Ready for paradise? Head to the Maldives and discover island luxury with these eight incredible epicurean resorts
Crystal white sands, azure oceans, beautiful islands and ultra-luxurious accommodation; the Maldives offers it all and more.
Experience the best of tropical paradise with The Wordrobe’s pick of the eight best foodie resorts in the Maldives. Underwater private dining, anyone?
1 Best for something innovative: Baros Maldives
This November, Baros the award wining resort and original pioneer of luxury in the Maldives, is re-launching for its 45th year, after a two-year renovation period.
The resort will unveil its newly renovated villas, bar and restaurants as well as enhanced guest experiences. The legacy of this bijou island continues with constant innovation of its product, service and authentic destination experiences offered by a loyal team of experts.
They’ve also added a new category of Villa accommodation – the Baros Suites, comprising two private, stand-alone Villas, provide guests with a modern, luxurious living space, each appointed with a spectacular 19 ft by 10 ft private swimming pool, a separate hot and cold water Jacuzzi and a secluded gazebo complete with a swing.
For the foodies: Renowned for its gastronomy, Baros Maldives serves some of the finest cuisine in the Maldives with four different eating optuions. The Lighthouse is world famous for its fine dining and signature ‘lobster bisque’ dish, whilst the popular Sails Bar has been upgraded with custom-made natural furniture and a fresh new colour scheme.
Find out more here.
Images courtesy of Baros Maldives
2 Best for something stylish: Amilla Fushi
Whitewashed villas sit over turquoise waters at the beautiful Baa Atoll Maldives resort. Sun-kissed beach houses, swaying palm trees and gourmet cuisine – discover the UNESCO-protected biosphere of Amilla Fushi.
Found just 30 minutes by seaplane from Malé or 10 minutes by speedboat from Dharavandhoo Airport, arrive easily to enjoy modern and minimalistic luxury.
From a glitzy infinity pool to the buzzy Emperor Beach Club (home to a café, wine cellar, general store, games room, artist studio, fashion boutique and photography studio) there’s plenty to discover.
For the foodies: With a dozen restaurants to choose from, there’s no chance of going hungry. Don’t miss one of Cellar Door’s tasting events to sample a bottle from the world-class wine cellar, along with a rich array of imported cheeses teasing the palate.
Guests can also try a Mystique Garden dinner – gastronomic fiestas in idyllic gardens. For something frivolous, order a personalised picnic served anywhere on the island.
Find out more here.
Images courtesy of Amilla Fushi.
3 Best for something show-stopping: Cheval Blanc Maldives
One of the most exclusive addresses in the Maldives, Cheval Blanc Randheli offers the ultimate embodiment of exotic paradise. Situated on the Noonu Atoll, enjoy the very best in service, dining and wellness.
Encompassing five pristine islands in a stunning lagoon, there are 45 stylish villas here, built around the lush natural vegetation and all enjoying stunning ocean or lagoon views. Each enjoys the luxury of space, both indoors and outdoors, with cavernous high ceilings, various relaxation areas, generous decks and private 12.5 metre infinity pools – plus a handy private butler for those little extras.
Don’t miss a visit to the Cheval Blanc Spa either, with exclusively designed treatments by Guerlain and six overwater treatment villas.
For the foodies: Eat your way through eight different dining experiences. Meals here are as couture as the interiors, served in haute cuisine fashion. Sit at a table or sip on a beach – whatever your appetite, there’s something for everyone.
For something exceptional, book the 9-course culinary experience at the Le 1947 fine-dining restaurant. The dishes pay tribute to French cuisine, interpreted with delicacy and creativity for a memorable mouthful.
Find out more here.
Images via Cheval Blanc
4 Best for the adventurers: Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru
Gracing the Baa Atoll UNESCO biosphere, this Four Seasons resort is a hotspot of tranquility, with lofty beach and overwater villas. Stay here to enjoy your own private pool, encounter manta rays and whale sharks as you snorkel through vibrant reefs, and follow the innovative island yoga trail for the ultimate zen experience.
Ideal for adventurers, there’s endless water sport opportunities and marine life to enjoy. Unique experiences including the ‘Manta on Call’ experience and Antigravity Yoga. Restaurants offer everything from Lebanese to Asian specialities, as well as seafood, salads and tempting light bites.
