Where to Stay in the Maldives – 18 Epic Hotels from Luxury to Budget (with Prices)!

0 Best atols in Maldives

There is no doubt that once you have landed in the Maldives you will feel like you are in paradise. Those surreal white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, and epic hotels make this one of the most desirable destinations in the world. So, get ready to have the best holiday of your life, you are heading to a dream island!

Located in the Indian Ocean, The Maldives consists of 1200 islands. The capital city of the Maldives is Malé and this is where you will first stop to reach these beautiful islands thanks to the Malé International Airport. Most of the hotels here are located on private islands so, in order to reach your resort, you will need to take a seaplane or a seaboat. 

In this blog post on where to stay in the Maldives, I will talk about the top 18 hotels from luxury to budget plus Airbnbs for you to have an unforgettable holiday. Traveling in the Maldives comes with many different charges and additional taxes so it can be difficult to figure out exactly how much your holiday will cost. 

Don’t worry, I made all the calculations for you – the price you see already includes all the charges for a 5 night stay at each of the resorts and included the transport to the island for 2 people in the price. 

By adding all your expenses together, I have even given you an average per day so you know exactly what you will be spending! Whenever possible, I am also mentioning different options – if the hotel provides full board/half board etc. 

I want to remind you that the resorts in the Maldives have high demand all year round and are selling way too fast. I don’t want you to miss the chance of staying in these best of the best resorts so don’t forget to make a booking in advance.

Quick Picks for Your Stay

luxury hotel
0 1 Soneva Jani
mid-range hotel
0 3 Riu Palace Maldivas affordable hotel
budget hotel
0 4 Reethi Beach Resort Cheap stay
airbnb
0 2 Fascination Yacht Charter Airbnb

Fascination Yacht Charter

An Airbnb with amazing reviews

Here are the best places to stay in the Maldives, with hotels from luxury to budget plus Airbnbs. They all have great reviews and great locations! 

Luxury resorts in the Maldives (full board from $1,000 per night)

Please find all the hotels/accommodations listed below, they are all sorted by price – from high to low (I also hand-picked only those with amazing reviews!). For your convenience, the average price already includes the cost of transportation from Male to the hotel. 

1. Soneva Jani – for an ultra private stay with an unlimited spa

  • 5 nights all-inclusive (taxes included): $23,330
  • 5 nights breakfast only (taxes included): $14,500
  • Lunches: $100 per person per day
  • Dinners: $180 per person per day
  • Transfer for 2 people: $2,200

Total average per night (all-inclusive): $5,690

This chic luxury resort is located on Medhufaru Island and offers stunning over-water and island villas. Everything about this incredible resort screams luxury and with a focus on privacy, it will be incredibly easy to forget the rest of the world even exists. 

Each of the villas has their own pool, a private area of lagoon and tasteful separation walls blocking you off from view of the other villas without taking away from your breathtaking view. The floor to ceiling glass windows and huge outdoor deck with sun loungers facing endless ocean views certainly won’t disappoint. 

Some villas even have a water slide directly from the top floor into the water! If I was staying here I would spend the whole day on my personal terrace watching the epic scene and swimming in the infinity pool! 

While 1 or 2 bedroom villas are available, some of the villas have the capacity of up to 8 people with a separate children’s room which is perfect for families or large groups of friends! The master bedroom in each one even has a retractable room so you can stargaze from the bed, talk about romance! Enjoy your romantic spacious rooms and relax in style with modern amenities like your own mini-bar, espresso machine, and private wine cellar selection!

This luxury hotel has the world’s first overwater observatory, a floating outdoor cinema, a fabulous unlimited spa, a nice bar, and a restaurant with a great selection of food and cocktails. Convinced yet? It doesn’t end there, they also have a tennis court, a dive center, and a gift shop. Have fun doing water sports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking right from the resort which is a 40-minute seaplane ride from the Malé International Airport. 

