3 Stunning resorts for a luxury Maldives holiday

I was recently lucky enough to visit the Maldives and experience three of the most luxurious resorts within the world-class Cocoon Collection. I stayed at Joy Island, Cocoon Maldives, and You & Me Maldives. All three of these island resorts exceeded my expectations, and the trip was better than I could ever have imagined.

Joy Island 

Situated in the North Male Atoll, just 40 minutes from the international airport, Joy Island offers an exclusive escape full of wow-factor. The beautiful butterfly-shaped island comprises of 151 villas scattered across the beach and the lagoon. There are 60 overwater rooms and 91 beach rooms, each with every creature comfort under the sun. 

From the moment you step onto Joy Island, you’ll be taken in by its vibrant and lively atmosphere and welcoming staff. The island, part of the Cocoon Collection, is designed to provide guests with a joyous escape from the mundanity of the daily grind. The colourful decor of the rooms and friendly staff will immediately make you feel at home.

Joy Island lives up to its name with many activities to keep guests entertained. From water sports like snorkelling, diving, and jet-skiing to beach volleyball and yoga sessions, there’s something for everyone. The coral reefs surrounding the island have fantastic marine life, making it a snorkeller’s paradise. 

The resort is also child-friendly, with a Kiddie’s Cove that will keep your little ones entertained for hours. It caters to children between 3 and 12 years old, providing a mind-boggling range of supervised activities.

The island has a few restaurants offering a range of cuisines and comes alive after sunset with beach parties and live music. The Market is a zingy fusion restaurant celebrating cuisines all around the world, while Il Basilico will transport you to a sunny cobbled piazza with its authentic Italian flavours. Palm Beach is a laid-back dining option with incredible sunset views, while the Rainbow Bar is the perfect place to end an evening.

Joy Island also offers some amazing ‘Destination dining’ options, which are perfect for celebrating special occasions and making memories. Book a private sandbank picnic or choose secluded beach or lagoon dinner under the stars. These added experiences will take your trip to a whole new level.

Cocoon Maldives 

Next, I visited Cocoon Maldives, located on the castaway island of Ookolhufinolhu in the Lhaviyani Atoll. You can reach the resort with a 30-minute seaplane journey from Male, with gorgeous views over the lagoons all the way. It’s a wonderful way to arrive!

Getting out of the plane, I was greeted by the sight of swaying palm trees and the beautiful white sand beaches of the resort. It’s a beautiful island filled with tropical gardens that provide shady spots from the afternoon sun.

Like Joy Island, Cocoon Maldives offers 60 overwater rooms and 90 beach rooms. Each room is elegantly designed. The overwater suites offer direct access to the lagoon, so you can start your day with a refreshing dip straight from your room into the ocean. You can even choose a Lagoon Suite with a slide into the water! Life doesn’t get much better than this.

Cocoon Maldives is a renowned hotspot for wellness travellers, making it the perfect place for some serious pampering. The resort’s spa offers a range of treatments, from traditional massages to holistic therapies. 

The resort features several restaurants and bars, offering fresh seafood at the Octopus Restaurant, to a la carte dining at the overwater Manta Restaurant. The poolside Laobi Laobi bar is a great place to try a signature cocktail, while the beachfront Kurum-Bar offers sensational sunsets and fresh BBQ food.

The Cocoon Maldives is also a child friendly resort, with a newly launched kids’ club that includes its own dedicated pool. There are also baby-sitting services available for families staying at the resort. The experience childcare team is highly qualified, so your little ones will be very safe hands.

You & Me Maldives

Unlike Joy Island and the Cocoon Maldives, You & Me Maldives is an adults-only resort. Located in the secluded Raa Atoll, it's the ultimate romantic hideaway for honeymooners. You can reach the resort by a 45-minute seaplane from Male Airport, with jaw-dropping views along the way. 

The clear lagoon and shimmering colours of the water surrounding the island are simply out of this world. I have never witnessed so many beautiful shades of blue and turquoise, even in the castaway Pacific islands.

The accommodation at You & Me Maldives is breath-taking, with 99 overwater rooms and just 10 rooms. Choose between sunset and sunrise views or splash out on an Aqua Suite with its very own slide into the lagoon. All the rooms have secluded outdoor decks, natural wood furnishing, luxury toiletries and romantic rain showers.

The world-famous underwater restaurant, H2O, offers a unique once-in-a-lifetime dining experience surrounded by the marine life of the Maldives. Offering Michelin-starred food, the fully submerged restaurant is the first of its kind, giving you a 360 degree of the underwater world while you dine. 

This experience is an additional cost from any board basis packages, but definitely worth it!. We were fortunate to witness two reef sharks circling the restaurant whilst we enjoyed a superb lunch. It’s a moment that I’ll never forget, which makes it priceless!

You & Me Maldives offers a huge range of romantic experiences tailored specifically for couples. You can enjoy a private dinner on the beach under the stars, explore the underwater world with snorkelling, book a diving excursion or take a sunset cruise to witness the Maldivian sunset. You can also contribute to local conservation by planting trees or regenerating the coral reef, helping to safeguard the future of the island.

The Cocoon Foundation 

All three of these islands are part of Cocoon Resorts, a company that champions community and conservation via its Cocoon Foundation. This means that, by staying at Joy Island, Cocoon Maldives or You & Me Maldives, you’ll also be giving back. 

The foundation aims to enrich and improve the lives of the local island communities with training sessions, environmental workshops, empowerment programmes and school visits. It’s committed to being an agent of positive, sustainable change.

My thoughts about the Maldives 

The Maldives with its breath taking natural beauty and luxurious resorts, is a destination that promises an unforgettable experience. I will definitely be back! It’s a fantastic place to relax, decompress, and enjoy the stunning scenery and marine life. 

If you need to get away from it all, there’s nowhere better than the Maldives, and I can’t recommend the Cocoon Collection highly enough. Between vibrant Joy Island, luxurious Cocoon Maldives, and romantic You & Me Maldives, the Cocoon Collection offers something for every traveller.

If you are budget conscious, this is a great alternative to more expensive island destinations, like French Polynesia, and it’s easier to reach from the UK, which is a real bonus. It’s very easy to combine two resorts together, giving you two different perspectives and contrasting experience. Equally, the Maldives combines perfectly with Sri Lanka, if you want a trip that combines adventure with relaxation. 

Ready to plan a holiday to the Maldives? 

We’re experts at planning bespoke holidays that include the Maldives. By listening carefully to your personal wishes, we’ll create a completely unique itinerary packed with unforgettable moments. To get started, simply give us a call on 1273 320 580 or send us a quote request by email.

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