The Ultimate Gay Travel Guide
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2023.
For many people, the Maldives is all about luxury resorts. If you’re going to splash out on a Maldives holiday, you might as well really splash out on a stunning overwater private villa with plunge pool and impossibly gorgeous sunset views. It’s not just about the villas, though – since these luxury resorts tend to be self-contained island destinations, they are carefully designed to provide you with every sort of activity or entertainment you could possibly want. Unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences abound in the Maldives, and these resorts have perfected them.
There is one downside for gay visitors, and that is that the Maldives is a conservative Muslim country under Sharia law, where homosexuality is illegal. However, this is entirely ignored in the resorts, where gay couples are just as warmly welcomed as anyone else. This means that, while some may be uncomfortable visiting the country on principle, the Maldives is becoming an increasingly popular destination for gay visitors, especially those looking for a romantic getaway.
♥ Watersports
♥ Great organic food
♥ Superb design
♥ Billiards, darts and gym
Situated on South Ari Atoll, a paradisiaque coral formation, off the coast of the Maldives, LUX* South Ari Atoll is made of separate pavilions and villas and is one of the Maldives’ most romantic. It stands for utmost luxury, comfort and elegance, and is one of the first choices for LGBTQ travellers exploring the archipelago. Head here to delight in its ambrosial cuisine, untivalled LUX* ME SPA and wellness experiences and take pleasure in the intimate warmth of a truly exclusive locale, a veritable universe of placid leisure.
♥ Romantic adults-only resort – ideal for honeymoons
♥ Spectacular lagoon views from all villas
♥ Varied and delicious dining
♥ Awesome for reef diving
Centara Ras Fushi Resort is a gay-friendly adults-only hideaway, specialising in romantic experiences – expect plenty of little surprises if you are a honeymooner. It offers beach and overwater villas with contemporary, minimalist design and incredible views. The overwater villas, with stairs leading directly into the shimmering lagoon, are something special. An oceanfront spa specialises in Thai-inspired indulgent treatments, while an on-site PADI dive center allows you to get exploring the local reefs. Plus, you’ll find a good gym, two pools, and loads of watersports. All the restaurants are excellent, and together they offer an impressive variety of cuisines and styles.
♥ All-inclusive Maldives resort
♥ Cool colonial-inspired design
♥ Excellent diving, snorkeling and watersports
♥ Great drinking and dining
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives – All Inclusive is a 5-star resort with a high-end luxury feel – what makes it particularly good value is its all-inclusive concept, which means you know exactly how much you will be spending. As well as the usual water and beach villas, guests can choose more affordable chilled-out, beachy suites. All of the accommodation features elegant colonial-style decor, blending traditional elements like dark wood details with clean, modern lines. The resort offers first-rate diving and snorkeling (there is even a shipwreck nearby) and various watersports, as well as beachfront access, an infinity pool, and a stylish overwater gym. The restaurants and bars are all cool and trendy, with top-notch food and drinks – all, of course, included in your rate.
This resort features colorful, contemporary decor that feels relaxing while standing out from the usual Maldives “look”. Millennial-inspired design can be found everywhere from the villas to the trendy restaurants, poolside bar, and on-site nightclub. Villas are either overwater or beachside, facing the ocean or the lagoon, and there are options for couples and groups of up to four people. Every villa has its own private pool. If you’re here to relax, you’ll love the hydrotherapy circuit complete with hammam and the yoga and meditation program, which includes moonlit sessions at night. If you want to get active, there’s a huge range of fun ways to work out, from Animal Flow lessons in the dance studio to diving, surfing, or just hitting the stylish gym. The resort is about a 35-minute seaplane ride from the airport.
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort is an adults-only private island, the ideal setting for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. Most of the villas are set above the gorgeous central lagoon, with local sea life visible beneath your feet. Others are perched on a cliff-edge by the ocean. All are modern and extremely stylish, with relaxing minimalist decor and luxurious furnishings. Delicious international foods are served throughout the resort – Thai restaurant Baan Huraa is especially well-rated – and available activities include yoga, cooking classes, tennis, waterboarding, parasailing, diving, and surfing. The lagoon is shared with two sister resorts, Anantara Dhigu Resort and Naladhu Maldives, giving guests a huge array of choices for dining, activities, and entertainment. The resort is conveniently located only a short 30-minute speedboat ride from the airport.
This intimate, eco-friendly resort is quiet and low-key, with a nice relaxed vibe to it. The accommodation mostly consists of spacious, airy rooms with private balconies and, in some cases, sea views. Beach villas are also available, with indoor and outdoor showers and direct beach access. Diving, snorkeling, watersports, fishing, and nightly entertainment on the beach will keep you plenty busy. Alternatively, you can chill out at the spa or just enjoy the white-sand beach. The on-site restaurants are all exceptionally delicious, and the bar is a great place to socialize in the evenings.
Each beautiful villa at this resort comes with either a private pool or direct overwater access – we especially recommend the unique treehouse villas and the sunset overwater villas. Unlike many Maldives resorts, which cater mostly to couples and families, this one has a two-bedroom villa available for 6, which is perfect for a luxury group getaway. Shangri-La Maldives also stands out thanks to its private 9-hole golf course – the only of its kind in the country – and a first-rate selection of activities. There are tennis courts, jogging trails, bicycle tours of the surrounding islands, and all the watersports you could want to try out. The Health Club and spa are also fantastic.
This stylish and modern Holiday Inn resort has everything you need for a fun, relaxing stay. Accommodation options include garden villas, overwater villas, beach houses, and private rooms complete with an outdoor shower and a hammock. There is also a pavilion that sleeps up to four people. The decor is breezy and beachy throughout, with a palette of white and light blue. There are several bars and restaurants to choose from, all combining cool decor, beach views, and high-quality international food and drinks. Experiences include diving, surfing, watersports, yoga, and even paddleboard yoga. Transfers are usually included in your rate, and the resort offers an all-inclusive package.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort is made up of two private islands connected by a bridge – Rangalifinolhu Island is more family-friendly, while Rangali island has a more sophisticated adult vibe. It offers a selection of show-stopping villas with direct beach or ocean access, all featuring relaxing modern design and an exclusive, high-end feel. If you’re looking for something really unique, Conrad Maldives is also home to The Muraka, a spectacular two-story private villa with a fully submerged, glass-domed master bedroom. The resort has a whopping seven restaurants, ranging from jaw-dropping underwater dining to 10-course Japanese meals on the beach, and several stylish bars. You’ll also find an award-winning spa, two pools (including an adults-only option), and a generous menu of fitness activities and watersports. Morning arrivals happen by seaplane, afternoon and evening arrivals are by speedboat.
Every villa at the gorgeous eco-friendly Soneva Fushi is surrounded by dense greenery, offering an unparalleled level of privacy. They are exceptionally spacious and most are designed to house larger groups – 4, 6, and 8-person villas are available, which makes this a fantastic choice if you want to hit the Maldives with friends or with other couples. Each villa is unique and has a range of cool features, such as a waterslide, a wine cellar, a steam room, or a private gym. Every villa has a butler service, outdoor bathrooms, and direct private beachfront access. Guests can choose between the Sunset Side – ideal for diving and dolphin-spotting – and the Sunrise Side, which offers complete privacy. Resort experiences are varied and unique, from a castaway picnic to a glassblowing class, an outdoor cinema, watersports, diving, and even a stargazing observatory.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2023.