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.