The Maldives is famous for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and of course the most luxurious hotels in the world. The Maldives is also a hot spot for the rich and famous. From Hollywood celebrities to internationally renowned athletes and showbiz stars, everyone travels to the honeymoon islands for a romantic or family vacation. Nothing says luxury travel like a trip to the Maldives, and it’s no surprise that the ‘A-list celebrities’ list seems to visit these islands on a daily basis. With social media news feeds filled with perfect beach photos with beautiful views, it’s almost impossible not to get wanderlust.
If you really want to travel in style like the rich and famous, you need to book a water villa with a pool. Forget fights over sun loungers by the public pool and escape from the paparazzi in the resort lobby. These private islands actually have a fairly strict (and fair) privacy policy that they will not share any information about the celebrities who have stayed at their resorts.
So whereof all the islands do the rich and famous in the Maldives go? The good news is that we have a list of the top 10 resorts where you are sure to meet one of your favorite super-stars!
Amilla Fushi Resort Villas & Residences
Who Stayed Here: The Beckhams, Gordon Ramsey, Kate Moss, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslett, Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, and Katy Perry, Lindsay Lohan, Lena Meckel, Cara Delevingne & Ashley Benson, Rita Ora
The luxury resort is located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in Baa Atoll, one of 26 natural atolls in the Indian Ocean. Since opening in 2015, Amilla Fushi Resort has broken the status quo and modernized the traditional concept of a luxury island getaway. With sleek modern architecture and all-around attention to detail, the resort has become a destination for superstars who have named the island their favorite destination. The Amilla Fushi Resort-Villa has been chosen as the destination for the likes of Victoria and David Beckhams, Gordon Ramsey, and Kate Winslet. Supermodel Kate Moss is also a fan.
The Beckham clan celebrated the New Year at the huge eight-bedroom Amilla Great Beach Villa, while the Ramseys stayed at the four-bedroom Amilla Villa. Each villa offers an incredible seaside location and a world of added value – we love the Rolls Royce special buggies!
Amilla Fushi is a 30-minute seaplane ride from the capital Male or a 10-minute speedboat ride from Dharavandu Airport.
One & Only Reethi Rah
Who Stayed Here: David Beckham, Gordon Ramsay, Roman Abramovich; Tom Cruise; American model and actress Milla Jovovich; Russell Crowe, Idris Elba
Before staying there, Reethi Rah seems a bit conservative for a resort island. Sleek, stately, but maybe missing some of the Maldives-themed bounty details (call it what you like) that are in vogue today. Going ashore, you will understand that the refusal to follow the newfangled trend is the very point: you just do not need it when you are the best. Reti Ra adheres to her own One & Only style. Of all the islands that make up the Maldives, Riti Ra is most in keeping with the zeitgeist of the celebrity. Deliberately not “trendy”, evolving to the highest level of luxury, specializing in high-quality service to its guests, an experience that you are unlikely to find anywhere else in the Maldives.
The staff wear designer sunglasses and their boutique offers platform shoes specially designed by Christian Louboutin. 75 minutes by speedboat from the airport in the capital of Maldives, Male. Many resorts in the Maldives are not much larger than a soccer field, but Ryti Ra is so large that it has space for its own AstroTurf for guests to have fun on, as well as a number of championship-standard tennis courts. At this resort, you get a spot for your money, glowing lanterns at every turn, and lots of quirky touches. One of the resort’s eight restaurants is Botanica, an organic restaurant set in its own vegetable garden, and ClubOne has top-tier DJs flying in for special events.
Gili Lankanfushi
Who Stayed Here: Melissa Benoist & Chris Wood, Tommy Lee, Adrien Brody, Richard Branson, tennis star Novak Djokovic
Gili Lankanfushi is considered by many to be one of the finest hotels in the Maldives, and for good reason. Just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Male Airport, this stunning 46-villa eco-resort offers truly unpretentious and laid-back luxury. It is recommended to go barefoot (shoes are removed as soon as you leave the airport by boat), and each guest is surrounded by the care of a personal butler with the title “Mr. Friday”. Spacious, charmingly simple water villas are built of wood and feature open (and rooftop!) Terraces with sea views that can bring tears of joy. On land, the beautiful island with 683 palm trees offers a wide range of activities and excellent dining options. This rare diamond in the Maldives is more authentic than other well-known branded boutique resorts at the same price, given the regular presence of global celebrities in Gili Lankanfushi.
Huvafen Fushi
Who Stayed Here: Kate Moss & Jamie Hince, Corinne Bailey Rae, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Roger Federer Tennis Player
Located just 30 minutes by speedboat from the main airport of the Maldives, Huvafen Fushi perfectly blends Maldivian style with trendy and chic elements. Thatched villas outside and inside, unique amenities, sophisticated design, modern furnishings, high-tech equipment, and last but not least, glamorous activities that make Huvafen Fushi a truly dreamlike island. This private island paradise, surrounded by one of the finest house reefs in the Maldives, is home to the world’s first and only underwater spa, and with just 44 rooms, it provides unrivaled privacy and intimacy. At the 2017 Maldives Travel Awards, Huvafen Fushi was voted Most Romantic Resort.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Who Stayed Here: Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer, Fernando Torres, Ronan & Storm Keating, Robin Thicke
Anantara Kihavah is just a 35-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport. After a scenic flight, guests arrive at an ideal location surrounded by crystal clear waters and uninhabited islands in the majestic Indian Ocean.
The Resort Consisting of 75 one-bedroom villas, four two-bedroom residences, and a three-bedroom residence, each residence boasts large private infinity pools, dining pavilions, expansive wooden decks, and spacious lounges with day beds, hammocks, and sun loungers. All villas have his and her dressing room, rain shower, outdoor shower, and large bathtubs for two. The glass-bottomed baths in the overwater villas offer mesmerizing views of the sparkling ocean, both below and outside the adjacent infinity pool.
