. Lindsay Lohan is just one of the many who have come to embrace the tranquility here.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel a gentle shift in your energy. The pace slows down. Each morning, you’ll find yourself waking up to the soft sound of waves crashing on the shore. As you step onto the beach for yoga, the horizon stretching endlessly before you. It’s the perfect way to start your day. Letting go of stress and breathing in the peace that surrounds you.

The wellness programs here are tailored to meet you where you are. From the deeply soothing Arabic Hammam Ritual to the peaceful Singing Bowl Therapy, every treatment is crafted to bring balance and calm, inside and out. Want to detox? You’ll find yourself feeling lighter, clearer, and more centered after a few days of nourishing meals, gentle yoga, and holistic therapies designed just for you.

At Six Senses Zighy Bay, every moment is an invitation to relax, restore, and feel the weight of the world lift off your shoulders. It’s a place where you can truly unwind, reconnect, and leave feeling completely rejuvenated, just as so many celebrities have.

Ananda in the Himalayas

Ananda in the Himalayas is the perfect sanctuary for those seeking to reconnect, rejuvenate, and embrace the true essence of wellness. With a wide range of deeply personalized programs, it has become the destination of choice for celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, and Edward Nortan. Every wellness journey is tailored specifically to you, ensuring an experience as unique as your needs.

Going to Ananda is more like a pilgrimage than a visit, with every moment designed to cultivate presence. But the real gift is the opportunity to come back to self, to the centered space that abides within us all.
OPRAH WINFREY

At Ananda, the wellness journey begins with Panchakarma. This personalized Ayurvedic detox addresses your individual dosha to restore balance to both body and mind. Feel the calming effects as you undergo Rasayana Therapies, where exclusive herbal treatments reverse aging, boost immunity, and revitalize your cells.

The Bhava Healing Program is a holistic blend of hypnotherapy, chakra cleansing, and Reiki that helps you release emotional blockages and heal deep-seated traumas, leaving you feeling emotionally restored. For a more complete healing experience, Ananda integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies like acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and herbal treatments to enhance energy flow and balance.

Your journey continues with Personalized Yoga Practices that cater to your physical and emotional needs. Alongside this, the Dhyana Meditation Program, will guide you to deep mental clarity and emotional growth. Moreover, you’ll experience the tranquility of Himalayan Spiritual walks. Connecting with nature on a wholehearted, mindful level.

Ananda’s personalized approach to wellness, combined with the integration of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, offers a journey of deep healing. Ensuring a truly transformative experience. This is not just a retreat, it’s a path to a renewed you.

The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel

Imagine a place where every moment whispers serenity, inviting you to slow down, reconnect, and rejuvenate. The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel offers just that—a sanctuary where the world’s most discerning guests come to find their balance and embrace the ultimate wellness journey.

At the heart of this serene oasis is Rayya Wellness, where ancient healing practices meet modern wellness. Here, you can experience the invigorating power of Cryotherapy, soothing your muscles and boosting your energy. Or unwind in the Oxygen-Infused Rooms, letting the air refresh you from the inside out. For those looking to unwind completely, the signature Hammam rituals with amber oils offer a luxurious, deeply relaxing experience unlike any other.

But it’s not just physical healing, this is a place for emotional transformation too. You can try Energy Healing or NLP therapy, helping clear mental blockages and guide you toward emotional clarity. And for families, there’s even a Kids Wellness program, teaching the little ones how to relax and find balance from a young age.

Every aspect of this retreat is thoughtfully designed with you in mind, offering a holistic wellness journey where your body, mind, and soul can truly align. The Retreat Palm Dubai isn’t just a getaway; it’s a place where your well-being takes center stage.

These wellness retreats give you more than just a chance to relax, they help you truly recharge. You’ll find calm surroundings, treatments designed just for you, and experiences that make you feel rejuvenated inside and out. It’s clear why celebrities choose these places to unwind, but they’re perfect for anyone who wants to feel refreshed and renewed. If you’re ready to take a break and focus on yourself, these retreats offer exactly what you need. You deserve to feel your best, and these places will help you get there.