Guesthouses and small hotels in the Maldives: where to stay affordably on the islands

Budget holidays in the Maldives - are not a dream, but a completely accessible way to travel. Private resort islands, of course, have many advantages. But if you do not want to spend too much on your holiday, small hotels and guesthouses on local islands can be a great alternative to a classic resort.

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How a guesthouse differs from a mini-hotel in the Maldives

The difference between a guesthouse and a mini-hotel in the Maldives is often quite relative. A classic guesthouse usually has several rooms and is managed by one family. A mini-hotel may offer a restaurant, swimming pool, spa services, family rooms and other advantages.

Modern guesthouses can differ significantly in format. Some are very small properties, while others are full mini-hotels with a restaurant, family rooms, their own excursion programme and several meal plan options.

In terms of infrastructure, guesthouses and mini-hotels usually have less to offer than large island resorts. There will be no huge spa, several swimming pools or fine-dining restaurants. On the other hand, guests get access to beaches and the opportunity to see real life in the Maldives.

On the local islands of the Maldives there are cafes, restaurants and diving centres. Tourists are offered trips to sandbanks, snorkelling, fishing, dolphin cruises, picnics and excursions to neighbouring islands.

What to consider when staying on a local island

The Maldives is a Muslim country, so when choosing a holiday on an inhabited island, there are several things to know:

• On public beaches and streets, you should choose modest clothing
• You can swim in regular beachwear on specially designated bikini beaches.
• Alcohol is not sold on local islands. It is available only on private resort islands and on certain tourist boats.
• Some guesthouses organise day trips to resorts where guests can use the beaches, swimming pools and restaurants.
• The set of services differs at each guesthouse. The price may include breakfast, Wi-Fi, beach towels or snorkelling equipment.
• Half board, full board, excursions and transfers are usually paid separately.

Below, we look at budget options on several popular inhabited islands. In particular, guesthouses and mini-hotels on Maafushi, Dhiffushi, Dhigurah, Thoddoo and others.

Araamu Holidays & Spa

Guesthouses and hotels on Maafushi

Maafushi - is the most famous local island in the Maldives and one of the best destinations for a first independent trip. It is located in South Malé Atoll, approximately 27 kilometres from Velana International Airport. The speedboat trip from the airport usually takes about 35 minutes.

Triton Prestige Seaview and Spa

The hotel offers more developed infrastructure than classic Maafushi guesthouses. The main advantage is a rooftop swimming pool with panoramic views of the island and ocean. There is a restaurant, spa, gym and pool bar serving non-alcoholic drinks. Bikini Beach is very close by.

Triton Prestige Seaview has double and triple rooms with sea views, family and connecting rooms, as well as suites with a jacuzzi. Most categories have a balcony, air conditioning, TV, minibar and safe.

The restaurant serves Asian, Indian, Italian and international cuisine. You can book accommodation with breakfast, half board or full board.

Triton Prestige Seaview and Spa

Triton Beach Hotel & Spa

The hotel has 30 rooms, almost all overlooking the pool or island, as well as several suites with a jacuzzi. All rooms have air conditioning, a refrigerator, safe and balcony. Double and triple options are available, so the hotel is suitable for both couples and families with a child.

There is a swimming pool, spa, sauna, gym and games area with billiards. A rooftop terrace offers views of the island and ocean. The poolside restaurant serves Maldivian, Indian, European and Asian dishes, including fresh seafood.

The hotel helps organise snorkelling, diving, fishing, boat trips and excursions to neighbouring islands. Guests can also use bicycles and beach loungers.

Triton Beach Hotel & Spa

Kaani Palm Beach

A modern beach hotel and one of the most noticeable properties on Maafushi. Kaani Palm Beach is located near Bikini Beach and has a panoramic rooftop pool. Double, triple and family categories are available, as well as rooms with balconies and sea views. Rooms have air conditioning, TV, minibar, safe, kettle and a private bathroom. Some spacious categories are suitable for families with children.