For the foodies: Romantic getaway? Book the ongoing Island Romance package to enjoy a stunning candlelight dinner served on the pristine beach, as well as a tempting bottle of bubbly awaiting you in your room.
Find out more here.
Images via Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru
5 Best for something hedonistic: Soneva Jani
‘No news, no shoes’: that’s the only rule at Soneva Jani, the idyllic resort found in the crystal clear waters of the Noonu Atol. If it’s a once-in-a-lifetime feel you’re after, head to Soneva Fushi’s sister resort for an incredible getaway.
Ideal for larger groups, make the most of an overwater cinema, star-gazing observatory, meditative labyrinth, stunning villas and and spa. If that doesn’t impress, the chocolate and cheese rooms certainly will. From your own full-size private pool to direct access to the glittering lagoon, this scenic retreat is the Maldives at its most magical, with 24 overwater villas to choose from.
For the foodies: Good news for gourmands too. When it comes to the food, only the highest quality ingredients make the cut. Attention to detail is imperative – especially when it comes to bringing a smile to a diner’s face. And did we mention the (air-conditioned) chocolate and cheese rooms?!
Find out more here.
our Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru
6 Best for activities: Angsana Velavaru
A short a 45-minute seaplane ride away from Malé International Airport, Angsana Velavaru offers privacy galore with a luxury beachfront and stylish water villas boasting private pools on Velavaru Island (Turtle Island).
To capture the best of both worlds, Angsana Velavaru is half on the crystal clear waters of the Maldivian ocean and half on the white sandy beaches of the South Nilandhe Atoll.
The two-story villas are both large and lavish, equipped with 32-inch flat screen televisions and handy amenities. Activities are the main highlight here – enjoy everything from dolphin watching to speedboat sunsets.
For the foodies: With three restaurants to try, Angsana’s chefs serve a wide variety of local and international cuisines. Whether it’s traditional Maldivian or something more modern, there’s plenty to try.
Find out more here.
Images courtesy of Angsana Velavaru
7 Best for something rejuvenating: Six Senses Laamu
It’s secluded. It’s spacious. And it’s utterly serene. The only resort in the Laamu Atoll, deep in the Indian Ocean, Six Senses Laamu is a haven of lavish tranquility.
Offering a combination of on-land and over-water villas constructed of sustainable materials and set around palm-fringed paradise, stay here for rejuvenating wellness. Guests don’t catch the eight-hour flight from London for nothing – set right on the beach, Six Senses Spa Laamu in Maldives offers four uniquely designed couple’s treatment nests, four secluded couple’s treatment pavilions plus one Ayurvedic treatment pavilion, all within the island’s natural vegetation.
Highly skilled therapists use a variety of natural products to provide a comprehensive range of award-winning signature treatments, and rejuvenation and wellness specialties of the region.
For the foodies: You’ll be hungry after all of those massages – luckily there’s six different dining options to explore. From a live kitchen station to a communal Chili table, experiences range from fresh fish and burgers to salads and even an indulgent ice and chocolate studio.
Find out more here.
Images courtesy of Six Senses Laamu
8 Best for something spacious: JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
Sun. Sand. And some seriously suave spaces. Opening this autumn, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa will feature 61 gorgeously spacious villas, each with their own private swimming pool.
Starting at an enormous 234 sqm (that’s over 5x the size of an average London one-bed flat), the largest will go up to an expansive 638 sqm.
The hideaways will come complete with private decks and pools designed so they can’t be seen from outside the villas. Special in-villa dining options will also be on offer for intimate couple or family meals.
For the foodies: Of course, no getaway could be complete without gourmet aspects. The resort will have five stand-alone restaurants including a Japanese restaurant with former Nobu chefs and a Thai restaurant in a tree house headed-up by Chef Daniel from Kiin Kiin in Copenhagen – the only Thai restaurant outside of Thailand to have a Michelin Star.
In total the exquisite resort will have five stand-alone restaurants, three bars with 98 types of rum, an expansive wine room with over 300 wines, a chef’s garden and multiple private dining options. Now that’s our kind of holiday.
Find out more here.
Images courtesy of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