Milaidhoo Island Maldives
Who Stayed Here: Elizabeth Hurley, Lucy Watson, and her partner, James Dunmore; Elena Flying
Cozy and stylish, Milaidhoo invites you to enjoy nature in discreet luxury. The private island Milaidhoo, located in the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by white sands and coral reefs, is a luxurious natural wonder. Imagine high-end entertainment in the “luxury reinvented” style, where guests will have an unforgettable experience in the most unique location in the Maldives. Aiming to offer a unique and authentic Maldivian experience, this new kid in the collection of Baa Atoll’s finest hotels is causing a stir with its refreshing modern take on classic Maldivian style. Created only for couples and romantics, Milaidhoo only accepts children from the age of 9. What’s more, Male is just 30 minutes by seaplane or 15 minutes by domestic flight, followed by a short boat ride.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Who Stayed Here: Emily Ratajkowski, Serena Williams and husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio, DJ Snake, Dustin Martin, Gerard Pique, and Shakira, Alessandra Ambrosio
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is an exclusive 5-star resort that takes Maldives luxury travel to the “next level”. Opened on July 1, 2019, the resort offers luxury holidays tailored to the individual needs of its discerning guests.
Situated on three islands in South Male Atoll, this breathtaking new resort is surrounded by a crystal clear lagoon that is home to exciting underwater life. The resort, which means “The Pearl” in Divehi, will offer travelers from all over the world 138 luxuriously furnished villas in an inspiring setting, complemented by the iconic True Waldorf Service. In addition, the resort will have 10 truly unique dining options, including an unforgettable tree-top restaurant with great views. The new Waldorf Astoria Maldives also has an exclusive yet serene spa and wellness center, a wide range of water sports, and ample facilities for young guests.
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI – A Luxury All-Inclusive Resort
Best: All-Inclusive, Honeymooners & Families, Beaches, Diving, House Reef Snorkeling, Restaurants
Who has stayed here: Shah Rukh Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Tennis star Andy Murray, Indian actor Shabir Ahluwalia
Located in South Male Atoll, this ultra-luxurious resort offers unparalleled island life with ample spaces, direct access to sun-drenched beaches, and gourmet food in an unreal setting. Suitable for active families and romantic couples, each of the 90 villas and suites offers absolute privacy, with a private pool and direct beach or blue lagoon access, and 24-hour butler service. Luxury amenities on the island include 5 restaurants and bars, an Asian spa, yoga classes, a gym, excellent diving, and water sports center, and the Maldives’ first ice skating rink. Inspired by the core philosophy of “The Joy of Giving”, OZEN Reserve Bolifushi Resort, starting November 1, 2020, will offer guests the luxury and sheer enjoyment of a pristine Indian Ocean just 20 minutes by luxury yacht from Male Airport.
Soneva Fushi
Who Stayed Here: Naomi Harris, Jodie Kidd, Nicole Scherzinger, Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney, Liv Tyler, The Beckhams, Rita Ora, Guy Ritchie, Jenna Coleman, Sophie Turner & Joe Jonas, Millie Bobby Brown, Salma Hayek, Tiger Shroff, Milind Soman, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor-Ali Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Jason Robinson
Soneva Fushi is one of the most luxurious villas resorts in the Maldives and that says something. Soneva Fushi’s eco-chic villas with white sandy beaches on a private island in the Maldives are the embodiment of the romantic fantasies of Robinson Crusoe, who if he could develop hotels – would build Soneva Fushi! Throw off your shoes and relax: With a luxury spa, hypnotic house reef, and high-quality butler service, you won’t need anything on this beautiful private island’s laid-back playground. A total of 65 residences and villas have been implanted in the midst of lush vegetation to ensure maximum privacy for each and, most importantly, not be seen from the sea. 8 room categories, each trying to surpass the elegance of its neighbor, from the simple Rehendi of 182 m2 to the huge 720 m2 Jungle Reserve, past the Crusoe Villas, Apartments, or even the Soneva Fushi Villa. In 2020, new water villas with slides were opened on the island.
The island itself can only be explored by bike, golf cart, or on foot, thanks to the resort’s innovative No News – No Shoe policy. They do this by encouraging guests to leave their shoes in their suitcases, banning newspapers and news channels, and embracing the “simplicity of Robinson Crusoe”; perfect for celebrities who mostly dictate headlines. The pools in the villas offer sea views, steps from a stretch of secluded beach that gives guests the opportunity to refresh themselves away from prying eyes. Perhaps that is why Soneva became a little secret of high society for a completely relaxing holiday.
Soneva Jani
Who Stayed Here: Rita Ora, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Falchuk, Chris Martin, Dakota Johnson, Billie Faiers, and Greg Shepherd.
Soneva Jani is like a person with personal magnetism, a person who knows himself, knows the world, and greets him with a wide, welcoming smile. This resort has not only character but also charisma. A perfect blend of luxury and nature, Soneva Jani offers guests an unparalleled experience in an idyllic setting. Inspired by this word, which means wisdom in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani is Medufaru Island, which is part of an uninhabited cluster of five islands in Nunu Atoll. The most exclusive luxury hotel in the Maldives and the most prestigious hotel brand in the world is surrounded by pristine beaches covered with lush tropical greenery and a turquoise lagoon with crystal clear waters and unrivaled 360 ° views of the Indian Ocean. Today, Soneva Jani has 24 water villas and one beachfront villa, although additional beachfront villas are planned at a later stage.
