Awards season has been kind to the Maldives, with a cluster of 2026 wins pointing travellers towards some of the country's strongest performers.

The headline act is Coco Bodu Hithi, which has been named Indian Ocean's Most Romantic Resort at the World Travel Awards for the third year running. The resort sits on its own island in North Malé Atoll, about 35 minutes from Velana International Airport by speedboat — close enough for a seamless arrival, far enough to feel properly secluded. Every villa comes with a private pool, and the couples-focused playbook runs from beachfront dinners and sunset cruises to treatments at Coco Spa. There's more at stake yet: Coco Collection is up for World's Leading Boutique Hotel Brand and the resort for World's Most Romantic Resort in the global round of the awards. If a festive escape appeals, the resort's Island Glow programme runs from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, mixing holiday dining, live entertainment and ocean activities for couples and families alike.

Also recognised at the World Travel Awards Indian Ocean ceremony was Heritance Aarah in Raa Atoll, named the region's Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2026. Around 40 minutes from Malé by seaplane, the resort bets on a Premium All-Inclusive formula: seven restaurants and five bars, personalised butler service, and experiences ranging from house-reef snorkelling to the Maldivian Village cultural programme. Standout dining is the Ambula Overwater Restaurant, which pairs Sri Lankan and Maldivian flavours across an eight-course tasting menu with wines. For anyone tired of all-inclusive resorts that nickel-and-dime, this one is built around breadth of inclusions rather than upselling.

The South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé on 8 October 2026, delivered a triple win for Cinnamon. Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives took Gold as Leading Surf Resort for the eighth time — its fourth in a row — thanks in large part to Pasta Point, a surf break with an international following in North Malé Atoll. Sister property Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives retained Gold as Leading Beach Resort for its lagoon and beach-and-overwater villa setup, and added Silver for its CSR work: a six-day dive programme with its PADI centre, Dive & Sail, that saw nine teenagers from Keyodhoo and Felidhoo earn Open Water certification while learning reef conservation.

Wellness brand ELE|NA rounded out the haul, named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at SATA. Its six "Pillars of Vitality" framework — covering massage, fitness, sleep, nutrition and more — is deployed across partner resorts, all of which hold Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation. The brand is now expanding into India and Nepal.

Why does this matter if you're booking a Maldives holiday? Awards aren't everything, but they're a useful shortlist when dozens of near-identical island resorts compete for your money. These winners cover the main trip types: a honeymoon-grade escape at Coco Bodu Hithi, a no-surprises luxury all-inclusive at Heritance Aarah, and a surf-focused stay at Cinnamon Dhonveli for travellers whose idea of paradise involves a board rather than a sun lounger.

Story first reported by Maldives Insider.