How to choose a hotel in the Maldives: tips and examples

The Maldives are luxurious hotels and romantic bungalows, charming overwater villas and lavish villas. The islands also offer plenty of modest guesthouses and relatively affordable hotels. How to choose a hotel in the Maldives that is perfect for your holiday – in our article.

First, a few words about the Maldives:

• The Maldives is a nation comprising over 1,000 islands, the largest of which are only a few kilometers long. Most tourists stay on islands just a few hundred meters in diameter.
• Choosing the Maldives for your holiday, you will first arrive in the capital Malé. From there, you’ll need a transfer by speedboat or seaplane to your booked resort or guesthouse. This adds 20-80 minutes to your international flight, depending on the island’s distance.
• As the Maldives is a Muslim country, alcohol cannot be bought or sold. The only exception is private island resorts, where a wide selection of alcoholic beverages is available for tourists.
• Generally, the Maldives is not a budget-friendly destination. On average, a day for two at a resort costs $500-1,000 on an all-inclusive basis. However, for a more exclusive and luxurious holiday, there are far more expensive options. Staying on local islands is cheaper – we’ll discuss them further in the article.

Bandos Maldives

When choosing a hotel in the Maldives, pay attention to:

1. Local and private islands. Local islands are always more modest but significantly cheaper.
2. Distance from Velana Airport. Upon arrival in the capital, you’ll need a transfer. Speedboats are more convenient as they operate frequently, often around the clock. Not all hotels offer speedboat transfers if the distance is too great.
3. Resort type and level of service.
4. Dining in the Maldives.
5. Family or romantic holidays.
6. Beach and lagoon conditions.
7. Island size.
8. House reef.
9. Variety of leisure activities on the island.
10. Green islands.
11. Excursions and trips.
12. Features of choosing a Maldives resort.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

Local and Private Islands

All Maldives islands can be divided into two types: local and private. Local islands are inhabited by the local population and offer a small selection of guesthouses and three-star hotels. Tourists face certain restrictions on local islands. Private islands, on the other hand, feature only hotel infrastructure and a full range of services for holidaymakers.

Asad Photo Maldives

Island Resorts or Private Islands

One island, one hotel. This principle applies to luxurious resorts located on the tropical Maldives islands. Luxury island hotels, or island resorts, occupy the entire island. No locals live here. Occasionally, 2-3 hotels may operate on a single island, but this is an exception. These island resorts are familiar from vibrant promotional videos. Money speaks for itself: there are practically no rules on these islands. You can do as you please and dress as you like, with an atmosphere of total relaxation. By contrast, local islands prohibit alcohol, and not all beaches allow bikinis. Resorts, however, offer complete freedom in this regard.

The entire infrastructure of resorts is tailored for tourists: white sandy beaches, spas, fitness centers, villas, and pools. These islands are small, taking a maximum of a couple of hours to walk around entirely. Popular island resorts include:

Kuramathi Maldives, 4 stars

One of the largest in the archipelago, located 60 km from the airport, with a length of about 2 km. You can reach it by seaplane from Malé in 20 minutes. It’s one of the most beautiful and expansive hotels, featuring numerous restaurants, jogging tracks, tennis courts, sports clubs, and a football field. A standout feature is one of the best children’s clubs, a whole town for kids—both young children and teenagers will love it.

Kuramathi Maldives

Nika Island Resort on Kudafoludu Island, 5 stars

A tiny but highly popular resort, a tourist mecca since the 1980s. Located over 70 km from the airport, it features the romantic Nika Island hotel, where tourists seek seclusion in the tropics. Bungalows are designed like shells, each surrounded by a tropical hedge for privacy.

Nika Island Resort

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, 5 stars deluxe

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island spans two neighboring islands connected by a bridge, located on South Ari Atoll. It offers discos, entertainment shows, sports facilities, and water activities, making it a hub for fun. Very youthful and modern, it features the world’s first underwater restaurant, exclusive to resort guests. Conrad is one of the most luxurious and expensive resorts in the Maldives.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Dhawa Ihuru (ex. Angsana Ihuru), 5 stars superior

A round island, just 30 minutes by speedboat from Malé. Dhawa Ihuru features 45 bungalows built from eco-friendly materials, including palm leaves. The island boasts a stunning spa and one of the best water sports centers, including a top-tier diving center.

