The Maldives has secured 20 of the 25 places in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards ranking of the best resorts in the Indian Ocean, with JOALI Maldives taking the top position in the region.

Published on 6 October, the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are based on votes from Condé Nast Traveller readers, with the scores representing the overall average level of satisfaction reported by respondents. JOALI Maldives was ranked the best resort in the Indian Ocean with a score of 99.83.

The Maldives accounted for 80 per cent of the 25 resorts included in the Indian Ocean category. Maldivian properties also occupied seven of the top eight positions and eight of the top 10, underlining the destination’s strong showing in this year’s awards.

Following JOALI Maldives in first place, COMO Cocoa Island was ranked third with a score of 99.35, while Soneva Secret placed fourth with 99.21. One&Only Reethi Rah took fifth place with 99.18, The Nautilus was sixth with 99.06, Soneva Fushi seventh with 99.01, and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru eighth with 98.89.

Constance Halaveli completed the Maldives representation in the top 10, ranking 10th with a score of 98.59. Madagascar’s Miavana by Time + Tide was the only property to separate the Maldives resorts at the top of the ranking, taking second place with 99.59, while Mauritius’ The St Regis Le Morne Resort placed ninth.

The Maldivian resorts featured in the 2026 Indian Ocean ranking are:

1. JOALI Maldives — 99.83
2. COMO Cocoa Island — 99.35
3. Soneva Secret — 99.21
4. One&Only Reethi Rah — 99.18
5. The Nautilus Maldives — 99.06
6. Soneva Fushi — 99.01
7. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru — 98.89
8. Constance Halaveli Maldives — 98.59
9. Dhigali Maldives — 98.48
10. Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island — 98.24
11. SO/ Maldives — 98.18
12. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands — 98.08
13. LUX* South Ari Atoll, Maldives — 97.84
14. Six Senses Kanuhura, Maldives — 97.33
15. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — 96.50
16. Niyama Private Islands Maldives — 96.38
17. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives — 95.84
18. Patina Maldives, Fari Islands — 95.52
19. Amilla Maldives — 93.64
20. Kudadoo Maldives Private Island — 93.24

The other five places in the Indian Ocean category went to resorts in Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar. The ranking included Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa and The Oberoi Beach Resort in Mauritius, Six Senses Zil Pasyon in Seychelles, The St Regis Le Morne Resort in Mauritius, and Miavana by Time + Tide in Madagascar.

The Readers’ Choice Awards recognise destinations, hotels, resorts, airlines and other travel experiences selected by Condé Nast Traveller readers. In its overall list of 2026 winners, the publication separately confirmed JOALI Maldives as the Indian Ocean resort category winner.

The results mark another strong international showing for the Maldives, with properties ranging from established private-island resorts to newer luxury developments represented across almost every level of the Indian Ocean top 25.

This festive season, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives invites guests to come together beneath the Maldivian sun and stars with Season of Light, a festive journey unfolding from 23 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.

Inspired by the warmth of the season and the natural beauty of light in the Maldives, the programme is centred around the moments that make this time of year meaningful: shared celebrations, unhurried time with loved ones, new experiences and memories made together. From Christmas traditions and festive dining to days spent on the ocean, family adventures and a sparkling welcome to the New Year, guests are invited to experience the season at their own pace.

Season of Light arrives at the close of a milestone year for Kuda Villingili, with the resort recognised in the MICHELIN Guide 2026 Hotel Selection. The recognition reflects the resort’s distinctive sense of place, thoughtful design, quality of service and connection to its Maldivian surroundings — qualities that continue through the festive season, where each experience is designed to bring guests closer to the island and to one another.

Gastronomy takes centre stage throughout Season of Light, following a year of international recognition for Kuda Villingili’s culinary offering. Named Best Gastronomic Retreat in the Maldives at the Global Destination Awards 2026, the resort also celebrates its third consecutive year of Wine Spectator recognition, with Mar-Umi receiving the 2026 Award of Excellence. Across the festive season, guests can experience this passion for food and wine through Nikkei Nights at Mar-Umi, barbecue evenings, Steak & Wine Night, the intimate WINE-DOWN Wednesday seafood dinner, and A Journey Through India & Arabia at Spice. From thoughtfully curated wine pairings to evenings shaped around live music and shared tables, the programme brings together the resort’s diverse culinary experiences and celebrated wine collection.

