They call it “Maldivitis” – an incurable addiction related to the Indian Ocean. And it only takes once for it to start.
“Our resort was incredibly simple, the food was average, and the accommodation options had only two levels: with air conditioning or without,” recalls Jane Hamilton about her and her husband Hugo’s first vacation in the Maldives in 1998. “But we got hooked.”
Now the Hamiltons travel to the Maldives twice a year, and their next trip will be their 29th. Meanwhile, Mike and Janice Cook, who have visited 42 resorts since 2000, including 60 stays at “Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu,” are rapidly approaching their 73rd trip.
However, with 180 resorts across 19 atolls, it’s no surprise that first-time travelers get lost. So if you’re planning a “once in a lifetime” trip to the Maldives, here are tips from many travelers who have been there multiple times on how to choose correctly.
Just don’t expect this trip to be your last.
How to find the most suitable Maldives resort for you
“The youngest in this group,” Paula Connor, who has been to the Maldives 16 times, co-manages the 14.3k member Facebook group “Maldives Holidaymakers,” so she knows well how newcomers get confused.
“People stress terribly trying to find that one perfect resort, but the truth is that 90% of them will satisfy most people’s needs, so there’s no need to overanalyze. If you don’t want something very specific – say, an adults-only resort or an underwater restaurant – it’s worth staying flexible.
Start with your budget. Some resorts are astronomically expensive, so knowing your limit immediately reduces your options. Then decide what is essential for you: kids’ club, spa, private pool, or other things.”
Start with your budget. Some resorts are astronomically expensive, so knowing your limit immediately reduces your options.
For example, families with small children are well suited to the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa on Shaviyani Atoll. The kids’ club here has a 13-meter pirate ship to climb on, a water play area, and more than 100 activities per week – treasure hunts, “octopus tag,” beach Olympics.
Babysitting services, which usually cost a lot in five-star hotels, are free here, and children under 12 can eat free with a supervising adult. The two-story villas have two bedrooms, upstairs TV areas, and pools, making them ideal for families.
Older or multi-generational families should choose Amilla Maldives on Baa Atoll. Among the known guests of this stylish resort were Kate Winslet and Kate Moss, but it is a place for everyone, regardless of needs or abilities.
Thanks to the “Inclucare” certificate, people using wheelchairs, the deaf, blind, and children on the autism spectrum can comfortably relax here. The resort has 59 villas, including treehouses, as well as huge four-to-eight-bedroom residences with white Saint Tropez-style interiors and private pools.
Ten bars and restaurants offer Japanese, Italian, Greek, Indian, and other cuisines. When flying by seaplane from Malé to Baa Atoll, during the approximately 35-minute flight, it’s worth paying attention to the home reef and the resort’s blue hole – a marine sinkhole.
Adults-only resorts are best for couples, and there is no shortage of choices. One of the best is Anantara Veli on South Malé Atoll.
Just 30 minutes by speedboat from the airport, the recently renovated resort is designed for adult relaxation. Whether a beach villa or overwater, they are so spacious you can do somersaults: huge beds, high vaulted ceilings, outdoor terraces, some with private pools.
Visited 25 times
The home reef is very important to Andy Reed, who has visited the Maldives 25 times with his wife Karen, 20 of those at Lily Beach Resort & Spa.
“Even if you think you won’t like snorkeling, you probably will, so the freedom to go snorkeling whenever you want is priceless. If there is no reef, you depend on boat trips, specific times, and other people,” he says.
“Another must-have for me is a high-level all-inclusive package. Lily has that package, so you don’t have to think: ‘I can’t afford that.’ You can have whatever you want whenever you want.”
For budget-conscious travelers, Jane Hamilton advises prioritizing time over luxury extras.
“We don’t seek extreme luxury, just want to stay as long as possible for our money. Being less picky, we can spend 18–20 nights for about £10,000. If that means a simpler resort or buffet food, it doesn’t bother us,” they say.
The Residence at Dhigurah is a good choice for more economical travelers. Although the remote resort probably wouldn’t win design awards, what it lacks in style it makes up for with an unbeatable location on the untouched Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
The island is large by Maldivian standards – about 2 km long – so each simple-style villa has its own private soft white sand beach patch and private pool. Room prices start at about £370 for two people with breakfast.
Seaplane or speedboat?
Transfers to the resort can be by speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight. Speedboats, especially to resorts near Malé, are often included, while flights rarely are. Seaplanes are the most expensive option and can add about £500 per person, but all interviewees agree: it’s worth it.
“If you have a choice, choose the seaplane – the islands look magical from above,” says Janice Cook.
Jane Hamilton takes a more practical view: “I get seasick on boats, and we’ve had terrible speedboat transfers, so we always choose the seaplane.”
For those worried about flying, Andy Reed reassures: “Remember, they are designed to land on water. Yes, they are small and noisy, but wonderful. Sit in the front and you can watch the barefoot pilots through the open cockpit doors.”
However, if you want the old good “escape to a deserted island” feeling, Paula Connor recommends traveling further.
“Ayada, our favorite resort, requires an hour-long domestic flight and 20 minutes by speedboat, but it’s worth it. Unlike resorts near Malé, there is no light pollution here, and the only sound is the waves crashing.”
Water villa or beach villa?
Water villas usually cost more, but not always.
