The best Maldives honeymoons
Confetti bursts of colourful tropical fish speckle the glassy Maldives lagoon you're snorkelling in. As you towel down, breakfast is delivered on trays that float in your pool. Later, the two of you might picnic alone on a sandbar, swim with manta rays or spend an afternoon together enjoying an in-sync massage at the spa, before retiring to your overwater villa to stare at a glitter-bomb of stars – just a few of the reasons why a Maldives honeymoon is considered the most luxurious in the world.
So is it worth it? Yes: across the board the Maldives has some of the highest standards of service anywhere and the country's one island one resort policy ensures the kind of privacy a Hollywood A-lister might expect. Wherever you stay, you'll find spacious villas, often with private pools and butlers, as well as access to the Indian Ocean and some of the most glorious white beaches you've ever seen. It's worth noting that The Maldives applies some very problematic laws to its citizens (same-sex relations are criminalised). But, resort islands are free to operate to their own rules, and same-sex couples are roundly welcomed and treated as respectfully as any other guest.
What you might also find, however, are children and families. Over the last decade, the majority of resorts in the Maldives have pivoted away from being romantic hideaways to multi-generational escapes, often with large kids clubs and squealing in the swimming pool (see our list of family hotels in the Maldives if that's your bag). If you'd prefer to be in a more grown-up love bubble it's worth seeking out an adult-only resort, such as the newly-refurbished Anantara Veli, swish spa resort Joali Being or the serene COMO Cocoa Island. Otherwise, it makes sense to book outside of the school holidays (including China's Golden Week in October). You can also up the privacy factor at a hotel that has a second quieter adult-only swimming pool where you can slink away to – try One & Only Reethi Raa or the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru – or splash out on a secluded villa that is only accessible by boat, such as the Robinson Crusoe villas at Gili Lankanfushi, the Stella Maris Ocean villa at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, and the Romance Residence at Velaa Private Island.
How much does a Maldives honeymoon cost?
It's one of the most popular and one of the most expensive honeymoon destinations in the world, with prices ranging from £2,000 per person for a one-week package at a modest resort to upwards of £10,000 for one night in the Conrad Rangali's underwater suite The Muraka. It's worth taking a good look at what honeymoon perks are available. While almost every hotel will gift honeymooners with a bed covered in rose petals, a bottle of champagne and perhaps a special bubble bath, there are some resorts which are much more generous and original. Honeymooners staying at castaway-chic Six Senses Laamu are given a complimentary 60-minute couples massage, a barbecue dinner on the beach, a private sunset cruise and one champagne breakfast in bed.
As well as a complimentary spa treatment, nature-loving Milaidhoo Island invites their newlyweds to pick and name a star. At the stylish St. Regis Vommuli couples get a free photoshoot and album; upmarket all-inclusive Cora Cora throws in a private candlelit dinner on the beach and a sunset cruise; Patina Maldives Fari Islands bestows the recently betrothed with a 90-minute spa treatment, a floating breakfast and a dolphin-spotting cruise; while Emerald Resorts offers a 20 per cent discount off the regular room rate to a couple staying for more than four nights, as well as a free 60-minute massage a deux, a private sand-between-your-toes dinner and a complimentary room upgrade.
Now that you've tied the knot, all you need to do is find your perfect hotel match. Here's our pick of the most romantic escapes for a Maldives honeymoon.
For more recommendations, see our guide to the best hotels in the Maldives.
Soneva Jani
The latest addition to this celebrity-frequented hangout – Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk honeymooned here – is dazzling. Set on the southern tip of the island is Chapter Two, 27 brand-new, romantic overwater structures. They're some of the largest water villas anywhere, with huge private pools, sweeping terraces, glass-floor panels, waterslides and retractable roofs that can be rolled back to reveal the stars when it gets dark – visit the observatory on a clear night and you might even see the Rings of Saturn. The Soneva Unlimited package includes food and drinks, seaplane transfers and spa treatments.
Number of villas: 51
Transfer time: a 30-minute seaplane flight from Malé
Address: Soneva Jani, Medhufaru Island, Manadhoo, Maldives
Joali
This place combines designer good looks with relaxed boho vibes. The architecture and interiors look like something out of a Wes Anderson film – curly-wurly thatched roofs, ridiculously colourful gardens, secret treehouses, art and knick-knacks everywhere. The villas – all with private pools – are pretty in dusky pinks and baby blues, with peacock chairs and hand-carved walls of dark wood. Head to the bar for clever cocktails and live music – it’s also the best spot to take in the magical sunset.
Number of villas: 73
Transfer time: a 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé
Address: JOALI Maldives, Muravandhoo Island Raa Atoll, Maldives
Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
The island of Landaa Giraavaru is large enough for guests to nip around on bicycles. Villas feel oversized too, each with masses of outdoor space and a whopping big swimming pool. The most romantic are the beach set-ups, which are separated by thick tropical greenery and roll right out onto a broad stretch of platinum sand. Meaningful experiences abound, whether it's meeting three-flippered rescue turtles at the retreat's pioneering rehabilitation centre, helping marine biologists to identify manta rays in Hanifaru Bay or joining a sunset earth blessing. An hours-long tantric love ritual can be booked at the sensational Ayurvedic spa.