The celebrations begin on 23 December as the island comes aglow with the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festive Carols, setting the tone for the days ahead. Christmas Eve brings sunset cocktails at Raalhu Bar before an elegant Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at The Restaurant, with festive flavours and live entertainment carrying the celebrations into the evening. On Christmas morning, younger guests can look forward to a little island magic as Santa makes his much-awaited arrival on the beach.

Beyond the season’s main celebrations, island days are filled with opportunities to experience the Maldives from a different perspective. Guests can start the morning with Ocean Breeze Yoga over the water, head out in search of marine life on Echoes of the Reef and dolphin voyages, or discover the underwater world through snorkelling, scuba diving and wreck dives. Sunset brings its own rhythm, from Golden Hour Glide and secluded sandbank escapes to fishing beneath the stars, while Fun Ride Fest and the Water Scooter experience add a playful dose of adventure throughout the festive season.

Families have their own festive world to discover at Kuda Fiyo Kids Club, with a programme designed around creativity, play and shared discovery. Across the season, children can take part in festive arts and crafts, culinary workshops, treasure hunts, beach games, science activities, themed challenges and special Christmas and New Year moments. A team of children’s animators will also be on the island, bringing an additional programme of interactive games, creative sessions and entertainment for young guests and families throughout the festivities.

On 27 December, the celebrations spill poolside for the Season of Light Pool Party, bringing together music, tropical sunshine and a relaxed afternoon atmosphere around Kuda Villingili’s 150-metre pool.

The season reaches its crescendo on New Year’s Eve, beginning with cocktails and live music at Hawkers before the Season of Light: New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at The Restaurant. Guests are invited to dress in white for a radiant final evening of 2026, accompanied by live entertainment before gathering on The Restaurant Beach for the Countdown to 2027 beneath the Maldivian night sky.

As the first light of 2027 reaches the island, celebrations continue with First Light Breakfast at The Restaurant, where guests can welcome the year over a leisurely breakfast and sparkling wine. The festive journey then continues into January with more time for ocean adventures, wellness, dining and relaxed island days before Season of Light draws to a close on 7 January.

“Season of Light is ultimately about giving our guests time to be together and the freedom to celebrate in a way that feels meaningful to them,” says Deepa Manuel, General Manager of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives. “Whether that is gathering around the table, discovering the ocean, watching children experience the magic of Christmas or simply slowing down with the people they love, we hope the season becomes part of the memories they take home from Kuda Villingili.”

Located in North Malé Atoll, just 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives is home to 75 spacious villas and residences, all with private pools, eight distinctive restaurants, an overwater spa, a 150-metre pool, Kuda Fiyo Kids Club and extensive sports, recreation, watersports and diving experiences. With space for couples, families, friends and multi-generational travellers to shape each day around what matters most to them, the five star luxury resort in Maldives continues to bring its philosophy of Time and Space Redefined to life.

Discover the Season of Light Festive Programme here. For more information about Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, please visit the official website.

Milaidhoo Maldives has been ranked 10th in the Indian Ocean in the Resorts category of the Condé Nast Traveller 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, with the recognition coinciding with the resort’s 10th anniversary.

Opened with the concept of creating an intimate island retreat where guests could slow down, feel at home and experience the Maldives in a more personal way, Milaidhoo said its decade-long journey has been shaped as much by its people as by the island itself.

Over the past 10 years, the resort’s team, known as the Milaidhoo Family, has grown alongside the property. A number of colleagues have been with the resort since its early days, while others have joined throughout its journey, contributing to the personalised service that forms a central part of the Milaidhoo experience.

According to the resort, this approach is reflected in details such as remembering returning guests’ preferred tables and coffee choices, reconnecting with familiar visitors after several years and attending to individual preferences throughout their stay.

Milaidhoo has also welcomed a growing number of repeat guests over the years, many returning with family and friends or choosing the island to mark personal milestones and celebrations.

The resort said the Readers’ Choice recognition carries particular significance as it is based on the experiences and votes of travellers who have stayed at Milaidhoo.

For the resort, the accolade reflects the experiences of guests who have spent time on the island, from walking its beaches and watching sunsets from their villas to dining and interacting with members of the Milaidhoo team.

As Milaidhoo marks its 10th anniversary, the resort expressed gratitude to its team and guests for contributing to its development over the past decade, particularly those who have returned, recommended the resort to others and continued to be part of its story.

Milaidhoo Maldives is located in Baa Atoll and can be reached by a 35-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport. Alternatively, guests can take a 15-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat transfer to the private island resort.