The Maldives has topped this year’s Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards with 26 properties honored among the ‘Top 30 Resorts in The Indian Ocean’. In addition to that, the island archipelago was ranked third place in the top 5 islands in Africa & the Indian Ocean. Two properties in the Maldives, Naladhu Private Island Maldives, and The Nautilus Maldives were praised among the ‘Best Resorts in the World’.
The Nautilus Maldives – 3rd place in Best Resorts in the World, and ranked 1st place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
The Nautilus Maldives epitomizes spacious seclusion and sublime service. The luxury bohemian hideaway is the only Relais & Châteaux member resort in the Maldives. Nautilus defines as; realization of a vision of life unbound, a place of liberation, and unscripted luxury. A place where guests are free to do – and be – as they please.
Naladhu Private Island Maldives – 5th place in Best Resorts in the World, and ranked 2nd place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Every experience at Naladhu Private Island Maldives is one to treasure. Every space? yours to own, for your time on the island. Naladhu offers expansive houses, each with a private pool fronting the azure Indian Ocean. The luxury resort offers unsurpassed comfort and a graceful elegance that never goes out of style.
LUX* North Male Atoll – ranked 4th place in top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
LUX* North Malé Atoll defies all norms and stereotypes. Here days are spent under the Maldivian sun-drenched in luxury. Find extraordinary service, a breathtaking dose of design innovative dining concepts, and all the details that will take your holiday from good to perfect.
Soneva Jani – ranked 5th place in top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Inspired by a word that means ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani encompasses a collection of Water Villas and Island Sanctuaries. The resort is set within a lagoon of crystal clear waters, fringed by pristine beaches and blanketed in lush tropical greenery.
JOALI Maldives – ranked 6th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
A place picture-perfect secluded away for a perfect holiday escape, JOALI Maldives defines the ultimate luxury escape. Surrounded by crystal clear blue waters, white-sand beaches, and lush green coconut groves, JOALI Maldives boasts 73 private beach and water villas & residences.
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort – ranked 7th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Adventures await across silvery sands, at sea, and below the water’s surface at Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort! Find your bliss with a surf, dive, picnic on a deserted island, then return to over water spa treatments and culinary journeys at the resort.
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives – ranked 8th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Escape the frenetic pace and chaos of everyday life, in to luxury’s very own lap at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa. Away from the sparkling lights of cities, this hotel is spread across the Emboodhu Finolhu island in the middle of one of the largest lagoons in Maldives.
One&Only Reethi Rah – ranked 10th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Luxury high-end One&Only Reethi Rah surrounded by the wonders of the Indian Ocean, makes its home on one of the largest islands in North Malé Atoll. The resort offers unparalleled privacy on a superb all-villa resort in the Maldives.
COMO Maalifushi – ranked 11th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
The only resort nestled in Thaa Atoll COMO Maalifushi remains the ultimate away-from-it-all destination for families, couples, surfers and divers. The resort offers some excellent breaks nearby as well as a string of uninhabited private islands, where guests can witness seasonal hammerhead and manta ray sightings.
Velaa Private Island – ranked 12th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Nestled 200 Kilimetres north of the Velana International Airport, Velaa Private Island boasts 48 villas, of which 18 are built overwater. Guests can find myriad of dining options and activities at the resort. Furthermore, dining at Aragu in Velaa Priate Island is a not-to-miss experience.
Baros Maldives – ranked 13th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Award-winning boutique resort, Baros Maldives reopned on 1st October 2020 along with its new ‘Baros Residence’ villas. These new villas promise guests with uninterrupted privacy, space as well as more room amenities. Differing from other resorts, Baros Maldives spent decades fine-tuning its services and cultivating its environment, making it a legendary resort since its official opening in 1973.
