One island - one hotel: the main concept of the Maldives

Hotels in the Maldives differ from the mainland hotels that many tourists are used to. First of all, this is due to the fact that the Maldives is an island state, and the size of the islands often does not exceed several hundred meters in diameter. Thus, the territory of the hotel can occupy an entire island, which corresponds to the concept of “One island - one hotel”. Why is this so, what are the advantages and disadvantages of Maldives resorts, we will share in this article.

Kudadoo Maldives

Why do hotels in the Maldives occupy entire islands

There are more than 1000 Maldives islands, while the sizes of the largest vary within several kilometers in length. These are, as a rule, local islands - the local population lives there, there are government agencies, schools, hospitals, etc. For example, the capital of the Maldives, Male, has an area of ​​only 5.8 square kilometers. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. There are about 200 inhabited islands in the Maldives, and not all of them are as big as Male.

In the capital Male and other local islands, there are small hotels and guesthouses. As a rule, these are budget options. Most tourists seek to get to private island resorts. There are no more than one hundred of them in the country.

Private island resorts are scattered across different atolls. Simply put, an atoll is a group of small islands that were once one large island. Geographical atolls of the Maldives often coincide with administrative ones.

There are several reasons why hotels in the Maldives occupy entire islands:

• The size of the islands. This is one of the main reasons why the concept of “One island - one hotel” is so common in the Maldives. An island can occupy literally several hundred meters in width and length. For example, Kudadoo Maldives Private Island is only 200 m in diameter. This resort has only 15 residences for recreation. Each one is thought out to the smallest detail to guarantee you the best time.
• Solitude and privacy. Where can you hide from prying eyes, if not on a remote small island. Resorts guarantee that there will be no accidentally strolling passers-by, paparazzi, etc. on the island. Only hotel visitors and service personnel. You can even rent an entire island and enjoy your vacation without prying eyes. For example, Naladhu Private Island Maldives can be rented entirely and a large group can relax in 20 spacious villas.
• Popularity of the concept. With the opening of the first island resort in the Maldives in 1972, Maldivian tourism began. The idea of ​​living in a villa on a private island was so popular with tourists that over time, resorts began to open several dozen a year. If you want to touch the roots and visit where it all began, book a villa at the Kurumba Maldives. This is the original hotel, founded 50 years ago. The resort has been significantly transformed, improved and is regularly updated. This is one of the best options for recreation near the capital Male. The transfer takes only 10-15 minutes by speedboat.

There are more reasons for placing hotels on private islands. One could also mention the dense population of local islands, the popularity of seaplane transfer to a private island, etc., but the main reasons are the above.

Naladhu Maldives

Disadvantages of Maldives resort islands

As with any hotel, in any country, tourism has its pros and cons.

Private island hotels in the Maldives also have some nuances that are worth knowing. Let's start with the disadvantages:

• On private islands, there is only the infrastructure of the hotel. There are no banks, no ATMs, no pharmacies, no shops, sometimes with the exception of souvenir shops and clothing stores. For those who like to walk around the city and visit museums, a private island may seem too small. However, even from this situation there is a way out - for all this, you can go to a neighboring local island. Among other things, hotels will provide you with everything you need on vacation - from food and entertainment to medical care if necessary.
• Transfer to remote islands is carried out by seaplane only during daylight hours. Approximately, from 6 am to 4 pm. This can be inconvenient if you arrive in the capital Male, for example, late in the evening. In this case, you will need to stay overnight at a hotel near the airport while waiting for the morning transfer. Although there is a way out here: if you cannot successfully connect the flight and transfer, choose nearby island hotels so that the transfer is carried out by boat - around the clock.

Kurumba Maldives

Advantages of island resorts in the Maldives

There are also many advantages to the concept of "One island - one hotel", which have already been partially mentioned in this article:

• No strangers on the entire island. You will have a personal villa, often located remotely from other villas. In addition, there are no buildings at the resorts - only villas on the beach or on stilts in the lagoon. Except for luxurious multi-story residences for a large company or family.
• Special atmosphere. It is difficult to convey in words what it is like to live on a small island, which you can literally walk around in a few minutes. Of course, there are larger island resorts with natural thickets, but even they can be easily walked around on foot. By the way, there are no roads or cars on the islands. Only paths and, in rare cases, something like a golf cart. Cycling is popular.
• When everything is included. Since the resort islands are located at a distance from the local islands, the hotels make sure that you have everything you need for your vacation. From a variety of restaurants and cafes to entertainment and all kinds of sports. You literally do not need to look for anything - the hotels have everything you need.
• Luxury and unrivaled service. These two things are integral parts of most resorts and it is for them that tourists come again and again. Each hotel values ​​​​its reputation.
• House reef. Many private islands have an excellent house reef. This means that the beauty of the underwater world, for which many come to the Maldives, is located literally next to your villa. A couple of steps into the water or 10 minutes by boat - and you will have the best snorkeling.

Kudadoo Maldives