Luxury Family Travel: The Best Family Resorts in the Maldives

Following our trip to the Maldives last year when our son was just over two years old, I've had lots of people ask me questions about going on a Maldives family holiday. The questions have been very varied: Is it worth the money? Is it worth the long journey? Is it really a family-friendly holiday? But most of all, I've been asked "Which are the best family-friendly resorts in the Maldives?" or "Which is the best island for families in the Maldives?".

These are actually hard questions for me alone to answer as I've only stayed in one super family-friendly Maldives resort (which was very child-friendly and totally worth the money and the long journey as I highlight below!) so I turned to some other family travel bloggers to share their experience of other Maldives family holidays. This means, in this post you have a pick of some of the best resorts for families in the Maldives. And if you have any other suggestions for family or child-friendly resorts in the Maldives, I'd love to hear them so please do leave a comment - I'm always looking for an excuse to go back...

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission off any purchases made but they don't cost you anything extra, and often I do a lot of research to find you the best possible deal in the link - yay!

FURTHER READING: All my Luxury Family Travel posts are here / Best Airlines for Flying with Kids Tips for the Maldives with a toddler /  The Best Once-in-a-Lifetime Holidays for Families / The best luxury resorts for families, all over the world / The Best Airlines for Flying with KidsPhuket's best luxury resorts, many of which are great for children and families! And if you ended up here by mistake and don't have any kids, you may be interested in finding out the best Maldives liveaboard holidays.

The Best Maldives Family Resorts - Tried and Tested

Some of these reviews are by families with babies or toddlers, and others are about staying in luxury Maldives resorts with teenagers. All of them take into account the variety of facilities on offer for families and they also tackle concerns over long transfers and sea planes. if you would like more advice for specifically travelling to the Maldives with a toddler (based on our Maldives family holiday with a two-year-old) here's where you can find that post. 

I wanted each family resort listed here to be included because a family had tried and tested it for themselves and could offer honest feedback about why it was so great, rather than compiling a list of the Maldives resorts that claim they are family-friendly but maybe upon arrival you see that their offerings for children (of all ages) were limited, because when you spend the kind of money that a family holiday in the Maldives costs, you want to be sure of what you're getting.

One of the things that I think makes the Maldives such a good family-friendly holiday for parents when you pick a family resort that is kid-friendly and family-focused is how it is set up to encourage all members of a family to enjoy their time on an island, even if that involves partaking in different activities. When we went to the Maldives, we wanted to spend time playing and swimming with our son, but we were also keen to have downtime, and a few hours a day to relax, where our son wouldn't just be with a babysitter, but he'd also be getting the run-around, playing time he craves.

That's where things like kids clubs and children's activities come into their own. And then on top of this when you stay in a great Maldives family resort you also feel your family is well catered for, both literally at mealtimes with baby- and child-friendly foods and portion-sizes, but also having all the right gear on hand including cots, high chairs, and kids' cutlery. 

But now onto the tried and tested reviews of the best islands and resorts you should consider for your Maldives family holiday.

The Best Maldives Family Resorts

1. Kandima Maldives

We stayed at the then recently-opened Kandima Maldives resort in late summer 2017. The weather was a bit hit and miss, the three flight journey (including sea plane transfers) were long and tiring, but the family holiday itself was magical. We couldn't have picked a better resort for our first family trip to the Maldives as it catered perfectly for all our needs, namely those of non-stop fun for our two-year-old, and those more to do with relaxation and indulgence that his parents had in mind.

We stayed at Kandima Maldives for 12 nights in a beach villa with a private pool and loved having beach access - our boy loves sand! - and also our own pool to splash around in though we also spent many an hour down in the huge main pool by one of the buffet restaurant and bar. Our son loved hanging out in the kids club, Kandiland which was then the largest in the whole of the Maldives and when we booked a babysitter for him to spend some time there on his own - and for us to enjoy a little downtime or gym-time or spa-time - he was always very happy at both drop-off and pick-up time.

We were staying at Kandima on a half-board basis meaning two of our daily meals were included in the cost and with all the buffet choices at breakfast, lunch and dinner being vast and varied every day we never went hungry! We also received a discount at the a la carte restaurants for dinner or lunch when we wanted a change, and ALL the restaurants catered for our boy perfectly. There were high chairs everywhere, kids choices of food, and the staff were always keen to interact and play with him. There really wasn't anywhere on the island where we felt our son wasn't welcome, or actually, the guest of honour!

