5 Best Hotels in Maldives

There’s luxury and there's luxury—Conrad Maldives, situated on two private tropical islands, provides a benchmark for sophisticated Maldives resorts. Choose a beach or water villa, or break the bank (possibly several banks) and go for a sunset water villa, with telescope, glass-floored living room, and a circular bed that rotates as you watch the sun dip below the distant horizon. Dine in Ithaa, an incredible underwater restaurant on gourmet fare and have the sommelier help you choose from 20,000 bottles of wine. Then stroll the quarter-mile bridge linking the two islands and watch out for the manta rays that glide and swoop beneath your feet. Go diving or snorkeling to come face-to-face with a dazzling underwater display of Technicolor marine life, from brilliantly colored coral reefs to real life Nemo and friends. Book 90 days in advance and get a 30% discount.

If Robinson Crusoe had planned to up his game to barefoot chic, this lovely island in the Ari Atoll is where he would have chosen. Even the restaurants have sand floors that merge into the gorgeous white beaches as if they had grown organically out of the sea. This is casual, sophisticated simplicity at its best with attentive (but never obtrusive), friendly staff always on hand to fulfill all of your vacation wishes, from piňa coladas late morning, pancakes, cream and honey for tea, superb seafood at lunch and dinner, or a sizzling BBQ. Choose a water villa and sit on your deck and watch a passing parade of exotic sea life swim around you—parrot fishes, rays, black-tipped sharks (quite harmless)—or step down your private stairs into the sea, slip on goggles and flippers and swim a few leisurely strokes to the coral reef for even better close-ups. Even if you’ve never snorkeled or dived before, qualified patient staff will guide your every stroke. Take the all-inclusive Cristal Package—everything is included even premium spirits and a fantastic wine list.

A short speed boat trip from its sister resort, Constance Moofushi, Halaveli is the slightly grander, older sister. Shaped like a dhoni (Maldivian traditional boat) Constance Halaveli curves its elegant way along perfect beaches amid palms and indigenous greenery in the North Ari Atoll. Stroll along the longest boardwalk on a Maldives island to your water villa; stay on terra firma in your exclusive beach villa, or if you want to bring the whole family and be totally incognito, opt for an exclusive family beach villa with its own private beach—so private that not even the most determined paparazzi or mother-in-law could find you. Dig deep into your pocket and splurge on a wine-pairing dinner at the Jing Restaurant, where cool breezes will fan your appetite as you raise a cocktail to the stars; or breakfast or dine at your leisure in the attractive sand-floored Jahaz Restaurant. Visit an underwater wonderland when you snorkel or dive along some of the finest coral reefs in the world. Don’t miss the early evening fish-feeding off the end of the jetty, when rays, sharks (not Great Whites), and all manner of amazing marine creatures come for snacks.

After a scenic, 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé with a spectacular bird's-eye-view of dozens of tiny tropical islands, you'll glide into one of the Maldives' most popular resorts. Though relatively large by Maldivian standards, it's not only popular because it has the iconic beautiful beaches and impossibly blue seas, but also because it caters for all tastes and budgets, from basic accommodation to high-end luxury villas with Jacuzzis. The resort has more of a small (very small) town atmosphere than many others in the Maldives but is perfect for families, honeymooners, or singles. It offers land and sea activities such as biking, fishing, golf, and diving. In fact, Kuredu has its own 5-star PADI diving center and fantastic marine life on tap. You'll be spoiled for choice with food and drink as there are seven restaurants and eight bars.

You expect pristine beaches, waving palms, lush vegetation, and the bluest of all seas (de rigeur for all Maldives resorts), but when you fly into this, the very last island resort in the Maldives, just south of the Equator, you’ll also be flying into a piece of World War II history. Gan airport, known then as Port T, is where the British had a strategic naval base. Back then, no one could have imagined that this island would eventually offer incredible luxury, comfort, and exclusivity—some of the finest in the Maldives. Choose a beautifully appointed beach villa, a tree-top villa, a water villa on stilts, or a private villa called Villa Muthee, which means "pearl" in the local language. A bonus for guests looking for more than a desert island paradise, is a number of cultural excursions to local farms or Port T, city tours by car or bike, and a Villingili nature walk. You can also play golf, snorkel, dive, relax on the lovely beaches, or enjoy a spa treatment.