Music: Svadisthana (Dance Mix) by Dhruva Aliman - https://dhruvaaliman.bandcamp.com/album/hello-moon ...The most romantic hotels in the Maldives including the best for over water villas, private plunge pools, open-air cinemas, Michelin-starred restaurants, beachfront dining and spectacular diving facilities.

Soneva Fushi hotel, Maldives

The motto here is “no news, no shoes” and, true to their word, guests’ footwear is confiscated on the traditional dhoni boat transfer from Malé. The 65 villas made from natural materials are sandwiched between jungle and beach. Fun extras include an open-air cinema on the beach, planetarium, treetop yoga, a Mr or Mrs Friday (aka personal butler) assigned to each villa. There's an excellent choice of dining options, including Mihiree Mitha, which serves wonderfully fresh sushi, and By The Beach, for Korean-inspired cuisine by candlelight, both supplied by the island’s vegetable and herb gardens.

Cocoa Island by COMO
Maafushi, Maldives

This little slice of tropical heaven offers a total escape from everyday life. One of the smallest, most stylish resorts in the Indian Ocean has just 33 thatched villas inspired by dhonis with large, secluded decks for lounging on or slipping into the lagoon. Holistic, Asian-inspired treatments are offered in the COMO Shambhala Retreat, which has an open-air yoga pavilion and four treatments rooms, including one for couples. There’s a main restaurant, Ufaa, but guests tend to hide away in their villa or opt for private dining on the beach.

Cheval Blanc Randheli hotel,
Noonu, Maldives

Cheval Blanc Randheli is a 40-minute ride from Malé on the resort’s private seaplane and has a touch of old-school glamour about it. There are 45 villas, some on a private man-made island, some overwater with a private jetty and infinity pool and lots of sumptuous extras including complimentary massages to relieve jet-lag, toiletries created exclusively for the resort by Dior, and four restaurants overseen by Yannick Alléno, three-Michelin-starred chef. A Guerlain spa on its own island got the Royal seal of approval – the resort is where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to check in on their first holiday sans George.

The Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Maldives

The more remote of the Four Seasons’ two Maldives properties lies in the Baa Atoll and has 102 thatched sunrise or sunset beach and water villas edging the large lagoon. Known for its fantastic service, treats here include castaway picnics on deserted islands, tantric massages for two to awaken “kundalini energy” and dining on a private platform in the middle of a lagoon. There’s also the chance to visit virgin dive sites and uninhabited islands aboard luxury liveaboard The Four Seasons Explorer, a sleek three-deck catamaran. The land-based villas feel the most authentic and private.

Mirihi Island Resort
Mandhoo, Maldives