The newest luxury spas in the Maldives

·         The Maldives Anantara Resort: on the South Malé atoll, this resort consisting of 110 villas opened its doors in August 2006 on the island of Dhigufinolhu. It offers a selection of both beach and stilt villas from 110m2 to 182m2entirely kitted out with the latest technology (plasma screens, MP3 players etc), and each suite has its own pool, facing the open ocean. It was built in a style which mixed traditional Maldivian with contemporary architecture, and it offers a wide selection of beauty treatments, courses and techniques across several days.

·         Coco Palm Bodhu Hithi: on the North Malé atoll, this resort offers 100 villas on stilts or beach built in the style of a traditional village, each with its own private pool. The interior design is contemporary, with round bathtubs, pebbles and clean lines. Villas both on the beach and on stilts are available from 144m2 to 188m2, and the hotel contains the Coco Spa, a spa like no other.

·         Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru: on the Baa Atoll, this is a resort consisting of 102 villas opened at the end of 2006, and is the second Four Seasons resort to open in the archipelago, the other being the Four Seasons Kuda Hura. The new complex has more of a contemporary feel to it, and includes a sanctuary dedicated to Ayurveda, named the Ayurvedic Retreat, inside the Landaa Spa, which occupies one hectare. The therapists are from Kerala (the area of India where Ayurveda was born) and also from Sri Lanka. The spa also offers a detoxifying and purifying panchakarma course (only available in a two-week session), and a yoga master, resident within the resort, is always available to give lessons to those wishing to learn or just improve.

·         W Maldives Retreat & Spa: opened in 2006 on the Ari atoll, this is the first W resort on the islands. It consists of 78 individual villas, each with a private pool, set on stilts, and fitted with glass floors. Equipped with the latest gadgets, including plasma screens, mini wine cellars, exterior and interior bathrooms and much more. This resort is notable for the 15 Below bar, an underground bar offering an impressive selection of wines and spirits. And, of course, a spa.

·         Naladhu: opened in March 2007, this development consists of 19 exclusive villas, each comprising 225m2. The style mixes retro with certain influences from Sri Lanka’s colonial past. Each villa has its own private pool, solarium and landscaped garden.

·         Le Diva Resort and Spa: The former White Sands Resort and Spa was re-opened in 2006 by the Mauritanian group, Naїades Resorts, with new developments and a wide variety of improvements to the original design. Full of novelties, it offers stilt and beach villas and a skin-renewing spa, all set along a stunning 2km beach.