Editor’s Choice: 6 Best Maldives water-villa resorts with private pools

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

Extremely popular among previous guests, the Lily Beach Resort and Spa operates on an all-inclusive basis, with a generous program at that. There are 56 water villas here, the 16 smaller of which are just out over the edge of the lagoon, but the 36 Deluxe Water Villas each have what they call a “Jacuzzi-pool” that is 7m² with room for about 8 to sit down and even more room to splash around.

The off-season rates here are fantastic and with the number of repeat guests the Lily Beach is a very solid bargain during summer months, and still a good deal during high season. There are two great restaurants and a lounge, plus the usual long list of water sports and activities for those not content to just splash around in their water villa’s own pool. If you love fishing you’ll find plenty of fishing opportunities here with fishing trips available throughout your stay.

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

• Water villas: 55
• Total rooms/suites: 64

Featuring 55 water villas at its location conveniently close to the Male International Airport, the Taj Exotica Resort is part of the decorated India-based chain with many famous properties around Asia. The water villas come in a variety of sizes, though even the smallest and cheapest of those is quite large. Each of the rooms feature air conditioning, an entertainment system, room service and Wi-Fi.

The 31 Deluxe Lagoon Villas each include their own private plunge pool on the deck, plus many other luxury amenities. They even have one Presidential Villa Suite, which is one of the largest and most luxurious water villas in the world. You’ll also find 4 dining options, a water sports centre and a spa which is located on its own private island.

• Low season online specials from US$986 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,125 per night

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

While most Maldives private-island resorts offer plunge pools on only their higher room categories, the Constance Halaveli has a plunge pool on the deck of each of its 57 water villas. It’s tough to even get a private Jacuzzi in this price category, so this resort is a fantastic bargain for pool lovers.

The rooms are all quite large and well appointed, each even coming with use of an iMac entertainment system, something that very few resorts offer. There are 3 restaurants and bars, and even some schedule nightlife, which is another feature you don’t get at many resorts in this area. The low-season rates are amazing here, but considering the private pool and everything else, even the high-season rates are quite appealing.

• Low season online specials from US$1,048 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,064 per night

• Water villas: 42
• Total rooms/suites: 78

This new resort only opened in early 2011 as one of the most luxurious and upscale in the Maldives. The Anantara Kihavah Villas Resort has 42 water villas that are each enormous, and each has a private infinity-edge pool on its sundeck, as well as a 24-hour personal butler. Guests will also find Wi-Fi, a tub with a view, a dining room and a wine refrigerator.

In this price category it’s not surprising to get a private pool, but these are larger and nicer than pretty much all the others on this list. If you are traveling with a group you might consider one of the 2-bedroom water villas that actually have two private infinity-edge pools on its decks. Not bad if you can afford it.

• Low season online specials from US$1,835 per night
• High season online specials from US$2,098 per night

• Water villas: 26
• Total rooms/suites: 43

With only 26 water villas and 17 additional island rooms and suites, the Huvafen Fushi Resort is small and exclusive, and in a price category that will scare off most potential visitors. Most resorts of this size offer only one restaurant and a limited number of daytime activities, but this 5-star property has several restaurants to choose from and a long list of activities for its exclusive clientele.

Each of those 26 water villas is huge, perhaps as large as the house you grew up in, but your house probably didn’t have a refreshing plunge pool built into the sundeck like these do, or a 24 hour room service. Most of us can only dream of booking a week in a resort like this, but for those who can afford the best, this should be a top choice.

• Low season online specials from US$1,634 per night
• High season online specials from US$2,021 per night

• Water villas: 80
• Total rooms/suites: 150

One of our favorite resorts due to the excellent online specials they offer during slow weeks, the Irufushi Beach and Spa Resort (formerly the Hilton Maldives) has 80 water villas that are all large or very large. The largest are called King Infinity Water Villas with private infinity pool and are 150 m², making them some of the larger such villas in the Maldives. No matter the size, each comes with a wine cellar, a private courtyard, a mini bar and a mini fridge and the always popular glass floor cutout that allows great sealife viewing from the comfort of your room.

The Irufushi has 10 restaurants and bars, which is impressive for only 150 total rooms. When it was a Hilton is was indeed one of the finest luxury resorts in that chain, and the new management seem dedicated to keeping standards at least that high.

• Low season online specials from US$875 per night
• High season online specials from US$1,147 per night