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All Maldivian resorts are on their own
island. These range in size from 2.5km across to just 150m
across. This means that the facilities on the resort you
choose (restaurants, bars, sports facilities, entertainment
etc) are the only ones you will have access to during your
stay. Most resorts offer excursions by boat to local fishing
village islands, or to the capital Male, but otherwise you
will stay on the resort island for the duration of your
stay. There are 106 resort islands to choose from, ranging
from affordable to ultimate luxury. If you want to
experience the 'real' Maldives then you might want to
consider one of the Guesthouses that are now available on 5
inhabited islands, offering rooms at very reasonable rates.
International flights arrive at Male's Hulhule airport,
which is on an island of its own. Transfers from the airport
to your resort island are either by boat, seaplane or
domestic flight, depending on the distance. If your resort
requires a seaplane transfer, a few things to be aware
of: the seaplanes only operate in daylight hours, so if you
arrive after sunset you'll have to stay in Male overnight
before being able to transfer to your resort. Ditto if your
flight home is early in the morning - you will leave your
resort the afternoon before - make sure you check with your
tour operator that you will be given accommodation while you
wait for your international flight. The seaplane journey in
itself is an experience, as you get stunning views of the
atolls - make sure you get a window seat and that you get
your camera out before boarding (your hand luggage will
probably be put at the back of the plane as there's no space
under or over the seats). The seaplane will usually land
next to a floating platform, from which you will be picked
up by boat to be taken the remaining few metres in shore to
your resort.
Some resorts have landing stages that allow the seaplane
to deliver you right up to the beaches of your destined
resorts. It is an amazing feeling to get off the sea plane &
right on to the sunny white beaches of the country where
waves are sweeping at your feet. NB - seaplane
transfer methods vary from resort to resort. The
Maldives are a tropical paradise, and people visit for the
beaches and the watersports - the underwater life is amazing
and the Maldives has a reputation as a diver's paradise..
Most resorts won't have a busy entertainment programme, and
there's definitely no sightseeing (apart from the occasional
organized excursion by boat from the resort to a local
inhabited island). If you're not happy lounging on a beach
with a good book soaking up the sunshine in between swimming
in the sea, or spending your days diving or snorkelling,
then this probably isn't the place for you!
Price is obviously
the initial consideration, and the Maldives has resorts for
most budgets (including the unlimited!). However, there are
a number of other important considerations.
Accommodation types. Most resorts have a variety of
accommodation types at varying costs. Upgrading from the
basic accommodation offered in the brochure to a larger
room, or one in a better position, can change the cost of
the holiday considerably. Check the brochure
description for each room type, and check the resort's
website if possible for pictures. Generally, rooms are
single storeys (you'll not find high-rise hotels in the
Maldives), but some will be in two-storey blocks, while some
rooms will be terraced and some detached. The main
difference in rooms tends to be location - set back in the
island, directly on the beach, or over the water. Many
resorts offer water villas on stilts over the sea, but not
all of these have steps down into the water, meaning you
have to walk out of the villa and to the beach if you fancy
a swim in the sea.
Accommodation density. As previously mentioned, the
resort islands vary greatly in size, but they also vary in
terms of number of rooms, and a smaller island doesn't
always mean less rooms. Generally, the more expensive an
island the fewer rooms for the size, but it's worth checking
and comparing before you go if you're intent on a "get away
from the world" romantic holiday. It's worth noting that, if
all the rooms on the island are beachfront, then they'll
each have their own little bit of beach in front of them
that you'll not have to share (although the distance between
rooms will vary).Resort facilities. Bear in mind
that you won't be able to go elsewhere for meals, sports or
entertainment so choose the resort with the facilities you
want. Many islands only have one or two restaurants, so if
you're fussy with your food, make sure you choose one that
offers a buffet rather than a set menu. Not all resorts have
a pool (you could argue that, with the Indian Ocean
surrouding each island, you don't really need one), so if
that's important to you, then check the resort description
carefully. Some resorts have sports facilities such as
tennis courts or a gym, some offer watersports such as
windsurfing and kayaking. Again, check the description and
also check what is included and what you'll have to pay
extra for. A number of islands have a spa and almost all
have a dive centre.
