Awards
Forbes Travel Guide ranks Maldives among top destinations for 2025
Maldives has been named one of Forbes Travel Guide’s top destinations for 2025, solidifying its position as a premier global travel hotspot. Known for its pristine beaches, overwater villas, and unrivalled natural beauty, the Maldives continues to capture the imagination of travelers seeking far-flung luxury and wellness experiences.
Forbes Travel Guide’s selection reflects a growing trend among travellers gravitating toward remote locales and wellness-focused getaways. Highlighting this shift, Forbes notes, “From the tranquil beaches of the Maldives to the vibrant cultural landscape of Bhutan, these destinations offer a diverse range of experiences that go beyond a typical vacation.”
Travel to the Maldives is set to become even more seamless with the anticipated 2025 completion of renovations at Velana International Airport. The expansion will include a new passenger terminal, an additional runway, and a state-of-the-art seaplane terminal, significantly enhancing connectivity and convenience for international travellers. These upgrades aim to complement the Maldives’ allure as a destination that epitomises exclusivity and ease.
The Maldives is increasingly recognized as a leader in wellness tourism, offering transformative experiences that prioritise personal well-being and connection with nature. Forbes highlights two Five-Star resorts that are setting benchmarks in this sector:
- JOALI BEING: Renowned for its immersive wellness programs, JOALI BEING offers a comprehensive approach to personal transformation, with tailored experiences that cover everything from mindful nutrition to restorative sleep therapies.
- Velaa Private Island: The recently launched Velaa Wellbeing Village is redefining wellness luxury. With a focus on Ayurvedic, osteopathic, and medical services, the facility includes a Pilates and yoga studio, as well as a healthy dining option, ensuring holistic care for guests.
While the Maldives’ resorts are iconic, the destination’s appeal extends far beyond luxury accommodations. The archipelago’s rich marine life, vibrant coral reefs, and unique cultural heritage provide unparalleled opportunities for exploration and discovery. From snorkelling with manta rays to enjoying traditional Maldivian cuisine, visitors are immersed in experiences that highlight the natural and cultural treasures of this idyllic destination.
Being featured among Forbes Travel Guide’s top destinations for 2025 underscores the Maldives’ enduring appeal in the international travel landscape. With enhancements to infrastructure and a growing emphasis on wellness, the Maldives is poised to welcome discerning travellers seeking the ultimate blend of luxury, tranquility, and personal enrichment.
As Forbes aptly puts it, “The Maldives makes for the ultimate faraway dream vacation.” With 2025 on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to start planning your escape to paradise.
Awards
Dusit Thani Maldives ranked among Maldives’ top pools and spas in Travel + Leisure awards
Dusit Thani Maldives has announced its recognition in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026, earning two distinctions in the Maldives category.
The resort was ranked #6 in Maldives Best Resort Pools, while Devarana Spa was ranked #7 in Maldives Best Resort Spas.
Set on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Dusit Thani Maldives offers a serene island escape where Thai-inspired gracious hospitality meets the natural beauty of the Maldives. The resort’s expansive pool, surrounded by tropical greenery and steps from the Indian Ocean, remains one of its most loved spaces for guests to relax, reconnect and enjoy the rhythm of island life.
The recognition for Devarana Wellness further highlights the resort’s focus on meaningful wellbeing experiences. Nestled among the island’s lush palms, the treetop treatment rooms offer a peaceful setting for restorative therapies, mindful rituals and wellness journeys inspired by nature.
“We are truly honoured to be recognised by Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026,” said Jean-Louis Ripoche, Area General Manager Maldives, Dusit International. “These awards mean a great deal to us because they reflect the experiences our guests continue to enjoy and appreciate. From relaxing poolside moments to deeply restorative wellness journeys, our team takes pride in creating memorable stays that feel both personal and connected to the beauty of our island.”
This latest recognition adds to Dusit Thani Maldives’ growing list of international accolades and reinforces the resort’s position as a leading luxury island retreat in the Maldives.
For more information, please visit the resort’s website.
Awards
Alila Kothaifaru recognised among top 10% of hotels worldwide
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, a Hyatt resort, has been recognised with the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2026, placing the resort among the top 10% of hotels worldwide based on reviews and ratings shared by travellers over the past year.
Unlike awards determined by industry panels, the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award reflects the experiences of guests themselves. From memorable marine encounters and thoughtfully curated dining experiences to the genuine hospitality of the resort’s team, the recognition highlights the moments that guests continue to remember long after their stay.

Situated in the pristine Raa Atoll and surrounded by a vibrant house reef, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has become a favourite among travellers seeking a balance of contemporary luxury and meaningful connection with nature. Guest reviews frequently describe the resort as a “slice of paradise,” praising its attentive service, tranquil atmosphere, beautiful villas, exceptional dining, and unforgettable snorkeling experiences.
Many guests have highlighted the warmth and sincerity of the resort’s team, noting how personalised gestures and intuitive service transformed their stay into something truly memorable. Others have shared glowing reviews of the island’s marine life, from encounters with sea turtles, eagle rays and black tip reef sharks just steps from their villa to excursions in search of manta rays and dolphins in the surrounding waters.

The recognition follows the resort’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2025, reaffirming its reputation as one of the Maldives’ most highly regarded luxury island retreats.
“What stands out most when reading our TripAdvisor reviews is how closely the island and its people are connected in our guests’ memories. They speak about the turquoise lagoon, the vibrant house reef, and the sense of tranquility they find here, but they also remember the waiter who knew their morning coffee order, the chef who thoughtfully accommodated their dietary preferences, the dive instructor who guided their first underwater adventure, or the villa host who added a personal touch to a special celebration,” said Abdul Salam Ahmed, Guest Experience Manager.
“Luxury is often measured by beautiful villas, exceptional cuisine, or breathtaking scenery. While we are fortunate to offer all of these, true luxury is something far less tangible. It is the luxury of uninterrupted time, of complete peace of mind, and of feeling genuinely cared for by a team that anticipates every need. What resonates most deeply with our guests is not simply what they see, but how they feel when they are here,” said Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.

Inspired by the stories and feedback shared by its guests, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives continues to shape experiences that celebrate the island’s natural beauty, rich marine environment, and genuine hospitality—creating memories that linger long after the journey home.
Rather than simply being a destination to visit, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives strives to be a place guests return to in their memories and increasingly, in person.
For more information, visit the resort’s website.
Awards
Six Senses Laamu tops Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific Luxury Awards family resort category
Six Senses Laamu has been recognised as the #1 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives at the Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific LuxuryAwards 2026, reaffirming its position as one of the region’s most sought-after destinations for meaningful family travel. The resort was also named among the Top 10 Best House Reefs in the Maldives, celebrating its exceptional marine environment and world- class snorkelling.
Presented by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau, the annual awards recognize the region’s leading travel experiences, with winners chosen by reader vote. The 2026 awards featured the best hotels, resorts, spas, and travel experiences across Asia Pacific.
Located in the remote Laamu Atoll, Six Senses Laamu is the only five-star resort in the atoll and is known for its blend of sustainability, wellness, adventure, and family-friendly experiences. Families can explore the underwater world, join educational programs such as the much-loved Junior Marine Biologist experience, enjoy outdoor movie nights, and discover the rich natural beauty of one of the Maldives’ most pristine destinations.
The recognition also highlights the resort’s vibrant house reef, home to abundant marine life and offering easy access to snorkelling directly from the island. Conservation remains central to the guest experience through the Maldives Underwater Initiative, a pioneering program founded by Six Senses Laamu that brings the resort together with its leading marine conservation partners to protect the reef ecosystem for generations to come.
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