Where to stay in the Maldives: choosing the perfect hotel

There are so many lovely hotels to choose from – it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to choose the right one for you. Whether it is wanting to have the most amazing overwater bungalow experience, or you want somewhere with the best all-inclusive or the best for you and your family, there will be the perfect hotel for you to make your trip to the Maldives unforgettable.

For affordable luxury: Sun Island Resort & Spa

Located in the South Ari Atoll, a speedboat ride from Male’s International Airport is the luxurious Sun Island Resort. The Sun Resort has something to offer everyone but at an affordable price making this the perfect option to make your Maldives dream trip a reality.

With 462 rooms on the island, it is one of larger resorts, however, you don’t lose any of that ‘Maldivian personal touch’ and you don’t feel overwhelmed at all. Stay in a Sun Villa amongst the lush gardens or a Beach Pool Villa with your own plunge pool or even an overwater bungalow – the ultimate for any Maldives trip giving you the sense of your own personal hideaway.

Choose from 6 restaurants ranging from Thai to Italian – all included as part of the all-inclusive package, so you won’t go hungry! Sun Island really does offer you the perfect balance of affordable and luxury all in one place. 

For all-inclusive: Varu by Atmosphere

The Varu by Atmosphere Kanifushi is one of the newest properties of the Atmosphere brand and is the ultimate all-inclusive option. With only 108 rooms, it is a small resort which makes it a really personal experience. 

This hotel prides itself on its ‘Varu Plan’. This is their all-inclusive option and is one of the main drawers of the hotel. In the Maldives, all-inclusive plans come in varying formats. Most will only cover your meals and soft drinks and then you pay a premium to upgrade to include all your drinks or to include a la carte dining. At the Varu by Atmosphere, these are included as standard, so it really does mean that you won’t need to pay more anything while you are there.

As well as the meals and the premium branded drinks, wines and even cocktails - you also can choose from a wide variety of activities and excursions. The Varu by Atmosphere has you covered with complimentary snorkelling equipment as well as the option of 2 snorkelling excursions completely free to selected sites nearby. If you are PADI certified, a discount is included for 2 regular dives. You can also enjoy the complimentary water bikes, stand-up-paddleboards, canoes and waterlogs.

For snorkelling: Amari Havodda

The Maldives is famous for snorkelling and diving, so finding an island with a beautiful house reef is at the top many visitors’ wish lists. Amari Havodda is a 5-star private island, reached by a domestic flight and speedboat. As soon as you arrive, you know you are in heaven.

It’s a small resort with 120 rooms, both beach and overwater bungalows to choose from. As the house reef is so healthy and full of marine life, then I would personally recommend an Overwater. This way you can step down into the ocean and you are right there in the midst of it.

Located on one of the southernmost atolls, Amari Havodda is nestled on an almost untouched archipelago in the Indian Ocean which is why it makes for some amazing underwater experiences. Whether you are a first-time snorkeller or experienced diver, everyone can get to experience the incredible variety of marine life that live on the house reef. Look for turtles, eagle rays and a huge range of colourful, tropical fish.

The island also has its own dive centre so for the more experienced, you have the opportunity to venture out further and deeper to sample to even more diverse marine life – including sailfish and tuna.

For families: Kuredu Resort & Spa

The most important thing to keeping your mind when booking your family holiday is finding a resort that is suitable for children. Our favourite family resort is Kuredu. All resorts that cater to families pride themselves on long stretches of white sandy beaches, shallow lagoons and family swimming pools. However, we all know that keeping kids entertained is a huge undertaking, which is where Kuredu shines.

There are so many experiences that are specifically tailored to families. Whether it be family-friendly accommodation (the private pool family suites are a great option for families travelling together), dishes for the pickiest of eaters or the Maldives’ largest kids’ clubs - you certainly won’t be hearing the words ‘I’m bored’ during your stay.

The kid’s clubs is open to take children from the age of 3 without a parent and is completely free of charge. They offer a wide variety of activities to keep them entertained, from sandcastle building to recycling workshops (where they make items out of recyclable materials) and cinema nights.  During their stay, aside from the Kids Club, children can get a real sense of adventure taking part in water sports, making friends in the kids’ pool and watching pods of dolphins on a sunset cruise.

Kuredu really is the ideal option for a family trip to the Maldives.

For diving: Adaaran Club Rannalhi

The Maldives is not only famed for the picturesque overwater bungalows. It is also the abundance of marine life that tempts visitors to these pristine islands, often best seen on a scuba dive. At the Adaaran Club Rannalhi, the house reef is a perfect spot for both beginners and experienced divers, as the reef is sloping down to a max. depth of 20 meters.

There are 4 other top dive spots close by including Manta Point which, between May and November, is one of the best spots for manta rays. Swimming with these gentle giants is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You don’t have to be a PADI certified diver before you arrive - take your course at the onsite Dive Point and then you are good to go and explore the wonders of the marine life underneath.

Whether you chose Scuba Diving in the hotel reef or neighbouring dive sites, you will experience tiers of multi-coloured corals and schools of shimmering fish, together with graceful stingrays and sharks.

Aside from diving and snorkelling, the Adaaran also boasts an array of water sports activities ranging from jet ski to windsurfing. If you need to relax you can have a spa treatment in the oceanfront spa before returning to a heavenly overwater bungalow with views to die for.

For overwater bungalows: Velassaru Maldives

For most visitors, the real draw of the Maldives is waking up in your own bungalow over the water watching the sunrise and listening to the water beneath. Velassaru offers the perfect Overwater Bungalow experience that you’ve been dreaming of. The hotel has three different categories of Overwater Villas for you to choose from - ranging from the Water Bungalows, sat over the peaceful lagoon to the amazing Water Suite with your own private infinity pool for the ultimate luxury experience.

 Each one is tastefully decorated with understated luxury, pushing all focus to your incredible surroundings and views of the lagoon. So, whether you are relaxing in your freestanding bath or lying in bed, you can enjoy the magnificent views of around you. 

Velassaru also has plenty of wonderful facilities - think fine dining restaurants by the water and world-class spa. If you are looking for the ultimate overwater bungalow experience – you’ve found it.

Inspired to visit the Maldives?

If you'd like to visit the Maldives and stay somewhere spectacular, then we can help! Whether you just want to relax on the beach or get out and explore the underwater paradise, we can help you find the best hotel for you. If I’ve inspired you to take a trip to the Maldives, give us a call on 1273 320 580 or request a quote. We are experts in planning tailor-made holidays to the Maldives, as well as round the world flights, so we can work together with you until we’ve created your perfect trip.