Soneva Fushi – ranked 14th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Soneva offers holistic encounters in luxurious and inspiring environments. The award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives in 1995. Moreover, located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs the castaway fantasy with intelligent luxury. The resort has recently unveiled the world’s largest overwater retreats.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort – ranked 15th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort offers 77 inspired accommodations options. Meanwhile, a vast range of delightful dining venues is available at the resort. Guests can indulge in a gastronomic journey, while they take a dip in their very own private plunge pools. Holidaymakers can also enjoy an opulent starlight dinner set along the beach to an unparalleled toes-in-the-sand cinema and dining experience, and much more at the resort.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives – ranked 16th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas situated within the pristine Baa Atoll offers the best of Maldives. Guests can create long-lasting memories by personalizing their stay with a variety of Anantara Signature Experiences. These experiences range from diving with Manta Rays to stargazing with the Maldives’ most powerful overwater telescope and underwater dining.
Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives – ranked 17th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Taj-Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives has all the exotic ocean views and dramatic sunsets you need for the perfect tropical holiday. At the luxury resort, guests can find a streamlined, sophisticated take on resort accommodations instead of the usual beach décor.
Niyama Private Islands – ranked 18th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
With its own waves breaking right onto the shore at Vodi Point, Niyama Private Islands remain the only luxury surf resort in the Maldives. A nature’s playground, Niyama offers intimate and one-of-a-kind experiences. Guests can access the resort with a 45-minute seaplane journey from Velana International airport.
Constance Moofushi – ranked 19th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
A perfect combination of luxury and simplicity, Everything at Constance Moofushi is taken care of with the resort’s All-Inclusive Package. Constance Moofushi boasts 24 beach villas, 56 water villas, and 30 senior water villas. Moreover, all villas at the resort showcase wondrous tones of nature with a hint of Constance chic.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu – ranked 20th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Set on a beautiful island, Coco Pam Dhuni Kolhu is fringed by white sand beaches, dressed with luxurious tropical vegetation. The resort hosts a lagoon for the enjoyment of a vast range of water sports. Furthermore, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu features thatched villas either dotted amongst palm trees in carefully planned tranquility or elevated on stilts in the lagoon.
Cheval Blanc Randheli – ranked 21st place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, Cheval Blanc Randheli offers ‘impossibly tranquil, undeniably divine’ accommodation options. The resort boasts 46 villas, each with its own private infinity pool. Moreover, the ultra-luxury hospitality brand developed by the LVMH group entices some of the best pleasures and experiences in the Maldives.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives – ranked 23rd place in Top 30 Resorts in The Indian Ocean
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, an upbeat international resort showcases the spirit of this famous music-inspired brand. The 178 rooms, suites, and villas, including overwater pool villas, come complemented by signature amenities for all ages.
Milaidhoo Island Maldives – ranked 25th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Milaidhoo Island Maldives is a boutique luxury resort located within the UNESCO biosphere reserve. The resort is close to Hanifaru Bay and boasts its own coral reef, which is a protected area and noted as an outstanding snorkeling and diving site.
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort – ranked 26th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Anantara Veli caters exclusively to adults, being one of the Maldives’ few adults-only resorts. A pristine lagoon in South Male’ Atoll, invites guests into a sanctuary of tropical beauty, a wonderland of discovery above and below the tides.
Coco Bodu Hithi – ranked 27th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Coco Bodu Hithi is an island paradise in an enchanting setting, where contemporary creature comforts blend stylishly with Maldivian themes. Surrounded by turquoise waters and ringed by white sandy beaches and coconut palms, guests are spoilt for choice with 100 stylish villas.
The Residence Maldives – Ranked 28th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
Boasting 173-villas, The Residence Maldives transports guests to a haven of unparalleled peace and relaxation. Surrounded by Nature’s unspoiled beauty, guests can indulge the purest of pleasures at the resort.
LUX* South Ari Atoll – Ranked 29th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
LUX* South Ari Atoll boasts 193 villas and 8 restaurants serving an array of diverse cuisines as well as 5 bars. Furthermore, LUX South Ari Atoll features a 5-star PADI dive centre, two infinity pools, floodlit tennis courts, and a Technogym fitness centre.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Ranked 30th place in Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean
The inspirational island oasis nestled in the South Ari Atoll, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island features 151 purposefully designed villas and suites, a true gourmet’s delight with a choice of 12 award-winning restaurants and bars, two spas, and a selection of culturally inspired experiences and activities set against the awe-inspiring Maldivian surrounding.
More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses this year. The readers rate their travel experiences across the globe. Moreover, Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry.