Extraordinary Escapes has developed its own luxury classification framework to help travellers understand why Maldives five-star resorts differ so significantly and why choosing the right resort is the single most important decision when planning a Maldives holiday.

With reviews, influencers and booking platforms all competing for your attention, how do you know whose advice to trust? Discover why destination expertise can make all the difference when planning a luxury Maldives holiday.

Is all-inclusive the smart choice in the Maldives? Is booking direct really better value? The honest answers, including real cost expectations and the mistakes travelers make based on 23 years of first-hand experience.

The Maldives is far more than beautiful images and turquoise water. Jodie Mason, 23 years and 341 days spent across the islands, reveals the combination of qualities that makes it the world’s most extraordinary island destination.

Encountering whale sharks, manta rays and the complete Maldives megafauna experience is a must on discerning traveller’s bucket lists, however doing this responsibly, in the right place, at the right time is critical.

Expert Maldives climate and travel timing advice from Jodie Mason. Discover why the best time to visit the Maldives depends entirely on what you are seeking from your perfect Maldives luxury escape.

Not every luxury Maldives resort suits every traveller. Extraordinary Escapes defines the three distinct resort styles, barefoot luxury, modern design and authentic island living, to help you find the perfect one for you.

Traveller reviews and paid social influencer content all shape how people plan their Maldives holiday, but how reliable are they really? Jodie Mason cuts through the noise with 23 years of first-hand experience.

From honeymoons and weddings to anniversaries, birthdays and milestone celebrations, discover how the Maldives provides an extraordinary setting for life’s most memorable occasions, with bespoke experiences curated by the luxury travel experts at Extraordinary Escapes.

From sunrise swims and breakfast at La Locanda to afternoons at Fari Beach Club, the iconic overwater spa and an unforgettable evening at IWAU, discover our extraordinary experience at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, where exceptional architecture shapes every moment of our guest experience.

From mornings spent cycling to Nava Beach Club and afternoons snorkelling directly from our villa to world-class dining experiences spanning the globe, Jodie Mason shares her first-hand experience at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, one of the Maldives’ most vibrant and sophisticated luxury resorts.

From sliding directly into the lagoon from our Water Reserve and snorkelling with a marine biologist on the house reef to barefoot cycling through the jungle and dining high above the island in Soneva’s treetop restaurant, Jodie Mason shares her first-hand experience at Soneva Fushi, the Maldives’ original barefoot luxury resort.

From the gentle rise of the villa’s electronic blinds revealing panoramic lagoon views to immersive art experiences, exceptional dining and contemporary architecture, Jodie Mason shares her first-hand experience at Patina Maldives, a resort unlike any other in the Maldives.

From snorkelling with manta rays and discovering the resort’s renowned Marine Discovery Centre to long lunches at Blu, one of our favourite places in the world, Jodie Mason shares her first-hand experience at Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and what makes this iconic resort one of the Maldives’ most celebrated luxury escapes.

From a private deserted island lunch to sunset cocktails over the lagoon and dinner at Tai, Jodie Mason shares a full day inside COMO Maalifushi, one of the Maldives most refined and authentic escapes.

From sunrise swims on the house reef to surfing with dolphins and dinner at the iconic Leaf restaurant, Jodie Mason shares her stay at Six Senses Laamu, one of the Maldives’ most extraordinary resorts.

In March 2025, Jodie Mason and the Extraordinary Escapes expert team visited the Maldives to personally inspect and launch the Extraordinary Escapes luxury private island collection. These research trips are the foundation of our expertise, expanding our product knowledge, meeting with management, negotiating exclusive offers and curating ne product for our clients.