Baros Maldives Named World’s No. 2 Resort in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026

10 July, 2026

In a resounding testament to timeless luxury and unwavering service, Baros Maldives has been named the No. 2 Resort in the World and the No. 1 Resort in Asia in the prestigious 2026 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. The announcement, made on July 7, 2026, marks a historic milestone for the five-decade-old island retreat, which secured an extraordinary reader score of 99.73 out of 100.

Now in its 31st year, the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards is among the travel industry’s most respected accolades, with over 207,000 readers casting more than 661,000 votes across more than 10,088 properties worldwide. Baros’s remarkable placement places it among an elite group of properties recognized globally and reinforces its position as the Maldives’ original luxury icon.

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A Legacy Five Decades in the Making

Since opening its doors in 1973, Baros Maldives has built its reputation not through chasing trends, but through consistency and an unwavering commitment to what guests value most: impeccable service and an untouched natural setting.

“Baros has never chased trends, and we don’t intend to start now,” said Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager of Baros Maldives. “What we’ve built over five decades is something more durable than that – a relationship with this island and with the guests who keep returning to it. This recognition is a reflection of that relationship, and we share it with our entire team and our guests.”

That relationship is evidenced by the resort’s extraordinary guest loyalty—nearly 30% of bookings come from returning guests, most of whom describe Baros as a second home.

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What Makes Baros Maldives Extraordinary

An Unrivaled Natural Setting

Located in the North Malé Atoll, just a 25-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport, Baros occupies a private island of mature jungle, powder-soft white sand, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The resort is home to one of the Maldives’ most celebrated house reefs, offering world-class snorkeling and diving experiences accessible just steps from the villas.

Travel + Leisure readers praised Baros for its pristine beach, clear waters, and the extraordinary house reef that allows guests to snorkel without venturing far from shore.

Luxurious Accommodations

Baros Maldives offers 75 exquisite villas, each designed to blend natural elements such as wood, stone, and coconut thatch with contemporary comfort and refinement. The resort features:

• 45 beachside villas tucked into tropical foliage with direct beach access

• 30 overwater villas hovering above the lagoon with sweeping ocean views and private decks with timber steps into the sea

Many villas feature private infinity pools, outdoor showers and baths, and premium amenities including Acqua di Parma toiletries.

World-Class Dining

The resort boasts three exceptional dining venues:

• The Lighthouse: An iconic overwater restaurant offering gourmet cuisine and breathtaking sunset views beneath a swooping sailcloth canopy—widely regarded as one of the best-known restaurants in the Maldives

• Cayenne Grill: Specializing in flame-fired seafood and grilled meats set in a tropical garden ambiance

• Lime: Offering buffet-style dining with diverse international flavors

Guests can also enjoy private dining in their villas, on a secluded sandbank, or over the lagoon.

Award-Winning Spa and Wellness

The Baros Spa offers four private spa suites for couples, each with a relaxation area, rainfall shower, and tropical garden bathtub. Treatments are truly personalized, designed to soothe both body and mind in an atmosphere of barefoot elegance.

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Why Baros Stands Apart

Travel + Leisure readers evaluate properties based on criteria including rooms, facilities, location, service, dining, and overall value. Baros excels across every dimension:

Uncompromising Service – The resort’s team delivers personalized, heartfelt hospitality that makes every guest feel genuinely welcomed. As one reviewer noted, “the remarkable people who work here” are central to the Baros experience.

Barefoot Elegance – As described by luxury travel experts, “Baros wears its luxury lightly, wrapped in a kind of barefoot elegance that feels both elemental and intentional”. The aesthetic speaks the island’s language—teak floors, thatched roofs, and sandstone walls that catch beams of warm light.

World-Class House Reef – Often cited among the Maldives’ best house reefs for snorkeling, the reef is home to a profusion of marine life including turtles, reef sharks, trevally, snapper, and colorful fusiliers. A resident marine biologist and 30 nearby dive sites make Baros a haven for underwater enthusiasts.

Romantic Legacy – Baros has been crowned the World’s Most Romantic Resort by the World Travel Awards seven times in the past decade and has held the title of Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort seven times since 2015.

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A Growing Collection of Accolades

The Travel + Leisure honor adds to an impressive array of recent recognitions for Baros Maldives:

• Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2025 – World Travel Awards

• British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award 2025

• Agoda Gold Circle Award 2025 for outstanding performance and service excellence

• Four nominations in the 2026 Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific, highlighting its spa and dining venues

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Plan Your Visit to the World’s No. 2 Resort

For travelers seeking an unforgettable Maldivian escape, Baros Maldives offers an experience that transcends the ordinary—a place where five decades of heritage meet effortless luxury, where the house reef rivals any in the country, and where every guest is made to feel like family.

Getting There: A 25-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport

Ideal For: Couples, honeymooners, and discerning travelers seeking an elegant, intimate escape with world-class diving and romantic dining

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The Bottom Line

Baros Maldives’ recognition as the No. 2 Resort in the World and No. 1 in Asia in the 2026 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards is more than an accolade—it is a reflection of five decades of staying true to a singular vision: creating heartfelt, intimate experiences that feel unmistakably Baros.

As General Manager Ibrahim Shijah put it, the award is “an extraordinary honour” that belongs as much to the resort’s loyal guests as to its dedicated team. For those who have yet to experience Baros, there has never been a better time to discover why this iconic island continues to capture the hearts of travelers around the world.

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