Our readers have voted the Maldives as their favourite island destination.
When we imagine the perfect island escape, the Maldives often comes to mind. With pristine white sand beaches, unbelievably crystal-clear waters, endless palm trees, and iconic overwater villas, the archipelago feels nothing short of heavenly. It’s little surprise, then, that the Maldives has been named the world’s best beach or island destination in the 2025 International Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, beating Bali, Fiji, Hawai‘i and Thailand.
The impossibly turquoise waters of the Maldives. (Image: Getty/Liu Nian)
With pleasant year-round tropical weather, the Maldives is never a bad idea. This paradisiacal destination is somewhere scuba divers, surfers and honeymooners in particular can enjoy at any time, welcomed by friendly and hospitable Maldivian people who are connected to the sea and their islands.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands sits on its own private island.
Comprised of 26 coral atolls and almost 1200 remote islands peppered in the Indian Ocean, the archipelagic country is known for its coral reefs teeming with marine life, making it a popular snorkelling and diving spot. Visitors can spot dolphins, reef sharks, sea turtles vibrant reef fish, manta rays and even whale sharks in the turquoise waters.
Readers also love the Maldives as a holiday destination for hammock-filled days, peaceful lagoon swims, romantic dining under starlit skies and barefoot-chic island resorts. And accommodation is paramount to a stay in the Maldives, as this is where you will spend most of your sun-filled days relaxing, pina colada in hand. Maldivian cuisine is influenced by India, Sri Lanka and Arabia, with fine dining experiences in five-star resorts highlighting fresh fish, coconut and aromatic spices. And there is no shortage of luxury stays.
The Maldivian Coconut Curry is a must-try. (Image: Getty/Melanie Maya)
Take the ultra-luxe The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, for instance. Sitting on its own private island within the Fari Islands archipelago, this design-led resort boasts striking architecture and a contemporary take on Maldivian design. Or perhaps the secluded beach bubble tents at Finolhu, where sleeping under the stars makes for an unforgettable romantic experience.
But while this idyllic part of the world is heaven on Earth, it is also one that is at major threat from climate change as its low-lying islands are among the most threatened by rising seas.
The paradisiacal Maldives is dotted with pristine, palm-fringed islands. (Image: Getty/Luca Micheli)
Visitors should be mindful of choosing eco-friendly resorts, supporting conservation efforts, and minimising their environmental impact, particularly while visiting.
Whether you’re visiting for a honeymoon or to enjoy surfing on the rolling waves, the Maldives is a bucket list destination that has taken the crown for offering a rare combination of natural beauty, unparalleled accommodation and relaxation.
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Rachael Thompson is a freelance travel journalist, editor and hotel addict based in the UK. She was formerly International Traveller's Evergreen Editor and was responsible for the foundational content ahead of its website relaunch, as well as managing and growing the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to creating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. Next on her travel wish list is Malta.
Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.
The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.
1. Easy access to good food
Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.
One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.
In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.
In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.
Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.
At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.
While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.
It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.
2. Better sleep options
Sleep deeply with Novotel.
There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.
For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.
The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.
3. More ways to move
Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)
Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.
At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.
Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.
4. Better connections
Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.
One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.
Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.
A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.
Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.
All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.
