The Best Maldives Spas For Romance and Luxury

Looking for the ultimate spa experience for romance and luxury? Discover our round-up of the best spas in the Maldives.

The Maldives is a place where calm, turquoise waters meet powdery white sands – the very picture of blissful relaxation (and honeymoon indulgence). So, it’s no surprise that Maldivian spas are some of the best in the world, complete with a choice of overwater treatment rooms and jungle-located sanctuaries, offering unique wellness rituals inspired by local traditions.

The best Maldives spas redefine what it means to truly unwind, nourishing your body, mind and spirit in equal measure. Whether you’re seeking honeymoon pampering, a romantic escape, or a solo wellness reset, the Citizen Femme team share their tried-and-tested favourite spas in the Maldives to bookmark now.

The Maldives is home to some of the world’s clearest blue waters and St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort makes the most of that picture-perfect attribute. Home to an eye-catching lobster-shaped wellness hub (which is quite the sight to behold during your seaplane arrival), the Iridium spa is perched above a private lagoon, and with every detail tied to the sea. Glass portholes in the floor reveal darting fish swimming past, the ocean soundtrack replaces spa music, and the giant Blue Hole hydrotherapy pool lets you drift as if you’re floating in the middle of the ocean; you’ll never have felt quite so peaceful. Even the open-air relaxation spaces capture the sea breeze and panoramic views, so the experience feels as restorative as the treatments themselves. With Ayurvedic suites, unique massages, and a focus on the island’s natural elements, the whole journey blends luxury with the soothing rhythms of the Indian Ocean.

The signature treatments

Two heavenly treatments stand out at this Maldives spa. Firstly, the Iridium Signature Touch, a deeply relaxing treatment using Asian massage techniques and warm pouches of Maldivian white sand and oils. For something truly special though, opt for the Lava Shell Massage, where tiger-striped clam shells are gently heated and used to ease out knots in a wonderfully ocean-inspired ritual.

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Discover CF contributor Lisa Haynes’ full review of St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort here.

Located in the Raa Atoll – one of the most northern and popular atolls in the Maldives, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is an island escape easily accessed via a picturesque 45-minute seaplane ride from the capital Malé. The area is known for its particularly thriving and colourful fish populations – and this particularly breathtaking spa too. Offering a twist on the traditional overwater concept of many Maldives spas, this wellness hub is cocooned among the island’s foliage, set up high among the leafy canopy. It is the little details that really stand out here. From the staff remembering your preference for relaxation or energising oil blends (which are then used throughout your stay) to an expansive spa menu with highlights that draw on local, natural ingredients, especially coconuts, for facials, body scrubs and therapeutic massages. For the very best experience, choose the Maldivian take on a spa day, complete with yoga, breath work sessions and treatments, the perfect romantic opportunity for newly-married couples to unwind after a hectic wedding.

The signature treatments

The 120-minute long Beauty and Balance ritual combines all the most popular relaxation and body nourishing techniques used in the region, including a radiance-boosting coffee and coconut scrub that banishes dry skin; a traditional Balinese massage tailored to alleviate stress and tension; a body wrap to lock-in moisture (which will also extend your tan); and a flower-infused bath to help you sink a little further into tranquility. You can even learn to give your loved ones massages during your stay, with the signature The Art of Touch experience.

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Read our beauty director’s full review of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives here.

If you’re dreaming of a spa escape that feels both serene and indulgent, Kuda Villingili Maldives delivers in style. Tucked on its own little island yet still connected to the main resort, The spa clusters eight overwater treatment sanctuaries over glassy waters, creating a private sanctuary for mind and body. From signature massages to ancient Ayurvedic treatments, this is pampering that cares for you from head to toe, and, for the ultimate experience, couples shouldn’t miss the indulgent packages on offer. The Royal Island package is three days of complete bliss, involving at least six treatments including a raw coconut body massage, body polishes and a fruit-based facial. Add in the peaceful elevated yoga pavilion and ocean-view Technogym, and you’ve got wellness all wrapped up.