There is an adults-only bar on Kandima, and the Chinese restaurant I believe is for over-12s only but we didn't actually go there by choice (it's not our favourite kind of food), and I do believe that parties without children would still have a fantastic stay at Kandima Maldives - it's quite a large island - but that doesn't eat into the family-friendly atmosphere and facilities that the whole resort provides those with children of all ages. Calling itself a "lifestyle resort" rather than a luxury resort, Kandima is also focused on making the Maldives more accessible to more people, by providing more affordable accommodation options and this absolutely is focused on young families.

You can find out more about Kandima Maldives and read more of my review here.

2. Soneva Fushi by Marianne from Mum on the Move

Soneva Fushi is an extremely high-end Maldives resort that represents barefoot luxury at its finest. This is where the rich, successful (and yes sometimes famous!) come to really unwind, unplug and connect with nature, whilst knowing that they are going to still be treated to the finer experiences in life.

Surprisingly, Soneva Fushi is also one of the most family friendly resorts in the Maldives. All villas can cater for families, from the one bedroom Crusoe villa, all the way up to 9-bedroom mansion, with plenty of 2-4 bedroom villas in between.

Anyone who thinks that the Maldives is only for honeymooners hasn’t seen The Den at Soneva Fushi. This is one of the best hotel kids clubs I have ever come across. The Den is huge, with its own swimming pool with water slide, outdoor decking and sunloungers, Lego room, dress-up room, arts & crafts room, music room and loads of games, toys and space to run around. There are loads of fun activities scheduled throughout the week, from movie nights and spa days to surfing lessons, island scavenger hunts, cupcake decorating and pool parties.

Other fun family activities here include snorkeling on the house reef, whizzing down the water slide into the ocean at Out of the Blue restaurant, and fun excursions such as dolphin cruises.

Getting to Soneva Fushi requires hopping on a seaplane from Male airport and this takes around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo airport, which is a 15-minute speedboat ride from Soneva Fushi.

You can read more about Soneva Fushi in Marianne's review on her blog, and you can follow Mum on the Move's travels on Facebook.

3. Constance Haleveli by Nicky from Go Live Young
There are a huge number of family-friendly island resorts in the Maldives, but we opted for Constance Haleveli and were extraordinarily happy with our choice. We really do think it's one of the best Maldives family resorts and islands!

In our opinion getting to the Maldives was very much part of the adventure for our kids. We flew into the capital of Malé from the UK. From here, we took a seaplane from the local seaplane jetty. The flight to Haleveli was twenty-five minutes and the views of the islands and reefs from the sea-plane were spectacular.

Haleveli is a small island, ringed by perfect white sandy beaches and crystal blue sea. Accommodation comprises of beach villas and over-water bungalows. We opted for a beach villa, which over two storeys, easily accommodated our family of five. 

Constance Haleveli offers everything for a family-friendly Maldives beach holiday. The white sandy beaches and warm crystal-clear sea are obvious plus points, but so are the other activities, including watersports, tennis, beach games, and amazing snorkeling just off the shore. Children are very well catered for with their own kids club and daily programme of events, for both younger kids and teens. Our boys enjoyed pool and beach games, watersports, tennis lessons, mocktail, sushi and pizza making, film nights, as well as activities in the kids club.

You can read more about Constance Haleveli in Nicky's review here, and follow the family's travels on Facebook.

4. Taj Exotica, Maldives by Shweta from Zest in a Tote

Think blue green waters, orange red skies and white sandy beaches and of course, the Maldives pops up easily in mind. And is there any other set of islands that does luxury as well and as consistently as Maldives? We had high expectations to begin with when we went to Taj Exotica in Maldives, and those expectations were more than met over our week-long holiday, even when travelling with our young baby! And Taj Exotica certainly has to be one of the easiest resorts to get to as the transfer there with a private ferry from Male was very quick and easy.

Be it your dream of ocean villas over crystal clear water or a beach villa, Taj Exotica offers plenty of options for both couples and families. Fabulous water villa with all amenities, restaurant options, a great breakfast spread, an out-of-the-world spa experience in pristine setting, kids’ club, swimming pool (if you prefer that from dip in the ocean) and various water sports on offer, Taj is a good option for families.

We travelled with our 3-month baby and the staff at Taj Exotica couldn’t have been more prompt in figuring the family needs. Though my baby was entirely on my feed at that time, we found out that the chef was more than happy to make food separately for any child on demand. We made use of nanny services when we stepped out for a short water-sports adventure. We went for a boat adventure with our baby where the dolphins delighted us with their acrobatics. But nothing was as magical as the sunset time done right - we enjoyed sitting out in the open as a family having cocktails and food while taking in the the warm colours of the sky, the endless horizon and the balmy winds.

