Choosing the Right Maldives Resort

Maldives Holidays All Inclusive Packages

Written by Caitlyn Howells on December 27th, 2008

The Maldives Islands are truly spectacular, making them a perfect destination for an all inclusive package holiday. There are a variety of resorts to choose from, and while it’s not really the ideal location for the budget conscious there are a number of different star ratings offering most travellers a chance to experience the delights of the islands.

A Maldives Sunset

Here’s what you need to bear in mind when choosing the right Maldives resort for your holiday:

Your budget: you will be able to narrow down the choose of resorts immediately to find those in your price range. Don’t dismiss all-inclusive resorts if they appear to be too expensive — it may work out cheaper in the long run as all of your meals and certain activities will be included.
The activities you’re interested in. The Maldives is a great place for diving and different resorts have different standards of facilities. You should look for a resort which offers a diving package so that you don’t have to spend a fortune on daily fees. Some resorts will offer a vast array of activities and entertainment, while others are perfect for just lazing by the pool or the ocean.
Bed & Breakfast or All Inclusive. It can be quite expensive to eat in the resort restaurants so while a Bed & Breakfast package may appear cheaper you might actually save money with an all-inclusive package as your food and drink is included.
Do you drink alcohol? If you like a glass of wine with your meals and a few bottles of beer in the evening then All Inclusive package is probably the best option. If however you do not drink alcohol you should consider Full Board — your meals are provided but drinks are extra.
Nationality. Some resorts cater to specific nationalities and might have predominantly German or Italian guests for example. If you like to mingle and meet people on vacation make sure you choose a resort where you can speak the dominant language!
A room with a view. Resorts will have a variety of accommodation types so decide which is best for you. You might have your heart set on a water villa, located in the water itself. They are certainly beautiful and give you the chance to watch marine life swimming past, but they are considerably more expensive than the standard beach villa.
Travelling with children. If you are travelling with kids chose a resort with a kid’s club. Some resorts are better than others at keeping children entertained during their stay.
Male. If you want to visit the capital Male during your stay you might want to chose a resort that’s not too far away, or one that offers a day trip excursion.
Time of year. The optimum time of year to visit the Maldives as far as the weather is concerned is December through April. You’ll get the most sunshine and the least rain, but don’t be surprised to learn that the prices tend to be much higher during this period.
Television. Many resorts promote the ‘no news, no shoes’ escapist feel and don’t provide televisions in the rooms. If you simply can’t survive without this home comfort be sure to check that your chosen resort does offer tv units.
Architecture. If the look and feel of your hotel is important then be sure to look at photographs of the different resorts. Some resorts are modern while others have thatched roofs and partially open-air bathrooms.
Romance. If you are planning a honeymoon, or just a romantic get-away, you might want to opt for one of the smaller islands as they are more intimate and peaceful than the larger ones which may have more of a party feel.