Being one of the most luxurious places to stay in the Maldives, I highly recommend it for romantic couples and families. It comes in pricey, but if the budget allows, you will not regret a single second of your decision! 

2. Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences – popular with celebrities

  • 5 nights all-inclusive (all taxes included): $9,300
  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $7600
  • Transfer for 2 people: $1,340

Total average per night (all-inclusive): $2,130

Amilla Fushi Resort Villas & Residences is an island resort located in Baa Atoll and a 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport. The luxury resort has a stunning pool and overwater villas with an uber-romantic atmosphere! 

Each Villa features a private pool, beach access, a terrace, and spacious rooms with a stunning Indian ocean view. One of the things that I love about this resort is that some of the villas have clear bubble rooms with a rotating bed where you can watch the stars. Doesn’t that just sound so romantic? I can imagine it would be so hard to get out of bed!

Even though it’s difficult, make sure to drag yourself out of the bubble to make use of the great spa or dine in either of the 2 restaurants offering a great selection of wines and foods.

Amilla Resort also arranges boat tours to discover pristine Maldives beaches and diving tours to explore coral reefs. I highly suggest you see the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve where the biodiversity of the underwater world! I recommend you bring an underwater camera for this trip, make sure to add it to your Maldives packing list now so you don’t forget!

This is one of the best resorts in the Maldives for couples offering world-class service and it’s not just me who thinks so. Amilla is also the choice of celebrities such as Paris Hilton, the Beckhams, Orland Bloom, Kate Moss and many more! So, get ready to have celebrity treatment and ultimate relaxation!

3. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas – with the world’s only overwater observatory

  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $8,320
  • Transfer for 2 people: $1,500

Total average per night (half board): $1,970

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is located on Kihavah Huravalhi Island in Baa Atoll and is a 35-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport. 

This incredible luxury resort has the world’s only overwater observatory where you can view the stars from an incredibly scenic location. It offers water villas with a private infinity pool and word class facilities as well as a pristine beach and gorgeous house reef. 

Another highlight of Anantara Kihavah is its incredible dining experiences. Eat a delicious meal in the underwater restaurant or enjoy a spectacular live cooking show on the beach. I feel like I would be so mesmerized I might forget to eat my meal! 

As I mentioned before, Anantara Resort also has an amazing house reef (one of the best in the area) which makes it a perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkeling right from your villa. I know exactly how I would spend my days here! You can also enjoy many kinds of water sports activities such as surfing, wakeboarding, and catamaran sailing on the resort’s organized tours. 

Traveling with family? This chic hotel also has an epic kids club with a trampoline park, mini master chef classes, and spa treatments dedicated especially to the little ones. With all that to keep the family busy, you will have plenty of time for relaxation yourself, that’s why I suggest this hotel for families. Talk about the perfect getaway! 

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is one of the most exclusive resorts in the Maldives, so you have to be quick and make a booking in advance to enjoy this unique stay. 

P.S. For those who are looking for more luxury places to stay, check out my post 3 Amazing Resorts in the Maldives that I personally stayed in!

4. Hurawalhi Island Resort – with the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant 

  • 5 nights all-inclusive (all taxes included): $8,980
  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $6,770
  • Transfer for 2 people: $920

Total average per night (all-inclusive): $1,980

Hurawalhi Island Resort is located on the island of Hurawalhi Atoll and is one of the best luxury resorts to stay in the Maldives. The adults-only resort offers villas on the ocean with a private swimming pool, a beach with turquoise water and white sand, and spacious rooms with great facilities. 

Hurawalhi Resort actually has the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant where you can have a romantic dinner while watching the marine life! How amazing is that! Just don’t get too distracted by the marine life swimming by, the food here is also incredible! 

There is such a large range of different types of villas on offer here that it can be really hard to choose but it also means that everyone will be able to find their individual dream room in this resort. If you ask me I would go with the overwater rooms with outdoor bathrooms! There is a very nice spa with an incredible view, infinity pools, private beaches, and a fitness center for those who want to care for themselves during the holiday. 

