Maldives
12/20/2022 Reading time: 5 Minutes
Sun, sandy beaches, palm trees, sea and an extra dose of luxury: this is what many destinations around the world promise. However, the Maldives are - and this is beyond question - the lone frontrunner in the "luxury" discipline. Why? Because they keep setting new standards.
Luxury in every respect
Is it the exclusivity or the seclusion that makes the Maldives a luxury destination? Or is it the unique experiences that the archipelago in the Indian Ocean has to offer that define luxury? As so often in life, it's the perfect mix of everything. Apart from their location and natural beauty, the Maldives also offer a variety of activities that are second to none. Take the restaurants, for example. Dine with a view of a blue infinity, underwater or with your feet in the sand. Dining experiences from the most diverse cuisines in the world await guests. Most resorts have elegant, holistic spas and wellness areas. Whether you fancy a massage in the midst of tropical nature, under the sea or above it, the Maldives has it all.
It is well known that many of the islands are ideal for an unforgettable honeymoon. After all, the world's most renowned hotel groups are represented with their own resorts. Few people know that the Maldives is also a luxurious place for a surfing adventure. The paradise is still considered an insider tip, although many resorts have direct access to the best surfing locations in the Indian Ocean, such as Gili Lankanfushi, Anantara Dhigu, Kandima Maldives, Como Maalifushi and the Six Senses Laamu.
The agony of choice
Nowhere else is the density of luxury resorts as high as on the 26 atolls and more than 1,000 coral islands of the Maldives. It is therefore not surprising that the choice is difficult. After all, most of them offer impeccable service, excellent facilities and boundless beauty. So it's best to visit them all. For starters, you could use the type of accommodation as a decision criterion:
Sleeping underwater: Always wanted to spend the night in an aquarium? Well, that may not sound very comfortable, but it is if you choose The Muraka at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Resort as your accommodation. The luxurious, two-storey overwater villa is also an underwater villa. Above sea level, guests can expect living rooms and bedrooms, dining areas, bathrooms, an infinity pool and relaxation zones. The master bedroom is located underwater. It boasts ceiling-high glass windows so that you can sleep surrounded by the spectacular flora and fauna of the Indian Ocean. Although: it would almost be a bit of a shame to actually close your eyes here...
Sleeping with plenty of space: The four-bedroom Soneva Fushi Villa has a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom that blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors and even features a waterfall. Each of the other bedrooms also has its own bathroom. Spacious indoor and outdoor areas, a private pool, a library and a fully equipped kitchen including a full pantry are further advantages of this villa.
Sleeping on the beach: For those who prefer to step outside in the morning and feel the fine powdered sugar sand of the Maldives between their toes, beach retreats are the right choice. The Beach Pool Retreat in Vakkaru Maldives is a wonderful example of a beach villa that guarantees guests plenty of space and privacy at the same time. Here you can relax in the garden on a terrace with day beds or in the private pool.
Sleeping above the water: Almost all overwater villas in the Maldives offer a breathtaking, unusual living experience. Be it through glass floors under which the fish scurry by, private pools or outdoor bathtubs. Luxury travelers will find some of the most extraordinary villas in this category at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, COMO Cocoa Island, Grand Park Kodhipparu and the Heritance Aarah.
Sleeping and diving: When the boat rocks gently on the waves and the infinitely beautiful underwater world is already waiting to be discovered under your own bed on a liveaboard. Scubaspa Yang is the ideal combination of diving safari, spa treatments and luxury. A variety of activities await guests on board, as well as a gym, jacuzzi and open-air cinema.
50 Shades of Blue ...
Speaking of water: in the Maldives, you can not only experience it in all imaginable shades of blue and turquoise and during activities such as snorkeling, diving, swimming, surfing and sailing, but also without getting wet. How does that work? Architectural jewels beneath the surface of the sea make it possible. As mentioned at the beginning, The Muraka Underwater Villa at Conrad Maldives is unique in this respect. The master bedroom of this villa is almost 5 meters below the surface of the water. Its ceiling-high glass panes make it possible to fall asleep counting fish instead of sheep.
But that's not all when it comes to underwater experiences on dry land. The Conrad Maldives also has the world's first underwater restaurant, Ithaa. The M6M is located six meters under the sea. This is the underwater restaurant at the Ozen by Atmosphere Resort Maldives. The 5.8 Undersea Restaurant at Hurawalhi Maldives is the largest underwater restaurant in the world. The dining experiences are as magnificent as the design and the views of the flora and fauna of the Indian Ocean. For four years in a row, the Sea Underwater Restaurant at Anantara Kihavah Maldives has been named the best underwater restaurant in the world. It also boasts the first underwater wine cellar.
The first of its kind is the SUBSIX Underwater Bar on Niyama Private Island Maldives. Nowhere else can you dine almost six meters underwater, celebrate parties, hold events or go clubbing. When it comes to "unique", the spa on Huvafen Fushi also has its place on this list. It is the only wellness oasis that is completely underwater. Is there anything more relaxing than enjoying a massage surrounded by fish and with a view of coral?
