The award-winning Baros Maldives is heralded as one of the most romantic resorts in the world, noted for its tranquility, lush vegetation, and pristine beaches, situated in a sparkling turquoise lagoon. The property's 75 luxury villas are available over seven categories, all of which are appointed with open-air bathrooms, outdoor rain showers, and private balconies, from which guests can enjoy either sunrise or sunset views. Many villas are overwater, though some are located on the island, while upgraded villas add private pools or gardens. Resort facilities include an infinity swimming pool, a gym (yoga sessions are complimentary), a spa, a dive center, and an on-site marine center with a resident marine biologist. For dining, guests can enjoy international dishes with a superb horizon view at The Lighthouse Restaurant, al fresco barbecue by the sea at Cayenne Grill, Asian plates at Lime Restaurant, or sundowners at Sails Bar or The Lighthouse Lounge. Destination dining is also available. The Baros Maldives Resort and Spa is a 25-minute boat ride from Malé's international airport.

Explore COMO Cocoa Island, a resort built amidst crystal clear waters and powdery beaches. Situated on its own island, Cocoa Island has 34 overwater suites modeled after traditional dhoni boats, the gently-curving, wooden vessels used by local fishermen. Simple wooden walkways built above the shallow lagoon connect the suites to the hotel’s facilities. Each room has its own private terrace, allowing guests to effortlessly slip from the bedroom straight into the warm turquoise sea. The resort offers a truly luxury experience with a highly customized level of service. Dining options include the luxurious Ufaa, which serves cuisine inspired by the foods of south India’s Malabar Coast; COMO Shambhala, which features fresh, organic ingredients and an authentic, Indian-style tandoor oven; and in-villa and beachside dining. Guests can indulge in holistic wellness treatments and explore world-class diving sites. COMO Cocoa Island is a 40-minute speedboat ride from the international airport at Male.

Experience barefoot luxury at Gili Lankanfushi, a resort nestled in a glistening lagoon above a coral island. Each of the 45 villas at Gili Lankanfushi are built overlooking the waters of the lagoon, and connected together by wooden jetties. All villas come standard with king-sized beds, sun decks and patios, wide-screen televisions, and bathrooms with separate shower areas. Dining options include an overwater dining area, where guests can savor fresh seafood and local produce over the lagoon’s waters; By-The-Sea, a fusion eatery which combines Peruvian and Japanese cuisines with a beautiful view of the surrounding ocean; as well as in-villa and beachside dining. Guests may also indulge themselves at the full-service Meera Spa, which offers a number of facials, massages, and organic treatments derived from ocean ingredients. In addition, Gili Lankanfushi is also home to a fully-equipped PADI center, where guests can dive on the corals and abundant marine life in the area. Gili Lankanfushi is a 20-minute speedboat ride from the international airport at Male.

Huvafen Fushi describes itself as a "living dream," and this is a title that is indeed hard to argue with. Occupying a private resort island in the Maldives, the resort’s 40-some private bungalows and pavilions offer stunning views of the Indian Ocean, and all are fitted with private plunge pools. It goes without saying that the beds and furnishings are top quality, and luxurious bathing facilities, such as oversized tubs, rainforest showers, and even Jacuzzis, are the norm in this tropical paradise. Many of the accommodations are located directly above water, as are a number of its restaurants, which serve fresh seafood and flavors of both Western and Asian inspiration. There is also an underground wine cellar cum restaurant on the island that boasts over 6,000 different wines. Of course, a sommelier is on hand to help guests make sense of it all. In terms of activities, there is a surreal spa that features two underwater treatment rooms. Guests can enjoy looking out upon a marine landscape as treatments are administered, though there are also aboveground treatment rooms. Naturally, water activities abound here, and the aquatic center provides equipment and guides for scuba diving and snorkeling expeditions alike. There is also an overwater water gym, and yoga classes are held daily.

In your villa at the One&Only Reethi Rah, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a far corner of the earth. The resort, which first opened in 2005, makes the most of the Maldives’ reputation as a perfect palm-trees-and-beaches tropical escape. Each villa is situated for maximum privacy and comes with an overwater perch or private beach access. There are four restaurants and bars with world-class menus and drink lists, as well as 24-hour in-villa dining. The excellent ESPA offers a wide range of holistic healing and beauty treatments, and includes underwater treatment rooms, couples’ rooms, a relaxation lounge, saunas, steam rooms and a Japanese-style onsen. There is a full service fitness center, every imaginable type of water sport, including big-game fishing and private sailing cruises on a fleet of beautifully maintained wooden Maldivian dhonis, and an open-air, overwater yoga pavilion. If in the midst of all this, you still must stay connected to the outside world, all villas are equipped with high-speed broadband Internet access.

