The Maldives offers white sandy beaches, crystal clear lagoons and a paradise vacation. There are more than 200 islands where locals live and 88 islands that are designed for a carefree holiday for tourists. All islands have a different area, which means that their capacity is limited. Prices also have a different “from and to” range. Our review will help you choose an island and hotel in the Maldives and not be disappointed.
Island size
As already mentioned above, the islands have different areas. If you are not confused by confined spaces, then you can choose small islands. One of these is Embudu, which measures 280×140 meters. If your plans include walking, evening entertainment, and you do not want to limit yourself to a couple of meters of space around the hotel, then pay attention to islands with a larger area, such as Gan (Gan). In addition, the larger islands have better developed infrastructure.
Distance from the airport
Since the complexes are distributed according to the principle of one hotel on one island, in any case, a transfer will be required from the airport. The important point here is how much time you will have to spend to get to the right place.
Some islands can be reached by boat and take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. If you are not a fan of sea travel and the very idea of such a swim causes horror, then choose closer hotels from the airport. If the cost is not the main thing for you, then you can choose a seaplane as a transfer. So, for example, to the same O. Gan from the airport will need to overcome a distance of about 450 km.
Accommodation type and room classification
On the islands, hotels have their own classification. If you compare it with the European one, which assigns 5, 4, and 3 stars to hotels, then here they are classified as: Deluxe, Superior, and Standard. Often tourists, choosing a room, prefer a bungalow. Here you need to be careful, because they are different.
A bungalow can have one floor and stand apart, there are two-story grouped or block-type bungalows with 2 or 3 rooms. There are also bungalows standing on the water. In general, all these points must be taken into account and pre-check the information with the representatives of the hotel or tour operator, if you plan to purchase a package tour.
Contingent of vacationers
Despite the fact that there are enough square meters per person on the island to make your stay comfortable, you need to pay attention to who most often stays in your chosen hotel. There are some islands in the Maldives where you are unlikely to meet compatriots.
In general, read the reviews carefully and, if you are flying on your own, do not be too lazy to check information about the possibility of accommodation with the hotel representatives.
Explore the island and its features
Before choosing a hotel, study information about the island, the opportunities for recreation that it offers, and its features, so that there are no unexpected surprises later.
Kuramachi Island
One of the largest islands in the Maldives, located 60 km from its capital Male. It has the shape of an irregular elongated triangle. Its length is approximately 2 km, width-0.4. On a hydroplane, this distance can be covered in 20 minutes. Kuramachi has three luxury hotels and dozens of bungalows, located both on the water and on land. One of them is Kuramathi Maldives, which offers hot tubs, mini-bars, and flat-screen TVs.
There are spa centers, 12 restaurants, cafes and bars, and a children’s club on the territory. Germans and Englishmen like to relax here, a lot of Russians have appeared in recent years, and Japanese and Chinese from Asia are becoming more and more numerous. The entertainment program attracts visitors from all over the world – diving, its own botanical garden and jungle, which is not available in other resorts. There are running tracks, tennis courts, sports clubs and even a football field.
Gan Island
The largest and southernmost island in the world is Gan. It is located beyond the equator. The area is almost 15 sq. m. From Male airport, you can fly by seaplane of a local airline in 1 hour. 20 min. Popular here is the Equator village 3* complex, consisting of 78 rooms, with an outdoor pool and private beach, free Internet. All apartments have air conditioning, TV, sitting area, kettles, hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers in the private bathroom.
For sports enthusiasts, there is a tennis court, water sports equipment, cycling or hiking, fishing and diving are organized. The contingent – a lot of Germans and British, less Spaniards and Italians. The hotel has a “Diver land” – a diving center where qualified trainers work, those who wish can take a course of classes and get a certificate of international significance. After training, you can explore the depths of the Indian Ocean on your own.
Kudafoludu Island
Kudafoludu Island is located on Ari Atoll, it is small, only 0.2 x 0.15 km, and became a popular tourist destination in 1985. Guests can travel by seaplane from the airport in 25 minutes, located at a distance of 74 km from the airport. The famous Nika Island Resort & Spa 5*hotel is located here. It is considered the most romantic place, protected from prying eyes, in which guests feel comfortable, world-famous people come here who want to relax from the public. Each shell-shaped bungalow has its own private beach surrounded by tropical greenery.