Luxury in every respect
Is it the exclusivity or the seclusion that makes the Maldives a luxury destination? Or is it the unique experiences that the archipelago in the Indian Ocean has to offer that define luxury? As so often in life, it's the perfect mix of everything. Apart from their location and natural beauty, the Maldives also offer a variety of activities that are second to none. Take the restaurants, for example. Dine with a view of a blue infinity, underwater or with your feet in the sand. Dining experiences from the most diverse cuisines in the world await guests. Most resorts have elegant, holistic spas and wellness areas. Whether you fancy a massage in the midst of tropical nature, under the sea or above it, the Maldives has it all.
It is well known that many of the islands are ideal for an unforgettable honeymoon. After all, the world's most renowned hotel groups are represented with their own resorts. Few people know that the Maldives is also a luxurious place for a surfing adventure. The paradise is still considered an insider tip, although many resorts have direct access to the best surfing locations in the Indian Ocean, such as Gili Lankanfushi, Anantara Dhigu, Kandima Maldives, Como Maalifushi and the Six Senses Laamu.
The agony of choice
Nowhere else is the density of luxury resorts as high as on the 26 atolls and more than 1,000 coral islands of the Maldives. It is therefore not surprising that the choice is difficult. After all, most of them offer impeccable service, excellent facilities and boundless beauty. So it's best to visit them all. For starters, you could use the type of accommodation as a decision criterion:
Sleeping underwater: Always wanted to spend the night in an aquarium? Well, that may not sound very comfortable, but it is if you choose The Muraka at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Resort as your accommodation. The luxurious, two-storey overwater villa is also an underwater villa. Above sea level, guests can expect living rooms and bedrooms, dining areas, bathrooms, an infinity pool and relaxation zones. The master bedroom is located underwater. It boasts ceiling-high glass windows so that you can sleep surrounded by the spectacular flora and fauna of the Indian Ocean. Although: it would almost be a bit of a shame to actually close your eyes here...
Sleeping with plenty of space: The four-bedroom Soneva Fushi Villa has a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom that blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors and even features a waterfall. Each of the other bedrooms also has its own bathroom. Spacious indoor and outdoor areas, a private pool, a library and a fully equipped kitchen including a full pantry are further advantages of this villa.
Sleeping on the beach: For those who prefer to step outside in the morning and feel the fine powdered sugar sand of the Maldives between their toes, beach retreats are the right choice. The Beach Pool Retreat in Vakkaru Maldives is a wonderful example of a beach villa that guarantees guests plenty of space and privacy at the same time. Here you can relax in the garden on a terrace with day beds or in the private pool.
Sleeping above the water: Almost all overwater villas in the Maldives offer a breathtaking, unusual living experience. Be it through glass floors under which the fish scurry by, private pools or outdoor bathtubs. Luxury travelers will find some of the most extraordinary villas in this category at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, COMO Cocoa Island, Grand Park Kodhipparu and the Heritance Aarah.
Sleeping and diving: When the boat rocks gently on the waves and the infinitely beautiful underwater world is already waiting to be discovered under your own bed on a liveaboard. Scubaspa Yang is the ideal combination of diving safari, spa treatments and luxury. A variety of activities await guests on board, as well as a gym, jacuzzi and open-air cinema.
50 Shades of Blue ...
Speaking of water: in the Maldives, you can not only experience it in all imaginable shades of blue and turquoise and during activities such as snorkeling, diving, swimming, surfing and sailing, but also without getting wet. How does that work? Architectural jewels beneath the surface of the sea make it possible. As mentioned at the beginning, The Muraka Underwater Villa at Conrad Maldives is unique in this respect. The master bedroom of this villa is almost 5 meters below the surface of the water. Its ceiling-high glass panes make it possible to fall asleep counting fish instead of sheep.
But that's not all when it comes to underwater experiences on dry land. The Conrad Maldives also has the world's first underwater restaurant, Ithaa. The M6M is located six meters under the sea. This is the underwater restaurant at the Ozen by Atmosphere Resort Maldives. The 5.8 Undersea Restaurant at Hurawalhi Maldives is the largest underwater restaurant in the world. The dining experiences are as magnificent as the design and the views of the flora and fauna of the Indian Ocean. For four years in a row, the Sea Underwater Restaurant at Anantara Kihavah Maldives has been named the best underwater restaurant in the world. It also boasts the first underwater wine cellar.
The first of its kind is the SUBSIX Underwater Bar on Niyama Private Island Maldives. Nowhere else can you dine almost six meters underwater, celebrate parties, hold events or go clubbing. When it comes to "unique", the spa on Huvafen Fushi also has its place on this list. It is the only wellness oasis that is completely underwater. Is there anything more relaxing than enjoying a massage surrounded by fish and with a view of coral?
