For three years in a row now, the Maldives has become the undisputed winner of the most prestigious international award, the World Travel Awards. Several hotels located on the Maldivian islands have become winners in various categories. In this article, I will tell you about the winners. Here is the top 10 5-star hotels in the Maldives for a dream vacation.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa 5*
This splendid hotel, located on the Southern Ari Atoll, has been named the best all-inclusive resort. The hotel has implemented and successfully executed a unique leisure system called the "Platinum Plan". In addition to the diverse and sophisticated food and beverages available throughout the day, the plan also includes additional services designed to make your stay on the island comfortable and varied. These services include various water sports, live music, and performances by DJs. To ensure that guests feel special, the "Platinum Plan" provides special airport transfers with assistance in Male airport, free access to the VIP lounge at Trans Maldivian Airways in the airport, and three excursions per person for the entire stay. Meals are served in the main restaurant, "Lily Maa," with buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also an a la carte restaurant called "Tamarind," where one dinner per week is free of charge. The hotel offers a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, freshly squeezed juices, teas, and coffee throughout the day. Wine lovers will appreciate the presence of up to 80 premium wine varieties from around the world in the hotel's restaurants and bars. Guests can also enjoy Taittinger champagne in all of the hotel's restaurants and bars. If you are traveling with children, they will definitely have fun at the Lily Beach Resort & Spa's Kids Club. On the other hand, if you want to relax away from children, there are areas in the hotel that are only accessible to guests over 18 years old. For honeymooners and wedding anniversary celebrants, the hotel team has prepared many pleasant surprises and bonuses, including special bedroom decoration, a bottle of sparkling wine, a heart-shaped cake, flowers and fruits in the room, a romantic candlelit beach dinner for two with a set menu of four dishes, and a voucher that can be used to pay for spa services.
Thudufushi Diamonds Island 5*
Thudufushi Diamonds Island 5* was named the best beach resort in 2022. This luxurious hotel occupies a series of islands in the Southern Ari Atoll, 100 km from Malé International Airport. Guests can comfortably stay in the hotel's bungalows or water villas. The hotel has only 72 rooms, which makes the stay quite secluded and quiet. The hotel offers an all-inclusive meal plan, which includes a welcome drink, breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main restaurant (buffet), lunch at the beach bar, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day, including fruit juices, as well as beer, wine and some alcoholic beverages. Guests staying in water villas can visit a separate restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the service is included in the price. The hotel offers guests entertainment in the form of water sports, evening shows, cinema, karaoke, yoga, diving, snorkeling and fishing. For children, there are babysitting services and a kids' club. But let's remember the decisive factor in choosing this hotel - the beach. The exquisite, idyllically beautiful beach of Thudufushi Diamonds Island hotel is what makes the stay here a dream vacation.
Fushifaru Maldives 5*
Fushifaru Maldives 5* rightfully became the best boutique hotel. The hotel is located on a small, charmingly beautiful island between two channels that connect the internal lagoon of the atoll with the sea. All this splendor is only a 35-minute seaplane flight from Male airport. The complex consists of 44 beach villas and 19 water villas located on a cozy sandy beach. There is an outdoor pool and a spa center on the resort island. The hotel offers 4 types of meal plans: Bed and Breakfast (BB), Half Board (HB), Full Board (FB), and the popular ALL INCLUSIVE. Breakfast is served buffet-style at Korakali restaurant. As for lunch and dinner, guests have a choice: a buffet-style at Korakali or a set menu at Raakani/Fani Handhi, or a 50% discount on the a la carte menu at Raakani. This variety prevents guests from getting tired of the routine of vacation. As for drinks, guests who choose the "all-inclusive" option are offered beer, wine, juices, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and water during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Korakal & Raakani restaurants. Drinks are also available at the Fani Handhi Bar from 10.00 to 00.00. Snacks and ice cream are available at the Fani Handhi Bar from 16:00 to 17:00. For younger guests, there is a kids' club, a playground, and a special menu at the restaurant. Pleasant bonuses from the hotel for newlyweds (within 6 months of the wedding date): a bottle of sparkling wine and sweets in the room, and romantic room decoration.
Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives 5*
Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives 5* is a beautiful resort located on the long island of Kanifushi in the Lhaviyani Atoll, just 30 minutes away by seaplane from the international airport in Male. It has been recognized as the best family hotel, and as such, it operates on an all-inclusive basis. The hotel offers a variety of services for its young guests, such as a children's mini-club, a playground, and on request, baby cots can be provided. There is also a children's menu available in the restaurant. To ensure that children do not get bored, the hotel provides entertainment for children and teenagers, as well as a playroom. Parents who wish to take a break from their children and not worry about their safety can make use of the nanny services offered by the hotel.
Sun Island Resort & Spa 5*
The Southern Ari Atoll is a real treasure trove of dream hotels, and here's another one located on it that has become a winner. The Sun Island Resort & Spa 5* has been recognized as the greenest resort. The hotel is located on Nalaguraidhoo Island (1.6 km long and 440 m wide), and it is practically submerged in lush greenery and surrounded by white sandy beaches. It's just like a picture from a coconut-filled candy bar advertisement. The resort offers an outdoor swimming pool, a spa center, and 10 restaurants and bars for its affluent guests. The hotel provides meal plans on a variety of systems, including:
Half board: breakfast and dinner - buffet style at the main restaurant (drinks included for breakfast: water, tea, coffee; for dinner - only water).
