Discovering Paradise: Your Guide to the Best Maldives Resorts
When planning a trip to the Maldives, the focus naturally shifts to the resort experience rather than extensive sightseeing. The key is finding a resort that offers breathtaking beauty, top-notch service, and unique attractions. Having explored quite a few Maldivian resorts, I've compiled my insights here for your reference.
Getting Around
Each resort in the Maldives occupies its own private island. Your primary modes of transport to reach your island paradise will be seaplanes or speedboats. Resorts closer to the capital city, Male, are typically reached by speedboat, with round-trip costs ranging from approximately $150-$300 per person. For resorts situated further afield, seaplanes are the way to go, costing around $500-$800 per person for a round trip.
Dining Delights
Resort dining usually features buffet options or à la carte menus. The main restaurant typically hosts daily buffets, while specialty restaurants offer à la carte selections. For a truly indulgent experience, you can arrange dining in unique settings, such as a private beach dinner under the stars or a sandbank meal amidst the ocean. Some ultra-luxury resorts boast renowned underwater restaurants, like SEA at Anantara Kihavah, Subsix at Niyama, and 5.8 at Hurawalhi.
Resort Activities
Maldivian resorts are well-equipped with a full spectrum of water activities. From snorkeling and kayaking to diving, you'll have ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the marine wonders during your stay.
Accommodation Options
Water Villas are the quintessential Maldivian accommodation, featuring villas perched directly over the water. The price increases with the villa's size and the amenities offered. Beyond luxurious interiors, villas might include private pools, overwater hammocks, or even water slides.
Budgeting Your Getaway
Maldives resorts offer a wide range of options, and prices can vary significantly. For a mid-range 5-star resort, expect a budget of roughly 30-50 million VND per person for a three-night stay. High-end resorts can push this cost to 70-100 million VND per person, with even more exclusive options available. These figures exclude flights, which can add an additional 15-30 million VND per person depending on the airline.
Crafting Your Itinerary
Spending 2-4 nights at each resort is ideal to fully appreciate their distinct characteristics. You might also consider combining your resort stay with a visit to Maafushi, the most famous local island in the Maldives, for two nights.
The photos in this article were taken at various resorts, including Grand Park, Gili Lankanfushi, Fairmont, Movenpick, Anantara Kihavah, Angsana Velavaru, St. Regis, and The Ritz Carlton, among others. Booking your stay is straightforward through agencies like Travelpx, which often offer better prices and more promotions than platforms like Agoda or Booking.com, along with superior support. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you need more information.
