Picking your Maldives accommodation shouldn’t be a hassle.
The Maldives is a small country, yet a popular holiday destination. In recent years, it has opened up to independent and budget travel and you can easily stay at one of the lovely Maldives guest houses.
Yet, when we think of this country, we mostly just picture the fabulous Maldives luxury resorts and we dream of a vacation that is completely stress free and during which we are pampered 24/7.
With so many excellent places to pick from, deciding where to stay in the Maldives can be a bit of a daunting task. One thing for sure, you should make it a point travel to the Maldives as sustainably as possible. This archipelago has definitely been impacted by tourism and, for as much as possible, you should try leaving less footprints and help preserve its amazing coral reef.
Make sure to read my post “The Complete Guide To Becoming A More Responsible Traveler.”
Having been to the Maldives a few times, and having tried both the all inclusive resorts, the luxury ones and the guest houses for independent travelers, I came up with a short list that will help you decide where to stay.
Continue reading to discover the best accommodation options in the Maldives, suitable for any budget.
The Best Maldives Accommodation Options For Any Budget
Best Maldives luxury resorts
Good news! Many resorts in the Maldives are putting in great effort to go green so your vacation can now be eco-friendly too. The following is a selection of the best Maldives accommodation for travelers who can afford to splurge.
Soneva Fushi
This may well be the best Maldives all inclusive resort – my personal preference for it’s incredibly beautiful, comfortable but also eco-friendly.
It’s located in the Baa Atoll, which is part of Maldives UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so you can rest assured that if you are into marine life you will be treated to something truly special here. It’s the kind of place where you will get to spot manta rays (though this depends on the season) as well as whale sharks.
Soneva has a laid back approach to luxury. It’s gorgeous, really – but in a more casual, friendly way. Villas are all huge, but some come with a private pool. There are no overwater bungalows – which in my opinion is all for the best, as these are truly a bit destructive of the environment. All villas are hidden in the jungle, amid lush vegetation.
Each villa has a private butler, so you can rest assured you’ll be properly taken care of.
Food at the six restaurants in the resort is all organic and uses fresh, seasonal ingredients. There are more than 500 wines to pick from!
You’ll also be able to count on an open-air cinema, an observatory, and even home made ice cream.
Click here for the latest rates.
One&Only Reethi Rah
Located in the North Male atoll at a 45 minutes speed boat ride from Male International Airport, this resort is massive – counting 130 villas. You may think that being so large you miss the intimate atmosphere, but that is hardly the case. Besides, a resort so large comes with an incredible range of activities so it is perfect for the most active travelers.
Marine life near the resort is at its best. You can expect to see turtle (which hatch on the island), dolphin or sharks.
All villas face the sea – some are right on the beach, others on the lagoon. They are all very stylish, spacious and comfortable. As the island is quite big, all guests can count on bikes to roam around the island and find the perfect spot to relax.
The resort counts with a spa, where you can get any sort of treatment, outdoor tennis courts, a beach club and a children’s club – making it perfect for families traveling with children.
There are several restaurants, including one that serves Japanese style food; one offering Middle Eastern cuisine and another one focussing on Mediterranean staples. If you don’t want to leave your villa, you can also opt for room service. Easy to see why this is one of the best Maldives accommodation options.
Click here for the latest rates.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Maldives luxury resorts make for the perfect vacation. Luxury is at its best at this fantastic resort. Located in the Dhaalu Atoll, it can be reached on a 45 minutes flight from Male International Airport – one of those flights that offer breathtaking views of the ocean.
Among the activities offered at this resort, there are diving, windsurfing, jet packing, glass bottom kayaking and catamaran sailing.
This is the kind of place where all rooms come with a butler. They all are modern, stylish and with anything to make your stay comfortable. All villas have a private pool, a large bathtub, a rainforest shower, and large windows, so you don’t miss any of the incredible views. If you care for an extra view, you can also opt to stay in one of the overwater villas.
There are several dining options which include a variety of international cuisines such as Italian, Chinese, Indian and Japanese. There is a fantastic wine cellar too.
