Travel Consultant
10 Most Lavish Experiences in the Maldives That Are Totally Worth It
The Maldives is synonymous with luxury and opulence, with its secluded islands offering plenty of extravagant experiences that some travellers can only dream of. Here are 10 of the top experiences from the list:
Rent a private island
Imagine a whole island to yourself. All its luxury villas, restaurants, spa, and facilities - you enjoy full privacy. This is perfect for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays and business trips. Private island rentals gained its rapid popularity during the pandemic, as celebrities and businessmen sought private travel for safety.
Among the most luxurious private island rentals is Kudadoo Maldives Private Island. The package includes 15 over-water residences with 44 sqm. pools and each with a private butler, a personal chef, wine cellar, personal trainer and wellness guru, unlimited spa treatments, access to sister resort Huruwalhi’s underwater restaurant, and more.
Book here.
Stay in the world’s largest overwater villa
Soneva Fushi features the world’s largest one and two bedroom overwater villas, with its one bedroom villas spanning a whopping 585 sqm. and two bedroom villas spanning 857 sqm. Finished in Soneva’s rustic style, these villas offer a choice of either sunrise or sunset views, a large alfresco deck, a curving 19–metre slide into the ocean, an expansive upper level with a dining sala, and Soneva’s signature outdoor bathroom with direct access to the ocean. The price of your villa also comes with complimentary inclusions, such as access to the chocolate room, ice cream parlour, cheese and charcuterie room, kids club, and weekly cocktails on the sandbank.
Book here.
Stay in an underwater villa
An underwater villa is the ultimate way to experience the serenity of the Indian Ocean. The first underwater villa was introduced to the Maldives by Hilton’s Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The resort’s star, The Muraka is a luxury two-level residence with a master bedroom submerged over 16 feet below sea level, two bedrooms and an infinity pool in the upper level.
If you are travelling with a group that needs more than one underwater room, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort presents the Maldives’ first two underwater bedrooms. Similar to the Muraka, the Aqua Villas feature one bedroom submerged underwater and one bedroom overwater with an infinity pool.
Book here.
Stay in a private reserve
While Soneva introduced the largest one and two bedroom overwater villas, Gili Lankafushi holds the prestige of featuring the world’s largest standalone overwater villa, spanning 1,700 sqm. The Private Reserve is completely secluded, only accessible by a luxury yacht. The lucky guests staying at the reserve enjoy an infinity swimming pool, spacious sundecks, a couple’s spa pavilion with a sauna and steam room, an air-conditioned gymnasium, cinema, bar, and even a water slide that drops into the sea.
Book here.
Sleep under the stars
Luxury glamping at Amilla Fushi is a nature lover’s dream. Located in a secluded spot amidst the island jungle; a high-tech, fully waterproof, air-conditioned and climate-controlled inflatable pod offers a uniquely immersive nature experience with a 360 degree view. You have access to a bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers, a plunge pool, steam room, and sauna. Your glamping package can be upgraded with a variety of experiences; such as a private barbeque, a massage, a movie night, and a romantic beach dinner.
Book here.
Have a spa treatment underwater
In Huvafen Fushi, you will discover the first and only underwater spa treatment rooms in the world, eight metres below the surface of the Indian Ocean. Enjoy signature treatments such as the Underwater Dream, a 60 to 90-minute treatment designed by massage expert Beata Aleksandrowicz exclusively for Huvafen Fushi. For a longer treatment, Underwater Rendezvous lasts two hours and is designed to ease discomforts such as headaches, sleeping problems, and tiredness.
Book here.
Dine underwater
Enjoy world-class cuisines with incredible underwater views. The world’s first underwater restaurant is located in Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Five metres below the surface of the ocean, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant offers panoramic coral garden views and fusion menus matched with fine wines. The restaurant can be reserved for private dining, weddings, and special occasions.
Book here.
Dine on a sandbank
Sandbank dining is one of the most popular gastronomic experiences in the Maldives. At Vakkaru Maldives, sandbank dining is a blank canvas - you can have an intimate dinner under the stars, a private wine soirée, an after-dinner party, a bonfire BBQ or a quiet evening of stargazing with the sound of the waves as your soundtrack. You can also arrange a DJ playing your favourite music.
Book here.
Hire a private yacht
Along with independent luxury yachts that you can charter for your Maldives stay, several resorts also boast private yachts that are designed for their ultra-luxury travellers, such as the Four Seasons Explorer. The 129-foot three-deck catamaran can take up to 22 guests on a marine and cultural adventure; visiting unspoilt reefs, dive-sites, beaches, and local islands. Four Seasons’ yacht experiences also include sandbank barbecues and spa treatments on an uninhabited island.
Book here.
Hire a private seaplane
If you’re done exploring the Maldives overwater and underwater, take it to the skies and explore in a private seaplane. Resorts including Soneva and Velaa Private Island have their own branded luxury seaplanes that are more comfortable than ordinary seaplanes and can be hired privately.
Book here.
Craving more? Experience the best of Maldives with our team of luxury travel counsellors. Get in touch.