Imagine private white-sand islands fringed by crystal blue water, the Maldives is the ultimate luxury island escape. The speedboat slows and it comes into sight. A tiny speck of an island surrounded by a turquoise lagoon and the whitest sand you’ve ever seen. It’s better than the pictures – the Maldives is where colour comes to life. We can tell you this first-hand, because we’re the original Maldives experts and have been creating luxury Maldives holidays for almost 50 years.

There’s a reason why this is our most popular destination. Expect to lose all sense of time and what’s going on elsewhere as you sink into your overwater villa’s private pool and drink in the views. Here, working your way through the hand-crafted cocktail list is as strenuous as it gets. Need more? How about venturing beneath the ocean’s surface to glide alongside turtles and whale sharks; sipping Champagne on a luxury cruise as the sun sets; or escaping to an uninhabited island, Robinson Crusoe-style, for an unforgettable evening-for-two under the stars.

We can tell you where you’ll find the best house reefs, the sleekest water villas and the best-value all-inclusive options. From rustic beach escapes to ultra-luxury private pool retreats, we’ve hand-picked 36 of the best Maldives hotels and each of our chosen resorts sits on its own private island.

Maldives Holidays Highlights

 There’s nowhere better for an away-from-it-all luxury honeymoon

 Don’t just limit yourself to one island; a twin-centre Maldives holiday is easier than you might think

Superb diving and snorkelling – many islands have their own house reef

Great choice of island resorts where you’ll find one perfect for you