From families to couples, sun and sea–seekers to wellness wanderlusters, Marriott Bonvoy^®’s collection of handpicked properties ticks all the boxes for a dream Indian Ocean stay

Icing-sugar sands, lust-after lagoons and luxurious villas: it’s hard to go wrong in the Maldives, and these Marriott Bonvoy resorts prove just how right you can go. All are accessible by speedboat or seaplane from Velana International Airport in Male – a direct British Airways’ flight from London – and are tucked away on their own private island. Here are the greatest stays for bucket-list bliss, no matter your style…

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Best for: spacious sumptuousness and spa splendour 
On the natural island of Vommuli, luxury chasers must make a difficult choice: staying in one of 33 villas that open on to pearl-sand beaches and lush gardens, or in one of the other 44 perched over jewel-blue Indian ocean. Both promise island-inspired design and multi-bedroom spaces with private living areas – and neither disappoint. The same is true for the legendary St. Regis Butler service, which provides curated experiences, tailored turndown rituals and thoughtful touches. Our favourites are the kid-sized robes and slippers, and deserving honourable mentions are the decadent treats and exceptional childcare services. 

After family time that’s both lush and adventurous? The resort’s Azimut Flybridge 66 yacht (aka Norma) offers majestic memory-making in the form of spotting whale sharks, dolphin sunset cruises and more. If there’s proof the luxe life isn’t just for grownups, this is it, but that’s not to say there isn’t plenty of pampering play for adults, too. The Iridium spa offers holistic treatments, from chakra blessings to an indulgent caviar journey (caviar’s anti-aging properties are said to revitalise the skin), not to mention one of the most expansive hydrotherapy pools in the Maldives, the Blue Hole. Couples shouldn’t miss five-course private dining in the award-winning underground wine cellar, Decanter, nor butler-arranged dinners on star-strewn beaches, sandbank picnics or floating breakfasts in private plunge pools. 

W Maldives
Best for: secluded marine magic and beach bliss
Open for stays in 2025 after an extensive transformation, this luxury playground of a resort in North Ari Atoll is only a 25-minute scenic seaplane ride from Malé airport. The charm begins before even touching down, as you gaze over heart-shaped Fesdu Island, blanketed in fine sand, swaying palms and 77 bio-boho villas blending indoor and outdoor spaces. The highlight is the technicoloured house reef, one of the most impressive in the Maldives, and the perfect starting point for underwater adventures. It’s just a 30-second swim through clear-as-gin waters, and you may be lucky enough to spot graceful rays, curious reef sharks and Bob, the island’s beloved turtle.

It (almost) doesn’t get more idyllically isolated, except for those heading to Gaathafushi, the resort’s exclusive island sanctuary that’s just two minutes by speedboat. The unspoiled beaches have seen more marine life than travellers, and their peaceful presence elevates anything and everything, including foodie excursions such as pinch-me picnics, blissful barbecues and starlit private dinners. Think it can’t possibly get better? It can. The resort’s Whatever/Whenever service means 24/7 tailored dining and activities (both for relaxation and adventure).

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
Best for: foodie families and nature enthusiasts 
A shimmering blue lagoon, cream-coloured sands and towering coconut palms: this five-star resort in North Male atoll on the private island of Furanafushi is textbook ta-da and then some – and it’s 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé airport. Its 176 rooms include Maldivian-inspired island cottages (we love the semi-outdoor showers) and tropical-themed overwater bungalows and villas facing the ocean, which you can take in from your own private plunge pool. 

There’s no shortage of dining options, either, with two bars and five restaurants that lean into seasonal and sustainable fresh produce and offer fun and nutritious kids’ menus. Did we mention stays and meals are free for children under 12 when accompanied by their parents? The resort is more than foodie finery, too, and has joined forces with Reefscapers, inviting guests to ‘Adopt a Coral’, an interactive coral-fragment plantation activity that helps to promote reef habitats. The team posts regularly online and sends photo updates, so you can follow the growth of your corals from home. 

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