Newest Maldives Resorts

Why I send people to the newest resorts

The newest Maldives resorts solve problems you didn’t know you had. Take Soneva Jani’s retractable roofs: I’ve had clients message me at 2 a.m. to say they just watched a meteor shower from bed. That’s not something you can do at a resort that opened in 2010. Then there’s the house reefs. The older resorts around Malé have seen decades of snorkel traffic, but the newest ones in Noonu or Dhaalu Atoll often have untouched coral gardens right off the beach. Regis Maldives Vommuli, which opened in 2016 but still feels cutting-edge. And let’s talk transfers. Yes, seaplanes add time and cost, but the newest resorts often include transfers in their rates or offer private jet options. Maafaru International Airport, which opened in 2020, now lets you land a private plane just 15 minutes from Soneva Jani—no seaplane required.

The standout openings of the last 24 months

Soneva Jani Chapter Two (Noonu Atoll, 2021) is the one everyone’s talking about. The 25 new overwater villas include a two-story master suite with a retractable roof and a water slide that drops you straight into the lagoon. The resort also introduced Soneva Unlimited, an all-inclusive concept that covers meals, drinks, spa treatments, and excursions. Plenty of guests who barely left their villa because everything was already included. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands (North Malé Atoll, 2021) is the first Ritz-Carlton in the country, and it’s built on a man-made island with a Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment program. The kids’ club has a marine biology lab, and the adults’ spa is on its own private island. Joali Being (Dhaalu Atoll, 2022) is the first wellness-focused resort in the Maldives, with a no-alcohol policy and a menu of plant-based dishes. The villas are designed to blend into the jungle, and the spa uses only natural, locally sourced ingredients. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi (South Malé Atoll, 2019) is the newest of the big-brand openings, with 119 villas and a kids’ club that’s bigger than some resorts. The standout feature is the Ithaafushi Private Island, a two-bedroom villa with its own butler, chef, and speedboat.

Who Fede guides to each resort

Soneva Jani is my pick for honeymooners who want to feel like they’re the only people on earth. The retractable roofs and water slides make it feel like a playground for adults, and the all-inclusive rates mean you can order champagne at 3 a.m. without checking the bill. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is well-suited to families who want luxury without sacrificing fun. The kids’ club has a climbing wall and a cooking school, and the Jean-Michel Cousteau program teaches children about marine conservation. Joali Being is for wellness seekers who want to disconnect. The no-alcohol policy and plant-based menu might sound restrictive, but the spa treatments and jungle villas make it feel like a true escape. Waldorf Astoria Maldives is for groups or families who want space. The Ithaafushi Private Island is well suited to a multigenerational trip, and the resort’s size means you’ll never feel crowded.

The honest bits: transfers, crowds, and costs

Transfers to the newest resorts can be a hassle. Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, so if your international flight lands after 3 p.m., you’ll likely spend a night in Malé. Some resorts, like Soneva Jani, offer domestic flights to Maafaru Airport, which cuts the transfer time to 15 minutes. Crowds aren’t usually an issue—even the busiest new resorts have fewer than 100 villas—but the newest openings do attract a lot of attention. If you want to avoid the ‘just opened’ buzz, wait a year or two. Costs are high, but the newest resorts often include transfers, meals, or spa credits in their rates. Soneva Jani’s all-inclusive option, for example, covers everything from meals to excursions. Message me for current rates and inclusions.

What I’d actually book

If I were booking a trip for myself right now, I’d choose Soneva Jani Chapter Two. The water slides and retractable roofs are fun, but the real draw is the all-inclusive experience. I’d spend my days snorkeling at the house reef, my evenings stargazing from bed, and my nights ordering room service without checking the menu prices. The resort’s location in Noonu Atoll means longer transfers, but the trade-off is a lagoon that’s so clear you can see the coral from your villa. And with Maafaru Airport just 15 minutes away, I could skip the seaplane and land my private jet directly at the resort. For families, I’d pick The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. The kids’ club is one of the best in the country, and the Jean-Michel Cousteau program teaches children about marine conservation in a way that’s actually fun. The resort’s man-made island also means you’re never far from the action, but the villas are spaced far enough apart to feel private.