Dhawa Ihuru (ex. Angsana Ihuru)

Our curated lists will help you choose a Maldives resort:

1. The most beautiful resort islands in the Maldives
2. Maldives spa hotels – 12 paradise corners
3. Maldives: 12 best hotels on the islands
4. Best 4-star hotels in the Maldives
5. 18 best 5-star hotels in the Maldives
6. 15 most luxurious villas in the Maldives
7. 10 exclusive water villas in the Maldives

Anantara Kihavah Villas

Holidays on Local Islands

Local islands are home to the local population. These islands cater to budget travelers who aren’t ready to spend hundreds of dollars per night at a luxury resort.

Accommodation on local islands starts at $30-40, excluding taxes (don’t forget the environmental fee and other charges applied per day). You’ll experience local life, which isn’t always clean or tidy, and must respect local traditions, such as wearing body-covering clothing due to the country’s Islamic practices. Beach attire must also be modest, except on designated “bikini beaches.” Additionally, alcohol is not sold on local islands—only available at private island resorts. Keep this in mind when choosing a hotel in the Maldives.

This isn’t the Maldives of glossy brochures, but it’s a budget-friendly option. Popular local islands include Maafushi, Guraidhoo, Ukulhas, and Thoddoo. It’s also worth mentioning Gan Island, located in the southern part of the archipelago, beyond the equator. It’s a relatively large island for the Maldives, spanning nearly 15,000 square meters, and features a diving center offering international certification.

Depositphotos

Distance from the Airport

Travel between islands is a key feature of the Maldives. International flights arrive at Velana International Airport in Malé. Ferries service nearby local islands where residents live. Resorts, however, require speedboat or seaplane transfers, depending on the distance. Our website lists available transfer options and their costs for each hotel.

If your island is far from the capital, expect to spend anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours traveling. For independent travelers, this adds extra costs.

Tip: For a 3-4 day Maldives holiday, choose a hotel near Malé to reach your resort in 10-20 minutes from the main airport. A remote island means a longer journey, which can be tiring and leave less time to relax.

The WIOTTO hotel catalog includes a filter for hotels near Malé, featuring resorts accessible by speedboat in 10-20 minutes.

Key transfer considerations:

• Seaplane transfers cost from $200 per person if not arranged by the hotel.
• Check if the transfer is included in the hotel price. You can find hotels with included transfers here.
• If the transfer isn’t included, confirm the cost and method of reaching the island in advance.
• Ferries don’t operate on Fridays, a weekend day in the Maldives.
• Seaplanes operate from 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Plan your flight connections to avoid overnight stays in Malé.

Depositphotos

Resort Type and Service Level

Islands offer guesthouses and hotels rated 3, 4, or 5 stars. However, don’t rely solely on the European star system. The Maldives also uses Deluxe, Superior, and Standard gradations.

Key considerations when choosing a hotel:

• “All-inclusive” may include not only meals but also sports equipment, boat rentals, fishing gear, windsurfing equipment, and other activities. Wi-Fi may be charged separately, and all-inclusive packages often include limited alcoholic beverages.
• Typically, Maldives hotels offer two room types: bungalows on land or overwater villas.
• Bungalows or villas can be private and secluded or part of a complex with 2-3 adjacent rooms.
• Check for private pools or Jacuzzis, which increase villa costs. The most luxurious are overwater villas with private pools and Jacuzzis, like those at Anantara Kihavah Villas.
• Villas may be located on a reef, offering sunrise or sunset views, or have dual-aspect views.
• Overwater villas often have age restrictions, excluding families with young children.
• Overwater villas are pricier than beach villas. Some hotels provide slides for fun and easy water access.
• Some resorts are adults-only, with minimum age requirements of 12, 16, or 18, depending on the property.

Anantara Kihavah Villas

Dining in the Maldives

Several dining systems are common in the Maldives:

1. Bed and Breakfast (breakfast included).
2. Half Board.
3. Full Board.
4. All-Inclusive – typically three meals daily with limited alcohol.
5. Ultra All-Inclusive – includes three meals, snacks, premium alcohol, and many island activities.

Dining tips:

• For luxury resorts, opt for Half Board or Full Board. Dining options are limited to on-island restaurants, and separate meals can be costlier than all-inclusive plans.
• On local islands with access to shops and cafes, consider booking breakfast-only accommodations.

