A picture is worth 1000 words and we’d be hard-pressed to come up with a prettier one than the Maldives. Gliding overhead in a sea plane, the dreamscape below is of opalescent islands that melt into a bluer-than-blue ocean and palatial, over-the-water villas where you never have to see another soul – except for a butler, perhaps. The Maldives is the kind of place that surpasses all expectations, whether you want to spend every day in a private pool or exploring the underwater delights. Take a look at our picks for an unforgettable honeymoon in the Maldives.
Ultimate Maldives
After you’ve said your vows and popped the champers, imagine a week in the Maldives, with time spent at two different resorts? First up is Gili Lankanfushi in the North Malé Atoll. The resort is luxurious in every sense of the word and the fun begins from arrival, which is always by speedboat (of course!). Surrounded by a beautiful house reef and acres of lapis ocean, there’s an underground, coral-inspired wine cellar, a jungle cinema and even glass-floored massage beds. After a few days, a sea plane will zoom you over to the only resort in the remote Laamu Atoll. With style by the boatload, Six Senses offers massages in nests on the beach and the best cocktails around. And there’s much to toast, after all! At both destinations, there is an impressive list of water sports (kayaking to waterskiing) and plenty of spectacular dive sites just a boat ride away. What’s the perfect way to end a day in the Maldives? Following a pod of shimmering Spinner dolphins towards the horizon on a sunset cruise.
The best of India & the Maldives
For a tad more sightseeing before the R&R, this trip is the perfect combination of India’s most eye-catching cities and the private island of your choice in the Maldives. On this trip, the Golden Triangle is your map and you’ll begin in capital city, Delhi, where the ancient melds with the contemporary in full, unabashed colour before exploring one of the most famous buildings in the world, the marble-clad ode to love, the Taj Mahal. The final point is beautiful Jaipur, where top-tier boutiques and restaurants rub shoulders with grand forts and even grander palaces – but not before you’ve explored the hidden shrines of Rural Rajasthan and the iconic tiger territory, Ranthambore. As you bid farewell to India, you’ll fly southwards to the ethereal Maldives, where there are spotless beaches to laze on, reefs to discover, and cocktails to match the sunset.
Top spots to stay
In Delhi, we love The Oberoi Gurgaon for its sprawling gardens and swanky credentials – it has a Gucci store on site and spa decorated head to toe in Italian marble. With views of the Taj Mahal from every patio and a multi-level pool (very welcome on a hot day), The Oberoi Amarvilas is an easy favourite in Agra and in Ranthambore, SUJAN Sher Bagh is as close to the tigers as you could get. In the Aravalli foothills outside of Jaipur, the opulent Samode Palace is a real highlight. In the Maldives, check out OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli. Located in the North Male Atoll, it comes with an idyllic swimming pool and amazing dive sites.
Two epic islands
Why should you have to choose between Sri Lanka and the Maldives when you can combine two mega-watt islands on the trip of a lifetime? After catching your breath in Sri Lanka’s sunny Colombo, cast your sights a few centuries back on a visit to Sigiriya, a sky-high rock fortress in the Cultural Triangle. Take in the scene from the sky on a romantic hot air balloon ride for the ultimate honeymoon treat. Other historical gems on this trip include the ruins of Anuradhapura and the erstwhile royal city of Kandy for exquisite temples and sublime vistas on hiking trails into the Knuckles Mountains. Then, swap the hills of Sri Lanka for the sun-kissed beaches of the Maldives and sail the seas in a glass-bottomed boat, sunbathe on untouched islands and plumb the depths on a diving expedition. You’ll want to stay forever…
Top spots to stay
In Sri Lanka, join the ranks of a rather impressive guest list at Paradise Road Tintagel in Colombo before finding bliss at the Water Garden Sigiriya. Hidden in verdant grounds, the resort was modeled on the famous rock fortress’ own garden. End at Kandy House, with its authentic interiors and in-suite massages before relaxing at Milaidhoo Island in the Maldives, a true island gem where night dives, stunning villas and, for honeymooners, the opportunity to have a star named after you await…
Scenic Kerala & the Maldives
If you have already explored India’s northern states, how about combining laidback Kerala with some beachside R&R in the Maldives? On this easy, breezy trip, your first stop is Cochin where you’ll take in the diverse architecture, left behind by travellers from all over the globe and watch the coast turn gold at sunset as fishermen haul their catch with traditional Chinese fishing nets. Next up is the leafy world of the Western Ghats. Discover the gentle chug of life on Munnar’s tea plantations before venturing into Periyar, one of India’s oldest national parks, where tigers lurk, elephant roam and birds flit in great, colourful clouds. Before leaving India, a must is to sail along the Kerala backwaters as life plays out on the banks before you. Then, it’s off the Maldives where the sun is (almost) always shining, the waters are filled with dazzling marine life, and a massage is never far away…
Top spots to stay
The picturesque Brunton Boatyard is our first choice in Cochin, with private dinners on the jetty and sunset cruises. In Munnar, idyllic Windermere Estate is always near the top of our list and in Periyar, Hill & Hues enjoys radiant vistas from the year-round infinity pools. In the Kerala Backwaters, spend a night or two aboard The Oberoi Vrinda cruiser, before getting the luxury treatment at Kumarakom Resort on Lake Vembanad. In the Maldives, Ozen by Atmosphere is pure magic with top-tier dining, ocean adventures and luxe villas to rival the best of them.
