Kara Buffrey takes a bucket-list trip to The Maldives and finds out if Island hopping is the ultimate way to explore the gem of the Indian Ocean.
It’s no surprise that The Maldives is a bucket list trip for most. White sand beaches, clear, turquoise waters and the sheer luxury of a villa floating over an area of extremely impressive marine life. Often pegged as a honeymoon destination, my experience travelling with a platonic friend was nothing short of perfection too. Even with the highest expectations, it was astonishing to still be blown away by the natural beauty of a holiday destination that has only risen to prominence in the past 50 years.
With over 200 islands inhabited by the locals, and a further 170 + (and growing) resort islands, the experiences to have here are abundant, and perhaps, at the start, a little overwhelming. Island hopping is very common here, offering visitors the chance to explore multiple properties, vistas and reefs to yield the best possible experience – I highly recommend this approach. During our visit we stayed at three stunning properties, all wonderful for differing reasons, yet in my opinion, offering the true peak of paradise.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort – Ultimate Maldivian Luxury
During our welcome tour of the stunning five-star St. Regis, our personal butler (yes really), told us that Maldivian people were *literally* born to work in hospitality. Their natural warmth, care and consideration was something we would see as a red thread for this stay. The St. Regis was the most premium hotel on our itinerary, and this was reflected in the impeccable service from start to finish. You hardly had to think here, as the kind team were steps ahead, anticipating all your needs before you even realised what you wanted. An exceptional luxury escape that pairs refined indulgence with a meaningful commitment to sustainability, the resort has recently reached a significant marine conservation milestone with the installation of 300 coral frames, actively supporting reef regeneration and fostering marine biodiversity in the surrounding waters. The snorkelling was nothing short of beautiful.
Comprising 77 expansive beachfront and overwater villas, each residence is thoughtfully designed to offer complete privacy, generous indoor-outdoor living space, and a private pool. Whether waking up steps from powder-soft sand or suspended above crystal-clear lagoons, every villa delivers a sense of tranquillity and exclusivity. The resort’s world-class facilities further elevate the stay, including the iconic Iridium Spa, where the Blue Hole experience stands out as a must-try hydrotherapy journey. You can also enjoy multiple distinctive dining venues, each offering a unique culinary perspective, alongside the option to charter a private yacht for bespoke ocean adventures.
Experiences at the resort were next level. The dolphin exploration excursion is particularly memorable, as we had sightings of multiple pods in their natural habitat, offering a magical connection to the surrounding marine life. Evenings are best enjoyed at The Whale Bar, the perfect spot for a sundowner, where unparalleled panoramic views create a spectacular backdrop as the sun dips below the horizon. Dining is equally impressive across the board, but Orientale is a true highlight. Here, dishes such as the spicy snapper soup curry with Asian noodles are elevated by impeccable flavours and an extraordinary setting, enjoyed beneath a canopy of brilliantly twinkling stars, uninterrupted by artificial light – you’ll find it hard to leave this resort.
Find out more about St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, rates from $1,500/£1,120 per night
Baros Maldives – An Icon of Heritage
You can imagine my surprise when I learned that the first hotel resort in The Maldives opened in 1973. As such an iconic and luxurious destination, it’s hard to imagine a time where it wasn’t on everyone’s travel list. Baros itself was the third hotel resort to open, so a true timeless spot of history, culture and authenticity. This was reflected in the vibe. Staff that treated you like family, food that echoed the heritage and flavours of the islands and a flourishing marine life that has always been very well looked after.
On our introduction tour, we learned that Baros has an over 30% return rate with guests, which for a destination with over 170 other options to stay, is pretty impressive. It’s clear there’s a unique pulse running through this island – one that resonates deeply with those who love this part of the world. At just a 25-minute speedboat from the airport, we do recommend combining a visit to Baros with one of the seaplane islands – just so you can maximise the aerial views, but if it’s no hassle, minimum travel you want, then this is the perfect spot to spend your whole time.
As one of the Maldives’ original resorts, it has a real sense of heritage, with just 75 villas set around white-sand beaches and a crystal-clear lagoon. It feels intimate and peaceful, with a strong focus on service, great food, and a naturally beautiful setting. What stood out most for us were the experiences. Sunrise yoga on the Lighthouse Deck was incredibly calming and almost meditative, while our twilight fishing trip ended up being one of the most fun moments of the stay – we caught over ten fish, a few of which were then cooked exactly to our liking for lunch the next day. It’s that kind of personal touch that really makes Baros special and memorable.
Our beachfront villa felt completely private, with direct access to the sea and reefs so we could swim whenever we liked. Slow and languid days were spent moving between the water and relaxing in our own space, and evenings were all about the food – especially at Lime Restaurant, where the mix of Maldivian, Thai, and Sri Lankan flavours, centred around fresh fish, was a real highlight – served with a smile from our friendly server who went out of the way to source fresh mangoes when he discovered Mango Sticky Rice was our favourite dessert!
Find out more about Baros Maldives, rates from $630/£470 per night
W Maldives – The Reef of Dreams
For those visiting The Maldives with an awareness of the W brand, it can feel like a safe decision as you know the vibe will be spot on, the décor unique and the service, top tier. What I loved about W Maldives, was how unique this outpost felt compared to its other hotels, and how authentic to the natural look and feel of the local islands. Lush green trees, whiter than white sand, all with the signature soundtrack of W – of great music.
Finally! Our first experience staying in an overwater villa. This was nothing short of incredible, and the room itself was impressive – almost museum-like. Every design detail was intentional and left you marvelling – from the striking blue see-through bathtub to the glass peephole in the floor, which allowed us to look directly into the ocean below. Being able to spot tropical fish – and even sharks and manta rays – gliding beneath our villa from the comfort of our room felt like a bit of an out of body experience.
The hotel is set within the stunning North Ari Atoll, and the snorkelling here exceeded all expectations. The house reef is vibrant and full of life, but the real magic happens early in the morning. Heading out before 9am, it genuinely feels like you’re swimming inside a perfectly clear, jam-packed aquarium, surrounded by schools of colourful fish, turtles, and graceful manta rays moving effortlessly through the water.
Dining across the resort was consistently impressive, but FISH was our absolute favourite. The concept focuses on the freshest catches of the day, and you can really taste the quality and complexity of the ingredients. Lobster is hand dived daily. Paired with uninterrupted ocean views and beautiful wines, it made for a dining experience that felt deeply connected to the surroundings.
For a truly elevated experience, a trip to Gaathafushi Castaway Island is an absolute must. Just a short boat ride away, this private island offers the ultimate sense of escape. We went for sundowners and it was completely secluded, surrounded by untouched natural beauty
Find out more about W Maldives, rates from $3,300/£2,474 per night
With such rich vistas, incredible marine life, picture perfect sunsets and unbeatable cuisine, it’s hard to imagine a destination as idyllic as The Maldives. With abundant stay destinations to choose from, it can be tricky to know if ‘you’re doing it as well’ as you want, but these recommendations come from the heart and crafted, for me, a trip that had a lovely balance of everything. Great food, incredibly warm teams, unforgettable views, brushes with the most vibrant of wildlife… The only question left: when can I go back?