Most of the dive centres on the resorts are run by external
companies, so if you're a diver, or thinking of learning
while you're there, then find out who runs the dive centre
and check out their website for details of exactly what they
offer. Evening entertainment will probably be limited, but
some resorts are much more lively and will offer nightly
discos or live music - again, check before you go (not least
because that may be your idea of hell on earth!).Distance
from Male. Those resorts very close to Male will have
shorter transfers, but may not be as quiet - you may find
yourself under the flight path for the airport, or near a
commercial shipping lane. If possible, check a map of the
Maldives and locate the resort - if there's nothing between
it and Male, then the risks of it being less than the
Robinson Crusoe away from civilization experience are high.
If you have to take a seaplane transfer, or if the resort is
further out, then the chances are it'll be quieter. All the
Maldivian islands are beautiful, but the sight of an oil
tanker sailing past the beach can distract from the picture
of paradise!
Diving and snorkelling. If you want to snorkel amongst
the coral, check that the house reef (the one that at least
partially surrounds the island) is near enough to swim to.
Some resorts have beautiful wide lagoons that are perfect
for swimming and windsurfing, but require a boat trip to get
out to the coral reef. If you want to snorkel with the
tropical fish every day at a time that suits you, then this
may not be for you. If you're a diver, then choose a resort
based on the proximity of good dive sites and the facilities
offered by the dive centre. However, bear in mind that the
popular dive sites, especially in Ari Atoll, may be very
busy - some of the less developed atolls still have
excellent, although less well known, dive sites that will be
a lot quieter. For
most resorts, the standard brochure price is for bed and
breakfast (although there are now a few resorts that are
all-inclusive as standard). Many offer other board packages
for a supplement, but make sure you read the brochure
description carefully to see what is included -
all-inclusive doesn't always mean everything is included. In
many resorts, the meal packages (including all-inclusive)
will only include meals in the main restaurant, and you will
have to pay a supplement to eat elsewhere. The drinks
included in AI packages varies greatly with resorts too -
some don't include cocktails at all, some have a separate AI
drinks menu. Some AI packages will only include drinks taken
at certain bars or restaurants.
Make sure you check before you go, or you may end up with a
hefty bill at the end of your stay. If you're not a heavy
drinker, or want to drink cocktails and they're not included
in the AI package, it may end up cheaper to go half or full
board. Some AI packages also include other benefits, such as
hire of snorkelling equipment or use of windsurfers, but
unless specifically mentioned in the brochure, assume you'll
have to pay for these types of extras.Costs
of meals, drinks etc in resort will be high. Everything in
the Maldives, with the exception of fish and coconuts, has
to be imported, usually by plane from Dubai and then brought
to the resort by boat from Male, so it's expensive. In
resort, you sign for all purchase and settle up at the end,
and you may well be faced with a hefty bill. Factor this in
on top of the cost of the brochure price, especially if you
go on a B&B package, so it doesn't come as a very nasty
shock once you get there. On top of meals and drinks,
additional costs will be for any excursions, watersports
tuition, equipment hire, spa treatments and souvenirs/extras
from the resort gift shop. BE AWARE: everything that you
purchase on the island that is not part of your board
basis, will attract a 10%
service charge on top of the published price. A
further 6% Government Tourist Tax is also added to purchases
on the island. This is set to increase further in the
near future. Check the resort details before you leave
to see what is included - things like snorkelling equipment
hire can easily mount up, especially on a two-week holiday,
so if it's not included, it will probably be cheaper to buy
it before you go if you want to use it every day. Make sure
you take adequate supplies of things like suncream (you'll
be on the equator, so you'll definitely need lots of it) and
toiletries, as they're expensive once you're there and the
resort gift shop won't have a big selection. The
Maldives really is paradise on earth and you'll probably
have a wonderful time which ever resort you choose, but a
bit of careful planning before you go can ensure that you
make the best choice for you and have the perfect holiday.An
alternative to staying at a resort (or guesthouse) is to
spend a week (or more) on a small cruise boat (Liveaboard)
which caters for divers, snorkellers and those who just want
to relax. The majority will visit resort islands, inhabited
islands and deserted islands (see the Travellers Articles
about various Liveaboards). It is possible to combine a
Liveaboard experience with a week on a resort island.
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