The hotel has a restaurant, spa and gym. It offers different meal plans and organises transfers, snorkelling, diving, fishing, water activities and trips to neighbouring islands.

Kaani Palm Beach

Guesthouses on Thoddoo

The green island of Thoddoo stands out noticeably from many other islands in the Maldives. A significant part of its territory is occupied by fruit plantations. Thoddoo has two tourist beaches, cafes, shops, diving centres and a wide choice of guesthouses. It can be reached from Malé by speedboat in about an hour and a half. Thoddoo is considered one of the most comfortable local islands for independent holidays.

Sands Garden Hotel

A small modern hotel in the centre of Thoddoo, about a 10-minute walk from the tourist beach. Guests are offered double and family rooms with air conditioning, a mini-fridge and a private bathroom. Some rooms have balconies overlooking the garden or island.

The guesthouse has a restaurant and indoor pool, as well as a green courtyard and sun terrace. You can rent a bicycle and arrange a transfer, snorkelling, fishing and other sea excursions. A good option for couples and families.

Sands Garden Hotel

Shams Thoddoo

Shams Thoddoo guesthouse is surrounded by tropical greenery, not far from the bikini beach. In addition to double rooms with garden views and a balcony, there are two-bedroom apartments and a separate bungalow for families or groups of friends.

The hotel has a restaurant, small spa and gym. The restaurant serves seafood, pizza, Italian and Asian dishes, and on request offers vegetarian, lactose-free and halal menus. Guests can go snorkelling, enjoy water activities, sunset cruises, trips to a sandbank and romantic beach dinners. Shams Thoddoo is comfortable for family holidays.

Shams Thoddoo

Guesthouses on Dhigurah Island

Dhigurah is one of the popular inhabited islands in the Maldives for snorkelling and encounters with whale sharks. The island has an elongated shape, dense tropical greenery and a long sandy beach that continues into a picturesque sandbank. Most guesthouses and small hotels are located in the northern part of the island, near the village and beach. There are affordable rooms with breakfast and modern mini-hotels with a pool and restaurant. The transfer from the airport to Dhigurah takes about 2 hours by speedboat.

Bliss Dhigurah

Bliss Dhigurah has only 19 rooms, including compact rooms for solo travellers and spacious lofts for families or groups. The rooftop has a terrace with a jacuzzi, loungers and a fresh juice bar, and the hotel also has a gym. The restaurant serves local fish and seafood dishes, pizza, Asian cuisine and familiar European food. A small area with fast Wi-Fi and power sockets is provided for remote work. The hotel organises diving, snorkelling, trips to whale sharks and manta rays, as well as other sea excursions.

Bliss Dhigurah

Sands Grand Hotel

A cosy guesthouse is located 100 metres from the northwestern beach of the island. It has 20 rooms with air conditioning, a mini-fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. Some rooms also have a balcony or terrace. The building is surrounded by a garden, and there is a sun terrace and shared lounge for relaxation.

The restaurant combines Maldivian cuisine with Indian, Italian, Nepalese and international dishes. The hotel offers massage services, yoga and meditation classes, bicycle rental and billiards. The excursion programme includes snorkelling with manta rays, searching for whale sharks, dolphin watching and picnics on sandbanks.

Sands Grand Hotel

Guesthouses on Dhiffushi Island

Dhiffushi - is a small island in North Malé Atoll, known for its light-coloured beaches, calm lagoon and views of the neighbouring resort Meeru Island. The speedboat trip from Velana Airport takes 45-55 minutes. The island has family guesthouses and modern mini-hotels, including properties directly on the beach, rooms with ocean views and options with a restaurant.

Si! Beach House

Si! Beach House, also known as Beach House Dhiffushi, has a convenient location on the northwestern coast of the island, opposite the beach and lagoon. It is best to choose a room with a balcony and sea view. More affordable rooms face the courtyard or island and have air conditioning, a safe and a private bathroom. There is a restaurant and small coffee shop on the ground floor, with a shop nearby.

