Best place to stay in Maldives [2023]
The sunny side of life gets sunnier by the year, with more than 131,000 tourists visiting in January of 2022 to 172,000 in 2023 of the same month! And this was right after Covid-19 had played its part and right after it was signalled that it was safe to travel to this beautiful island nation. Say hello to Maldives, a luxury travel destination sitting at the top of the world of tourism.
If you’re looking to spend your vacation in Maldives, this article will help you narrow your focus to the best place to stay in Maldives so read on to get your Maldives holiday education!
Maldives is an archipelago of 1,190 coral islands strewn across nearly 90,000 square kilometres and forming a double chain of 26 atolls. Its geography is one-of-a-kind and an absolute marvel for the naked eye to witness, especially from the air.
When it comes to choice of stay, there is an abundance of atolls that you can consider! And with that many choices, you might be wondering, exactly where is the best place to stay in Maldives? Where is the best place to stay in Maldives for couples? Where are the best places to stay in Maldives for families? Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers for you.
Both the North Male’ Atoll & South Male’ Atoll are prime contenders for the best place to stay in Maldives, as they sport some of the most beautiful diving environments in the world. The abundance of marine life and crystal translucence will have you reaching for your GoPro while you’re diving in no time. Both the atolls are also quite close to the airport so this gives you a chance to ride a ferry to your resort, which saves you money and also gives you the authentic Maldivian travel experience! While North Male’ Atoll & South Male’ Atoll share some of the pros, they share some of the same cons as well, with the most prevalent one being certain hotels‘ closeness to the airport or to the island where most waste & trash is taken to and see these in your peripheral while you’re trying to relax can be something of a holiday dampener but of course, not by much.
Baa Atoll & Ari Atoll are high up on the list as well! Baa Atoll is under the watchful eye of UNESCO, with the atoll being considered a World Biosphere Reserve, due to its biodiversity, which increases its snorkelling potential. Plankton, manta rays (with manta ray season from May to November) & whale sharks await you in the glorious crystalline that is Baa Atoll, while being 35 minutes via seaplane from the airport. While Baa Atoll has some of the best 5-star luxury resorts, the seaplane ride to your resort can get a bit pricey so do keep an eye on that.
Ari Atoll is no slouch either, as you are greeted with beautiful coral reefs and other marine life such as turtles and sharks! Like a scene out of a fairy tale, Ari Atoll is a divers & snorkelers paradise. Ari Atoll also shares the pricey seaplane transfer from the airport but it’s all worth it once you get your feet on the ground and get your vacation started.
Now you might be wondering: Is it better to stay in North Male’ Atoll or South Male’ Atoll?
North Male’ Atoll is home to Kurumba and Bandos, which are the first holiday resorts to open in the Maldives in 1972! So if you’re into history, you might want to check out these destinations. North Male’ Atoll is also home to a multitude of reefs and dive sites, such as Prisca, Fairytale Reef, Hannes Reef, Meeru and Banana Reef. Dive enthusiasts can rejoice in the array of choices that they can choose from. Beach goers will also have a fantastic time as the scenery while you sunbathe or read a book is unparalleled. North Male’ Atoll is also host to the capital of Maldives, Male’, a concrete jungle that pulses with life in its fast paced environment. The resorts are quite close to the airport as a cheap and quick speedboat ride is going to be your ticket to your resort paradise.
Most of the islands from South Male’ Atoll are accessible via a 45 minute boat ride from the airport, with a more relaxed air to it. Divers will enjoy South Male Atoll’s abundance of diving spots, surf breakers, and sandy beaches all year long. Popular pursuits include sailing, snorkelling, diving, seeing dolphins and whales, island hopping, catamaran tours, and a variety of exhilarating water sports. Due to its special position, it is possible to reach gorgeous beaches, fantastic scuba diving chances, a laid-back atmosphere, and quick access to the capital city of Male. By staying at one of South Male’ Atoll’s hotels, you may enjoy the warm Maldives hospitality, bask in the sunshine, and play on the soft beaches while learning about the country’s rich tropical marvels. On nearby islands, you may find anything from five-star luxury resorts to inexpensive guest homes where you can receive a more genuine Maldives experience for less money.
