The Maldives continues to shine on the global luxury travel stage, with five of its world-class resorts named among Tatler Asia’s Best 100 Hotels 2024. This remarkable achievement highlights the unparalleled luxury, exceptional service, and extraordinary experiences offered by these resorts, cementing the Maldives’ position as a premier destination for travelers seeking ultimate exclusivity and comfort.

Cheval Blanc Randheli

The experience at Cheval Blanc Randheli begins the moment guests board the resort's private seaplane, offering sweeping aerial views of the Noonu Atoll’s pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. This exclusive LVMH-owned resort embodies quiet luxury, where natural beauty meets branded sophistication. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, the interiors feature a calming color palette of greys, whites, and soft yellows, with sleek modern lines complemented by rustic touches like thatched roofs and woven rattan furniture.

Guests can choose from six distinct villa types, including the exceptional Horizon Villa, which offers added privacy and stunning sunset views. Upon entering the villa, guests are greeted by the resort’s signature scent, created by Dior. The Cheval Blanc Spa, located on its own island just a five-minute dhoni ride away, offers indulgent treatments using luxurious Guerlain products, ensuring a truly serene and rejuvenating experience.

JOALI BEING

Surrounded by crystalline lagoons, untouched beaches, and gently swaying coconut palms, JOALI BEING offers an environment as nurturing and restorative as its wellness treatments. While spas and wellness programs are common in the Maldives, JOALI BEING stands apart as the country’s first fully dedicated immersive wellness retreat, focusing on four key pillars—mind, skin, microbiome, and energy.

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a striking wave-like sculpture by Turkish artist Seçkin Pirim, its undulating form inspired by the flowing skirts of whirling dervishes. Located on the secluded island of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll, the resort boasts 68 villas, each with a private pool and an appointed butler or jadugar (meaning “magician” in Hindi). The villa interiors feature a clean, minimal design with playful accents of turquoise and taupe, swing chairs, and even a section of glass flooring in the overwater villas. Each villa comes equipped with an electric bike, personalized with a wooden plate engraved with the guest’s name.

Wellness at JOALI BEING extends beyond traditional treatments. Guests can engage in yoga at a cantilevered sala perched over the ocean or work out in a fitness center complete with a boxing studio, Pilates reformer racks, and the archipelago’s first cryotherapy chamber. For those with specific goals, the resort offers specialized programs like Gut Reset, Tranquil Sleep, Mother-to-Be, and the unique Wellness Together program for couples, while a bespoke wellness plan can also be curated through consultations and assessments.

At the heart of JOALI BEING lies Areka, a sanctuary dedicated to holistic healing. This expansive wellness space features 39 treatment rooms and several “transformational spaces,” including a sound therapy hall, a herbology center, and a hydrotherapy hall with pools, a banya, an aufguss sauna, a Turkish hammam, and more. A large salt room with illuminated pink Himalayan salt bricks adds a unique element to the healing experience.

Dining at JOALI BEING embraces the concept of indulgence without excess, offering delicious and nourishing meals served in stunning locations—whether it’s a refreshing poolside lunch or a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach.

Patina Maldives

While many resorts in the Maldives follow a familiar design blueprint, Patina Maldives offers a refreshing departure with its moody tropical minimalist aesthetic, crafted by renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan. This design feels like a breath of ocean air, with muted natural tones and materials such as wood, linen, rattan, paper cord, stone, and other natural fibers that seamlessly blend the interiors with the surrounding environment.

The resort offers a variety of accommodations, from one- to three-bedroom villas to 20 studios and a luxurious two-story, three-bedroom Beach House. Each space is thoughtfully furnished with bespoke pieces by celebrated designers, including BassamFellows and Studio MK27. One of the resort’s standout features is Amarta, a striking light installation by American artist James Turrell, which adds an artistic touch to the serene atmosphere.

Patina Maldives also boasts a spa that takes a unique approach to wellness, emphasizing water-based healing. Its offerings include a Watsu pool, treatment suites with couples’ hammam beds, saunas, and sensory deprivation tanks, ensuring a truly transformative experience for guests.

Soneva Fushi

Nestled in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi is the flagship of the Soneva brand and remains one of its most cherished resorts. The property exudes a sense of wonder, where guests can embrace a carefree “no news, no shoes” philosophy. The resort is filled with delightful surprises, including cold rooms stocked with artisanal chocolates, overwater villas featuring slides that plunge into the turquoise waters, and treehouse-inspired spaces waiting to be explored.

Renowned for its commitment to sustainability, Soneva Fushi has been fully carbon neutral since 2012, with pioneering initiatives in waste management and environmental conservation. The resort offers a range of dining experiences, but for something truly unforgettable, we recommend a private lunch on a deserted island, prepared by a personal chef, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the spectacular natural surroundings.

Velaa Private Island

Velaa Private Island, named after the sea turtle in the local Dhivehi language, is designed to mirror the majestic creature. The island’s circular boardwalk represents the turtle’s head, while the island itself forms its body, set in the stunning Noonu Atoll. The resort offers a variety of villas, houses, and residences, with eight distinct categories, all crafted from natural materials such as teak, bamboo, and heat-resistant stone from Jordan, ensuring comfort under the tropical sun.

For ultimate relaxation, guests can choose from two luxurious spas: Velaa Spa, featuring cutting-edge wellness technologies, and Evelaa Spa, which specializes in holistic treatments. Water enthusiasts can indulge in a range of thrilling activities, from kite surfing and parasailing to jet skiing and seabobbing on a futuristic underwater scooter. Velaa also boasts its own nine-hole golf course, designed by the legendary José María Olazábal, alongside the Velaa Golf Academy for guests looking to refine their game.