Can you imagine a more relaxing time than lounging by a pool or on an endless white sand beach in one of the region’s best hotels in the tropical Maldives?
The Maldives is trending up for Australians. In fact, Luxury Escapes dubbed it the “Most-Loved Destination” in its LuxList Travel Awards 2024.
Forward Travel also found that it is the number one trending location with a staggering 257 per cent rise in popularity amongst travellers aged 55 and older.
Made up of islands in the Indian Ocean, Maldives is the smallest nation in Asia. It’s home to turquoise-blue waters, luxury resorts, and some of the world’s best hotels. It seems to be taking the place of locations like the Cook Islands, Nauru, and Tongo in travellers’ minds.
So if you’re keen to make your way to the Maldives in 2025, here are the best hotels to stay in:
2025’s best hotels in Maldives:
- Cheval Blanc Randheli (here’s why)
- Soneva Jani, Medhufaru Island (here’s why)
- Mirihi Island Resort (here’s why)
The best hotels in the Maldives 2025

01
Cheval Blanc Randheli
Best for: Total decadence
Follow in the footsteps of Prince William and Princess Catherine and stay in pure luxury at this “hush haven of the Maldives.” The royal couple stayed here when they were Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ahead of their 2014 Australian and New Zealand tour.
In the northwest Maldives, by the clear blue waters of Noonu Atoll, you’ll find 45 one- and two-bedroom villas perched above the waters and dotted throughout the coconut palm forest. Each with its own private pool and easy access to the ocean water. Expect total opulence at this resort owned and operated by luxury goods powerhouse LVMH — which also owns Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior among many others.
The decadent resort boasts five restaurants and three bars, a wine museum and a cigar lounge. With some of the world’s most premium wines on LMVH’s roster, you can expect only the best vino and spirits on the drinks lists.
Revive yourself with a rejuvenating yoga and meditation class over the water at the spa, or indulge with a hair spa and debut a new ‘do on your holiday.
Key features:
- Premium dining options
- Stylish kids club: Le Carrousel
- Hair spa and yoga classes
Available at:

02
Best for: Family escapes
Escape to the turquoise blue waters and stay in paradise at this hotel on Medhufaru Island. Stay in one of the 58 stunning water villas that are perched over azure waters or sojourn in the beach villas that are surrounded by lush jungle.
The overwater villas feature slides down into the blue waters below, private plunge pools and a retractable roof over the master bedroom, so you can watch the stars from your bed. The island villas offer the same, only their slides open to the villas’ pool. If you care for a dip in the seawater, you are mere steps from the beach.
On the dining front, Soneva Jani offers numerous options for whatever tastes you have. There’s a plant-based diner with a menu designed by renowned raw food chef Diana Von Cranach, a pescatarian spot from Swedish chef Mathias Dahlgren, and multiple Asian restaurants. Keep dinner interesting with an evening at Guess Who’s Cooking where you will be served a secret menu. Or dine on Sri Lankan mud crab curry at The Crab Shack.
Key features:
- Private villas with slides to the azure waters below
- Mindful dining options from pescatarian to plant-based and more.
- Two-storey children’s club, The Den.
Available at:

Best for: Scuba diving
Mirihi is one of the smaller resorts in the Maldives, but that makes the stay even more personalised. If you love diving, it’s one of the best hotels in Maldives you should consider.
It is conveniently located within an hour’s boat ride of 50 different dive sites that are home to manta rays and whale sharks meandering through coral reefs. If you aren’t certified, the hotel provides courses so you can get your cert while on your trip. Furthermore, if you are passionate about preserving the environment, you can check out Mirihi’s Project Hope. This project is a coral nursery farm to ensure the survival of the reefs for generations to come.
Choose to stay in one of the beach villas or suites tucked into the lush jungle by the beach’s edge; or choose a water villa or suite that’s perched on stilts over the deep blue waters.
Key features:
- Plenty of onsite activities including painting and cooking classes.
- 50 dive sites on offer
- Onsite spa and wellness centre
- Four onsite restaurants
Available at:

Best for: Perfect surf and sea adventures
Located in Olhuveli, Six Senses Laamu is the only five-star hotel resort on Laamu Atoll.
The hotel resort boasts an award-winning marine conservation initiative. Guests can seek out sea turtles and manta rays on a scuba dive or snorkel on the house reef. Or go see dolphins on a sunset and dolphin cruise on a traditional dhoni. If you’re after more adventure, the waters offer surf breaks for all levels.
Back on land, there are six restaurants and bars on offer from Japanese omakase to themed dining on the water at Longitude. Or for something more relaxing, you can go for comfort food and cocktails at the poolside bar Sip Sip.
Key features:
- Luxury onsite spa with health club and sauna
- Six restaurants to choose from plus a poolside bar
- Local tours and experiences, including a sunset and dolphin cruise
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Best for: Unique design aesthetic
Located on the stunning Raa Atoll island, Alila Kothaifaru is a luxury private island retreat with a unique design aesthetic.
The 80 beachfront and overwater villas each feature a private pool and contemporary interiors. The white sand and blue waters are gently contrasted by the natural textures and compact design of the effortlessly cool villas.
For refreshments and delectable dining, there are two bars and two restaurants onsite. One of which, The Shack, is set upon a private sandbank, the perfect setting for a romantic sunset meal.
Key features:
- 45-minute seaplane from Malé
- Surrounded by scenic reefs perfect for diving and snorkelling
- Onsite spa
Available at:
Which is the best region in the Maldives to visit?
Ask anyone who has been to the Maldives and they will likely tell you the resort they stayed at! With so many islands to visit, it really comes down to what you want to do on your holiday. If you want to see nature, maybe you head to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Baa Atoll and dive amongst the protected waters. If you are more interested in relaxing by a pool or on the endless beaches you should pinpoint Baros Island, Cocoa Island or Vaadhoo Island — which is home to bioluminescent waters!
When is the best time of the year to visit the Maldives?
Being so close to the equator, like other countries in the region, there are two seasons: wet and dry. Unsurprisingly, the most popular time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season. This runs from around November to April. During this season, you will experience lots of sunny days, calm waters, and very little rainfall. It’s the perfect conditions for snorkelling, diving, and relaxing on the Maldive’s stunning beaches. However, keep in mind that everyone else wants to be there at the same time. So, be sure to book your trip well ahead of time, or organise with a travel agent.