Read more of Shweta's travels on her blog Zest in a Tote, and see what they're up to on Facebook.

5. Four Seasons, Landaa Giraavaru by Chontelle from Mum's Little Explorers

The Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavaru is a fantastic option if you are looking for a luxury family resort in the Maldives. This hotel is on it's own island and families can enjoy the 35 minute seaplane flight from Male with the most breathtaking views.

Very family friendly, this hotel has a kids club with a shallow pool for younger children, while older kids can take advantage of the main pool, tennis courts or watersports, and activities on the beach. A delicious breakfast is served each morning with anything you could possibly think of! And with fresh seafood caught daily you are spoiled with options for lunch and dinner in their four amazing restaurants. There are lots of options for those who don’t eat seafood, and many kid-friendly meals too. The chefs are quite flexible if you want something specific.

The area is well known for manta rays which are one of the main highlights. Snorkeling and diving in the area is fantastic being surrounded by the mantas along with yellow sharks, sea turtles and tropical fish. We found that young kids will really love the resort's very own Marine Discovery Centre where they look after injured turtles. You can learn about and get up close to a variety of marine life.

There are different accommodation options including the famous beach huts. We stayed in a beach villa, each of them have their own private pool and look out to the beach which is perfect for keeping an eye on your little ones. It felt like we had the island to ourselves on many occasions as it is quite private.

You can fill your days at the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru  with excursions such as fishing, diving, snorkeling. But there are also many options on the island itself so you can easily relax on the unspoiled white sand beautiful beaches. Parents and kids can pamper themselves in the spa, or take walks around the property to explore. A week is nice, but two weeks was pure heaven and a dreamy Maldives family holiday.

Find out more about Chontelle and her blog Mum's Little Explorers on Facebook.

6. Kanahura Maldives by Melissa from The Roaming Family

The Kanahura Maldives Resort is heaven on earth for families. Located on a private island in eastern Lhaviyani Atoll, this luxury Maldives resort is a part of the Leading Hotels of the World property group. Not only is it amazingly beautiful, but it’s incredibly family-friendly.

The resort consists of 80 villas. The beach villas are perfect for a family, as the deck opens directly on to your own private stretch of beach. Our son had a wonderful time digging holes in the sand for several hours while we relaxed on the porch. Within the villa, there was plenty of room for our little family of four and the outdoor shower provided endless entertainment for our two kids.

Kanahura truly does cater for children. The extensive kids club, water features, little “kid’s corner” in the Boduberu Lounge, and the exclusive kid’s menu provide families with everything they could need on a vacation. The kid’s club also has numerous arts and crafts sessions and excursions to satisfy every curiosity. Did I mention the special bubble bath the staff can set up for your children? That was a great surprise! Best of all, kids under 12 actually stay and eat for free, making it a great value family holiday within the typically pricey Maldives.

The main thing that stuck out for our family was the warmth and friendliness of the staff. Our four-year-old became best friends with one of the servers and actually cried when we left. The love of families is evident at Kanahura Maldives!

Follow Melissa and her family's adventures on Facebook!

7. Kuramathi Island Resort by Alex from Swedish Nomad

"Kuramathi Island Resort is one of the most kids friendly resorts in the Maldives. The island is big and offers a lot of activities. Many people come to the Maldives for a honeymoon, and bringing the kids might not be the best thing. But at Kuramathi Maldives they have dedicated activities for children, which means you can get the perfect combo.

The kids will get a dream trip of a lifetime, and you and your loved one will get a romantic vacation that will be completed with some fun family time as well. This resort island is 4-stars, but it was our impression that it easily could've been 5 stars since you have everything you could wish for. 

Kuramathi stands out amongst the best Maldives family resorts with its dedication to providing an exciting holiday for the entire family. And their Bageecha Kids club is everything a kid could dream of. It's open from 08:30 in the morning until 19:30, which means you have plenty of time for romance. 

If you go here during a special occasion, the kids club will also have themed activites. For example, during halloween the kids will get to dress up. During Christmas they can help decorating the christmas tree and much more. 

The kids will also be able to play in the water, either at the beach or pool. There are also organised activities every day in the afternoon. Besides being a kid friendly Island resort, Kuramathi is also luxurious and very beautiful. The dinner is delicious and served at several different with different themes. There is also a bar where you can relax by an infinity pool. 