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is the inaugural flagship resort from Patina, an elevated lifestyle brand by Capella Hotel Group. The resort offers one, two and three bedroom beach and water villas as well as 20 Fari Studios, all designed by renowned Brazilian architect Mario Kogan from Studio MK27. Complimenting the stunning villas are a slew of special inclusive amenities ranging from a bottle of Champagne on arrival to free diving for children. A purveyor of conscious cuisine with focus on green practices, this philosophy extends across all 12 F&B outlets which offer multitude of cuisines and experiences, from a plant-based restaurant to hearty Asian fare to International and Greek cuisine. Another staple facility is Flow, an all-encompassing wellness center with facilities that cater to fitness, relaxation, and therapy with curative and preventative remedies. Beyond the island, guests may enjoy the Fari Marina Village and Fari Beach club, a communal area of the archipelago open to other Fari Islands guests. Here, guests may enjoy retail shopping, art exhibitions by renowned international artists, and further dining options. Located within the Fari Islands on North Malé Atoll, the resort is a 45-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport.

Known for its attentive service, the exclusive Taj Exotica Resort and Spa is a private island retreat situated on one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives. Each of the 64 luxurious suites features air-conditioning, LCD televisions and satellite channels, plunge pools, personalized butlers, and sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. Dining options range from 24 Degrees, an eatery set on the beach and specifically intended for sunset views; The Deep End, a restaurant inspired by world cuisines and featuring game, seafood, and organically sourced produce; and, of course, private dining in villas and on the beach. Amenities include an on-site fitness center and gymnasium, located over the waters of the lagoon. Activities in the area encompass diving and snorkeling the myriad reefs, sea kayaking, helicopter tours, big game fishing, waterskiing, and windsurfing. The Taj Exotica is 15 minutes by speedboat from Male International Airport.

An escape into an exclusive oasis in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean: welcome to Velassaru in the Maldives. This luxury island resort, located a 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé airport, is a private paradise, featuring fine dining, indulgent spa treatments, world-class diving and snorkeling, and a little home-away-from-home just steps from the crystal clear waters. Guests may choose the accommodation of their dreams: from Deluxe Bungalows to Beach Villas and Ocean Water Bungalows to Lagoon Water Bungalows, each room provides luxury, privacy, and elegance - many with the option of a private pool for the ultimate hideaway. By day, enjoy yoga instruction, relax at the spa, explore the ocean, or simply sit back and soak in the incredible surroundings; by night, wine and dine at any of the five dining options and then dance the night away at either (or both) of the two luxury bars. Guests may also take advantage of the incredible location by partaking in the resort’s optional excursions, such as a seaplane tour, a sunset cruise, or a nighttime fishing expedition. After all, in this epicenter of paradise, anything goes.

Just a 25-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport, the Four Seasons at Kuda Huraa is an arcadian resort situated on the private island of Hulhule. Thatched beach pavilions and bungalows line the white sand beach, while water bungalows are built on stilts over the lagoon. Inside, traditional design details abound to give guests an authentic sense of Maldivian architecture. Despite the resort’s remote location, all guest bungalows are fitted with modern amenities: multi-line telephone with voice mail, private bars, satellite television and wired or wireless Internet access. Dining options include the elegant Baraabaru, which features fine Indian cuisine and an open tandoori bar where guests can watch the chefs at work, and Cafe Huraa, which serves pan-Asian cuisine. The lavish spa is located on a nearby island, reachable by a dhoni, a traditional Maldivian boat. Treatment sometimes incorporate indigenous ingredients with marine nutrients to nourish the body, and spa pavilions feature viewing ports for guests to admire the life aquatic during treatments.

Set in the Laccadive Sea and accessible by speedboat, Naladhu Private Island Maldives by Anantara is a small resort of just 20 houses, each with a private swimming pool and beach access. These are divided into three categories: Ocean House, Beach House and Two-Bedroom Pool Residence. All rooms include a pillow menu, scented candles, a deck with daybeds, private beach cabanas with kayaks and a private wine selection. Aside from water sports offered by the property, including surfing (surf season is officially April to October, though surf excursions run year-round), resort facilities include a main pool tucked away in gardens, a fitness center, tennis courts, yoga and meditation sessions, as well as Thai and Maldivian cooking classes. For dining, there's The Living Room restaurant, plus options for private and in-room dining, though guests are also welcome to dine at sister resorts, Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli.