13 best family hotels in the Maldives 2024, according to GLAMOUR mums
The quest for the best family hotels in the Maldives has been on, of late. The Maldives may be known as one of the most-desirable honeymoon destinations in the world, but did you know that a lot of the best hotels in the Maldives have some pretty holistic family-friendly offers, too?
From sprawling overwater bungalows with enough rooms to fit the whole fam, to beautiful beach villas with private pools (and butler services), the very best family resorts and hotels in the Maldives go above and beyond to offer bespoke, culturally-enriching and soul-nourishing experiences with something for the whole family.
And we’re not talking about generic kid’s clubs here. Instead, holistic, wellbeing-focused experiences that elevate the classic fly and flop. Everything from family yoga and meditation classes to sunset dolphin cruises, local immersions and fun culinary experiences where children can learn through play. After all, what better way to enjoy some quality family time than among the white sand beaches, swaying palms, glorious sunsets and crystal clear waters of the Maldives?
GLAMOUR mums – from our editors to contributors – know that finding the perfect holiday for the whole family is no easy feat. Hence why we’ve compiled the best family-friendly resorts, active stays, all-inclusive resorts, and splash out properties to cater to families of all styles and budgets. Plus, with British Airways offering direct flights to the Maldives from London, your bucket list family holiday to the Maldives might be closer to reality than you think.
Best family hotels in the Maldives at a glance
- Best Overall: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
- Best For Day-To-Night Fun: Finolhu Maldives
- Best For Wellness: Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
- Best For An Active Holiday: Six Senses Kanuhura
- Best For Overwater Villas: Soneva Jani
How we chose the best family hotels in the Maldives
Every hotel on our list has passed the GLAMOUR test in terms of gorgeous design, impeccable service and a delicious food and drink. The quality and calibre of the hotels and resorts in the Maldives is constantly elevating maintaining the country’s reputation as one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world. It is no wonder then why a lot of the Maldives resorts and hotels have diversified their offers to cater to families, group travellers and even solo travellers, too.
And while all the family-friendly resorts on our list are indeed bucket-list worthy, what we’ve looked for in this list are hotels and resorts that have curated truly memorable experiences for the whole family. A whale-shark excursion on a yacht? Check. Artisanal ice cream making with a local chef? Check. A family guided meditation at sunset? Check. Family movie night under the stars? Check. These are the experiences that will make your Maldivian family holiday one to remember.
After something else? Browse the best family-friendly hotels in London, and the best affordable hotels in the Maldives.
Ahead, a tightly-curated edit of the best family hotels in the Maldives to check-in with your little ones.
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Best: overall.
Address: Vommuli Island, 13080 Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Nestled between the lush rainforest and white-sand beaches of a secluded private island, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is coined as ‘the ultimate luxury stay’ and with good reason. There are seven incredible restaurants, the archipelago’s largest hydrotherapy pool, an anti-gravity yoga studio and holistic Ayurvedic treatments at the spa.
For a truly splash out stay, families can stay in the John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest three-bedroom overwater villa in the Maldives. They can also charter the hotel’s Azimut Flybridge 66 yacht for an overnight Whale Shark Experience where they can get up close and personal with the gentle giants. Now if that won’t make family memories to last a lifetime, we don’t know what will.
Finolhu Maldives
Best: for day-to-night fun.
Address: Kanufushi, 21002 Baa Atoll, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll is Finolhu Maldives; a picture-perfect island resort sitting on glorious white sand beaches and flanked by the incredible coral reefs teeming with marine life. The overwater villas and beach suites are charming and colourful, much like the overall vibe of Finolhu. For daytime fun, there is an inflatable waterpark, virtual golf, tennis courts and a gym complete with climbing frame. The Oceaneers Kids Club has a weekly programme of activities that encourage creativity and learning: So, parents can enjoy fun nightly entertainment that include weekly white parties, fire dancing and tightrope performances. Families can also get back in touch with nature by spending a night under the stars in the hotel’s very own Bubble campsite.
Vakkaru Maldives
Best: for marine life.
Address: Baa Atoll, 20301 Baa Atoll, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Is your family ‘just popping out for a five-hour hike’ kind of brood? Then check-in to Vakkaru Maldives. Of course, there are stunning, sprawling overwater villas complete with private swimming pools and free Wi-Fi, but what sets Vakkaru Maldives apart is the richness of its natural surroundings. Located in the alluring UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll, Vakkaru Maldives is home to a vibrant house reef – perfect for scuba and snorkelling fanatics. It’s also a quick speedboat ride away to Hanifaru Bay – which is home to the one of the largest populations of Manta Rays in the world. Perfect for families who want to get back in touch with nature.
Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa
Best for: range of activites.
Address: North Malé, 8540 Male City, Maldives
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we loved it: Just a 20-minute speedboat ride away from Malé Velana International Airport is the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa; a veritable paradise situated in a manmade island in the North Male Atoll. Each of the beach and overwater villas have a private pool and are filled with plenty of creature comforts to make guests feel like home. Each one has its own Guest Experience Manager who will curate a bespoke itinerary for the entire family to enjoy. Families can take a sunset yoga class, take coffee art classes or enjoy a vast array of non-motorised water sports which include stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and scuba diving. The Hilton Maldives even has its own dedicated teen lounge called Re:Fuel where teens can chill and enjoy a healthy menu of snacks and smoothies.
Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
Best: to reset mind and body.
Address: Baa Atoll, 6060 Baa Atoll, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Wellbeing is at the heart of the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, which is designed to help guests reset and recharge from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. Located on the waters of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll and surrounded by the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean, you couldn’t ask for a better location for your next family getaway. We especially like the hotel’s #EatWell ethos, which offers healthy dining options across its four restaurants. Families can play tennis, relax at the Heavenly Spa by Westin and learn about protecting the Maldives’ rich marine life through the Westin’s coral propagation immersion or underwater discovery experience at Hanifaru Bay:
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
Best for: stargazing.