You can join diving tours and see the Biosphere Reserve and I really recommend you do as the area is popular for snorkeling and windsurfing. During the sunset, you can have a drink and traditional snacks at the overwater restaurant and watch the spectacular scenery of the Maldive Islands. For those who want to feel the Maldivian romance, I highly suggest Hurawalhi Island Resort. 

5. Niyama Private Islands Maldives – the world’s first and most famous underwater restaurant

  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $7,770
  • Transfer for 2 people: $900

Total average per night (half board): $1,730

Niyama Private Islands Maldives resort is situated on the island of Dhaalu Atoll and offers an exclusive holiday experience. The luxury resort has overwater villas with a private beach, an infinity pool, and romantic rooms with high-class amenities. There is an amazing fitness center, a spa, a bar, and restaurants with cuisine from all around the world. Seriously, this hotel has it all!

That’s not even to mention that the resort has the world’s first underwater restaurant, Subsix. I know these days there are quite a few of these popping up (or should I say down) in the Maldives, but not many people can say they have dined at the first-ever one! Subsix is located 6m (20 feet) below sea level and is known for its champagne breakfasts and mouth-watering foods. 

Imagine how exciting it is to dine underwater while watching the fish swimming by – it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure!

Once you’ve seen it through the glass I’m sure you’re going to want to get even closer. You can arrange boat tours from the resort and discover pristine beaches, go on a sunset sailing tour and enjoy nice cocktails while watching amazing views of the Maldives islands. Still not enough? I dare you to join an adventure to dive with baby sharks and discover Maldivian marine life! 

Niyama Private Islands Maldives is one of the best places to stay in the Maldives for those who want to have a romantic holiday and Malé International Airport is just a 40-minute seaplane ride from the resort.

6. Kanuhura – a great luxury stay for families in the Maldives 

  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $4,880
  • Transfer for 2 people: $1,100

Total average per night (half board): $1,200

Kanuhura is one of the resorts where I have personally stayed at (please read a post with all the details here). It is located on the Lhaviyani Atoll island and a 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport. 

The luxury resort has overwater villas, family villas, beach bungalows, and pool villas. I stayed in a pool villa and it was wonderful! We had our own butler that we could call any time (he had a special phone just for us!). The villa was located in a quiet place in front of the beach (you will be given bicycles OR you could use carts, but bikes were so much better!).

At Kanuhura resort you can of course enjoy swimming in turquoise waters and chilling on the Maldivian white sand beach but one of the biggest draws of this resort is their 5 (!!) restaurants. Yes, you read that right, there are 5 incredible on-site restaurants offering foods with local products and bars where you can have delicious Maldivian-style cocktails – what a dream! 

I also had my first floating breakfast experience there, SO MUCH FUN!

While you’re in the holiday spirit, don’t forget to make use of their deluxe spa and fitness center on this amazing private island. Again, one of the best massages I’ve ever had! I think that spa won numerous awards actually. 

Also, there is a great kids club arranging many fun water activities and food events for young travelers so when you are enjoying the hotel’s facilities you don’t need to worry about your kids. 

Oh, and I forgot to mention – the resort is super environmentally friendly, they are very cautious about plastic consumption, washing the linens in filtered water etc. 

Mid-range hotels and resorts in the Maldives (full board from $500 per night)

7. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – stay in an underwater villa

  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $4,760
  • 5 nights with breakfast (all taxes included): $3,760
  • Transfer for 2 people: $590

Total average per night (half board): $1,070

This 5-star hotel is located on Rangali Island and offers scenic Maldivian beaches and villas with a private swimming pool, beach access, and spacious rooms with authentic design and spectacular ocean views. 

The most unique thing about this resort is definitely the underwater villas! If you decide to stay in one of these you will have a master bedroom completely made of glass walls where you can watch the fish swimming by. 

