South Ari Atoll · Maldives
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Two islands, one footbridge, and the undersea restaurant that started it all
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Conrad Rangali spans two islands joined by a long wooden footbridge - one lively and family-oriented, the other quieter and given over to adults and overwater villas. The arrangement lets the resort serve two quite different crowds without either getting in the other's way.
Its calling card is Ithaa, an all-glass dining room set several metres below the surface of the lagoon, which was the first of its kind anywhere when it opened in 2005 and remains the best known. It is small, heavily booked and worth arranging well before arrival. Elsewhere the dining spread is broad, and there is a wine cellar carved into the reef-side of the island.
South Ari Atoll is one of the better parts of the Maldives for whale shark encounters, and the resort's dive centre runs trips year round. Transfers are by seaplane, around 30 minutes from Male. It is an older resort than most on this list, but has been progressively renovated and remains a benchmark.
At a glance
What to expect
- Undersea restaurant
- Overwater villas
- Two-island layout
- Overwater spa
- Whale shark excursions
- Dive centre
- Kids' club
- Seaplane transfer
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