Address: Van'gaaru Island, Atoll 40880, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Thanks to its secluded location in the remote Shaviyani Atoll, the JW Marriott Maldives benefits from zero light pollution making it one of the best spots for stargazing. It is also home to one of the best Kids Clubs in the region. The Little Griffins Kids Club is inspired by a shipwreck on the beach and free for kids aged between three and 12. Not only does it have its very own 13-metre long pirate ship, it also offers 100 different activities from arts and crafts to pizza making and even mini beach Olympics. It offers a world of fun so that mum and dad can escape for a quick date night, ideally in the hotel’s romantic treetop restaurant, where the sky is the cinema.
Soneva Jani
Best: for overwater villas.
Address: Medhufaru Island, 20001 Noonu, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: While most resorts in the Maldives boast sprawling, luxury overwater villas, Soneva Jani, sister property to the equally excellent Soneva Fushi, has some of the most breath-taking family villas in the atolls. With each overwater villa having its own water slide, Soneva Jani is a literal playground for the whole family. Made with reclaimed wood, the villas are the picture of whitewashed minimalism. The biggest is the four bedroom Island Reserve Villa that comes with its very own private infinity pool and retractable ceiling, perfect for stargazing.
Como Maalifushi
Best: for a lowkey stay.
Address: Thaa Atoll, 08190 Maalifushi, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Barefoot luxe reigns supreme at Como Maalifushi which is just a 60-minute sea plane ride away from Malé Velana International Airport. There is a lagoon-esque infinity pool facing the beach and a separate children’s pool which is perfect for kids who love to swim. (All the over water villas come with their own private plunge pools too). We like that families can order nutrionally-balanced meals from the hotel’s Como Shambala Wellness menu across all its world-class restaurants. This is in addition to a full children’s menu and a charming kid’s club which is free for kids between ages 4 and 12. In terms of kid-friendly activities, Como Maalifushi offers a fun array of enriching, family-friendly experiences that include crab racing, meditation walks and even dolphin cruises.
OZEN Life Maadhoo
Best: for the kids club.
Address: South Male Atoll, 08250 South Male Atoll, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: OZEN Life Maadhoo describes its Kids Club as ‘the best kid’s club in the Maldives’ and we couldn't agree more. The Kids Club is home to a dedicated kids’ pool, sand pit and shaded outdoor play area and hosts a daily range of activities that are not just fun, but also enriching. Families can go on nature walks to meet hermit crafts, embark on exciting treasure hunts, unleash their creativity with arts and crafts, and even go on family movie nights. Plus – it is one of the few Maldives hotels where babysitting services are available. A bonus if mum and dad want to take a break and have a date night in one of the resort’s four restaurants or indulge with a spa treatment at the Elena Spa.
Angsana Velavaru
Best: all-inclusive.
Address: Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, 20050 Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Situated in the secluded South Nilandhe Atoll is Angsana Velavaru; our top pick for all-inclusive family hotel in the Maldives. There are 113 villas – 79 on the main island and 34 over the water — which are the picture of beach luxe. The tropical island resort itself is surrounded by captivating waters, a rich house reef and of course plenty of sun, sand and sea for the whole family to enjoy. In terms of family-friendly activities, nothing beats Angsana Velavaru as it offers a range of 101 activities to choose from categorised between culture, adventure, wellbeing, cuisine and sustainability. Plus, the hotel’s all-inclusive dining experiences, which offer everything from authentic Maldivian cuisine to rich, Indian, Asian and European cuisines is pretty generous too.
Six Senses Kanuhura
Best: for sporty families.
Address: Kanuhura Island, 07060 Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Located in the secluded Lhaviyani Atoll and occupying one of the largest beaches in the Maldives, is the Six Senses Kanuhura; a blissful tropical island escape with plenty of family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained. Active families can play a round at the tennis courts, participate in a ‘staff versus guests’ football match, take family water sports lessons, go on a private picnic or take a Maldivian Warrior class. We especially like the Grow With Six Senses Kids Club, which takes a holistic approach to children’s activities such as a starlit cinema, crafts, yoga and other fun and educational games. There is also the Island Hideout, which is a teens club and games room.
Niyama Private Islands
Best for: style.
Address: Olhuveli, 20219 Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Niyama Private Islands (plural) is spread across two separate islands — Play and Chill — which are connected by a footbridge. Play is the resort’s family-oriented island, while Chill is more geared for couples. We love that both families and couples are well-catered to here, and that the Play side of the island was especially designed to help families make memories that will last a lifetime. The Kids Club is a fun and whimsical place, one of the best in any Maldivian resort. Here, kids can scout for dolphins, learn Dhivehi lullabies, embark on nature safaris and take cooking classes with mum and dad. The Afro Latin restaurant, which offers a swoon-worthy campsite dining experience, blends African, Central and South American dishes — perfect for a family meal to remember.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
Best for: water sports.
Address: Republic of Maldives, 02036 Manadhoo, Maldives.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Why we love it: Located in the secluded Noonu Atoll, which can be accessed via seaplane from either Malé Velana or Iffuru Airports, the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is great for families wanting an unforgettable Maldives holiday without breaking the bank. The Kids Club is free for children aged three and above and the resort offers babysitting services too. Beyond that, it offers a fun menu of activities that include snorkelling, table tennis, and free weekly yoga sessions. After a day of family fun, everyone can relax and book a spa treatment at the award-winning Balinese spa which is, a calming hideaway within a lush tropical forest.
