After all the hustle and bustle of a wonderful wedding, we know that most couples long to escape to an island paradise to relax, rejuvenate and settle into married life. We think The Maldives, with its tropical scenery and elegant beach villas, is the ideal getaway and our editors’ have selected their top picks. Expect white sands, blush-pink sunsets, exquisite cuisine and dreamy destinations.
Velassaru, Maldives
Your heavenly honeymoon at Velassaru starts off in sleek style. Its (very) charming staff greet you at Malé and escort you onto a speedboat that whisks you over the sparkling waves to reach this island paradise of white sands in just 25 minutes. Complimentary champagne, spa credits and a plethora of romantic experiences, such as the dreamy sunset cruise and night snorkelling amid the warm, tropical waters, all contribute to an unforgettable honeymoon. And it’s all about authentic attention to detail here, think spa treatments brimming with indigenous ingredients like the Maldivian coral sand scrub followed by a sweet basil and coconut body wrap. In fact, a couple’s treatment on the overwater treatment pavilions set on stilts is the perfect post-wedding wind-down – sheer bliss! There are just 129 villas here – we vote for the ones with private pools – yet the island offers five delightful restaurants and two chic bars. If you can’t resist trying everything, the Vessaru Indulgence package is available. To book turquoiseholidays.co.uk/
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
With its ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy that starts from the moment you push back from the airport jetty, Gili Lankanfushi is the ultimate barefoot luxury escape. The resort’s speedboat is decked with squishy daybeds and fresh juices, and shoes are swiftly placed into a dust bag, where they’ll remain for the duration of the Gili trip. This easygoing ethos permeates every aspect of a stay here. Barefooted staff wear crumpled linen and restaurants are laid back and lively, with authentic food showing off the Indian Ocean’s treasures. Each couple has their very own Mr Friday (inspired by Robinson Crusoe, there’s a copy in each villa) who will check in with them at every opportunity – another tropical cocktail, perhaps? Or an extra towel for the boat trip? The entire resort was built with sustainability in mind, leaving guests feeling closer to nature than they may have anticipated. Bathrooms are outdoors, wooden tables are parked on the sand and the main pool area is situated around soaring palms. Bicycles crafted from bamboo are peddled around the island and Gili even has its own time zone – an hour ahead of Malé to make the most of those glorious sunsets. Read more here
JOALI, Maldives
Rather than the cosmopolitan aesthetic spreading across the Maldives, JOALI reverentially weaves into the otherworldly landscape, sprinkling every inch of its bamboo and hand-carved structures with good taste. The island layout often leaves honeymooners feeling as if they have this paradisiacal setting all to themselves (unlike many resorts in the Maldives), with little interaction or even ground crossed with other guests. Four superb restaurants shake lunch and suppers up, offering the culinary variety a week or two-week stay often needs, while the team manage to balance step-ahead service. And it’s the villa breakfasts, savoured while gazing wistfully towards the ocean horizon, that are particularly special – a moment of pause to absorb the sheer beauty of this setting. Read more here
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
As the seaplane smoothly touches down on the ethereal blue waters around this Northern Atoll spec of green and white, couples can expect a somewhat lively welcome. Traditional drums line up along the jetty, along with staff holding fresh coconuts. Then it’s a scenic golf buggy ride to the villas, winding through tropical greenery, with mature coconut palms soaring amongst sculpted orchids (there is a dedicated orchid garden here) and many native jungle plants. The architecture feels reverential in places and more bold in others, with striking thatched buildings dotting the island – think triple-height vaulted ceilings and ebony-shaded structures. Honeymooners can tap into the many gurus at the resort. We recommend a date with the Sky Guru based at the impressive observatory, where you can name a star and register it to mark the occasion. Read more here
Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, Maldives
The wild contrast of colours and Maldivian magic starts as soon as soon as you board the Four Seasons’s very own Princess Yacht from the airport (Malé) jetty. The excitement builds and stresses melt away as you dock into Kuda Huraa, one of the Maldives’ ‘originals’ that has stood the test of time. The reception area beckons like a lantern amid a calming and utterly surreal scape of smooth blue water, white sand and wide open sky with colourful lanterns and a mosaic tiled floor. Here honeymooners meet their dedicated guest experience manager who tailors itineraries to a couple’s every whim and adjusts this throughout their stay. Villas are situated on a sandy lane that snakes through the resort, bordered by colourful native flowers and soaring coconut palms. Two pools mirror the other-worldly blues of the Indian Ocean, blending seamlessly into the horizon with a swim up bar in one of them. Meanwhile, an affable team wearing traditional dress – natural linen finished with gold embroidery – have a nothing-is-too-much attitude that renders any stay a breeze. Come evening, expect to take part in crab racing (a favourite local game) and sip specialty cocktails as the sun casts its pink, coral spell on the horizon. Four Seasons Kuda Huraa even have their own time zone, an hour ahead of Malé to ensure those melting sunsets are never missed. Read more here
Related article: The Best Honeymoon Hotels For 2023