The signature treatments

The Kuda Villingili Signature Massage is a must-try where two therapists work together in harmony to melt away your body’s tension, using sweet orange, lotus and rose aromas to relax your brain as well. As for the Ayurvedic rituals, don’t miss our beauty director’s favourite therapy – Shirodhara, where gentle, warm oil drips onto your forehead to calm the mind and restore inner clarity, rooted in ancient healing traditions.

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Find out more about Kuda Villingili Maldives in our contributor’s full review.

Acupuncture among the coconut groves, sound healing on the sand, and massages with shoals of tropical fish for company, Anantara Veli ticks all the right boxes for a Maldivian spa retreat. An additional benefit is that another Anantara resort – Dhigu – is a mere two-minute boat trip away, meaning a stay at Veli actually means access to not one but two spas. Balance Wellness on Veli is your wellness hub, complete with Reiki, sound healing, IV therapy and acupuncture – the latter of which is our recommendation for combatting jet-lag – all on offer from your private ‘wellness villa’. There’s a full Moroccan hammam to leave your skin baby-soft and outdoor hot and cold plunge pools for further relaxation too. Dhigu then offers your classic Maldivian overwater spa, with six treatment rooms giving you panoramic views of the ocean. It’s the perfect place to rest your head for a really knot-releasing massage or glow-boosting facial.

The signature treatments

The Shanti Couple Experience at Anantara Veli is a romantic, side-by-side ritual designed to harmonise body and mind; honeymooners take note. It begins with a gentle scrub to refresh your skin, followed by a deeply relaxing massage that blends Ayurvedic and Asian techniques. There’s even healing chants woven into the ritual to deepen your sense of calm. One thing is certain, you’ll both float off your treatment beds feeling totally soothed.

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Read our wellness director’s full review of Anantara Veli here.

Walking the short stretch of water bridge to reach the Bamford spa at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, has quite a remarkable effect on you. Even the most stressed out souls feel their shoulders start to unfurl. Entirely enveloped by the resort’s crystal-clear lagoon due to the unique ring shape of the spa, you will emerge from a visit having come physically and mentally “full-circle”, with soul-soothing rituals inspired by the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. That means all treatments are tailored to bring balance and restoration – an experience only further improved by the exclusive spa partnership with Bamford, the British-born beauty and wellbeing brand known for its wellness rituals and luxury organic, sustainable products.

The signature treatments

The Bamford Signature Journey is 150 minutes of complete head-to-toe bliss. Every detail has been considered – from your welcome courtesy of a personal message made out of local seashells, to the way your skin (and mind) are pampered by a thorough polish and deep massage. As a final touch, your therapist runs a coconut oil-enriched bubble bath for you to flop into without a care in the world.

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Read our full review of a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands here.

Home to the world’s only fully underwater spa – which is why it tops our list of the best water-based spas too – Huvafen Fushi is pure paradise. Treatment rooms are cocooned beneath the lagoon, where walls of glass reveal a kaleidoscope of reef life drifting past as you lie back on the massage table. Enough to truly take your breath away, it’s surreal and soothing in equal measure, deepening the relaxing of the already rather brilliant facials and massages on offer. Above water, the spa has a dreamy overwater relaxation deck, steam rooms, and a relaxation lounge that extends the sense of calm long after your treatment. In fact, regardless of how luxurious your villa is, you really will struggle to leave. It’s the kind of spa experience that feels once-in-a-lifetime.

The signature treatment

Don’t leave without trying the Underwater Dream treatment for a massage and breath work experience that will leave even seasoned spa goers speechless. If the reef views with fish swimming by wasn’t enough to relax you, the reflexology, Shiatsu-inspired pressure point work, and gentle head-to-toe massage will lull you toward the most peaceful sleep of your life.

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Lead Image Credit: St Regis Maldives