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There’s nowhere on Earth quite like the Maldives. The softest of sands, the clearest of seas, the bluest of skies; it’s a country where only superlatives will do. With a setting like this, there’s no better place to create lifelong family memories on a winter escape.
Where should I stay in the Maldives during the winter season?
The perfect base for families is stunning Villa Park, recognised by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025 as one of the best family resorts in the Maldives. Ideal for those looking to reconnect, Villa Park has been the destination of choice for families since its opening in 1986.
Winter is the ideal time to escape the dreary weather of the UK and make the most of the dry season, with postcard-pretty skies, minimal rainfall and dreamy sunshine. If the thought of long, sun-drenched days isn’t tempting enough, Villa Park is currently offering 20% off selected winter stays, with children under 12 staying for free.
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Why is the festive season the best time to visit?
During the festive season, Villa Park pulls out all the stops. Experiences include family gingerbread making and Christmas tree-lighting, craft sessions, a memorable gala dinner with live music, beach cinema nights under the stars and a relaxed New Year’s countdown as you stand upon soft sand and gaze out to a sparkling sea. The most memorable part? Your little ones will delight as they witness Santa arrive by dhoni — a traditional Maldivian boat — to greet them and spread Christmas joy.
At Villa Park, parents will find everything they could hope for on a Maldives bucket list: think overwater villas, beachfront bungalows and barefoot luxury. One of the benefits of offering the widest selections of accommodation in the Maldives means that Villa Parks has an ideal room for every whim and wish. Whether you’re looking for a two-bedroom overwater villa or a beach pool house, you’ll be sure to find accommodation that fits. Within your home away from home, enjoy luxuries like private whirlpools, open-air showers and direct access to the pristine, crystal-clear sea.
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What to do in the Maldives during the winter season
The peaceful island setting allows you to rest, relax and reset from the everyday stresses of home. Choose from decompressing at the luxury spa — set within a leafy tropical garden — swim laps at the enormous swimming pool or take a stroll on the palm-fringed beach where only peace and quiet is to be found. If you’ve got the energy, you can work up a sweat in the resort’s high-intensity workout studio, while those seeking a more relaxed approach will love luxuriating in a traditional kawa bath, a bathing ritual complete with gorgeously scented petals, herbs and glowing candles suspended from the surrounding trees.
Children will be spoilt for choice, too, with an endless list of activities available. From swimming with whale sharks in the warm waters of the South Ari Atoll to a semi-submarine tour for close-up reef viewing, Villa Park is dedicated to ensuring that lifelong memories are made.
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Where should families dine in the Maldives?
At Villa Parks, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink. There’s a plethora of restaurants and bars to choose from, including all-day casual options for families to pop into. Highlights include Southern Star, which offers South Asian and Mediterranean dishes by the beachfront, and Al Pontile, serving Italian specialities with the most Instagrammable of sunset views.
For a memorable dinner, be sure to book a treetop dining experience, as you’ll feast on organic ingredients grown in the hotel’s own gardens while being suspended within a verdant canopy of greenery. Above all else, the view alone is worth travelling for the Maldives for.
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Why the Maldives is ideal for families at Christmas
Families love the fact that the island allows them to disconnect from daily life and bond in the most serene of settings, focusing on quality time and special activities together. For parents looking for respite, Villa Parks provides them with one of the largest kids’ clubs in the Maldives, so that they can feel confident that their children are taken care of as they enjoy some alone time.
The Park Players Kids’ Club has zones divided by age and a full daily programme of activities, where kids can make new friends, experience the best of the island and immerse themselves in tropical exploration.
For a holiday your family will always remember, in the most idyllic of settings, award-winning Villa Park is the perfect family-friendly escape for the winter season. From watching Santa sail ashore to gazing at pink-hued sunsets with the whole family, turn your special moments into lifelong memories at Villa Park.
Book direct at villaresorts.com to unlock up to 20% off your stay, with kids under 12 staying for free.
Feature image: Villa Park
