The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives is one of those resorts that quietly sits under the radar, yet delivers an experience that will genuinely surprise many travellers. Formerly known as Raffles Maldives Meradhoo until the 1st of November 2025, the property has been rebranded and repositioned as The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, with a clear focus on exclusivity, privacy and refined luxury, that we will be covering in this review of The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives.
Class:
★★★★★
Location:
Gaafu Atoll
Transfer Type:
Transfer Duration:
Seaplane or Domestic Flight + Speedboat
90 min or 65 + 30 minutes
Island Size:
Small
Total no. Villas:
38
Highlights:
Reviewed by Florian– December 2025
The resort is located in the remote Gaafu Atoll, far south of Malé, an area known for its pristine reefs and low density of resorts. The Halcyon is divided across two separate islands, one fully dedicated to overwater villas and one hosting the beach villas and main facilities. In total, there are only 38 villas, with 16 overwater villas and 22 beach villas, making it one of the most intimate and small luxury resorts in the Maldives. This is a place designed for couples and travellers who want to disconnect, slow down and enjoy excellent food, personalised service and a strong feeling of being far away from everything.
As always, let’s start this review of The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives with the transfers and arrival experience.
There are two ways to reach The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives. The first option is a domestic flight followed by a speedboat, and the second is a seaplane transfer.
We chose the domestic flight plus speedboat combination. After arriving in Malé and meeting their ground staff, we boarded a domestic flight of around 60 minutes to Kaadedhdhoo Airport, followed by a 30 minute speedboat ride to the resort. It is a long journey and guests should be prepared for a solid half a day of travel. That being said, everything was very well organised and smooth from start to finish.
Whenever possible, we strongly recommend opting for the seaplane transfer instead. It is faster, more scenic and far more comfortable. The good news is that The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives often comes with complimentary seaplane transfer offers, which truly make a big difference and are absolutely worth jumping on.
On arrival at the resort, we were welcomed extremely warmly by the team and introduced to our butler, who immediately took care of us. Inside the villa, a beautifully presented do-it-yourself cocktail set was waiting for us, along with generous welcome snacks and fresh coconuts. It was one of the most impressive and thoughtful arrival experiences we have had in the Maldives, instantly setting the tone for the stay.
We had the chance to stay in two different villa categories during our visit: a Beach Pool Villa (n°14) and a Sunset Overwater Pool Villa (n°32). Both were outstanding and easily rank among our favourite villas in the Maldives.
The beach pool villa was extremely spacious and felt wonderfully secluded. The outdoor area is generous, with a large private pool, plenty of lounging space and a strong sense of privacy. The interior is elegant and comfortable, with a layout that flows very naturally between indoor and outdoor living.
The sunset overwater pool villa took things to another level and definitely one of the highlights of our review of The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives for 2026. The bed was quite simply THE biggest and most comfortable we have ever experienced in an overwater villa…or in any other resort in the world.
The sense of space is remarkable and, just as importantly, the villas are positioned in a way that you truly do not feel your neighbours. Privacy is taken very seriously here, which is something that makes a huge difference for couples.
Both villas felt luxurious without being over the top, extremely comfortable and clearly designed with long stays and relaxation in mind. If you are looking for one excellent overwater villa in the Maldives, you won’t be disappointed here.
During our stay, we were able to visit several other villa categories in order to have a comprehensive review of The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives. It quickly became clear that the villas are one of the strongest selling points of this luxury resort.
The Sunset Overwater Retreat is absolutely spectacular. Designed for up to four adults, it offers vast indoor and outdoor spaces and features what might be the most impressive bathroom we have ever seen in the Maldives. The scale, layout and attention to detail are truly remarkable.
We also visited the three-bedroom Halcyon Grand Estate, which is nothing short of breathtaking. This villa is ideal for families or groups of friends travelling together and offers an extraordinary level of space, privacy and comfort. It feels more like a private residence than a resort villa.
Across the board, all villa categories at The Halcyon are exceptionally spacious, beautifully designed and deliver a strong sense of exclusivity.
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives is split into two distinct areas. One island hosts the beach villas and most of the resort facilities, while the second island is fully dedicated to the overwater villas, creating a very secluded and peaceful environment.
The main island is undeniably pretty, with nice beaches around Thari restaurant and near the Firepit area. However, when compared to some of the most naturally stunning islands in the Maldives such as Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Anantara Kihavah or Niyama Private Islands, it does not quite reach the same level of tropical perfection.
