It comes as no surprise that searches for the best Maldives hotels are skyrocketing. 2023 will be, officially, the year of the bucket-list holiday. After almost two years (!) of cancelled flights, day-two testing and rapidly changing rules and regulations, 2022 has seen things become a little bit easier – but 2023 is where we’ll be going all out. We’re determined to make long-awaited trips spectacular, to make up for lost time and splurge on big breaks in dream destinations.
And for many, the Maldives is the ultimate holiday destination. Think: over-water villas, endless white-sand beaches and an eye-watering range of treatments, pampering and general luxury at some of the best spas in the world.
But choosing which Maldives hotel to stay at takes a little consideration. Why? Because although almost every single Maldives resort offers sandy beaches, turquoise waters and incredible weather, the standard of facilities vary enormously – from budget to the seriously high-end – so take your time and weigh up as many options as possible.
Top 10 Maldives hotels at a glance:
How to choose the best hotel in the Maldives
It’s always worth checking a resort website for yourself (don’t just rely on third-party hotel booking platforms) and even consider contacting the hotel for specific, up-to-date information. You don’t want to fly all that way only to turn up and find out the overwater spa isn’t actually finished, there’s construction work happening or the scuba dive sites are closed.
On that note, if you’re a keen diver – and you already know you’d like to book some diving days – it’s always worth contacting the scuba dive centre separately, prior to check-in. Who knows: they may even offer you a discount if you book your dives in before arrival.
Most resorts will have several different types of rooms – ranging from ‘Garden villas’ to ‘Deluxe Over-Water Suites’. Bear in mind that a garden villa might not have direct private beach or sea access, while a water villa will likely be on stilts.
There’s no such thing as a ‘bad time’ to visit the Maldives – but the time of year you choose will affect the price. Worth noting: the high season is December to March, with spikes over Easter and also in August. Travelling outside of this period? Check out our guide to where is hot in October.
Where is best to stay in the Maldives?
Every resort in the Maldives is its own private island – so you’re really spoilt for choice when it comes to ultra-glamorous overwater villas. A couple of our favourites? The brand-new resort on the new Fari Islands development, Patina Maldives, the Fari Islands (which is only a 45-minute speedboat transfer from the international airport) is pretty special, with a classy, modernist feel. The villas, filled with bamboo decor, all have private pools – and it’s not far from The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, should you want to hop on a shuttle-boat service for dinner. Talking of which, if you’re a foodie, you’ll probably want to stay (and eat at) the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – home to the world’s first underwater restaurant.
Is the Maldives good for a honeymoon?
Romance is big business in the Maldives – in fact, it’s generally seen as honeymoon central. But, it goes without saying, it is brilliant for children too (especially if you’re a family of water babies), so the cheaper the resort, the more families and large groups you’ll get.
If you’ve got your heart set on a romantic post-wedding fortnight in tropical heaven – and you’re dreaming of waking up in a muslin-draped four-poster, knowing a pre-breakfast swim in the sea is only six or so steps away from your bed, then the best resorts are (unfortunately) usually not the cheaper ones. Check out the adults-only resorts if you want to stay clear of screaming toddles, tweens and teens.
After more travel content? Head this way for the best hotels in London and over here for hotels in New York. We’ve also found the best hotels in Barcelona for everything from girls’ weekend away to romantic getaways, and the best hotels in Paris that’ll help you channel your hidden Emily.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
Scroll for our full edit of the best hotels in the Maldives that are well worth travelling to in 2022 and 2023.
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