Multifaceted Resorts of the Maldives
Choosing the right resort for your vacation style can make or break your island experience
By Sarah Harvey
August 28, 2024·6 min read
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island; photo courtesy of Hilton
An archipelago of 1,192 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is renowned for its luxurious resorts, white sand beaches and warm turquoise lagoons. Although it’s an 18-hour journey from New York City, that doesn’t put off people seeking the ultimate in pampering and privacy.
Considering that so many A-listers frequent the Maldives (Beyonce, Leonardo DiCaprio and Madonna are regulars), I always thought of going there as just a fantasy. But finding myself itching for adventure in my 20s, I couldn’t resist applying for a dream job as editor of a travel magazine in Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
Less than a month later, I was on a plane bound for a country that’s been famous among Europeans since the 1990s as the ultimate honeymoon destination. I ended up living in the Maldives for five years, and I often return for work and travel writing research. With so many islands to visit, I always see something new.
Kids Club Room at JW Marriott Maldives Resort; photo courtesy of JW Marriott
In addition, there are some 188 islands where Maldivians live. The rest are untouched. Because resorts are separated from the local community, hustler culture like souvenir hawking and restaurant solicitations simply doesn’t exist on resort islands (and it’s reasonably rare in the capital). English is widely spoken throughout the Maldives.
Even though each island is tiny (0.3 – 0.7 square miles on average), every resort strives to set itself apart, and most guests don’t leave the island for the duration of their stay. (The cost of transfers—usually starting at $200 per person—is prohibitive to island-hopping, too.) So, it’s probably no surprise that picking the right resort is extremely important.
Swimming with manta ray; photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels
Baa Atoll is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, with Hanifaru Bay the main attraction. Between May and November, the horseshoe-shaped bay traps plankton that draws in the world’s largest documented mass gatherings of manta rays.
On a recent trip, I signed up for Landaa Giraavaru’s Manta-on-Call service so that I’d be one of the first to hear if the feeding frenzy was occurring at Hanifaru Bay, where 82 percent of all manta sightings in the area occur, according to the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme, an NGO based at Landaa Giraavaru.
Sometimes 200 or more of these gentle filter feeders have been documented aggregating in Hanifaru. When I was there, about 50 mantas swirled around as they funneled plankton through their cephalic fins into their alien-looking mouths.
Premier Oceanfront Bungalow at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru in Baa Atoll; photo courtesy of Ken Seet/Four Seasons Hotels
Suite at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa; photo courtesy of Hyatt
If you’re a traveler who likes to consider the environmental impact of your vacations, you can look for a resort that champions ecotourism, such as Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, which is audited by EarthCheck and Green Globe for sustainability.
This resort was originally constructed as an Alila eco-resort, built with sustainable materials and minimal environmental impact. As such, it’s one of the only resorts in the Maldives with a 360-degree coral reef surrounded by vibrant marine life.
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa; photo courtesy of JW Marriott
The Little Griffins Kids Club boasts a 42-foot wooden pirate ship, which looks so enticing I almost wished I were a kid so that I could climb up to the crow’s nest. Lucky kids visiting this tropical playground have their own pool plus more than 100 activities to keep them entertained. Among them are Marine Talk sessions led by the resident marine biologist, with a focus on coral preservation and biodiversity. Other sessions, such as the smoothie-making workshops, teach kids about sustainability and let them pick island-grown ingredients from the
JW Garden produce project.
The JW Garden was inspired by the brand founder’s love of daily nature walks and his wife’s enjoyment of her vegetable garden. In the Maldives, a country where most of the produce must be imported because there isn’t enough landmass for large-scale agriculture, the concept takes on even more importance because growing fresh produce and herbs for the kitchen reduces the resort’s carbon footprint.
Maldivian resorts can vary enormously, so talk with a AAA Travel Advisor to help you decide on the right one for you. Once you’ve picked your resort, prepare for the clearest waters, most brilliant shades of turquoise and some of the world’s best private islands.
An archipelago of 1,192 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is renowned for its luxurious resorts, white sand beaches and warm turquoise lagoons. Although it’s an 18-hour journey from New York City, that doesn’t put off people seeking the ultimate in pampering and privacy.
Considering that so many A-listers frequent the Maldives (Beyonce, Leonardo DiCaprio and Madonna are regulars), I always thought of going there as just a fantasy. But finding myself itching for adventure in my 20s, I couldn’t resist applying for a dream job as editor of a travel magazine in Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
Less than a month later, I was on a plane bound for a country that’s been famous among Europeans since the 1990s as the ultimate honeymoon destination. I ended up living in the Maldives for five years, and I often return for work and travel writing research. With so many islands to visit, I always see something new.
