A beach and a lagoon you never need to get up from.
Co-founder & CEOMarco Di CesareHe spent weeks comparing hotels and kept finding that the detail deciding the trip was missing from the hotel website. 10 years in marketing technology, 2 of them building with AI.About MarcoHow we write the guideLinkedIn
The black edition of Three Lumi: no weak side on any of the 5 things that matter.
1 hotel of 335.
Three Lumi
Exceptional: guests, critics and we all say so.
3 hotels of 335.
Two Lumi
Exceptional: two of our three readings say so.
25 hotels of 335.
One Lume
Gives more than the other hotels of its place and price range.
82 hotels of 335.
A spa worth the trip
Held by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for what guests write about the spa, when at least 30 of them mention it, or by a hotel whose spa has, in our reading of its official pages, one of the highest readings in the guide.
28 hotels of 335 hold it.
A story inside
Held by a hotel whose character has, in our reading, one of the highest readings in the guide, and whose history begins before 1950.
31 hotels of 335 hold it.
A table worth the trip
Held by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for what guests write about the food, when at least 30 of them mention it, or by a hotel whose table has, in our reading, one of the highest readings in the guide.
30 hotels of 335 hold it.
Adults only
Held by a hotel that states a minimum age of 12 or more for its guests.
8 hotels of 335 hold it.
Children’s kingdom
Held by a hotel whose club takes children aged 4 or younger, and where at least 30 guests write about children and nearly all of them write well of it.
8 hotels of 335 hold it.
Doing nothing, very well
Held by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for what guests write about the beach and the lagoon: at least 30 of them must mention it.
18 hotels of 335 hold it.
Far away, in no time
Held by a resort in the Maldives on an island of its own, 20 minutes or less from the airport.
20 hotels of 335 hold it.
Gentle giants
Held by a resort for which a source says where and when manta rays or whale sharks are met: a named site, a season or the time it takes to reach them.
16 hotels of 335 hold it.
Honeymoon
Held by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for how many of the reviews that say who was travelling are honeymoons: at least 50 reviews must say so.
19 hotels of 335 hold it.
Just for us
Held by a hotel with 40 rooms or villas at most.
15 hotels of 335 hold it.
Reef at the door
Held by a resort whose reef you can swim to from the beach and which, among such resorts, is in the top 15% for what guests write about it: at least 30 of them must mention it.
17 hotels of 335 hold it.
The bill feels right
Held by a hotel where at least 30 guests write about the price and at least 6 in 10 find it fair.
19 hotels of 335 hold it.
The city at the door
Held by a city hotel in the top third of the guide’s city hotels for what guests write about its location: at least 30 of them must mention it.
17 hotels of 335 hold it.
They read your mind
Held by a hotel in the guide’s top 8% for what guests write about the staff and the service: at least 30 of them must mention it.
18 hotels of 335 hold it.
True quiet
Held by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for what guests write about the quiet: at least 30 of them must mention it.
14 hotels of 335 hold it.
Up for breakfast
Held by a hotel in the top sixth for breakfast, among the guide’s hotels where at least 30 guests write about it.
125 beach and water villas with pools, 24-hour all-inclusive, 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, with the reef just off
The first of the guide. Here: in Dhivehi ‘iru’ means sun and ‘veli’ sand: 68 of the 125 villas are on the beach, each with its own pool. 376 of the 388 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 96 in 100 happy.
The former Mövenpick, on its way to Mondrian: 105 villas, all with pools, 45 minutes by seaplane, from $603 a night, with a chocolate hour.
Here: a lagoon island: every villa has its own pool, and from the water villas you step straight down into the sea. 303 of the 312 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the staff and service, 97 in 100 happy.
The all-inclusive resort par excellence: one plan with Champagne, 80 wines and 3 excursions, and the reef a swim from the beach.
Here: the Lagoon Villa’s terrace steps down into the lagoon, and Taittinger Champagne, included in the price, is poured by the glass at every bar. 242 of the 252 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 97 in 100 happy.
151 all-inclusive villas 40 minutes by speedboat from Malé: Kiddie Cove for the children, The Market’s buffet and a house reef that divides guests.
Here: 91 of the 151 villas are on the beach; in September 2026 a family of 5 wrote of having it almost to themselves. 560 of the 587 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the staff and service, 98 in 100 happy.
The Maldives’ first resort, from 1972, 10 minutes by boat from the airport: 7 restaurants, the reef from the beach and a kids’ club every day.
Here: a Beachfront Deluxe Bungalow on the sand, the reef a swim from the beach and sunset at the Kandu Bar. 320 of the 343 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the staff and service, 95 in 100 happy.
A small island 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé, with an all-inclusive plan and the reef off the beach; room blocks from 1996 and no pool.
Here: the west beach faces the sunset, with the Cocktail Bar open 9am to midnight, and the lagoon in front is shallow. 406 of the 430 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 97 in 100 happy.
A 24-hour all-inclusive in Raa Atoll, 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé: a green island, the reef a swim from the beach and 221 villas.
Here: almost every villa is on the sand, and the Albino Bar, on the beach, pours 101 cocktails from 9am to midnight. 398 of the 425 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 95 in 100 happy.
Lagoon villas and well-liked staff: all-inclusive still requires a close look at venues and dates.
Here: the east side has a wide white beach, and the sand in front of the bungalows is raked every morning, 2 guests wrote in October 2025. 481 of the 504 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 93 in 100 happy.