In a beautiful area, luxury villas are available for living, there are even underwater ones, surrounded by coral reefs, with private beaches. They are equipped with air conditioning, TV, CD player and other items for a comfortable stay. The spa offers relaxing massage treatments and a gym.
The restaurants serve European, local and Asian cuisine, while enjoying the sea breeze. There is a beautiful lagoon, a beach with a gentle descent. Everyone will find something to do — take a boat ride, go windsurfing, play badminton or tennis, go on a field trip.
Conrad Rangli Island
Conrad Ranglin Island is located on the South Ari Atoll, its territory is 600 m long and 30 m wide. Located about 100 km from the capital’s airport, you can fly in half an hour by seaplane, then passengers transfer to a speedboat. Usually the villas occupy part of the territory, but in this case the Konrad resort is located on two neighboring islands connected by a bridge with a length of more than 500 m. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Hotel is considered to be one of the most comfortable, with a developed infrastructure. If someone wants more luxurious conditions, the island hotel offers tourists comfortable rooms.
The hotel has a spa area with a wide range of beauty treatments. Equipped with treadmills, there is an opportunity to engage in almost all types of entertainment on the water-vidsurfing, catamaran riding and jet skiing. Spaniards and Germans, tourists from Asia come here. Party lovers arrange entertainment shows, discos, and for active recreation, sports sections are provided, and water sports are performed on the beach. The property regularly organizes guided tours to explore the Maldives Archipelago.
Ihuru Island
It has a rounded shape, about 250 m in diameter. The capital can be reached in just 10 minutes by speedboat. Vacationers are waiting for about 50 bungalows, which are built from natural materials, used, in particular, palm leaves. They have a healthy microclimate all year round. Everyone can take part in various water activities and try their hand at exploring the underwater world.
This resort island is most popular among Italians, whose representatives can be very often found on Ihuru. Restaurants often serve their favorite dish — pasta. Divers are taken to a nearby coral reef, where various underwater inhabitants are found. Guests can rent a boat, take a swim, or just lie in the sun and enjoy the fabulous place. Tourists from other islands come to Ihura to take part in various entertainment events. The resort is famous for its comfortable beaches with snow-white fine sand.
Kuda Khuraa Island
Kuda Khuraa is a small, 700-meter island. Located on the North Male Atoll, 20 km from the airport. Then take the ferry (travel time is about 1.5 hours), which runs regularly to the island and back. All hotels in Khuraa are comfortable, equipped with the necessary equipment, beautifully decorated, and the courtesy and responsiveness of the staff do not cause any complaints. Four Seasons Maldives Resort at Kuda Huraa enjoys a beautiful location on a coral reef. Built in the traditional style of local peoples, tourists are engaged in diving, surfing and other water activities. Surrounded by tropical greenery, rooms here will provide you with a flat-screen TV and DVD player.Each room has a private bathroom with a Maldivian shower.
Maafushi Island
Maafushi is oval in shape, 1.27 meters long and 0.26 meters wide. You can get from the international airport to Maafushi (and other inhabited islands) by passenger ferry in an hour and a half. Tourists like to relax in this resort, the island is located near the capital, there are many relatively inexpensive hotels here, and comfort, like everywhere else, is at a high level.
Villa COMO Cocoa Island 5* offers luxurious rooms with air conditioning, TV, bathroom with all accessories, Wi-Fi, library. The popularity of the resort lies in the fact that the government recently allowed local residents to rent out housing to visitors, which significantly increased their well-being, and tourists could save on renting housing. In addition, although there are no attractions here, tourists are happy and interested to get acquainted with the traditions of the indigenous population.
Sun Island
Sun Island is a spacious and fairly large resort, stretching from east to west, measuring 1.4 by 0.4 km. Located 113 km from the capital of the archipelago, using a domestic airline, you can get to the resort by making a short flight to the island of Maamigili, the flight lasts about 20 minutes, then 10 minutes by boat to the place. Sun Island Resort & Spa offers a full range of services, including private bathroom, air conditioning, swimming pool, hair dryer and much more, necessary for a comfortable stay. The administration organizes fishing trips, land excursions, interesting and informative boat trips, seaplane flights.
You can rent a water transport and take part in fun competitions held by the administration, go on a comfortable yacht or go fishing and, of course, take wonderful photos for memory, and diving in this place is one of the best. Various restaurants specialise in Thai, Italian and Japanese cuisine, while bars sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
It is popular among tourists because of its excellent beaches, good service, and a large number of recreational activities, including water activities. There are beauty and massage parlors available at any time.