Veligandu Island Resort, surrounded by a beautiful lagoon and a long stretch of white sandy beach, is accessible by a scenic 20-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport. The resort, which has recently won the Holidaycheck Award for the Top Hotel/Resort in the Maldives for the second year in a row, has 76 rooms, including 54 Jacuzzi Water Villas, 10 Water Villas and 12 Jacuzzi Beach Villas.

Accessible by a 25-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, Velassaru Maldives offers contemporary-styled villas and bungalows. A wide variety of international specialities are prepared at Velassaru’s five restaurants, including fresh contemporary sea food, Japanese, international and grill pan Indian options, while the two beach bars serve cocktails and wines.

Kurumba Maldives, located a mere 15-minute speedboat ride away from Velana International Airport, is the first resort opened in the Maldives in 1972. Following a complete reconstruction in 2003, it has emerged as a grand resort of distinctive style and panache. With 180 bungalows and villas dotted throughout the island within verdant foliage only a pace or two from the beach, Kurumba Maldives offers a wide range of luxurious accommodation.

The Barefoot Eco Hotel is located within an almost untouched forest on Hanimadhoo island in the preserved deep north of Maldives. This four-star eco hotel offers tranquil and comfortable accommodation options featuring private balcony or terrace along with a private beach area.

The Gold List recognises the best hotels and resorts around the world, based on guest reviews. It is the highest honour in the Loved by Guests awards by Expedia-affiliated hotels.com, a leading online accommodation booking website with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts.

The Loved by Guests awards were curated using data that showed that it is the simple things that create hotel perfection, with luxurious extras seen as the cherry on the cake. The hotels.com data revealed that cleanliness and comfort are 35 times more important than an extravagant breakfast, a luxurious pool or a deluxe coffee machine in your room. And surprisingly, in this connected world, the impact of friendly and helpful staff is 10 times more important than free Wi-Fi.