In the world of travelogue, Maldives captures the headlines. The eccentric beauty of the country encapsulated by pristine beaches, golden and white sands, enrapturing blue lagoons, breathtaking coral reefs, and sparkling sea waters, is alluring to millions and millions of tourists from all over the world.
So while you are planning a memorable vacation in this amazing country, the obvious question can be, “How to choose your resort in Maldives?” You may be traveling with your partner, a family with kids, friends, or even solo. Depending on your needs and various other circumstances, it is essential to decide on the appropriate resort.
So, here are the answers to your problem.
1. Budget
Before plunging on finalizing the resort, it is important to fix your budget for the trip. There are various factors to consider in the expenses and hence the elements of your travel budget. Other than the money spent on the resort, you need to think about flight tickets, visas, food, drinks, sports, and other leisure activities. The very reason is that you need to balance the other costs and the price to be spent on the resort.
Additionally, island hopping is very crucial in Maldives, and hence bank on a private boat trip for easy transportation between the different destinations. Check if the resorts provide such arrangements along with the dining facilities. And while you are pondering on how to choose your resort in the Maldives, it is good to know that majority of the resorts charge almost 22% on the service charges or taxes to the final bill. But look out for discounts and offers before booking a resort.
2. Features of the Island
The next important answer on how to choose your resort in Maldives is to be aware of the features of the island where the resort is based. Or select the island and then book the resort. All the islands in the Maldives are unique when it comes to shape, form, flora, fauna, and other geographical features. Besides the amenities, services, and facilities related to food, drinks, boating, and other activities need to be thought through.
Some like to sit, relax, and spend time in leisure, enjoying the spa and swimming around in the private pools. Some may love engaging in the water adventurous activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and spending moments with marine life. Some may want to spend the day on a boat and ride across the lagoons and amid the coral reefs.
Before finalizing a resort, it is important to plan your activities on the island.
3. Size of the Island
The size of the island is another prominent factor to be considered while deciding on how to choose your resort in the Maldives. Some islands are small, while some are majestic. It depends on which island you want to spend most of the time. The islands can be explored by rental bikes or boat rides. You can select your resorts accordingly.
Further certain resorts span across adjacent islands, which is a grand experience. You can even opt for that. And additionally, check out the bunch of activities provided by the resort-like island excursions, movies at night, city tours, cruises at sunset, water sports, private dining facilities, and others.
4. Type of Accommodation
In the Maldives, there are two different types of villas. One is water villas where the rooms open out to the sea directly. Another is beach villas which are located on sandy beaches. It depends on how you want to spend time in the resort. If you love beaches and want to linger around the sands with the line of palm trees to entertain your eyes and the soothing breeze to calm your soul, then select the beach villas. But if you love to be in the vicinity of the sea waters and float into the breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, then it is good to select the water villas. The water villas are a bit more costly than beach villas.
Additionally, if you love to dip into a private pool, then check for such facilities in the resort. Check out also for features like the number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, dining area, and living space. Some luxurious resorts even offer stargazing opportunities.
The accommodations in the Maldives are either single or double-story. You won’t spot any skyscrapers or high-rise buildings. Some are provided with terraces for witnessing the picturesque view while others are just single apartments with special privacy. Prices vary according to the number of rooms, the location, and the view.
5. Meal Plans and Packages
Dining options are a bit limited in the Maldives and also there are various restrictions impulsed by the resorts. So when you are thinking of how to choose your resort in Maldives, it is good to check on the prices of food and drinks and also the rules and regulations. Some resorts do not entertain outside guests but only those who are staying with them. Hence you are confined to eating food only in the resorts where you stay. It is good to therefore check out the meal plans and packages along with the accommodation for planning reasons.
Besides, check out the cuisines served in the in-house restaurants of the resorts along with the prices. If you want an all-dining experience then you need to check on that too. The meal plans and packages available in the Maldives are The Standard, The Full Board, and All-Inclusive.
In the Standard meal plan, you will be served breakfast and lunch and dinner will be charged to the guests separately. In the Full Board plan, the guests will be served all three meals of the day. In the All-Inclusive plan, other than the three meals, free soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are added. Additionally, if you do not want to go for the meal plans, then it is better to order from the ala-carte menu.
6. Accessibility from Male
Male is the capital of Maldives and hosts the Velana International airport. It’s the entry and exit point for tourists. It’s good to check whether Male is easily accessible from the resort planned to book. Ensure the distance is not too far thereby leading to trouble in commuting to and fro from the airport. Majorly the transport from the airport to the resort is via seaplane or speedboat, the time taken is almost 10 minutes if its a boat ride and 1 hour if its a plane ride.
If you prefer to be closer to Male and travel via boat, then better to check for resorts in North Male Atoll and South Male Atoll islands. It is easier and more comfortable to reach the resorts without any major problems. You can carry your luggage properly. Whereas if you want to stay in an exclusive area in a distant resort, then your journey will be by seaplane.
There are luggage weight restrictions in a seaplane as a disadvantage but as an advantage, the experience is thrilling and extraordinary. The seaplanes operate only during the daytime, hence if you reach at night or planning to depart at night, you need to stay overnight at Male. It is advisable to check the transport arrangements with the resort before finalizing your accommodation.
I hope, you have now gained a considerable amount of information about how to choose your resort in the Maldives. So if you are planning a trip to Maldives, then do check out the points mentioned for a memorable and comfortable trip.