You will be able to enjoy fabulous spa treatments and massages, acupuncture, yoga and all sorts of fitness activities. Parents can count on a children’s club, so they can fully relax.
Click here for the latest rates.
COMO Maalifushi
In the Thaa atoll, COMO Maalifushi is one of the best Maldives luxury resorts. It’s the kind of place that will make it impossibly hard to leave – so be prepared for the vacation of a lifetime. You will be chartered there on a fabulous, scenic flight from Male International airport, just so that you can take in the marvelous views.
Among the activities you can enjoy from the resort, there is whale shark viewing expeditions, trips to the coral reef, stand up paddle boarding. You can also learn how to surf, or improve your surfing technique.
If you are in just for the relaxation, you can enjoy the incredible spa and yoga classes.
You can pick from a variety of villas – from garden ones that are completely immersed in the jungle, to beach villas with a private pool, and even overwater villas, some of which also boast a private pool. All villas are large – the smallest one is 72 square meters. All have a dining table, coffee machine, beautiful marble bathrooms with a large bath tub.
There are a variety of restaurants where you can enjoy local as well as international cuisine – Japanese and Thai are the signature ones. The bars are perfect places for a sunset drink.
As I said before, they will make it hard for you to leave!
Click here for the latest rates.
Best mid-range Maldives all inclusive
Mid-range is a bit of a stretch when it comes to Maldives all inclusive, but there are some that come at a price that is slightly more affordable than you may think, considering that they once you get there you really have no further expenses, and that the prices are per room – so perfect if you can share the cost with someone else. Make sure you book well in advance and pick a room that may be on offer.
Reethi Faru Bio Luxury Resort
When it comes to Maldives accommodation, it is hard to beat this incredible resort blissfully isolated in the gorgeous Raa Atoll, where it was opened little over than two years ago. 80 meters from the shore you will find a fantastic coral reef.
The 150 rooms are all gorgeous, spacious, stylish yet extremely cozy. Some face the lush garden, others the beach, and some even sit directly on the water. You can pick to have a bed and breakfast package, or opt for an all-inclusive one.
The resort features a spa and a sports center. There is a diving center that offers courses for beginners as well as advanced divers. You will also be able to enjoy any sort of water sport.
There are six restaurants, each with their own bar, where you can savor any sort of cuisine.
Click here for the latest rates.
Adaaran Select Huduranfushi
Located in the North Kaafu Atoll, this is a great resort for water sports fans, families and even couples – in other words, it has the best of everything.
The resort is quite big, by Maldivian standards. It counts with beach bungalows and overwater villas, and there even is a very secluded private villa on a tiny island right off the main beach. Rooms in the beach bungalows are very spacious – they can fit a family. They all have access to the main beach. Overwater villas have sunset or sunrise view, depending on the exact location.
The resort has a fantastic activity center where you can book just about anything – from water flying to paragliding and fun tubing. One of the beaches in the resort gets excellent waves so this is a perfect spot for surfers.
There is a nice pool, a main restaurant, and two smaller ones.
Click here for the latest rates.
Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
Located in the Kaafu Atoll, this is a small resort by Maldivian standards. The island is actually tiny – you don’t need more than 20 minutes to walk the perimeter.
The resort only counts with overwater bungalows, each of them with its own plunge pool. Rooms are incredibly spacious. They all feature a massive, comfortable double bed; a very large bathroom and a jacuzzi. They all have access to the water. You can pick between sunset and sunrise views villas.
Adaaran Prestige Vadoo counts with a main restaurant, a bar, and a Japanese style restaurant. There is a spa for guests use, a nice pool, tennis courts and a lush garden. At the back of the resort, there is a diving center with direct access to the coral reef.
It’s a truly wonderful place to disconnect from the stress of every day life.
Click here for the latest rates.
Paradise Island Resort and Spa
This lovely, extremely budget friendly Maldives all inclusive is located in the North Male atoll.
You can pick between a wide range of rooms and prices – from the cheaper beach villas to the overwater ones. Each are comfortable and spacious. The overwater bungalows have a jacuzzi facing the sea, for an incredibly relaxing experience.
