Maldives Travel Guide 2025: Where To Stay, What To Experience And How To Recharge
The most breathtaking destination that really is in the middle of nowhere, the Maldives. A chain of 26 atolls situated in the vast Indian ocean and home to some of the exceptional sealife, coral reefs and luxurious resorts in the world. The Maldives has 1,190 small coral islands and sandbanks scattered across the ocean like pretty pearls. 200 of these islands are inhabited by locals and resorts. By flying into the capital main island Male and having a short boat ride or seaplane, you are guaranteed to experience something undeniably magical.
Where to stay
If you are looking for a home away from home and bespoke five start service, then The St. Regis Vommuli Resort is one of the best and most luxurious hotels you can find in the Indian Ocean, and proudly pronounced as not just a place to stay but a place to be. The resort offers a choice of suits and villas each with their own private pools, there are 44 over-water and 33 on-land villas. Whether it’s a beautiful garden surrounded by the tropical forest, a beach villa with private beach access or a dreamy water villa you will be blown away by the standard. Every villa has bikes outside, which is perfect to explore the island or to taxi yourself from beach to cocktails to villa. The island is also home to the largest private overwater villa in the Maldives, The John Jacob Astor Estate, named after the founder of the St. Regis brand. 16,500 square feet of stunning design and views across endless ocean. It has everything from a private infinity pool, individual spa suits connected to each of the bedroom, your very own cinema room and hidden staff quarters. Think of luxury and then times by 10!
You are truly made to feel at home by the wonderful staff and your own personal butler, famous to all St Regis resorts and part of the experience they offer. You will be left speechless by the personalised touches, written notes morning and evening, assistance with unpacking, curated itineraries, perfectly timed golf buggy pickups, dinner reservations or even a late night peppermint tea request. This is just the start of the thoughtful service provided. This luxurious experience starts from the moment you are greeted at Male airport with a personalised video to the moment your feet leave white sand, The St. Regis Vommuli is the perfect blend of luxury, tranquillity and purely beautiful paradise.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
For a more intimate paradise has 69 contemporary spacious villas and suits all with spectacular Maldivian ocean views and amenities, you will have the choice of half board, full board or all-inclusive meaning you can personalise the holiday to suit your needs. Sustainability and conservation are always at the forefront of the resorts mind. You will be welcomed by the wonderful staff and instantly feel right at home.
Sheraton Maldives Full Mood Resort & Spa
An island situated just 15 minutes away from Male airport is Sheraton Maldives Full Mood Resort & Spa, making it beneficial for families. Beautiful white sand beaches and luscious palm tree’s. There are 176 expertly designer rooms, over -water villa’s with the choice of having a private pool right outside. Enjoy an all-inclusive offering so you can lie back and indulge in all it has to offer, unlimited beverages, meals covered and a complimentary speedboat airport transfer means you can adapt to island life with ease.
Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Situated in the Lhaviyani Atoll and a 40 minute seaplane from Male you will be welcomed by perfect white sand and smiling faces from the team at Le Meridien Resort. The resort is designed with the French Riviera in mind. They offer over water and land villa’s all with direct access to the water. Minimalist rooms create a calming atmosphere and simply make the blue ocean waters and sky pop even more. Perfect for family holidays with many child friendly amenities, but find the Rivera adult only pool for couples and child free groups.
What to experience
The Maldives holds a the key to creating magical memories. The white sand beaches and turquoise waters mean you can experience the sea life first hand by snorkelling amongst the corals, turtles and whale sharks. Scuba dive the deep waters and take in all the coral reefs have to offer. Challenge yourself with a stand up paddle board lesson and cruise the crystal waters or have a tennis lesson in the middle of the rainforest.
The Vommuli Dive & Water sport Centre offers parasailing windsurfing plus a guided snorkelling experience at St Regis, this allows you to learn while you explore, not only about the underwater sealife and but also what the island does to ensure the marine life is protected. Fancy adopting some coral? Well, the resort partnered with Reefscapers to launch a coral propagation programme, you can help the specialised marine biologist team to adopt and replant broken coral onto frames which are then place in the house reef to grow and flourish. After leaving your sustainable mark on the Maldives to which you can then track your adopted corals progress every 6 months via the reefscapers site.
If a land activity is more your cup of tea then head to the ever so chic island gym or enjoy a relaxing yoga lesson with the Maldivian waves crashing in the background. Celebrating something extra special? Book a private excursion on St Regis' luxurious yacht ‘Norma’ at sunset, enjoy some champagne and canapés in the middle of sea and appreciate the island’s beauty from the distance.
If a family holiday is on the cards, there is an array of incredible Kids clubs across the resorts, your little ones won’t want to leave paradise either. Le Méridien offers a curated program for you kids allowing all their creativity expand with indoor and outdoor activities in their Kids Hub water villa.
Be sure to take a few days to enjoy your personal residence, take a dip in the private pool or jump in and have a swim in the ever so tempting waters 20 steps from your home, don't forget to admire and spot the flying foxes swooping in and out of the trees and finally have a deep breath and take in the beauty of the islands.
Where to eat and drink
Fine dining surrounded by a tropical forest or calming waves while the sun sets is arguable the best way to experience some of the best culinary delights in the world. If a foodie trip to the Maldives is what you are after, let your tastebuds take over in Cargo at St Regis Vommuli. The restaurant is hidden amidst the tropical gardens with low lighting and burning incense scattered, it’s open kitchen in an old cargo container from the ruins of the Titanic, where St. Regis’s founder John Jacob Astor 4th, sadly lost his life in 1912, you’ll feel transported into a middle eastern gourmet experience.
Consider yourself a part time wine connoisseur? Then you must enjoy a wine tasting and pairing dinner with the sommelier at the islands underground Wine Cellar, home to over 615 labels from 23 countries and over 2000 bottles. It’s truly a wine lovers cave of wonders! The beautifully designed Whale Bar is the perfect overwater lounge to appreciate the sunset, experience the champagne sabering every evening and sip on St Regis’ famous bloody mary.
At The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, their signature Japanese restaurant offers freshly caught seafood while taking in the breathtaking views of the island, the Island Kitchen offers healthy dishes filled with natural local ingredients. For a Spanish tapas experience take a seat at the beachside Riviera Tapas & Bar at Le Meridien, taste the Catalonian flavours while taking in the vast turquoise sea.
After enjoying the dining delights in the Maldives you are bound to be left satisfied and ready to take a few steps back to your villa to kick back and relax.
How to recharge
Relaxation and wellness is the forefront of any holiday to the Maldives, it’s hard not to be instantly calm when stepping on to a white sand island, however maximise that as there is arguably nothing quite as relaxing as admiring the turquoise waters from a hydrotherapy fresh water pool. The Iridium Spa shaped like a lobster above the crystal waters at the St Regis offers an array of treatments, with six private over the sea treatment suits, enjoy a bespoke traditional Asian massage with a blend of natural oils chosen by you ahead of the treatment, the use of hot stones and sand allow your body to melt away. Afterwards treat your mind, body and soul to a healing sound bath with the ocean in the background.
The Shine Spa at the Sheraton Full Moon resort hidden away on a smaller island with calming plush gardens, enjoy the signature treatments like a tailor-made Balinese massage in a private room with the soft breeze whistling around you and simply renew and unwind.
Disconnect, recharge and make memories that last a lifetime in the Maldives, you are bound to leave feeling a whole new level of chill, which a whole new appreciation for the tranquil Indian ocean.
Prices at St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort start from $2,545 per night in a Beach Villa with Pool inclusive of daily breakfast at ALBA for two.
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