This does not mean the island is not beautiful, it absolutely is, but if island beauty is your number one priority, there are other resorts that may rank higher. The Halcyon’s strength lies more in its villas, service, dining and exclusivity than in having the most jaw-dropping island scenery. By the end of this review, you’ll understand why The Halcyon Private Isles really deserves its spot among the very best resorts.
Dining was a very pleasant surprise at The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives. For a long time, food had been considered a weaker point when the resort was operating under the Raffles brand. This changed significantly in 2025, shortly before the rebranding, and the improvement is very noticeable.
The quality and diversity of food across all dining venues impressed us throughout the stay. There are no breakfast buffets at the resort, everything is à la carte, which adds to the refined and relaxed atmosphere. The quality of ingredients and execution is exactly what you would expect from a high-end five-star property.
Being able to choose between Thari and Yuzu for breakfast is also a nice touch and adds variety to the experience. We also enjoyed a private beach dinner, which was not only extremely romantic but also genuinely delicious.
One of our best dinners experiences was likely our private dinner on the beach which was not only with a beautiful setup, but also with some delicious food!
One thing to keep in mind is that food and beverage prices are very high, especially when it comes to drinks. This is something guests should be aware of when budgeting for their stay.
Service is a key pillar of any luxury Maldivian experience, and this is where The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives really shines. The level of attentiveness and friendliness from the staff was excellent throughout our stay.
Housekeeping was flawless and discreet, and our butler, Sabina, deserves a special mention. She was exceptional, always anticipating our needs before we even had to ask. The small size of the resort plays a huge role here, as the staff quickly learns your preferences and habits, making the experience feel truly personal and special.
When it comes to service, our review of The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives could not be any better.
For snorkeling enthusiasts, The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives is a very strong option. The coral health is still excellent and the fish life is abundant, with plenty to see on every snorkel.
That said, snorkeling directly around the overwater villas is extremely poor and should not be considered a highlight. The best snorkeling spots are located near the arrival jetty and around the spa area, where the underwater scenery is far more impressive.
We also went diving and enjoyed several very nice dives with excellent visibility, which is typical for this atoll. While it may not quite match the very best dive sites closer to Park Hyatt Hadahaa further south in Gaafu Atoll, it is still very high-quality diving.
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives offers not one, but two public pools. One is located on the main island, while the second sits in the overwater villa area next to Yuzu restaurant.
Both pools are beautifully designed and intentionally limited in terms of sunbeds and seating, reinforcing the resort’s small and exclusive atmosphere. Each pool offers a different vibe, allowing guests to choose between a more central setting or a more secluded overwater environment.
Let’s continue our review of The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives with the spa and the gym.
Both the spa and gym are overwater, which already sets a very nice tone. The gym is spacious, well equipped with Life Fitness machines and offers beautiful lagoon views, making workouts far more enjoyable than usual.
The spa features very large treatment rooms and we had a 90 minute couples massage which was excellent in terms of technique, atmosphere and overall quality. It is a calm and relaxing space that perfectly fits the resort’s philosophy.
Overall, yes. When we talk about luxury, exclusivity is a big part of the equation, and this is exactly what The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives delivers. With only 38 villas, it never feels busy and remains intimate at all times. While being far from ranking as one of the most expensive resorts in the Maldives, it is definitely in the luxury 5* kind of prices, but without overcharging.
Pricing is relatively reasonable for this level of privacy and quality, especially when taking advantage of the special offers that are frequently available. One important factor is that the resort needs to remain competitively priced to encourage guests to commit to a long journey, whether by seaplane or domestic flight.
For couples seeking a quiet, refined and intimate Maldivian escape, the value for money is very solid.
Before closing this review of The Halcyon Priavate Isles Maldives, let’s do a quick recap of its pros and cons.
Pros
Extremely spacious and private villas
Excellent personalised service
Very high quality dining
Healthy reefs and great snorkeling spots
Quiet, intimate atmosphere ideal for couples
Cons
Snorkeling is poor around overwater villas
Long transfer even with seaplane option
High food and beverage prices
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives is an excellent choice for travellers who value privacy, space, personalised service and outstanding villas above all else. While it may not offer the most spectacular island scenery in the Maldives, it more than compensates with its exclusivity, dining quality and overall sense of calm.
For couples looking for a refined, intimate and relaxing escape far away from the crowds, The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives is a resort we confidently recommend.
Contact us for more information or to book your trip to the Maldives with the most competitive rates.