Due to alcohol restrictions in the Maldives, many hotels exclude alcoholic beverages from all-inclusive plans. At most, wine may be served with lunch or dinner, or cocktails at the main bar during specific hours. Alcohol incurs extra charges. Local island hotels don’t offer alcohol, and bringing your own is prohibited.

Luxury hotels for adults may offer beer, wine, cocktails, and select stronger spirits.

Some high-end hotels, like Sun Island Resort on Nalaguraidhu in Ari Atoll, provide unlimited alcohol options but at a higher cost compared to non-alcoholic resorts.

Sun Island Resort

Family or Romantic Holidays

Holidays in the Maldives with children have specific considerations.

• Some islands are adults-only, especially those offering unlimited alcohol.
• When traveling with children, choose villas carefully. Overwater villas may be unsafe for kids, and many hotels impose age restrictions for these accommodations.
• Accommodation for children under 2 is usually free. Older children may incur additional charges.
• Most large hotels offer child-friendly amenities: playgrounds, kids’ rooms, shallow pools, animation, and children’s menus, allowing parents to relax.
• For family holidays in the Maldives, check for children’s menus and complimentary high chairs.

Baglioni Maldives Luxury All Inclusive Resort

Beach and Lagoon Conditions

Not all hotels have private beaches. A three-star hotel may offer all-inclusive packages but lack a dedicated beach area.

Luxury resorts on private islands provide access to all beaches on the island. However, on local islands, budget hotels may not have a designated coastal area, requiring you to seek out a “bikini beach” for relaxation.

High-end hotels ensure clean beaches, sun loungers, and a variety of water activities, unlike some bikini beaches on local islands.

Lily Beach Resort and Spa

Island Size

For a week-long holiday, a tiny island may leave you feeling confined with nowhere to stroll, leading to boredom in paradise. The Maldives can feel isolated from the world.

Some islands are only 300 meters long. For more space and activities, choose an island based on its size. Our catalog highlights:

• Large islands in the Maldives.
• Small islands in the Maldives.
• Hotels on local islands.

Depositphotos

House Reef

If you’re visiting the Maldives for more than just white beaches, but also for its rich underwater world, choose islands with a good “house reef.” This allows you to enjoy marine life near your villa. Otherwise, you’ll need to travel off-island, which is inconvenient and costly. Hotels with some of the best house reefs include:

• Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa
• Fairmont Maldives with its own coralarium
• Huvafen Fushi
• Lily Beach Resort & Spa
• Biyadhoo Island Resort
• Bandos Maldives

If snorkeling isn’t a priority, you can enjoy shallow waters without focusing on nearby reefs.

Huvafen Fushi

Variety of Leisure on the Island

Most island hotels are compact, and not all offer extensive entertainment infrastructure. Choose a resort with everything you need: spa, massage rooms, kids’ clubs, fitness centers, and hairdressers. Check the number of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants on the island, as well as diving centers and water activities. All these filters are available in our Maldives hotel catalog for easy selection.

Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa

Green Islands

Not all paradise islands are lush with tropical vegetation. Some have minimal greenery, appearing as mere strips of sand with sparse plants.

Always review hotel photos, including drone shots, to ensure the island matches your dream destination.

Asad Photo Maldives

Excursions and Trips

All luxury resorts offer a wide range of excursions. However, consider the distance to points of interest. For example, islands near the equator offer romantic yacht dinners on the equatorial line.

All resorts provide water activities: diving, surfing, catamarans, and water skiing. You can visit a deserted island if one is nearby.

If you wish to explore the Maldives’ capital and its attractions, choose an island reasonably close to Malé.

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Features of Choosing a Maldives Resort

• Different resorts offer varied services. You might have a private beach exclusively for your villa, as at Hurawalhi Island Resort. Some islands, like Naladhu Maldives, have coves ideal for swimming even on windy days. Others feature villas built in trees. Seven Maldives resorts boast underwater restaurants. Explore all details before booking.
• Research the island before reserving to minimize surprises, including unpleasant ones.
• On tiny islands with densely packed villas, personal space may be limited. Review drone photos to assess the island’s scale and villa density for comfort.
• Don’t choose a hotel based solely on photos. Compare services, location, reviews, and prices.
• Read reviews from previous travelers to the island.
• If an island hosts multiple hotels, infrastructure may be shared, allowing access to amenities of higher-end resorts even if staying at a budget hotel.
• Ask plenty of questions in our online chat. Our managers will assist with hotel selection and answer any Maldives-related queries.

Naladhu Maldives