I can’t say I’ve been to every resort in the Maldives – there are more than a hundred and counting (though what a life’s mission that would be). But I can say this: the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is easily one of the most indulgent and luxurious stays I've done anywhere in the world. My experience there was, quite simply, unbeatable.
Set in the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll, this 44-acre island paradise blends unspoiled nature, next-level wellness and signature Four Seasons polish in perfect harmony. While sister property Four Seasons Kuda Huraa is the “garden island,” Landaa is where you should book your stay if you're motto in life is "bigger is better". Yes, it’ll cost more – and that seaplane transfer doesn’t come cheap – but what you get is untouched paradise with villas nearly four times the size of those at other resorts.
Even getting there feels like part of the adventure. Landaa operates its own seaplanes, decorated in cheerful polka dots and bright colours inspired by the yellow boxfish found at the resort’s Marine Discovery Centre. The 40-minute flight whisks you over turquoise lagoons before landing right by the island’s jetty. Planes depart from both Velana International Airport and Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, making hopping between both resorts a breeze.
From the moment you step off the plane, it’s clear this is a different kind of escape. The welcome coconut tastes sweeter, the breeze feels softer and the long stroll to the lobby hints at the sheer scale of what’s to come.
Why stay at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru?
Beyond the postcard-perfect beaches and overwater villas, Landaa is deeply connected to the environment that surrounds it. The island is home to AyurMa, a 2.5-acre wellness sanctuary rooted in Ayurveda, yoga, and wellbeing.
Each guest is offered a complimentary dosha consultation to determine their body type (vata, pitta, or kapha), followed by customised spa treatments and dietary guidance. Dishes at Landaa's restaurants are also marked based on Ayurvedic type so you know exactly how to fuel your body.
But what impressed me most was the Marine Discovery Centre, where resident marine biologists lead conservation work with manta rays and coral restoration projects. Between June and November, you’re in prime territory for manta ray and whale shark sightings, a bucket-list experience that makes Landaa one of the Maldives’ most meaningful resorts. Landaa is a quick boat ride away from Hanifaru Bay, widely regarded as the best place in the world to swim with hundreds of Manta Rays. Their manta-on-call programme also takes guests out on a daily manta ray snorkel together with the researchers so it's really your best chance of swimming with these magnificent creatures, even if you don't have a diving license.
Add to that 103 spacious villas, four standout restaurants, and plenty of fun activities for the whole family and you’ve got the makings of an unforgettable escape.
What are the rooms like at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru?
There are 11 villa types and seven specialty suites on the island, but calling them “rooms” doesn’t really do them justice. Each one is a private sanctuary designed to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living so that you're always close to nature and the beach.
I stayed in a Beach Villa with Pool, which comes with 1,474sqft of indoor space and an additional 2,799sqft of outdoor living. Think vaulted ceilings, natural woods, terracotta-pink accents, and massive sliding doors that open out to a private pool, an outdoor living area, and a secluded stretch of beach. On clear nights, you can lie on the sand and watch the Milky Way and if you’re lucky, see the beach light up with bioluminescence.
The attention to detail is exceptional. Aloe vera for after-sun care, all-natural mosquito repellent, satin hair ties in the bathroom and even a straw tote bag to bring home. It's really those small, thoughtful touches that make all the difference, like housekeeping leaving our sunglasses neatly on top of a microfiber glass cleaning cloth stamped with hermit crab in sunnies.
Soundproofing is also impressive. Close the doors and you’re cocooned in silence, save for the occasional chirp of a Maldivian gecko reminding you that yes, you’re on a tropical island.
What are the restaurants like at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru?
The resort has four restaurants and four bars, each with its own flavour and flair. Start your day at Café Landaa, the main restaurant, with its lavish international buffet and live cooking stations. On weekends, the seafood buffet is a must with sustainably sourced grilled tuna, sushi, oysters and more.
Alternatively, head to Blu Beach Club and Bar, a scenic spot overlooking the ocean. It’s a Mediterranean dream from breakfast to dinner, serving handmade Italian pasta and fresh seafood all day.
Fuego Grill brings romance with beachside, torch-lit tables and flame-grilled meats, while Al Barakat offers a journey through the Levant with Lebanese, Moroccan, and Armenian dishes in an elegant overwater setting.
What's the service like at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru?
This is Four Seasons service at its finest. Attentive without being intrusive, intuitive without feeling overdone. Staff seem to anticipate every need before you even think of it, and there’s an unmistakable warmth in the way returning guests are greeted by name and hugged like family.
Interestingly, there’s no formal butler service here, but you won’t miss it. Every request is handled swiftly through Whatsapp and with genuine care, from calling for a buggy or asking for extra-firm pillows.
What are the facilities and experiences like at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru?
AyurMa is the resort’s spiritual heart, a holistic wellness space built on four pillars: Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, Wellness, and Planetary Wellbeing. Each guest starts with a dosha consultation to determine their body type, followed by customised spa treatments and dietary guidance. My massage took place in an overwater room with glass panels beneath the bed, where fish drifted lazily below and it was pure, meditative bliss.
Elsewhere, there’s no shortage of things to do: a 50m Olympic-sized infinity pool (the only one in the Maldives), a floating seawater pool, the Blu sunset pool, and a splash zone for kids. The Water Sports Centre offers complimentary snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing, and catamaran sailing, while on land you’ll find a padel and tennis court — where coach John fixed my backhand in a single session.
For something more meaningful, join the Maldivian Manta Ray Project or Reefscapers coral propagation programme and even adopt your own coral frame to track its growth after you leave. The resort’s Manta on Call programme is also unique: guests are given a special phone that rings when manta rays are spotted nearby, so you can dash to the jetty and head out within minutes. If you don’t see any, you get another chance the next day.
During my stay, I was lucky enough to snorkel with several mantas at Hanifaru Bay, guided by marine biologists who ensured every encounter was respectful and unforgettable.
What's the area like around Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru?
Landaa feels like its own world, remote in the best way. There are no neighbouring local island or shops, just open ocean, starry skies, and stillness. Set in the protected Baa Atoll, the waters teem with marine life, making it one of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the Maldives.
Exploring the island is a joy in itself. Each guest gets a personal bike to cruise around, though golf buggies are also available. It took us a while to get our bearings, but by day two we were pedalling everywhere, feeling like kids again.
Why book a stay at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru?
Honestly, we can’t remember another holiday that left us so restored. Whether it’s swimming with manta rays, hitting balls on the tennis court, or just lying by the pool with a drink in hand, Landaa melts stress away.
Our trip ended with the resort’s evening beach party, complete with complimentary canapés, gelato, and drinks against a backdrop of sunset and sea. If we could have stayed forever, we would have.
Essential information
Address: Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Baa Atoll, Maldives
Price per night: From around USD $2,000 for a Beach Villa with Pool
Transfer: 35–40-minute seaplane ride from Malé (arranged by the resort)
Book now