Maldives
The ultimate private island fantasy, with villas that redefine overwater luxury.
Price Range
£2,000 - £8,000
per night
Best Months
November, December, January, February, March, April
Best For
Couples, Honeymooners, Celebration trips
Properties
3 listed
The Maldives villa market operates differently from every other destination on this list. There are no independent private villas in the traditional sense - the atoll geography means every property is part of a resort island. What you're renting is a resort villa, often with its own pool, butler, and direct ocean access, but within a managed resort context.
The distinction matters because it changes the cost structure. A private-pool overwater villa at a top resort (Soneva Fushi, One&Only Reethi Rah, Cheval Blanc Randheli) runs GBP 2,000-8,000/night including meals, water sports, and butler service. Entire-island buyouts for celebrations or corporate retreats start at GBP 50,000/night.
What the Maldives delivers uniquely is isolation. Your villa sits above a lagoon, the nearest neighbour is 50 metres away (or on another island entirely), and the only sounds are water and wind. For guests who've done the Mediterranean, the Alps, and the Caribbean, the Maldives offers something genuinely different - an experience that can't be replicated at any other latitude.
Maldives
Highlights
Overwater villas with private pools and direct ocean access
Total isolation - no roads, no traffic, no crowds
World-class house reef snorkelling and diving
Full-board luxury resorts with butler service included
Sunset and sunrise sides of the atoll offer different experiences
Getting There
Velana International Airport (MLE) in Male receives direct flights from London (10.5 hours via carriers like Emirates, Qatar, and BA), Dubai, Singapore, and Colombo. Transfer to your resort is by seaplane (30-60 minutes, typically USD 500-800 per person return) or domestic flight plus speedboat. Seaplane transfers only operate in daylight, so late-arriving flights require an overnight in Male or at an airport hotel.
Insider Tip
Choose your resort based on the house reef, not the villa design. The best snorkelling and diving (Soneva Fushi, Baros, Hurawalhi) transforms the holiday from a beautiful-but-samey beach break into a genuinely remarkable experience. Some resorts with spectacular villas sit on poor reefs with limited marine life. Ask the agent about reef quality before booking.
Maldives
Available properties
3 luxury villas from £2,000/night
Villa Baa Atoll
A private island residence in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with overwater spa.
Villa North Male
An overwater residence in the North Male Atoll, 25 minutes by speedboat from Male airport.
Villa Raa Atoll
A beach villa on a sandbank island in the Raa Atoll with a dedicated dive centre.
Vetted Agents
Maldives specialists
Agents who know the local market, have inspected properties, and provide concierge-level service.
FAQ
Maldives villa rental FAQs
Can I rent a private villa in the Maldives or are they all resort-based?
All luxury accommodation in the Maldives is resort-based due to the geography - individual islands are leased to resort operators. However, the best resort villas function as private residences with their own pools, butlers, direct ocean access, and dining options. You can also buy out an entire island or island section for complete privacy at premium rates (GBP 50,000+/night).
What is the best time of year to visit the Maldives?
November to April is the dry northeast monsoon season with the calmest seas and best visibility for diving (30-50 metres). December to February is peak season with the highest rates. May to October brings the southwest monsoon with more rain and rougher seas, but also better surfing, manta ray season, and rates 20-40% below peak. The Maldives is warm year-round (28-32C).
Are the Maldives suitable for families or mainly for couples?
Both, depending on the resort. Some (Soneva Fushi, One&Only Reethi Rah, Niyama) have excellent children's clubs, family villas with multiple bedrooms, and shallow lagoons safe for swimming. Others (Hurawalhi, adults-only resorts) cater exclusively to couples. Family villas typically start at GBP 3,000/night for two-bedroom configurations. Ask your agent to match resort to family composition.