Kids Club Room at JW Marriott Maldives Resort; photo courtesy of JW MarriottA WORLD APART
What sets this tropical destination apart from its rivals is that only one resort is allowed to be built on each island (except at a marina complex), and every single “resort island” is completely private. With more than 170 resort islands to choose from, you can see why the Maldives provides an experience unlike anywhere else in the world. Not even the Caribbean or Tahiti has as many private island resorts.In addition, there are some 188 islands where Maldivians live. The rest are untouched. Because resorts are separated from the local community, hustler culture like souvenir hawking and restaurant solicitations simply doesn’t exist on resort islands (and it’s reasonably rare in the capital). English is widely spoken throughout the Maldives.
Even though each island is tiny (0.3 – 0.7 square miles on average), every resort strives to set itself apart, and most guests don’t leave the island for the duration of their stay. (The cost of transfers—usually starting at $200 per person—is prohibitive to island-hopping, too.) So, it’s probably no surprise that picking the right resort is extremely important.
Swimming with manta ray; photo courtesy of Four Seasons HotelsFINDING THE FISH
The key to choosing the best resort for you is considering what type of vacation you want (for example, romantic, family fun, wellness, adventure and so on). Couples and families with older kids tend to love the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru in Baa Atoll, which combines a relaxing atmosphere with opportunities for aquatic adventures, club activities for teens, beautiful villas and a romantic Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking a sandbank.Baa Atoll is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, with Hanifaru Bay the main attraction. Between May and November, the horseshoe-shaped bay traps plankton that draws in the world’s largest documented mass gatherings of manta rays.
On a recent trip, I signed up for Landaa Giraavaru’s Manta-on-Call service so that I’d be one of the first to hear if the feeding frenzy was occurring at Hanifaru Bay, where 82 percent of all manta sightings in the area occur, according to the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme, an NGO based at Landaa Giraavaru.
Sometimes 200 or more of these gentle filter feeders have been documented aggregating in Hanifaru. When I was there, about 50 mantas swirled around as they funneled plankton through their cephalic fins into their alien-looking mouths.
Premier Oceanfront Bungalow at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru in Baa Atoll; photo courtesy of Ken Seet/Four Seasons HotelsECO-CONSCIOUS ADVENTURES
While aquatic creatures such as mantas, whale sharks and reef sharks are a huge attraction in the Maldives, they exist here in abundance only because of the balancing act between humans and nature. The ecosystem is incredibly fragile. Due to warming ocean temperatures, the coral reefs protecting these low-lying islands from erosion are at risk of bleaching and dying off, which then affects the survival of marine creatures.Suite at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa; photo courtesy of HyattIf you’re a traveler who likes to consider the environmental impact of your vacations, you can look for a resort that champions ecotourism, such as Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, which is audited by EarthCheck and Green Globe for sustainability.
This resort was originally constructed as an Alila eco-resort, built with sustainable materials and minimal environmental impact. As such, it’s one of the only resorts in the Maldives with a 360-degree coral reef surrounded by vibrant marine life.
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa; photo courtesy of JW MarriottFROM PIRATE SHIPS TO PRODUCE PROJECTS
With the ocean being such a prominent feature of the Maldives, it’s not surprising that the early Maldivians were sailors, and there’s still a strong tradition of seafaring today. (Fishing is the second-largest economy after tourism.) Some resorts, such as the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa in Shaviyani Atoll, combine the signature luxury of a familiar American brand with Maldivian influences; think coconut thatch roofs shaped like upturned boats in a nod to the nation’s fishing heritage. It also has one of the biggest kids clubs in the Maldives.The Little Griffins Kids Club boasts a 42-foot wooden pirate ship, which looks so enticing I almost wished I were a kid so that I could climb up to the crow’s nest. Lucky kids visiting this tropical playground have their own pool plus more than 100 activities to keep them entertained. Among them are Marine Talk sessions led by the resident marine biologist, with a focus on coral preservation and biodiversity. Other sessions, such as the smoothie-making workshops, teach kids about sustainability and let them pick island-grown ingredients from the
JW Garden produce project.
The JW Garden was inspired by the brand founder’s love of daily nature walks and his wife’s enjoyment of her vegetable garden. In the Maldives, a country where most of the produce must be imported because there isn’t enough landmass for large-scale agriculture, the concept takes on even more importance because growing fresh produce and herbs for the kitchen reduces the resort’s carbon footprint.
Maldivian resorts can vary enormously, so talk with a AAA Travel Advisor to help you decide on the right one for you. Once you’ve picked your resort, prepare for the clearest waters, most brilliant shades of turquoise and some of the world’s best private islands.
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