Where to stay in the Maldives?

With virtually all the hotels and resorts in the Maldives being known for luxury, indulgence and relaxation as well as energetic water sports facilities, it can be hard to pick the best resort for your Maldives holiday.

Holidaymakers to the Indian Ocean are rarely disappointed, wherever they choose to stay but it can be useful to distinguish which resorts are best for which activities and which most suit your personal preferences, allowing you to get everything out of your holiday.

We have unpicked everything you can expect from a holiday to the Maldives (great food, amazing beaches, active watersports and relaxing spas) to help make your choices a little easier.

Best Spa: With indoor and outdoor treatment areas, yoga classes and meditation sessions; the AWAY Spa at the W Retreat & Spa resort is simply a perfect place to pamper your whole body and mind. With a wide array of treatments and speciality packages it's no surprise that this spa won the WTA Leading Spa Resort Award in 2010. It offers more than an average beauty spa; try revitalizing yoga, aromatherapy and a refreshing outdoor rainforest shower to end a perfect spa day.

Best Diving Centre: With a PADI certified diving centre, water sports centre and snorkelling programme the Baros Resort prides itself on 'Diving in Style'. For budding scuba-divers this resort is an ideal place to learn techniques and practice in the lagoon before joining the PADI Scuba Diving Programme and gain your diving certification. The centre at Baros is run by professional, experienced diving instructors and they can help develop an individual diving programme allowing you to experience all the exotic marine life the Maldives has to offer.

Best Restaurant: The Beach Restaurant at the Kuredu Resort may not be extravagant or most-famous but the simple food and outdoor beach setting allows you to enjoy a special holiday meal.

With an A la Carte menu of speciality seafood and top quality grills such as BBQ steaks, lobster and seafood this restaurant is a welcoming, simple but delicious place to dine for lunch or dinner.

Best Water Villas: Many resorts in the Maldives have water villas perched on stilts at the water's edge. However, for really amazing and elegant accommodation the water villas at the Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort are a must. Ranging from deluxe water villas to the prestigious honeymoon water villa, these villas look out over the crystal clear lagoon and feature private sundecks, lavish furniture and some even have private outdoor Jacuzzis. The large suites and private residences at Soneva Gili are an avid competitor... the Private Reserve is one of the most exclusive properties in the Maldives.

Best for Weddings: The breath-taking Angsana Velavaru Resort & Spa offers an ideal location for weddings. With private beach ceremonies, dhoni-shaped pavilions and tailor-made menus your every need can be catered for on your special day.

Best Service: Attentive service, friendly staff and royal treatment for all guests is standard at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa. Staff will fold your clothes, arrange private meals, organise watersports and even clean your sunglasses as you lie by the pool. A membership to the Leading Small Hotels of the World club is well deserved for this resort.

One last thing to remember is that Dubai holidays offer the perfect contrast to the Maldives and therefore the ideal multi centre destination for couples and honeymooners.