The Maldives is one of those picture-perfect destinations that are completely true to the pictures on the front of the postcards. The extremely high standard of its luxury hotels and the spectacular diving aside, its hard to find a destination to rival its display of sharp and intense colour the iridescent turquoise waters, the vivid greens of the palm trees and mangrove, and the brilliant white of the powdery sands. The Maldives might have close to 150 hotels, each on its own private island, but no two islands are the same
Coco Palm Bodu Hithi
The Coco Palm Bodu Hithi has extraordinarily well-appointed and spacious open-plan beach villas with beamed ceilings, an enormous round tub in the centre of the room and the pice de resistance, a large private pool enclosed in a small garden. A CD of local Maldivian music puts guests in the mood for their Maldivian getaway.
Cocoa Island
One of the most luxurious hotels in the archipelago, Cocoa Island from the Hong Kong based COMO group, has ocean villa rooms shaped like dhoni, typical Maldivian wooden fishing boats, and one of the most beautiful lagoons in the country. Superb spa facilities with hydrotherapy pool and massage therapists who are hard to rival are also a highlight.
Naladhu
Operated by the Anantara group, Naladhu is an exclusive island of private luxury villas with the likes of Sadie Frost as regulars. The villas are decorated in an understated cosy colonial style with an outdoor shower and a breathtaking glass-encased private Cleopatra bath looking out to the sea.
Huvafen Fushi
Owned by the Per Aquum group, Huvafen Fushi is one of those legendary hotels that has succeeded in making every hotel hotlist on the planet and not without reason either. Everything about this hotel breathes refined taste and understated elegance, especially its underwater spa.
Shangri-La Villingili
The Shangri-La Villingili takes a while to get to as it is to the very south of the Madives, however, its large verdant exotic island and luxurious tree house villas with infinity edged pools overlooking the surrounding mangrove forest are worth it. The Shangri-Las peripheral location also means it is a diving haven for amateurs and professionals alike.
Park Hyatt Hadahaa
It takes a while to reach this paradisiacal state-of-the-art hotel as it is located to the north extremity of the country, which is what gives Hadahaa its isolated castaway ambience. Incredible design features like the oversized upside down dhoni acting as the reception area gives this hotel a slick edge that no other has.
Gili Lankanfushi
An impressive example of design and nature working together in perfect harmony, the Gili Lankanfushis restaurant, for example, is a large tree house with views over the incredible surrounding lagoon, and its ocean villas are a slight step up from something one would imagine Robin Crusoe to have built for himself, which makes up this hotels irresistible charm.
Mirihi Island
Small and without all the flashy facilities found at its neighbours, Mirihi is however is fully-deserving of its place in this top 10 for its personal and warm service, the complete break-away atmosphere, and the attention to detail. Guests wont find televisions in the rooms or swimming pools here due to the owners environmental convictions, but who needs a pool with such a picture-perfect lagoon?
Conrad Rangali
One of the largest hotels in the Maldives, the Conrad Rangali truly has something for everyone, from its world-famous Ithaa underwater restaurant, to its dazzling range of accommodations. The hotel comprises two islands linked via a bridge from which you can see enormous sting rays in the evenings.
Anantara Kihavah
Kihavah is just perfectly appointed for a romantic break in complete privacy as the water villas are completely self-sufficient, each with its own private infinity edged pool – the largest private pools in the Maldives – that blends in perfectly with the turquoise lagoon.