A reef within reach of the villa, with a livelier evening.
Here: every villa, on the beach or over the water, has its own pool, and the WET pool stays open round the clock. 129 of the 131 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the staff and service, 99 in 100 happy.
Here: the Thundi Bar stands on the sandbank beside the infinity pool, open from 8am until the last guest leaves. 161 of the 166 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 93 in 100 happy.
282 water and beach villas, 7 restaurants and all-inclusive plans, 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé
Here: the resort names the Cocoon Lounge, among the hammocks, as the island’s quiet corner; the Sunset Beach Pool Villas open onto the turquoise lagoon. 446 of the 474 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the staff and service, 98 in 100 happy.
221 villas, every type with its own pool, on a large island 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, with a kids’ club and an adults-only pool
Here: a large green island with a long beach, an adults-only Beach Club and the Islander’s Grill with its tables on the sand. 395 of the 414 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the staff and service, 96 in 100 happy.
65 beach and water villas for adults only, a house reef off the beach and a buffet guests praise, 40 minutes by seaplane from Malé
Here: you eat on the sand floor at Falhu and dine barefoot at Aqua, on stilts in the lagoon on the sunset side. 63 of the 64 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 95 in 100 happy.
153 villas on the beach and over the water, a house reef a few metres from the sand and a 24-hour all-inclusive plan, by seaplane from Malé
Here: almost all the beach pool villas face the sunset; at golden hour, the resort writes, rays glide in to the water’s edge. 333 of the 347 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the staff and service, 96 in 100 happy.
112 villas on a South Ari island, with a house reef all round, a wreck offshore and an all-inclusive plan, 25 minutes by seaplane from Malé
Here: from the Duplex Beach Villa, the least expensive, a September 2026 guest walked into the water at the door. 461 of the 479 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 95 in 100 happy.
40 villas on a Vaavu island, half on the beach and half over the water, with a house reef and an all-inclusive plan, 75 minutes by speedboat from Malé
Here: at Azure Lagoona you eat with your feet in the sand beside the lagoon, and a walk round the island takes 8 minutes. 330 of the 340 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: the location, 97 in 100 happy.
All-inclusive for every guest, with 4 à la carte restaurants and a kids’ club, on Maamigili island, 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé
Here: the beach runs all the way round the island and ends in a sandspit; the lagoon in front is shallow. 85 of the 88 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
A family hotel of 1970 cut into the cliff 2 km from Positano, with a lift through the rock to its private beach and a starred restaurant; open April to October
Here: the lift to the beach club from 9am, the 11.30am cruise and lunch at Carlino by the water. 110 of the 112 guests who write about the beach and the lagoon are pleased.
What guests love most: breakfast, 100 in 100 happy.
Reef at the doorHeld by a resort whose reef you can swim to from the beach and which, among such resorts, is in the top 15% for what guests write about it: at least 30 of them must mention it.17 hotels of 335 hold it.Gentle giantsHeld by a resort for which a source says where and when manta rays or whale sharks are met: a named site, a season or the time it takes to reach them.16 hotels of 335 hold it.True quietHeld by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for what guests write about the quiet: at least 30 of them must mention it.14 hotels of 335 hold it.Doing nothing, very wellHeld by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for what guests write about the beach and the lagoon: at least 30 of them must mention it.18 hotels of 335 hold it.A spa worth the tripHeld by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for what guests write about the spa, when at least 30 of them mention it, or by a hotel whose spa has, in our reading of its official pages, one of the highest readings in the guide.28 hotels of 335 hold it.Just for usHeld by a hotel with 40 rooms or villas at most.15 hotels of 335 hold it.HoneymoonHeld by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for how many of the reviews that say who was travelling are honeymoons: at least 50 reviews must say so.19 hotels of 335 hold it.Children’s kingdomHeld by a hotel whose club takes children aged 4 or younger, and where at least 30 guests write about children and nearly all of them write well of it.8 hotels of 335 hold it.Adults onlyHeld by a hotel that states a minimum age of 12 or more for its guests.8 hotels of 335 hold it.A table worth the tripHeld by a hotel in the guide’s top tenth for what guests write about the food, when at least 30 of them mention it, or by a hotel whose table has, in our reading, one of the highest readings in the guide.30 hotels of 335 hold it.Up for breakfastHeld by a hotel in the top sixth for breakfast, among the guide’s hotels where at least 30 guests write about it.15 hotels of 335 hold it.Far away, in no timeHeld by a resort in the Maldives on an island of its own, 20 minutes or less from the airport.20 hotels of 335 hold it.The city at the doorHeld by a city hotel in the top third of the guide’s city hotels for what guests write about its location: at least 30 of them must mention it.17 hotels of 335 hold it.A story insideHeld by a hotel whose character has, in our reading, one of the highest readings in the guide, and whose history begins before 1950.31 hotels of 335 hold it.The bill feels rightHeld by a hotel where at least 30 guests write about the price and at least 6 in 10 find it fair.19 hotels of 335 hold it.They read your mindHeld by a hotel in the guide’s top 8% for what guests write about the staff and the service: at least 30 of them must mention it.18 hotels of 335 hold it.One LumeGives more than the other hotels of its place and price range.82 hotels of 335.Two LumiExceptional: two of our three readings say so.25 hotels of 335.Three LumiExceptional: guests, critics and we all say so.3 hotels of 335.Three Lumi · EclipseThe black edition of Three Lumi: no weak side on any of the 5 things that matter.1 hotel of 335.
