Your Guide to the Maldives: Seven Resorts for an Unforgettable Retreat
Do you ever find yourself caught in the whirlwind of everyday life, longing for a moment of peace? Maybe you close your eyes and drift to a place where worries drift away - a paradise where crystal waters meet the sky – and where time seems to stand still.
This isn’t a daydream - it’s the Maldives. Whether you’re sharing secluded romantic moments or creating unforgettable family memories, Minor Hotels proudly presents some of the islands’ most exceptional properties, each designed to offer unique experiences tailored to your desires. Spend your days basking in the Maldivian sun, learning to surf on pristine waters, or swimming alongside graceful manta rays. Savor a lobster dinner on a private island, where it’s just you and the ocean, or dine beneath the waves, surrounded by vibrant marine life.
Join us as we explore seven of the Maldives’ finest resorts, each with distinct charm and offerings, promising you an unforgettable adventure in this bucket-list destination.
Anantara Dhigu Resort
IDEAL FOR: Families, Recreational Activities
Anantara Dhigu Resort is a premier destination for families, offering five-star luxury for all ages. Children stay and dine for free, making it an attractive choice for family vacations. Choose from 110 luxurious overwater villas or various beachfront villas, including options with private pools. Families can enjoy luxury and adventure on silvery sands, explore vibrant marine life, and indulge in over-water spa treatments. As a top Maldives surf resort for beginners, the property offers professional surfing lessons to help you catch your first wave. Enjoy local seafood with Thai or Japanese flavors, or dine at the sister property, Anantara Veli.
KEY FEATURES:
Family-Friendly: Tailored activities for young guests ensure fun for all ages
Amenities: Overwater spa, surf school, and water sports center
Sister Resort Access: Guests 18+ can enjoy facilities at sister property Anantara Veli; families welcome for dinner reservations
Anantara Veli Resort
IDEAL FOR: Couples, Romance
Anantara Veli Resort, designed exclusively for adults, epitomizes romantic luxury. This enchanting five-star luxury resort features 67 overwater, ocean, and beach villas, making it the perfect getaway for couples and honeymooners. Guests can luxuriate in elegant accommodations, explore vibrant marine life in the lagoon, and indulge in tailored wellness treatments for two. Enjoy a private dining excursion with fresh lobster under the stars as the day winds down or a cinema night with the sand between your toes. Additionally, the resort’s Guest Chef Series 2024 will showcase Michelin-starred chefs from across the globe, presenting world-class culinary experiences.
KEY FEATURES:
Adults-Only: Perfect for romantic getaways
Exclusive Amenities: Includes a couples’ spa, private island cinema, and bespoke dining experiences
Sister Resort Access: Full access to facilities at Anantara Dhigu
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
IDEAL FOR: Families, One-of-a-kind Experiences
Anantara Kihavah, nestled in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offers an idyllic all-villa escape great for families. With 80 spacious private pool villas, guests can dive among vibrant reefs, parasail in clear skies, and enjoy innovative dining. Experience six diverse options, including SEA, the world’s first underwater restaurant and wine cellar, awarded by Wine Spectator and World of Fine Wine. The resort also features SKY bar, the world’s first overwater observatory, where you can stargaze through the Maldives’ most powerful telescope. Anantara Kihavah combines land, sea, and sky adventures, crafting the ultimate five-star luxury retreat for explorers and romantics alike.
KEY FEATURES:
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: Access to one of the Maldives’ best house reefs
Innovative Dining: Four concepts of dining, including underwater, overwater, and exploration beyond the skies
Bespoke Wellness: Wellness retreats with epigenetic testing, guided by resident nutritional therapist and naturopath, a first in the Maldives
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort
IDEAL FOR: Families, Diverse Activities
Recently opened in 2023 as the first Avani+ hotel in the Maldives, the five-star upscale Avani+ Fares features 176 premium rooms that blend modern and traditional design. With over 15 accommodation types, including studios, villas, and pavilions, the resort is excellent for families, friends, or solo travelers. Discover a mix of relaxation and adventure with world-class diving, snorkeling, and extensive watersports facilities, including glass-bottomed kayaks and e-surfboarding. The resort offers seven diverse dining options, including the Maldives’ first kids-only restaurant with child-sized tables and chairs. Kids can enjoy clubs and a splash park, while adults spend vibrant evenings on the beach with DJ beats, traditional drumming, fireshows, and cocktails around the fire.
KEY FEATURES:
Family-Friendly: A variety of activities for all ages
Prime Location: Steps away from the beautiful house reef, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
After-hours Activities: Wining, dining, and after dark partying on the beach
Naladhu Private Island Maldives Resort
IDEAL FOR: Couples, Seclusion
Named Best Island Resort in the Indian Ocean four years in a row and among the Top 10 Best Resorts in the World by Condé Nast Traveler readers, Naladhu Private Island Maldives Resort delivers a perfect mix of comfort and adventure. The resort is ideal for intimate escapes, with only 20 secluded houses, each with a private pool. Enjoy tranquil days filled with luxurious spa treatments, sailing excursions, picnics on deserted islands, and other personalized experiences curated by your Kuwaanu – a local guide to expertly craft your perfect escape.
KEY FEATURES:
Exclusivity: Private island with only 20 residences
Personalized Service: Each guest enjoys 24-hour dedicated Kuwaanu service
Dining Freedom: Unique no-menu dining concept
NIYAMA Private Islands
IDEAL FOR: Families, Diverse Recreation
Fondly referred to as “Nature’s Playground,” Niyama Private Islands welcomes diverse guests. The resort spans two islands, CHILL and PLAY, featuring 134 luxurious villas and pavilions. CHILL Island offers a serene retreat with luxurious spa treatments, outdoor cinema, and fine dining experiences. Meanwhile, PLAY island caters to thrill-seekers with exciting water sports such as jet-packing, diving, and surfing, along with family-friendly activities at the Explorers Kids Club, which provides a variety of age-appropriate entertainment.
KEY FEATURES:
Dual-Island Concept: Choose between CHILL and PLAY islands
Culinary Diversity: Five bars and ten dining destinations, including underwater and treetop restaurants
Family Activities: Extensive activities for children, including a kids club
NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort
IDEAL FOR: Couples, Marine Exploration
NH Collection Maldives, nestled in the secluded Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, offers a private island experience surrounded by a pristine lagoon. Located in the far south of the Maldives, this isolated five-star upscale resort boasts some of the most spectacular diving in the world. It remains one of the most untouched archipelagos in the Indian Ocean. Perfect for destination weddings and honeymoons, it is also a great family-friendly option. Choose from 60 beach villas and 60 overwater villas, each providing uninterrupted ocean views. Adventure awaits with snorkeling and diving, while those seeking tranquility can relax with spa treatments amidst the serene beauty of this luxury resort.
KEY FEATURES:
Pristine Location: Secluded in the world’s second-largest atoll
All-Villa Accommodation: Modern amenities and Maldivian-inspired design, with private decks
All-inclusive packages: Inclusive pricing options available year-round
