Editor’s Choice: 6 Best Maldives water villa resorts for families

• Water villas: 56
• Total rooms/suites: 119

An extremely popular 5-star private-island resort that operates fully on an all-inclusive basis, the Lily Beach Resort and Spa features 56 water villas. With that said, you’ll want to note that 16 of these water villas are barely perched over the edge of the lagoon and are not out on stilts as the others are. The Lily Beach Resort gets some of the best reviews of all Maldives private-island hotels, so it deserves to be the top pick among family-oriented resorts. Rooms here come with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and room service, perfect for those nights in with the hungry kiddos.

There’s a Kids’ Club and 2 childrens’ swimming pools in addition to the adult pool area, so this resort clearly caters to the family crowd. There’s also tennis courts, beach volleyball, and billiards, so the teenagers will have plenty of fun things to keep them busy. The high season rates for this family friendly resort are in the luxury category for sure, but many parents feel the price is well worth it.

• Low season online specials from US$1,223 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,314 per night

• Water villas: 57
• Total rooms/suites: 86

An amazing value for families, the Constance Halaveli has 57 water villas, each with its own private plunge pool on the sun deck. Each villa also has a 42″ satellite TV and even an iMac entertainment system, so younger guests will have plenty to keep them happy and busy in just the room alone.

There’s also a Kids’ Club, a fresh-water swimming pool, and paddle boats, among the many other water sport options. This resort gets fantastic reviews from families as well as its other guests, so the rates are hard to beat. The high-season prices are still quite a good deal, but the off-season rates make it a real steal for a family water villa resort.

• Low season online specials from US$677 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,282 per night

• Water villas: 129
• Total rooms/suites: 360

Occupying one of the largest and most impressive private islands in the Maldives, the Kuramathi Maldives resort is a 4-star property that has 360 rooms, 129 of which are water villas that come in two classes. The less expensive class of water villas are still quite large and they are very reasonably priced, with the island rooms being even cheaper.

The all-inclusive meal plans available here are a good way to keep things predictable, and the cuisine at the long list of restaurants receives surprisingly good reviews with many being very pleased with the large selection of dishes to choose from. There’s a Kids’ Club and a childrens’ pool in addition to many water sports activities. In the moderate price category, the Kuramathi is a perfect choice for families preferring an all-inclusive option for their vacation.

• Low season online specials from US$683 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,072 per night

• Water villas: 20
• Total rooms/suites: 95

Each villa at the Kanuhara Resort comes equipped with its own private host, which sets this luxurious 5-star hotel apart from most other family-oriented resorts. It features 20 huge water villas with all the first-class amenities you’d expect, and there are 95 additional rooms on the island, so this is one of the larger resorts of its kind in the Maldives. Rooms here include a private outdoor shower, a private balcony, and a personal villa host.

The Kanuhara Resort has a Kids Club and an extensive program for younger guests including fun tubes, a games room, beach volleyball, and even two lit tennis courts. The island rooms are more affordable than the water villas so this might be a good choice for a family needing multiple rooms for a reasonable price. Reviews for the resort are exceptional so it’s a great choice for families.

• Low season online specials from US$1,320 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,611 per night

• Water villas: 38
• Total rooms/suites: 110

Offering among the best values in the 5-star category, the Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa features 36 water villas that are all enormous, each coming complete with an infinity-edge bathrub-for-two with a view of the lagoon. The Dhoni Kids’ Club will keep the younger ones active and busy, while the long list of beach and water sport activities will keep the older ones very happy as well.

There are four restaurants at the Anantara Dhigu Resort, which should insure that everyone can find something they really like, but better still, guests here can take a quick and free ferry ride to the adjoining resort and use their restaurant and facilities as well. This one is more for families and the other is more for couples, but still it’s nice to have both options. Reviews for the Anantara Dhigu Resort are excellent as well, making this resort a solid choice.

• Low season online specials from US$674 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,545 per night

• Water villas: 71
• Total rooms/suites: 150

Part of a 5-star resort division of the Hilton Hotels group, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers great value in the luxury class, especially with their off-season online special rates. All water villas here are large or huge, and all are well equipped with luxury amenities that you’d expect in a top-end Hilton hotel. Some of these amenities include Wi-Fi, ocean view baths, a private deck with steps that lead into the ocean, and a private jacuzzi plunge pool.

There’s a Kids’ Club here, plus even a Kids’ Spa, so everyone can stay active and even get pampered a bit. There is also a tennis court and a large infinity swimming pool in addition to the many water sports activities on offer. The Conrad Maldives Rangali receives great reviews from everyone, including families, so it’s worth consideration if the price is right.

• Low season online specials from US$1,059 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,737 per night