“In small resorts like Cora Cora or Outrigger, where there are more water villas than beach villas, they are the entry-level rooms,” explains Paula Connor. “They offer more privacy, sea views, and fewer mosquitoes, but you’ll miss the island’s wildlife, and you may have a long walk to your room.”
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“It’s definitely worth comparing prices,” adds Jane Hamilton. “We can afford a water villa at Coco Giri, but not at Komandoo.”
However, Mike Cook advises caution with wishes: “People often want the last water villa so they don’t have close neighbors. But the jetty gets very hot, so you can’t walk barefoot, and if it rains and there’s no golf cart service, you’ll get soaked.”
Can’t decide? When booking online, you often have to choose one room category for the entire stay, but a specialized travel agent or direct booking at the resort may allow staying in different villas during the same trip.
“It’s the best of both worlds and also helps reduce the price,” advises Andy Reed. “Just leave the option you think you’ll like more for last – you won’t want to regret moving. The same applies to changing islands.”
One resort or two?
“Staying at multiple resorts can create the impression that the vacation is longer,” says Jan Adkin, who has been to the Maldives 22 times. “However, there may be additional seaplane costs, and the second resort may not match the first. We went from Veligandu, which was recently renovated, to Ozen Life. Veligandu was perfect, and our villa at Ozen looked tired in comparison.”
Mike Cook sees a practical downside: “If the second hotel is on another atoll, you’ll lose a whole day because you have to transfer through Malé. Even resorts on the same atoll usually want to ‘pass’ guests there. We were at Reethi Rah and Coco Bodu Hithi, both on North Malé Atoll, but still had to go through Malé. So negotiate directly with the resorts and try to arrange private speedboat transfers.”
All-inclusive or pay on site?
Since almost everything is imported, food and drink prices can be staggering. For most in this group, all-inclusive is the obvious choice – at least to avoid unpleasant surprises.
“We’ve had trips where not taking all-inclusive would have been cheaper,” admits Paula Connor. “But when we didn’t have it, the last night’s bill always spoiled the holiday mood.”
“At one resort, if we had paid separately, our bill would have exceeded $7,000, about £5,200,” adds Jan Adkin.
For the Cooks, it depends on the resort. “At high-end resorts with high prices, all-inclusive can make sense,” says Mike Cook. “But if you’re not big gourmets or drink lovers, or you dive all day and can’t overdo it, even bed and breakfast can be cheaper.”
The same applies to drink packages, adds Janice Cook: “We like cocktails, but even where they cost $40, our actual bar bill would have been less, so calculate before the trip.”
If you choose all-inclusive, read the fine print.
“At some resorts, like Emerald Maldives, everything is included, even good champagne. Others limit the drink list or how often you can visit specialty restaurants,” warns Mike Cook. “Get a precise list of what’s included in writing before booking.”
A good value all-inclusive option to consider is Adaaran Select Meedhupparu hotel on Raa Atoll, which has stylishly furnished water villas over the waves.
Spa treatments include massages, facials, body wraps with Elemis products, and Chinese reflexology. Sunset boat trips to watch dolphins, trips to the “desert island,” and fishing can be arranged. Packages cost from about £1,669 per person with all-inclusive and flights.
If you want total luxury, one of the exclusive all-inclusive resorts is Kudadoo on Lhaviyani Atoll, a 30-minute flight from the capital, with almost everything you can imagine included in the price.
Here you can have private sports training, spa treatments at any time, picnics on private islands, dolphin watching, jet skis, breakfast on the water, gourmet dishes, six different champagnes, and minibars with your favorite drinks – just tell the butler what you want.
The home reef is impressive, full of turtles and colorful reef fish. The villas resemble Japanese style – wood finishes, sliding doors, and lush zen bathrooms. Rooms start at £2,550 per night.
When to go?
Although the peak season from December to April is traditionally considered the best weather-wise, climate change means there are no guarantees.
“We arrived last March, and it rained harder than in Peninsulas,” laughs Mike Cook.
All six travelers regularly go off-season but advise avoiding May.
“Everything else is a good gamble. Plus, you’ll save thousands,” says Paula Connor. “We’ve been every month from June to November and usually get an 80/20 ratio – only one or two days are very windy or rainy. The key is to stay longer. Losing four days out of a week of vacation is painful, but in two weeks you’ll probably have more good than bad days.”
Book through specialists
All “addicts” recommend contacting a specialized travel organizer.
“People we work with at Angelfish Travel regularly check every resort they sell, so they know them inside out and can pick the right one for you,” explains Mike Cook.
– In large general companies, agents may never have been there. And although direct booking at the resort sometimes makes financial sense, especially if you booked flights with Avios, we’ve found Angelfish packages usually offer better overall value.”
Other recommendations include Purely Maldives, Maldives by Olivia, and Paula Connor and Andy Reed’s favorite Amit from Simply Maldives.
“A specialized agent provides peace of mind. Amit is always reachable via WhatsApp when needed,” adds Paula Connor. “Last time our flight was delayed four hours, and he rearranged transfers so we wouldn’t get stuck.”
And finally – a few tips on what to pack
“Bring lots of sunscreen and mosquito repellent – prices at resorts are huge,” advises Jan Adkin. “But don’t bring lots of shoes.”
“We usually walk barefoot all the time,” explains Paula Connor. “And forget hair straighteners. It’s so humid there that they’re pointless.”