Now, if you’re looking for the best place to stay in Maldives for couples, there are quite a number of options as well. If you and your partner are looking for a more romantic getaway where you can bask in the sun together, we highly recommend resorts such as Hurawalhi Island Resort Maldives, Centara Ras Fushi Maldives, Komandoo Island Resort Maldives, You & Me by Cocoon Maldives, Adaaran Prestige Water Villas Maldives & Anantara Veli Maldives as these are primarily Adult Only Islands. These islands will be filled with couples as well who are looking for a private & intimate holiday so it’s going to feel like just you and your partner on the island due to the tranquil & serene environment. These island resorts offer couples massages, picturesque dinner-for-two, private lodgings that make you feel like you’re by yourselves and so much more!
Adult Only Islands are not the only available category of vacation spots for couples who are looking for the best place to stay in Maldives. There are non-Adult Only Islands that fit the bill as well and are a delight for couples & families alike, such as Ayada Maldives, Nova Maldives, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Maldives, Angaga Island Resort & Spa Maldives. All of these resorts have unforgettable experiences that you can experience with loved ones such as diving, surfing, worldwide cuisine choices including Maldivian, Japanese and seafood cuisine just to name a few!
If you’re travelling as a family, with your significant other and your children, we have some choices for you to choose from for the best place to stay in Maldives for families as well! Island resorts such as Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, Villa Park Resort Maldives, Dhawa Ihuru Maldives, Siyam World Maldives, Kandima Maldives, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, SAii Lagoon Maldives by Curio & Emerald Maldives, where not only are the aforementioned perks and experiences available, almost every one of these resorts have a kids club too. So if you and your partner want to have a private lunch, you can rest assured that your children will be well entertained and taken care of under the watchful eye of the staff while at the kids clubs.
If you’re someone who has seen the unbelievable pictures of Maldives and simply want to go to the most beautiful island in the Maldives, we’ve got just the recommendations for you! Angaga Island Resort and Spa Maldives, Velassaru Maldives, Safari Island Resort & Spa & Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort are all fantastic options specifically for the eye-catching beauty that they radiate. Surround yourself in a turquoise beach paradise with snow-like sand under your feet. Venture into the ocean to snorkel and dive with the abundant marine life. Book a water bungalow, where the lapping of the ocean will soothe you and bring you to a blissful sleep. And plan out excursions that will leave you feeling like an adventurer.
At this point you might be wondering as to how long you should spend your holiday in the Maldives, which is a fair point. While not everyone wants to leave paradise behind, too much time spent relaxing in one place might make the heart grow less fond, while absence does the opposite. We recommend a period from 7 – 14 days of stay, 7 days to enjoy the full breadth of experiences that Maldives has to offer & if you’re on a budget and 14 days if you want to take it slow and steady & if you have the funds to spare for it. You can fit in activities such as island hopping, safari excursions, spa days, marine adventures such as diving & snorkelling, the list goes on. If you already have a certain itinerary in mind, there are certain island resorts that do exceptionally well in specific areas such as water sports, land sports, wellness, culinary arts, privacy and much more so plan ahead if you want a specific experience etched into your vacation! You can also contact the island resorts themselves for some insights on your length of stay as they can provide you with the details necessary to plan out your vacation. Or even better, if you have a Maldivian friend, ask them for their opinion on the optimal time frame you should be there to enjoy Maldives to its fullest potential!
If you’ve been reading up until this point, congratulations! You are now fully equipped with the knowledge to pick the best place to stay in Maldives, whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family, whether you’re travelling for beauty, marine life and much, much more! Planning your vacation doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming which is what we want to achieve with this article. Remember, if you want to make sure your Maldives vacation is something you will cherish for the rest of your life, then it is important you choose where you want to stay as well, as there is always a place for everyone in Maldives. So get to planning and book your perfect vacation holiday via MadlyMaldives with the knowledge you’ve gained from this article!
