Luxury Family Holidays Handpicked for Parents

Maldives

  • Photo Attrib by John Smith

The Republic of Maldives, famous for its rare underwater beauty, is a hotbed for luxury family holidays. Made up of 1,190 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives are, maybe surprisingly, one of the world’s best destinations for a family holiday. Yes, honeymooners adore the island's beaches and gorgeous weather, but don't write it off when looking to book your next holiday with children. Warm shallow waters, gleaming white sandy beaches, year-round sunshine and a safe environment have made it increasingly popular with families, too.

Soneva Fushi villa

Soneva Fushi Resort

Soneva Fushi has it all: a fantastic kids' club, endless delectable dining options, private beaches, a sensational spa for parents and activities galore.

Whereas some Maldivian resorts are designed for a quick ‘fly and flop’ experience, often tied in with Sri Lanka or Dubai, Soneva Fushi Resort is a destination in its own right. The island takes 45 minutes to circumnavigate by foot (many other islands take only 10 mins) and, having been an island resort for over 15...

Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Villa & Book »
The Residence Maldives pool

The Residence Maldives

Offering the perfect blend of world-class diving facilities, Maldivian sunsets to-die-for and luxury accommodation, The Residence Maldives is an excellent family-friendly choice.

Located on the unspoilt southern island of Falhumaafushi in the Gaafu Alifu atoll, part of one of the largest and deepest atolls in The Maldives – Huvadhoo –  The Residence Maldives 94 beach-front and over-water villas have been designed to compliment the surroundings, which they achieve beautifully. The...

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Reethi Rah Maldives outdoor pool

Reethi Rah Maldives

Reethi Rah is a chic and sophisticated island paradise spread over 109 acres of natural beauty.

50 minutes by luxury yacht from Male, the Reethi Rah Maldives is a stunning resort with 100 thatched-roof villas each with a dedicated host and golf buggy. The best way to get around the island is on bicycles, which come with every villa. Baby seats can be supplied. Excellent facilities include 3 restaurants and a...

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Kanuhura Maldives beach parasol

Kanuhura Maldives

Kanahura is very private, tropical hideaway offering laidback luxury in a chic, barefoot setting

Kanuhura is set on a tiny island, a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male, in the Lhaviyani Atoll. Although it is further away than some of the other islands, it is popular with families, even those with babies and toddlers, because of its fantastic child-friendly facilities. These include trained babysitters (day and...

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Shangri-La Villingili

A spacious and stylish boutique-style hotel, Shangri-La Vilingili Resort and Spa is set on one of the larger Maldivian islands

Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa is located in the Addu Atoll, a 70-minute flight away from Male. The resort has over four miles of coastline, a mile of white sandy beach, including a surf beach, and three fresh water lagoons. If you’re arriving by private jet, the resort even has its own airport terminal. The...

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Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa Maldives

Anantara Dhigu Resort and spa is a luxury, boutique hideaway with top-notch facilities in unspoilt surroundings

Spread across two islands and five acres of unspoilt tropical terrain in the South Male Atoll, and only 35 minutes by speedboat from the main island, the Anantara Dhigu Resort and Spa is a relaxed, luxury escape, it is family-friendly and has masses of facilities for everyone. Each of the 110 Villas is extremely...

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Four Seasons Maldives

Four Seasons, Maldives at Kuda Huraa is a tropical island experience with impeccable service and first-class facilities

Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa, a 12-acre island, is only a 25-minute speedboat ride from Male, in the North Male Atoll. There are three pools, watersports and a dive centre, plus yoga classes, tennis courts and a spa. There are 96 villas on the island, including some two-bedroom suites ideal for families. The...

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Reethi Rah Maldives outdoor pool

One & Only Reethi Rah

For sunset cocktails and mezzes at One & Only Reethi Rah, head to Fanditha, which has a very laid-back vibe and a DJ. Other highlights are Tapasake for candlelit sushi above the lagoon, glamorous Reethi restaurant and the intimate Chef’s Garden, which uses resort-grown ingredients.

