Maldives

A desert island dream of plunge pool bungalows with an underwater spa, big name DJs and a reef teeming with fish. — Jetsetter

This little slice of tropical heaven offers a total escape from everyday life - relax in minimalist style, lose yourself in a yoga class and, of course, dive among the parrot fish, rays and sharks swimming close by. — The Telegraph

Natures wonders compete with creature comforts in this secluded, tropical island setting.  — Gayot

Seventy-eight freestanding beach or overwater villas, each with its own infinity pool, on a private island of soft white sand. — Condé Nast Traveler

Nestled under verdant jungle on the beaches of a secluded island in the Maldives, boutique hotel Soneva Fushi’s luxe villas circle a romantic tropical playground, with a gorgeous spa. — Mr & Mrs Smith

A private island paradise with 12 beaches, thatch villas and hammocks strung over a turquoise lagoon. — Jetsetter

With sandy-floored restaurants, beach bars and elegant villas, this all-inc retreat is barefoot luxury at its best. — Jetsetter

Sumptuous barefoot luxury is the name of the game at the Hilton Group’s long-standing Maldivian resort. — Lonely Planet

Gili Lankanfushi is widely considered to be the top resort in the Maldives, and for good reason. — Oyster

Hip new Maldives resort with wow factor amenities including an underwater nightclub, art studio and marine biology lab. — Jetsetter

Remote retreat with contemporary villas, a sublime spa and a house reef with a resident marine biologist. — Jetsetter

Younger, hipper, with a more flexible approach to tropical island luxury, Amilla has done away with sneaky hidden charges and costly added extras while still cutting a distinctly fashionable figure. — The Telegraph

As one of the island nation's very finest hotels, it's absolutely worth it – fabulously expensive, but also generally fabulous, this is the epitome of barefoot luxury. — The Telegraph

On a sandy outcropping near a coral reef, Shangri-La has built this resort, with 16 tree-house villas and 60 timber bungalows that hover over the aquamarine water. — Travel + Leisure

On the remote Thaa Atoll in the Maldives, the Maalifushi by COMO stands alone, a luxurious, isolated island getaway hovering above untouched coral gardens and schools of dolphins and sea turtles. — Condé Nast Traveler

Kanuhura is a sumptuous, impressive place with magnificent beaches, stunning accommodation and top-notch food. — Lonely Planet

Intimate and idyllic, Baros hotel is a boutique retreat in the Maldives with peaceful overwater villas, serious scuba diving and sugary sands. — Mr & Mrs Smith

Fesdu has one of the best 'house reefs' of all the resort islands, which means spectacular dive and snorkel spots right off the beach, as opposed to the boat rides often required elsewhere. — Condé Nast Traveler

The five-pearl Constance Halaveli is almost too good to be true. — Oyster

On one of the smallest islands in the Maldives, the 37-villa Mirihi Island Resort has a personal feel, yet is stocked full of the luxe and convenient features you'd expect from any large luxury resort. — Oyster