The resort counts with a pool, a fitness center and a tennis court. You can engage in any sort of water sports – diving and snorkeling equipment are available for guests.
In terms of food options, this is one of the best resort! There is an Italian style restaurant; a Japanese style one; a Seafood restaurant. The resort caters to all sorts of dietary requirements.
Click here for the latest rates.
Best Maldives guest houses
Maldives accommodation doesn’t have to cost a kidney, and in recent years it’s become possible to travel to the Maldives independently and on a budget, as various guest houses opened in what are known as local islands.
Maldives guest houses are actually quite good – clean, comfortable and with all the basics you need for your stay, none of the frills. It’s bare, but still cozy. Here is a selection of the best Maldives guest houses that are – needless to say – very budget friendly.
Sunrise Beach Maafushi
Maafushi is at a quick boat ride from Male International Airport. It’s the island where guest houses first opened, back in 2010, so you can expect good service there as hosts know what they are doing. You have ample choice of places to stay there, but my recommendation is for Sunrise Beach.
The guest house – which feels more like a small hotel – comes with glowing reviews. It is perfect for couples, solo travelers as well as family with children – there is a playground on the premises. Guests can enjoy the free bikes to roam around the island, and a shared lounge perfect for hanging out and socializing . there even is a pool table. The terrace is perfect for sunset drink.
A bikini beach is at just 200 meters from the guesthouse.
Rooms are modern, comfortable – some have sea views, others have city views, and all are air conditioned.
You can opt for the bed and breakfast package or, for a small additional price, ask to also have dinner.
Click here for the latest rates.
Vaali Beach Lodge Felidhoo
Felidhoo is one of the nicest local islands in the Maldives. That’s where you will find some of the best Maldives guest houses, including Vaali Beach Lodge. Located right in front of the beach, from there you will have easy access to incredible snorkeling, fishing and diving spots. Guests have access to a tourist “bikini beach.”
Rooms at Vaali Beach Lodge are plain, yet spacious, comfortable and incredibly clean. They are all air conditioned, all have sea views so that you can catch a gorgeous sunrise.
The guest house usually offers a full board kind of package, so that all your meals are included in the price of your stay – making it extremely convenient in terms of prices and also easy so that you don’t have to wander around the island in search for a place to eat. Cuisine varies from local to Indian and Italian.
It honestly is a lovely, very budget friendly place to spend your holidays – a true gem!
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Ocean Retreat and Spa Guraidhoo
What a nice island Guraidhoo is! It will give you the perfect combination of a local feel and a great holiday spot, where you will find quite a few good accommodation options. My favorite is Ocean Retreat, which is at just 90 meters from the beach which is perfect for snorkeling.
Rooms at this lovely guest houses have views of the sea – some rooms have a balcony; all are modern and comfortable, with air conditioning. There even are family rooms, in case you are traveling with children.
The front desk helps organize activities such as diving, fishing and other water sports. You can even spend a day at one of the nearby resorts for a small fee.
Ocean Retreat only offers breakfast to its guests, but you can enjoy a variety of other small local restaurants on the island.
Click here for the latest rates.
Veli Thoddoo Inn
Thoddoo, in the Alifu atoll, is one of the few islands in the Maldives that has some land used for agricultural purposes – so it has a bit of a different feel compared to others. More genuine, if you ask me. This small island, which is at an easy boat ride from Male International Airport, has some great bikini beaches and some of the best guest houses in the Maldives.
Veli Thoddoo is a truly lovely place. It has direct access to the beach, so that you can go snorkeling as soon as you wake up, and practice any other water sport you may wish. There is a travel desk, so you can ask for help in organizing activities. And you can rent bikes to wander around the island.
Rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. They all have cable TV and each have a kettle and even a hairdryer.
The basic package includes breakfast, but for a little extra you can opt to have dinner at the guest house as well.
The hosts are particularly caring and welcoming and they will make sure you’ll have the most amazing stay.
Click here for the latest rates.
Further readings about the Maldives
Traveling to the Maldives? Make sure to read my other posts:
- 15 Fantastic Things To Do In Maldives For All Kinds Of Travelers
- A Complete Guide To Visiting The Maldives On A Budget
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