Full board: breakfast, lunch, and dinner - buffet in the main restaurant (drinks included during breakfast: water, tea, coffee; during lunch and dinner - only water)
All-Inclusive: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main restaurant, drinks in the main bar, coffee shop, beach bar, and pool bar. Beverages include water, tea, coffee, juices, soft drinks, smoothies, cocktails, fresh juices, wine, beer, gin, vodka, rum, whiskey, and cocktails.
The hotel offers tennis, beach volleyball, and billiards as entertainment options. Guests can also enjoy diving and snorkeling. In the evenings, live music, karaoke, Maldivian shows, and DJ performances are available.
JA Manafaru 5*
JA Manafaru 5* has received a romantic award and has been named the best hotel for honeymoons. Newlyweds from all over the world come here to celebrate their love and the institution of marriage. This tropical oasis with 84 beach and water villas full of comfort and pleasing interior design offers high-quality service and diverse food options on an all-inclusive basis for couples. The all-inclusive system at JA Manafaru has some unique features. Firstly, it offers individual serving of a la carte dishes throughout the day, and the hotel does not provide a buffet. Secondly, there is no strict schedule for breakfast, lunch, and dinner: guests can vary the meal times depending on their daily schedule. This is so convenient during the honeymoon when one does not have to think about the schedule and can enjoy time together. It is also worth noting that only 4 out of 6 restaurants and bars are included in the all-inclusive package. A pleasant compliment is a bottle of French champagne and homemade macarons on the day of arrival. And of course, there is a wide selection of homemade drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, hot and cold beverages, available daily from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm after breakfast.
Vakkaru Maldives 5* Deluxe
In 2022, Vakkaru Maldives 5* Deluxe was awarded for having the best suite accommodations. This picturesque paradise is located in the Baa Atoll, a 30-minute seaplane flight away from the international airport in Male. The hotel is perfect for both romantic getaways and family vacations. The hotel does not have an all-inclusive system; guests can choose from breakfast, half-board, or full-board meal plans. However, for guests who prefer not to deny themselves anything, a special package of services has been developed – the Premium Beverage Package. From 11:00 to 23:00, guests can enjoy a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including juices, milkshakes, coffee, water, cocktails, whiskey, vodka, rum, beer, and wine. For children or those who do not consume alcohol, the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package is available, which includes juices, milkshakes, coffee, water, and other non-alcoholic beverages. The resort is also child-friendly and offers strollers, a kids' club, a playground, a children's pool, a baby cot upon request, a special children's menu in the restaurant, and nanny services.
The St. Regis Maldives 5*
And the best villas and accordingly the award for them were received by the hotel located on the Vommuli Island - The St. Regis Maldives. The luxurious coastal and overwater views of this high-class hotel are always in demand by guests accustomed to uncompromising comfort. All 77 villas and suites are equipped so that any guest's wish is already fulfilled here. All rooms have terraces and private pools. Food is provided in only two options - breakfast and half board. All drinks are at an additional cost. The hotel also offers a wedding service and hosts some of the most beautiful wedding ceremonies in the Maldives.
Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa 5*
The Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa 5* is a true "heavy luxury" in the world of hotels. It's no wonder that the hotel won in the category of "best luxury villas." The hotel opened in 2019 and is located on the island of Fasmendhoo in the southern part of the Raa Atoll, a 40-minute seaplane flight from Male International Airport. This modern complex of 120 premium villas, located on the beach or over the water, will delight discerning guests. For newlyweds, the hotel has prepared pleasant compliments: a 60-minute massage for two at the Emerald Spa, a bottle of champagne in the room upon arrival, and a romantic beach dinner for two. The hotel operates on an Ultra All-Inclusive system, and guests can enjoy a variety of bars, restaurants, and of course, a luxurious selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Young guests of the hotel and their parents will also appreciate the special service for families with children. The hotel provides cribs and high chairs in the restaurant, a kids' club and playground, a game room and children's entertainment, a kids' menu in the restaurant, and a kids' outdoor pool on the resort grounds. And of course, nanny services are available.
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa 5*
Closing out our top 10 is the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa 5*, recognized as the best resort. This comfortable hotel with an incredibly green territory and excellent house reef is located in the deepest atoll of the Maldives, in the south of the archipelago, 55 km from the equator. The hotel has only 50 villas of different categories, all of which are united by comfort and beauty of the interiors. The hotel offers various types of meal plans: breakfast, half board, full board, classic all-inclusive, and Premium All Inclusive, which includes, among other things, one private beach dinner with 3 dishes and 1 breakfast in the villa for the entire stay or a floating breakfast for villas with a private pool. Just imagine what Instagram-worthy photos you can take here. The gym on the island is open 24 hours, but yoga is available on a schedule.