Number of villas: 103
Transfer time: a 30-minute seaplane flight from Malé
Address: Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll, Maldives
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island
'Anything. Anytime. Anywhere' is the motto at this love nest in the Lhaviyani Atoll. It costs a cool £2,200 per couple per night, but that includes everything from unlimited excursions and non-stop spa treatments to round-the-clock Ruinart and delicious food on demand. Take advantage of the watersports centre to explore the atoll's bountiful reefs (divers can sink into deep channels and search for wrecks), or set out to swim with sea turtles as big as ponies in fields of swaying seagrass, and let sweltering afternoons drift by at the peaceful spa. The Japanese-influenced villas feel warm and indulgent – and the best bit? It's all solar-powered and sustainable.
Number of villas: 15
Transfer time: a 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé
Address: Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Kudadoo Island, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
Jenny ZarinsThe St Regis Maldives Vommuli
As the seaplane descends the first thing you'll be wowed by is the hotel's extraordinary architecture – a bar formed into a gaping whale shark, a lobster-shaped spa with treatment rooms in the claws, villas that look like Maldivian dhoni boats – but there's plenty more to knock your socks off. The six restaurants and bars ply guests with first-rate food and Bloody Marys served in seashells. In the Decanter wine cellar there are more than 2,000 bottles, including 600-plus labels from 23 countries. The villas are enormous and after a day out on the yacht and a barbecue on the beach, you'll return to find the butler has run a rose-petal bath for two.
Number of villas: 77
Transfer time: a 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé
Address: The St Regis Maldives Vommuli, Vommuli Island Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
Lux* North Male Atoll
It's modern love. This contemporary haven has a peachy location, feeling far-flung but, in reality, just a one-hour, wind-in-your-hair speedboat ride from Malé. Inspired by the silhouette of a superyacht, villas have curving white walls, circular skylights and rooftop decks (where an outdoor film night can be set up with popcorn and ice-cream sundaes). Pleasure-seekers can head to the beach club, the swim-up bar or the ice-cream parlour. Do-gooders can drink kombucha, SUP in the lagoon and sign up for sunrise yoga. Everyone can enjoy the kilometre of sugar-white beach that wraps around the island.
Number of villas: 67
Transfer time: a 55-minute speedboat ride from Malé
Address: Lux* North Male Atoll, Olhuhali, North Male Atoll Maldives, Maldives
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo
So far south you could skim a stone across the equator, this tiny ivory-sand island offers a delicious sense of isolation. Public spaces are old-world-tropical with checkerboard floors, louvre shutters and swirling ceiling fans. Service is sterling and the villas are huge. Overwater retreats are anchored in a ring out at sea, reached by a two-minute speedboat ride, with knee-trembling views of the big blue. Beach villas are hidden behind tall stone walls, with direct beach access, and have plenty of places to lounge about enjoying quiet romantic moments. The food is tip-top (especially the breakfast) and the spa is one of the country's best.
Number of villas: 38
Transfer time: a 55-minute domestic flight from Malé to Kaadedhdhoo airport followed by a 10-minute speedboat transfer
Address: Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives
Vakkaru
With the kind of carefree atmosphere and understated interiors that the Maldives is known for, Vakkaru offers free morning yoga and sound healing, as well as bicycles, snorkelling kits and stand-up paddleboards. The beach and overwater villas are subtly seductive, with lots of billowing muslin, hand-crafted furniture and opal-coloured swimming pools. Honeymoon activities include floating breakfasts, private dolphin-spotting tours and having underwater photographs taken while swimming with turtles. For those looking to bond on a spiritual level, there’s a three-hour Under the Stars spa treatment involving massages, guided meditation and crystal singing bowls.
Number of villas: 54
Transfer time: a 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé
Address: Vakkaru, Vakkaru Island, Baa Atoll, Maldives
Six Senses Laamu
This part of the Maldives remains blissfully untouched. It's too far for seaplanes to touch down directly, so visitors arrive at the gorgeous Six Senses Laamu via a combination of flights and a speedboat ride. But when you stare at that seemingly endless expanse of sapphire-blue Indian Ocean, the long journey is instantly worth it. Taking it back to nature, this eco-luxe retreat sports a woody rustic look, with lots of open-air salas, driftwood details and zingy pops of cherry, lemon and lime shades. The atmosphere is relaxed and outdoorsy too. Marine life is magnificent – year-round manta rays, whale sharks, hammerheads – and with so little light pollution in the area the night skies appear like a glitter bomb on black velvet.
Number of villas: 97
Transfer time: a 35-minute seaplane flight from Malé, then a 15-minute boat ride.
Address: Six Senses Laamu, Laamu Atoll, Maldives
Cheval Blanc Randheli
If you want honeymoon photographs that look as if they've been pulled from the pages of a fashion magazine, point your Gulfstream G650 towards this Jean-Michel Gathy-designed escape in Noonu Atoll (which has its own private-jet airport). The go-to holiday location of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, this LVMH-owned spot has intense levels of privacy (as well the highest room-only rack rate in the country). Villas are cathedral-like, in earthy tones of stone, hickory and cream, with high vaulted ceilings and decadently large bathrooms. Romantic engagements might include night-time snorkelling in bioluminescent waters, mingling with manta rays and a private desert-island getaway. It's haute stuff.
Number of villas: 45
Transfer time: a 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé
Address: Cheval Blanc Randheli, Randheli Island, Noonu Atoll Randheli Island, Maldives