In the past week two separate water-villa resorts have been tapped for prestigious honors within the hotel industry. Both are in Asia and both already had a great reputation so these recognitions are really no surprise, but still it should give potential guests just that much more confidence in both of them.
The World Travel Awards are relatively new and this is only the second year that they have handed out the honor for the “Leading water villa” resort, which has been taken down by Baros Maldives this time around. Baros is already incredibly popular and receives rave reviews from nearly 100% of past guests, although with water villas starting over US$1,000 per night even in low season, it’s among the more expensive resorts in the Maldives.
The awards are voted on by travel industry professionals, yet it’s hard to give them too much weight considering that certainly very few of them have even visited Baros Maldives or many of the other nomitated resorts. The spread-out nature of the Maldives combined with the 75 or so water-villa resorts means that it would take many months and a huge bank account in order to actually compare all the resorts to one another. Still, Baros is doing something right, and those who can afford to stay there will feel even better about booking.
Other nominees in the category
This is the first time an award has been given in this category, and the debut honors go to the well-regarded Soneva Gili Resort in the Maldives. It’s also known has having the largest overwater bungalow in the world (over 15,000 square feet or 1400 square meters), but it’s also known as a top resort for the rich and famous, among others. It has a casual “No news, no shoes” policy, with all of its villas being overwater and huge.
Other water villa resorts nominated in this category
This one may not sound terribly impressive at first, but consider that there are many hundreds of thousands of hotels in the world, if not millions. Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia is the only water-villa resort in Asia to have made the cut, meaning that not a single one of the Maldives water villa resorts show up. The only other overwater resort on the list is the InterContinental Resort & Thalasso Spa in Bora Bora.
Looking at the 500 World’s Best Hotels you can clearly see that this is a big honor, as probably half the spots, if not more, are taken up by the famous luxury hotel chains like Park Hyatt, InterContinental, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton. For an independent hotel to get noticed among these chains is certainly an achievement.
Hi There
My partner and I are looking for a water bungalow in the Maldives for 5 nights for a honey moon, can you recommend any that has surfing close by
Shane
Shane,
A few resorts actually have surfing on their islands. Here is our list: https://www.overwaterbungalows.net/maldives-water-villa-surf-resorts
Enjoy!
Roger
Hi Roger, my fiance and I are looking to book an water villa for our honeymoon in August. There is such a huge choice. We are tossing up between Baros and Huvafen Fushi. We would like something ultra romantic and luxurious as we will be only going for 5 nights. Can you give your recommendation on the two above or suggest another resort that we might enjoy honeymooning at? Thanks in advance.
R&R,
Unfortunately I’ve yet to make it to either of those resorts (there are about 90 Maldives resorts with water villas), but I do know from studying the market for all of these years that those are two of the best in general, and the best for honeymoons. Baros is one of the original water villa resorts and it’s a bit closer to the airport than Huvafen Fushi, but both have been updated fairly recently. I’m sure either one would be amazing, and I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help. -Roger
hello
could you advise about a luxurious 5* resort that offers overwater or beach villas with pools villas with pools that are completely private/secluded (not seen by anyone from outside). if all inclusive would be better thanks!
Lama,
I’m not aware of any Maldives resorts with 100% private pools, but I do know of some in Malaysia including this one:
https://www.overwaterbungalows.net/grand-lexis-port-dickson-malaysia
-Roger
As a Travel Agent, I recommend Baros Maldives Resort water pool villa.
Hi, I can’t see the name of W Resort & Spa. How do you rate this hotel as this property shows overwater villas with private pool
Ankit,
They refer to it as W Retreat and Spa, and it’s linked on our homepage along all the others. It’s definitely a 5-star resort with huge water villas and excellent service. -Roger
Hi Roger
Could you please suggest an over water villa resort in the month of November with open bathrooms, private jaccuzzi for the perfect honeymoon and which is not very expensive.
Hi Roger
Could you please suggest an over water villa resort/ hotel in the month of April (last week) with standard size rooms, open bathrooms, private jaccuzzi etc which leads to a super romantic getaway and which is not very expensive.
Neha,
Sorry I saw this late. These were the best Maldives deals for April, including a couple of really nice ones at appealing rates. Hopefully you can still get in on one of those. -Roger
halo. i am doing research for my annual holiday. May i know if there is a list of water-villa resorts with private pools which offer all-inclusive package? (inclusive of 3 meals and alcoholic drinks all day). I understand that lily beach resort offer that, may i know which are the ones offering too?
Dan,
I am not sure of the specific resorts with private pools that also do all inclusive, but I’m sure there are quite a few. You might check out the main article on Maldives all inclusive resorts and find ones you like. I’m sure at least a few of them have private pool villas as well. Good luck. -Roger