A series of innovative and sophisticated new resorts in the Maldives promises unparalleled luxury in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
When you think “paradise”, it’s fair to say that many of us think of white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, tropical sunshine, cocktails with little umbrellas, and lithe locals peddling free coconut oil rubdowns. While you won’t get the attention from the local lovelies, the Maldives ticks all the other boxes, with its stunning island resorts, world-class diving and palm-fringed beaches, and the archipelago’s newest houses of slumber promise a vacation experience like no other.
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St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
With just 77 villas spread across a nine-hectare private island in the Dhaalu Atoll, the St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort represented the brand’s first Maldivian hideaway and the group’s first private island.
Created by Warner Wong Design, with a contemporary tropical persona inspired by nature itself, the indulgent resort’s villas feature manta ray-inspired curving roofs, all-timber exteriors, and blown glass art; if you’re looking to impress, the two-storey John Jacob Astor Estate boasts a 92-metre private pool, over 600sqm of sun decks, a show kitchen, a private spa, and its own mini theatre.
Look out for the resort’s six dining experiences, which include an Asian speciality restaurant, a modern Italian eatery, an underground wine cellar, and a signature overwater bar; and leave time for captivating diving and deep-sea fishing at the Vommuli Dive And Water Sports Center.
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Milaidhoo Island
Fans of the Maldivian archipelago have a new playground to discover at the heart of the Unesco Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, with the opening of Milaidhoo Island.
Located on a pint-sized piece of paradise, the new resort prides itself on its approach to barefoot luxury and its distinctly Maldivian hospitality. A 30-minute seaplane flight from the international airport, Milaidhoo boasts 30 spacious overwater villas and an additional 20 beach villas nested in lush tropical foliage.
Each of the 50 villas has been designed by local architect Mohamed Shafeeq and opens up 180-degrees to capture the essence of the coral-fringed lagoon. An adults-only concept (children over 9 are welcome), the resort is a great base from which to explore nearby Hanifaru Bay, a marine park known for its seasonal gatherings of manta rays.
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Hurawalhi Island Maldives
Hurawalhi Island Maldives, located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, a 30-minute seaplane journey from the capital, is another adults-only retreat that promises luxury and privacy in equal measure.
Home to the latest underwater restaurant in the archipelago, as well as an indulgent Duniye Spa and some of the best diving in the nation, Hurawalhi is an all-villa resort with romance in mind; we suggest you set up in one of 15 Ocean Sunset Pool Villas, which offer direct lagoon access, expansive living spaces both indoors and outdoors, a private infinity pool, a king-sized bed, and well-stocked minibars.
If you can drag yourself away from your villa you’ll find innovative dining on offer, including one elegant dining room submerged nearly 6m below the lagoon. Check out our in-depth review of this amazing property here.
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Soneva Jani
Boasting 24 water villas and one baller island villa (with additional island villas to come), Soneva Jani has opened on the island of Medhufaru, part of an uninhabited five-island cluster in the Noonu Atoll.
Priding itself on its sustainable luxury, each of the resort’s sumptuous villas features interior design by Soneva co-founder Eva Shivdasani, a retractable roof in the master bedroom, perfect for evening stargazing, and a private pool fronting the ocean expanses; some villas even feature water slides going directly from the top deck into the lagoon.
Soneva Jani includes all of Soneva’s popular features, including a spa, a dive centre, an observatory, an Eco Centro, organic gardens, complimentary cheese, chocolate, ice-cream, and charcuterie rooms, and an outdoor ‘silent’ Cinema Paradiso, where guests wear Bluetooth headphones so as not to disturb the nesting wildlife.
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Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah
The private island escape has always been the epitome of true luxury travel, and the Maldives is no stranger to pint-sized paradises available for a lucky few. The latest is Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, an indulgent retreat in the Baa Atoll, now taking bookings.
The first private island for the group, and the world’s only exclusive-use hideaway located within a World Biosphere Reserve, the Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah is two-hectares of perfection, complete with seven guest rooms scattered across the islet, a beach house with living spaces, gym and library, a dedicated dive centre and Oceans of Consciousness Spa, and a 62ft yacht for daytime whale shark excursions and evening champagne-laced sunset cruises.
Catering for up to 22 guests on an exclusive basis, the island is accessible via a 40-minute seaplane transfer from Malé International Airport, or a 20-minute speedboat ride from Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.
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