 

Reethi Rah Maldives outdoor pool

Four Seasons at Kuda Hura

There are four restaurants and a bar, Kandu Grill, which  serves fresh seafood and top cuts of meat at Four Seasons at Kuda Huraa. Watch as chefs grill it to perfection. Baraabaru focuses on fine Indian cuisine and the best byrianis. The resort can also arrange more intimate dining experiences, such as a beach barbecue.

Shangri-La Villingili villa

Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa

Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa has 5 restaurants and bars. Dr Ali’s serves up curries and tandoori dishes and signature Cantonese dishes like dim sum platters or pomelo salad with prawns, You can also have a family dinner in the jungle or a barbecue at your villa if you wish.

Shangri-La Villingili villa

Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa

Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa has seven restaurants and two bars. Dine with the sand between your toes at Origami as you enjoy delights such as sashimi. For a Thai treat, then Baan Huraa is a short pontoon ride away. It has a special children’s menu too. For the very freshest seafood, try Fuddan Fusion Grill. Or perhaps enjoy a private banquet on the beach.

Kanuhura Maldives bicycle

Kanahura Beach Maldives

Kanahura Beach in the Maldives has seven restaurants and bars, and a club. Mediterranean-influenced Olive Tree serves up delights such as fresh gnocchi and homemade gelato ice cream. Veli Café is a gastronomic highlight featuring Asian-fusion specialities including freshly-caught fish.

Kanuhura Maldives bicycle

Kanuhura

Chill out, swim or enjoy the many leisure facilities, which include a pool, spa, tennis and squash courts and library. There’s no house reef but the resort organises daily snorkelling trips, and some of the world’s best diving sites are nearby. You can also book fishing or dolphin watching trips. Watersports such as waterskiing and kneeboarding are free. The resort can also arrange a barbecue or bonfire for you on their private island.

Shangri-La Villingili

Take a walk through the jungle, play golf, jog along one of the marked jogging trails, or go on a bicycle tour of five neighbouring islands. Waterborne activities include surfing, scuba diving and kayaking, as well as deep-sea fishing.

Four Seasons at Kuda Huraa

Go on an Island picnic, dolphin watching or island-hopping. Jog around the island at dawn or dusk for spectacular views. Go surfing, get involved in marine conservation projects, or feed the turtles and snorkel with sharks.

Anantara Dhigu

Explore the reefs, play tennis, swim in the pool or simply unwind with some beachside yoga. There’s Jet skiing, waterskiing and a surf school and, of course, snorkeling and diving. For a once in a lifetime experience, you can snorkel with Manta Rays between July and September. A tropical picnic on an uninhabited island or a dolphin cruise will make fun family outings.

Angsana Velavaru

If you’re feeling active then try water games such as waboba, a new take on the Frisbee, water polo and aqua volleyball. You can also try hydrofoiling or wake boarding. The house reef offers Incredible snorkeling and guests can get involved in marine projects such as coral planting. For those who prefer dry land, there’s cricket and football on the beach

One & Only Reethi Rah

Maldivian island tours, private island picnics, sunset cruises, fishing adventures and more. There’s Yoga, Tai chi and Pilates classes, tennis coaches and personal trainers. Explore the island by bicycle or try beach volleyball, football, Petanque and croquet. It also has some of the world’s best snorkeling and dive sites. Other treats include dolphin-watching, parasailing, and other watersports.

About

Water villas are advisable only if you have older children for safety reasons. The sun is exceptionally strong in the Maldives so make sure you bring adequate sun protection. There can be strong currents around some of the islands, so check with the resort, as they will advise you of the best places to swim. Whilst most of the sealife is harmless, there are some things that can cause nasty stings, so be careful when snorkeling and avoid stepping on the coral. Some resorts have onsite doctors, but in case of emergency, your resort should arrange transport off the island to the nearest hospital. The main hospital is the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male, on the mainland. Tel: +960 333-5335. Please also be aware you are not allowed to bring any alcohol into the Maldives.

 

When to go

The Maldives is a popular winter sun destination for Europeans, but with daily temperatures averaging 30 degrees Celsius, it makes a great place to visit all year round. November to April is the busiest period, whilst rains are more likely between May and October.

Currency

Maldivian Rufiyaa

Language

Dhivehi and English