Six of the Maldives' best resorts

From luxe digs to family-friendly haunts, here are the island nation's best resorts.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands: In a country dotted with resorts featuring wooden floors and thatched roofs, the Ritz-Carlton stands out for its groundbreaking design. Late legendary Australian architect Kerry Hill is behind the fresh look, inspired by the "circular" movement of sea water. The round entry-level Ocean Pool Villas - with super-spacious bedrooms that effortlessly open onto private decks with 180-degree Indian Ocean views - are simply magnificent.

But the full scope of the design is only evident when you visit the spa, which - suspended on stilts - sits in the middle of a crystal-clear lagoon like an enormous ring. The luxe factor here is off the charts, too, with private butlers and a bevy of excellent restaurants. Head to EAU Bar for lunch next to a massive infinity-edge swimming pool (round in shape, of course), or tuck into hearty Italian at La Locanda. From $2305 per room, per night; ritzcarlton.com

Furaveri Maldives: It's a myth that you can't holiday in the Maldives without going broke. There are a number of budget-friendly resorts, prime among them is Furaveri, where you can check in to a 110-square-metre Garden Villa with a large private outdoor area for as low as $420 a night (and that includes all those hideous taxes). And while the interiors and furnishings won't be as opulent as at some other resorts, we can guarantee you won't be making any compromises when it comes to astonishingly stunning beaches, transparent waters and breathtaking sunsets. The resort even has its own reef, with colourful marine life you can explore as part of a diving or snorkelling session. furaveri.com

Heritance Aarah: All-inclusive packages - which cover accommodation, food, drinks and some activities - are a big thing in the Maldives. And Heritance Aarah claims its offering is the "most exquisite and generous". We have road-tested it and we can attest it's pretty up there.

Accommodation in entry-level 88-square-metre villas with direct beach access starts at $1093 and includes mini-bar, food and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) at a range of onsite restaurants as well as a number of activities - from cooking and cocktail-making masterclasses to guided snorkelling excursions and a visit to a Maldivian village. heritancehotels.com

Joali Being: Wellness is not the first thing that springs to mind when you think of the Maldives, but Joali Being is here to change that perception.

The luxury resort offers an exhaustive array of wellness programs - from De-Stress, Gut Reset, Weight Rebalance and Reverse Ageing retreats to programs that can improve your movement during the day, make you more vibrant when you're in action mode and lead to better sleep at night. Retreats specifically programmed for men and women are also on offer. From $3012 per room, per night; joali.com/joali-being

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Once they have worked up an appetite, a number of restaurants are only a frisbee's throw away, including Fiamma, which dishes up yummy pastas and wood-fired pizzas kids will happily devour. From $903 per room, per night; marriott.com

Anantara Kihavah: Not that you can forget a holiday in the Maldives, but this Anantara property raises the bar even further when it comes to memorable experiences. Forget diving or snorkelling ... you don't even need to get into the water to get up close with vivid wildlife here; simply book a table at underwater Sea restaurant, where floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer views of languid turtles, skinny reef sharks and bright-orange clownfish (aka Nemos) swimming past.

The lights of the restaurant attract them, so you're always guaranteed a show. Enjoy it with a serve of lobster ceviche, from waters not too far away. From $2140 per room, per night; anantara.com