The guesthouse organises snorkelling, diving, fishing, water activities and trips to see turtles, sharks or sandbanks.

Si! Beach House

Crown Beach Hotel Maldives

Crown Beach Hotel Maldives is located on the northern side of Dhiffushi, next to the tourist beach area. The complex consists of two villas with 18 rooms. Facilities include air conditioning, a mini-fridge, safe, kettle and private bathroom. The hotel has an international restaurant, coffee shop, spa and children's playground. Guests are offered diving, snorkelling, water activities, fishing and romantic dinners.

Crown Beach Hotel Maldives

Araamu Holidays & Spa

One of the larger mini-hotels on Dhiffushi, located 3-5 minutes from the beach. Double rooms with garden or island views, rooms with balconies and spacious family options are available. The hotel's main feature is a wellness centre offering massages and face and body treatments. Inside there is a games room with billiards and table tennis, while bicycles are provided free of charge.

The restaurant offers both à la carte and buffet dining, including children's dishes and dietary menus.

Araamu Holidays & Spa

Sky Beach Maldives

Sky Beach Maldives is located near the northern bikini beach of Dhiffushi, about two minutes from the water. One of the hotel's main advantages is the outdoor swimming pool in the courtyard, which is still uncommon among accommodation on local islands. Guests can choose modern double rooms with balconies and a two-room suite for families. All options have air conditioning, a mini-fridge and tea and coffee making facilities.

The restaurant serves dishes from different cuisines of the world, halal food is available, and there is a rooftop lounge with an open terrace and ocean views. Loungers and umbrellas are provided on the beach. Guests can book snorkelling with turtles, a dolphin cruise or evening fishing.

Sky Beach Maldives

Stone Beach Club Dhiffushi

Stone Beach Club is a small 12-room beach hotel. All rooms have a balcony or terrace overlooking the ocean, air conditioning, minibar and a functional set of amenities. Guests can use the facilities of the neighbouring 4-star Stone Hotel Dhiffushi: swimming pool, spa, sauna, gym and restaurants. The hotel itself has a cafe-bistro and rooftop lounge, which is especially pleasant for watching the sunset.

Stone Beach Club Dhiffushi

Manta Dhangethi, Dhangethi Island

Manta Dhangethi is a small guesthouse on the local island of Dhangethi in South Ari Atoll. The boat transfer from the airport takes 2 hours. It is a cosy hotel a few minutes' walk from the bikini beach. Manta Dhangethi offers double, single and family rooms, including connecting rooms for families with children. Rooms have air conditioning, TV, minibar, refrigerator, safe and tea and coffee making facilities.

The hotel restaurant serves Maldivian and international dishes, which is convenient because you can choose accommodation with breakfast, half board or three meals a day. Hotel staff also help organise diving, fishing and trips to places where manta rays and whale sharks are found, for which South Ari is well known.

Manta Dhangethi

Tropical Biosphere, Kamadhoo Island

A small guest hotel on Kamadhoo in Baa Atoll. The speedboat transfer from Velana Airport takes about 2.5 hours. An alternative route is a 30-minute flight to Dharavandhoo followed by another 20 minutes by boat.

Tropical Biosphere offers only seven rooms in two categories, equipped with air conditioning, TV, safe and free Wi-Fi. There is a terrace with a small pool and a fitness area, and spa treatments are available. The restaurant serves Maldivian and international cuisine.

A separate advantage is the variety of water activities. The hotel organises snorkelling, diving, fishing, sunset cruises and trips to sandbanks. Excursions to Hanifaru Baydeserve special attention, as large gatherings of manta rays can be seen there in season. Kamadhoo Island has its own reef and a separate bikini beach, which can be reached on foot from Tropical Biosphere.

Tropical Biosphere