Why the world visits Maldives
Stay
Soneva Jani
Overwater villas with waterslides and retractable roofs on Noonu Atoll. The flagship of Soneva's no news, no shoes barefoot luxury; entry-level villas among the largest overwater villas in the Maldives.
Soneva Fushi
The original barefoot-luxury resort from 1995 on Kunfunadhoo in the UNESCO Baa Atoll biosphere: jungle villas, an observatory, open-air Cinema Paradiso. Widely regarded as the first true luxury hotel in the Maldives.
Cheval Blanc Randheli
LVMH's Maldivian maison on Noonu Atoll: 45 Jean-Michel Gathy-designed villas, a dedicated Guerlain spa island and a private seaplane.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Three-island resort with 119 villas and 11 dining venues. Forbes Five-Star; the two-level Stella Maris Ocean Villa is reached only by boat.
One&Only Reethi Rah, MaldivesOne&Only Reethi Rah
Grand-scale private island with 118 villas and 12 beaches, 45 minutes by yacht from Malé. Longstanding celebrity haunt; large villas and Forbes Five-Star service.
The Nautilus Maldives
Just 26 houses on a Baa Atoll island with fully unscripted service: meals cooked to order anywhere, anytime. The ultra-private celebrity honeymoon hideaway; no fixed meal times, no set menus.
Eat
The tables worth flying for.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant (Conrad Maldives Rangali Island)
The world's first all-glass undersea restaurant, five metres below the lagoon. Why famous: the most photographed restaurant in the Maldives; venue for the annual Michelin Master Series with three-star guest chefs.
Out of the Blue (Soneva Fushi)
Two-storey overwater pavilion with several kitchens, a sushi counter and an overwater greenhouse. Why famous: Soneva's culinary heart; hosts visiting Michelin-starred chef residencies.
Once Upon a Table (Soneva Fushi)
Eight-seat horseshoe table serving menu-less dinners by visiting Michelin-starred chefs. Why famous: the Maldives' most exclusive chef's table; eight guests, no menu.
Baraabaru (Four Seasons Kuda Huraa)
Torch-lit open-deck Indian restaurant with South Indian architecture. Why famous: the benchmark for Indian fine dining in the Maldives; tandoor tapas and full thalis under the stars.
SEA (Anantara Kihavah)
Underwater restaurant in the Baa Atoll serving seafood tasting menus beneath the reef. Why famous: one of the Maldives' signature underwater dining rooms, inside a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Culture
The landmarks worth landing for.
Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy)
1658 coral-stone mosque in Malé. Why visit: the oldest mosque in the country and a UNESCO candidate.
Malé
The capital island: mosques, markets and the waterfront. Why visit: the living Maldives beyond the resorts.
Mulee Aage and Sultan Park
The presidential palace and the old sultan's garden in Malé. Why visit: the political heart of the islands.