Two properties took three Keys in the country's first selection, the grade the guide glosses as an extraordinary stay. Both sit in atolls reached by seaplane, and both are operated by houses that built their reputation in the Maldives rather than arriving with one.
Cheval Blanc Randheli — Randheli, Noonu, 60 villas. The atoll of top-end private islands: Cheval Blanc Randheli and Soneva Jani.
Soneva Fushi Resort — Kunfunadhoo, Baa, 176 villas. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Hanifaru Bay, where mantas gather from May to November.
Both sit in atolls that a seaplane reaches, which places them under the daylight rule: an arrival at Velana after roughly 15:00 means a night in Hulhumale' before the transfer. For a property at this level the connection is normally built into the booking rather than left to the client, and it is the first thing to settle after the villa category.
| Property | Island | Atoll | Distinction | Keys | Size | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheval Blanc Randheli | Randheli | Noonu | 3 Keys | 60 | M | LVMH Hotel Management |
| Soneva Fushi Resort | Kunfunadhoo | Baa | 3 Keys | 176 | L | Soneva |
The atolls they sit in
| Atoll | Resorts | Share of arrivals | On file | What the atoll is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baa | 15 | 6.1% | 16 | A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Hanifaru Bay, where mantas gather from May to November. |
| Noonu | 8 | 4.5% | 8 | The atoll of top-end private islands: Cheval Blanc Randheli and Soneva Jani. |