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As the world continues to contend with COVID-19, a few countries are slowly opening up to international travelers — among them the many island paradises of the Maldives, an ideal getaway for anyone planning long trips for later this year. The travel experts at Remote Lands — including our Maldives specialists Director of Business Development Melisa Novick and General Manager Victoria Hilley who lived in the Maldives for three years— are proud to feature our six favorite resorts, complete with everything from movie theaters on the beach to underwater restaurants.
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Found on Medhufaru island, part of an uninhabited five-island cluster in the Noonu Atoll, Soneva Jani is built around a 5.6 km lagoon of crystal clear waters with 360° sea views. While enjoying Soneva’s signature eco-chic, travelers will enjoy the novelty of the waterslides ornamenting some of the larger villas, taking revelers from the second floor straight into the Indian Ocean. For stargazers, some of the master bedrooms have retractable roofs that open with the push of a magical button next to your bed.
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Ideal for high-end family journeys, the Anantara Kihavah is the quintessential overwater Maldives experiences. After a day among the coral and sealife, don’t forget to enjoy the dining at Sea, an underwater restaurant where visitors can see turtles and even circling reef sharks. At night, the SKY overwater observatory, which combines the largest telescope in the Indian Ocean and resident ‘Sky Guru’ with a cocktail bar.
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Known for its turquoise lagoon, the 45-villa Gili Lankanfushi is an eco-friendly resort that succeeds in delivering unpretentious, relaxed luxury — a top pick for honeymooners. For foodies, the Gili Tasting Journey is a fantastic way to get to know the island, as you travel to different locations, including the wine cellar, organic garden, and the restaurants.
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One of the top luxury resorts in the Maldives, this lush Robinson Crusoe-style island for wealthy castaways is a laid-back, shoe-free environment. While there, don’t forget to blow glass at the Soneva Glass Studio, check out the local Baa Atoll’s UNESCO marine biosphere, and lie back on cushioned loungers as you take in your favorite classics at the al fresco movie theatre, Cinema Paradiso.
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Perfect for both couples and families, Como Maalifushi offers a “Tory Burch flip-flops vs Jimmy Choo heels” vibe for travelers looking for a spa and wellbeing resort experience. The diving and snorkeling around the resort’s house reef are exceptional, and surfers will find Thaa Atoll an ideal choice from April to October.
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For many, this is the top luxury property in the Maldives: large, glamorous, and classy — more Hermes than Havaianas. The Beach Villas, a Remote Lands favorite, offer private beach access, large verandas with outdoor showers, and a seaside hammock. The palatial Water Villas feature enormous wooden beds, spacious sitting rooms, separate dressing areas, and private decks with hammocks suspended over the crystal clear lagoon. Every day at Reethi Rah is a “choose your own adventure” of activities: water sports, beach activities, state-of-the-art gym, wall-climbing, putting green, pottery classes, art studio, spa, diving, biking — endless.
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The Maldives boasts every manner of luxury travel amenity, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the opulent COMO Maalifushi hosts fly fishing, light tackle fishing, and deep sea expeditions to go along with the white sand beaches.
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As the Maldives takes tentative steps toward reopening, Anantara's Giles Selves speaks to Remote Lands on the future of travel in Asia’s island paradise.
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