From up high in our seaplane I had been hypnotised by these turquoise-ringed atolls resembling dollops of ice cream. But up-close I realise they are even more dazzling.
After being encouraged, with all the other passengers to kick off my shoes and embrace the motto ‘No shoes, no news’, toes in sand vibe, I head to my private water villa where I indulge in a soak in the freestanding tub, mesmerised by the fish flitting below me which appear to be magnified by the glass floor.
As the day transitions to night, tiki torches lead the way to the beach as I embark on a sunset cruise aboard a traditional dhoni boat with local fishermen. We enjoy canapes, champagne and fine wine as dolphins dance around the vessel, disturbing the sun’s reflection.
Our freshly caught fish is to be that evening’s dinner, wrapped in banana leaves and roasted on a sand pit barbecue. Seasoned to perfection, it’s as fresh as they come and accompanied by Bodu Beru dancers who perform to the beat of the drum, before we settle down for a special candlelit cinema experience, toes in the sand – seems I have already fully embraced the motto.
The luxe life
The Maldives has become the poster child of luxury travel. Whilst the first package holidays saw visitors staying in thatched houses, this has since evolved into the region becoming one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, offering exclusive island escapes and over-water villas. It remains popular for UK travellers due to easy direct and indirect flights from all the big providers including British Airways, as well as the promise of sun-bleached beaches and high-end resorts, popular amongst honeymooning couples but also as a burgeoning market for independent travel thanks to its unique sense of escapism.
When it comes to luxury, there’s no expense spared. Ahmed Moosa, Airport Manager at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, describes the guest experience, saying: “Our visitors are transported from the airport by a private yacht. We’ll organise for them to be greeted by a personal butler and as they settle in, they can sip on champagne, unwind in pure luxury, and enjoy the beauty of the ocean.”
With privacy a top priority, The Maldives remains a popular retreat for celebrities and dignitaries. Sun Siyam Resorts offers exclusivity with multi-room villas across all its resorts. Siyam World features one-to-four-bedroom villas with pools for VIPs, multi-gen families and groups of friends. Karen Lee, sales & marketing manager at Hummingbird Travel says: “As a destination, The Maldives offers complete seclusion and privacy, which is highly appealing to clients post-pandemic.”
According to Travel Republic the average price of a two-week holiday to The Maldives is around £3,400 per person, including accommodation, meals, and local transport. However travel agents have plenty of opportunity to enhance holidays by adding on extras such as private yacht charters, exclusive dining, over-water villas, and wellness packages.
A spokesperson for Visit Maldives, explained: “The Maldives offers plenty of upsell opportunities, the most common is a private seaplane transfer to and from the airport, adding to the Maldivian experience. While private yacht, dining and chef experiences can be included with some of the most luxurious resorts, they can often be sold as add-ons to give agents a commission boost. Other popular ways to enhance bookings include helicopter or seaplane excursions, multi-resort packages and upgrades to over-water villa stays.”
Lee agrees, adding: “A holiday can be enhanced by suggesting a resort that is reachable by seaplane, as it is a unique experience in itself.” He finishes “The Maldives remains a year-round destination, making it an easy sell for agents.”
The Indian Ocean hotspot has the highest concentration of five-star luxury properties in the world, as well as outstanding food. It is typically a ‘one island one resort destination’, but, Ali Schumann, Indian Ocean product manager at Audley Travel, believes that twin-centre trips are in demand.
She says: “We have a lot of clients booking a dual centre trip – opting for a mix of beach in The Maldives and culture in Sri Lanka. Our clients tell us that excellent service is really important to them for a Maldives trip, paired with a good range of activities and we find that the clients who want the classic Maldives experience are willing to pay at a higher price point. Hufaven Fushi is a popular property choice for both our country specialists and clients and it’s great to see it reopen after its refurbishment last year.”
One of the most exclusive dining options is The Coral Table situated within Serene Horizons Retreat, offering an intimate dining experience with a focus on sustainable seafood. An area which David DiGregorio, market representative for The Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation (Visit Maldives) says is growing as visitors become more environmentally conscious.
“Sustainability is increasingly becoming a key trend in luxury travel as guests seek eco-conscious options, from coral restoration programmes to resorts that minimise their environmental footprint,” said DiGregorio.
What’s New
The Maldives is adding new places to stay because of the increasing numbers of visitors. Several luxury hotels opened in the past year including Barcelo Whale Lagoon Maldives, Avani+ Fares Maldives, and Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort also finished upgrading all 70 overwater and beach villas to now feature private pools.
Newly-opened Jawakara Islands Maldives focuses on family-friendly experiences on two separate islands.
Another family-friendly resort, Sun Siyam World has just launched the first resort go-kart track in the Maldives, featuring a 205m race track.
Soneva Secret is another exclusive place with only 14 villas, offering personal service and unique dining experiences.
OZEN Privé Athiri Gili – a sustainability champion, with 38 pool villas, is due to open before Christmas.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, located in the North Male Atoll, is about to open its doors boasting 145 villas and a wide range of family-friendly activities.
Mandarin Oriental will open Bolidhuffaru Reef Resort next year. This will stretch across three private islands, and feature 120 stand-alone villas and 56 water bungalows as well as several dining outlets, speciality restaurants, and a sunset bar.
Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi will open in Raa Atoll in 2026, covering 20 hectares with 54 keys, including an exclusive Bvlgari Villa and various dining experiences.
In 2027, Rosewood Ranfaru in the Maldives, located in South Male atoll, will offer 120 beachfront and water villas with associated private islands.
Top luxury experiences
Engage with the natural world: Witness the spectacular sight of spinner dolphins dancing around your boat at sunset. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort provides this experience on its dolphin cruise. The resort is also located close to the sanctuary of Hanifaru Bay, the largest population of studied Manta Rays globally, and offers a unique opportunity for visitors to snorkel alongside these gentle giants. For those seeking a deeper understanding of underwater life, a weekly Marine Biology presentation and a captivating coral propagation experience is on offer. marriott.com
Stay at an underwater villa: The Muraka, an underwater villa at Conrad Maldives, continues to be a standout, offering guests a stay beneath the ocean with panoramic underwater views, truly making it one of the most luxurious experiences in the world. Guests can stay in exclusive over-water villas, enjoy private butler service, and charter yachts for intimate island-hopping adventures. conradmaldives.com
Personalised wellness programmes: A personalised wellness retreat at Joali Being is designed to rebalance the Four Pillars of Wellbeing. The guests journey will be customised after an Intelligent Movement Analysis and an Integrative Health Assessment. Wellbeing programmes can be tailored to areas of strength and vitality, mental clarity and wellbeing, hormonal balance, women’s health, digestive and weight rebalance, restorative sleep, as well as movement and alignment for good health and immunity. joali.com. There’s also menopause therapy at the Amilla Maldives. amilla.com
Horse riding ranch: Siyam World, a five-star island in the Maldives, opened in October 2021. The resort features 6km of white sand beach and the Maldives’ only horse-riding ranch. You can ride wild horses at the 16,000 square meter ranch, home to Marwari mares, stallions, and mixed-breed ponies. Riding along the coast is best at sunset, and you can also book photoshoots and wedding beach rides. sunsiyam.com
Zip-wired Michelin dining: Flying Sauces located at Soneva Fushi is a thrilling experience where guests who are harnessed can glide along the resort’s zipline course, diners soar through the jungle crossing a series of viewpoints before they cross a final rope bridge to reach their dining table sitting more than 12 metres in the air. Surrounded by the lush palm tree canopy and incredible ocean views, visitors tuck into a personalised breakfast feast or a multi-course menu by the resort’s current visiting Michelin-star chef. soneva.com
Dine with the fish: Enjoy a unique underwater dining experience at Latitude 4°. Descend nine metres below the ocean’s surface to a romantic table with panoramic views of vibrant marine life. Alternatively, visit the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, set five meters below the water’s surface at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Additionally, Hurawalhi’s 5.8 Undersea restaurant offers an award-winning spa and a wide range of under and over-water experiences for guests over 15. kuoni.co.uk
Where to book it:
Hummingbird travel
Hummingbird Travel offer a Baros Maldives & Six Senses Laamu Twin-Centre trip, priced from £6,015. The package includes three nights at Baros Maldives in a Deluxe Beach Villa, plus a four-night stay at Six Senses Laamu Lagoon in a water villa. Price is based on two persons and includes
bed & breakfast and roundtrip seaplane and speedboat transfers. Not including international flights. hummingbird.travel
