The overwater villa, the infinity pool and the breathtakingly blue lagoon made the Maldives the picture of luxury travel through the 2000s and 2010s, when Instagram’s growing army of luxury travel influencers and enthusiasts filled feeds crowning the destination the epitome of high-end travel.
Now, standing firmly in the 2020s, that look has hopped on a first-class flight and traveled far and wide. Overwater villas and secluded island retreats are appearing across Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and, most conspicuously, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Some of these emerging destinations also tout shorter or more convenient journeys for certain source markets than the Maldives can offer.
It raises a question you have probably asked yourself already: Now that the elements that made the Maldives exceptional have been reproduced in so many other places, what makes it a must-book?
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Luxury Travel Advisor.