Also, since Kuramathi Resort quite a big island by Maldives standard, there are actually animals living on the island, such as the fruit bat, which is like a flying dog. There are also the "island chickens" which are quite fun and peculiar animals."

Follow along with Alex's travels on Instagram.

8. Robinson Club Noonu, Maldives by Sara from Our Kind of Crazy
The Maldives is famously known as a romantic couples destination, but we, at Our Kind of Crazy, found a great all-inclusive resort that is not only family friendly, but actually really caters to kids. ROBINSON Club Noonu, in Maldives is the perfect destination for a luxury family trip that both kids and parents will love.

Ever dreamed about staying in an over-water bungalow? ROBINSON Club Noonu has beautiful ones complete with an outdoor shower, soaking bath tub, and a hammock over the water, and the best part?! Each one has their own private infinity pool!

If you're looking for a place where your kids can enjoy their vacation and you can enjoy yours, then this resort delivers! ROBINSON Club Noonu has a kids zone with tons of activities, sport fields, and childcare, while the adults can head to the bar and enjoy some alone time. If the kids ever decide they want to hang out with the adults, there’s a water sport rental shop, where you can arrange a tour of the neighboring islands, rent a jet-ski, schedule a dive, or grab your free snorkel gear to head out on a snorkeling trip right off your patio.  Every night, there is live entertainment that is fun for the whole family.

The breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet has endless options where you’ll be sure to find the perfect foods for even the pickiest eaters.  The ROBINSON Club Noonu staff makes sure your every need is met, and you have a fabulous stay.  Maldives is no longer just a honeymoon destination, but a fun luxury family destination as well. 

Read more about the resort in Sara's review of ROBINSON Club Noonu, and follow the family's travels on Instagram.

9. Park Hyatt Maldives by Sally from Our 3 Kids v The World

The Maldives has traditionally been the location of choice for honeymooners or people with no kids. I have just returned from a stay at the Park Hyatt Maldives and while we did only go as a couple, I took note of the family friendly facilities as we usually travel with our three kids. 

The Park Hyatt Maldives has recently introduced 2 bedroom villas that could easily accommodate my family of 5. The villa was huge with plenty of space and would be perfect for those travelling with teenagers as the rooms are separate with an enclosed hallway between. Each room has it’s own bathrooms with the master having an open outdoor shower and bath tub. The kids bathroom is all indoors which I think was a good logical design decision. 

The outdoor area area of the family villas include a deluxe swimming pool, with a timber roofed deck with an L shape outdoor furniture and 2 sun beds, plenty of space for all the family to sit outside together. All villas have their own private beach entrance. The island is surrounded by a house reef and you can snorkel straight off the beach behind your own villa. The water is really calm and shallow and it would be the perfect place to teach younger kids how to snorkel. 

The island is small and while there isn’t a kids club yet, the staff are happy to baby sit while mum and dad go for a massage at the very intimate and luxurious Vidhun Spa, I highly recommend a visit to the Spa complex. There are glass bottom kayak for hire, perfect for kids that might be a little afraid to snorkel, this way mum and dad can paddle while your little one looks through the bottom at the amazing sea life. All of these things add up to a wonderful Maldives family holiday.

Read more about Sally and her family's travels on Our 3 Kids V The World, and follow their family travels on Facebook

*****

You can read more posts about family travel at the links below:

The Best Stroller/Pushchair for Travel

The Best Toddler Suitcase and Plane Bed: Review of JetKids BedBox

A Packing List & Tips for Travelling With a Baby

Packing & Travel Tips for Travelling With a Toddler

Packing List & Essential Gear for Travel With a Toddler

Tips for Flying With a Baby

Tips for Flying (Long-Haul) With a Toddler

How to Help a Toddler With Jet Lag

Why (and When) You Should Travel With Kids

Tips for Planning Toddler's First Ski Trip

Packing List for Toddler's First Ski Trip

Tips for Taking Road Trips with a Toddler

Guide to Travel at Any Stage of Pregnancy

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Frances M. Thompson

Londoner turned wanderer, Frankie is an author, freelance writer and blogger. Currently based in Amsterdam, Frankie was nomadic for two years before starting a family with her Australian partner. Frankie is the author of three short story collections, and is a freelance writer for travel and creative brands. In 2017, she launched WriteNOW Cards, affirmation cards for writers that help build a productive and positive writing practice. When not writing contemporary fiction, Frankie shops for vintage clothes, dances to 70s disco music and chases her two young sons around Amsterdam.
Find Frankie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+.

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