I bet you just added an underwater villa in your dream bucket list, right? I surely did!

This 5-star hotel also features 12 world-class restaurants, a very good spa where you can pamper yourself with a nice massage, a fitness center, and family-friendly rooms. 

The hotel’s beach is the perfect spot to dive and discover the marine life of the private island or, go on a boat tour to explore the surrounding islands of Maldives. To get here you can take an airport transfer via seaplane ($590 return for two people).

8. Hard Rock Maldives – an award-winning lifestyle hub

  • 5 nights full board (all taxes included): $4,540
  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $3,740
  • Transfer for 2 people: $300

Total average per night (full board): $970

Located on Emboodhoo island in South Male Atoll, Hard Rock Hotel is one of the best mid-range resorts in the Maldives to stay in. The beautiful hotel offers ocean villas and each villa features a private swimming pool, beach access, a terrace, and spacious rooms with a stunning ocean view. 

Hard Rock is actually part of the biggest lifestyle hub in the Maldives called Crossroads. Spread across multiple islands and two resorts you have access to every activity you can imagine and more! You certainly won’t have the same day twice if you make use of all the incredible restaurants, shops, sailing trips, clubs, spas, and other activities on offer here. Just be careful and try not to do it all, otherwise, you might need another holiday to recover from your holiday!

We can’t talk about this resort without mentioning the famous Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock shop and its popular bar with a friendly atmosphere. There’s something for the whole family here with a fun bright design, a dedicated restaurant, and a kids club which makes this hotel very attractive for those traveling with kids. 

I personally think it is one of the coolest hotels to stay in the Maldives thanks to the combination of its Maldivian atmosphere with the Hard Rock Cafe concept

9. Kandima Maldives – featuring 10 incredible bars and restaurants (plus fitness classes to burn it all off)

  • 5 nights all-inclusive (all taxes included): $3,780
  • 5 nights full board (all taxes included): $3,320
  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $1,730
  • Transfer for 2 people: $740

Total average per night (all-inclusive): $900

Here comes another place I personally stayed in, and tssss, but I think it is my favorite of the 3 I had a chance to visit!

This 5-star hotel is located on the Dhaalu Atoll Island and fulfills all your expectations from a hotel in the Maldives. Kandima Maldives has villas with a private swimming pool, beach access, spacious rooms with a modern bright design, and spectacular ocean views. 

I stayed in an overwater villa with a jacuzzi and it was FANTASTIC! What I love about Kandima is first of all the great vibe – they somehow managed to perfectly accommodate both families, couples, and groups of friends types of travelers. The design is very fresh, bright, and modern. Oh, and I loved LOVED my bathtub with the view!

How about 10 restaurants and bars and the longest outdoor swimming pool in the Maldives!? That’s right, I hope you’re hungry because you will be eating so much during your time here if you want to try them all. 

Their breakfast options were the most varied (and yummiest) I’ve seen anywhere in the world! Sushi for breakfast? Yasss, please!

Don’t worry you can work it all off in the fitness center which features yoga and Zumba classes as well as many other calorie-burning activities. Alternatively, embrace the vacation mood and spend all your time off from eating relaxing at the spa, you deserve it, you’re on holiday! 

If you are into watersports you can do activities such as snorkeling with manta rays, surfing, canoeing, and catamaran sailing, or rent an electric scooter and enjoy scenic views of this private Maldive Island. 

Last but not least, they have a whole kids’ house full of games, where, I believe you can leave your kids (if you want to) supervised by certified nannies. 

10. Riu Palace Maldivas – a great mid-range all-inclusive resort

  • 5 nights all-inclusive (all taxes included): $3,050
  • Transfer for 2 people: $750

Total average per night (all-inclusive): $760

This gorgeous 5-star hotel is located on the ​​Dhaalu Atoll island and a 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé. Riu Palace hotel offers overwater villas and suite rooms with a private swimming pool, beach access, and romantic rooms. 

You can enjoy your private white sand beach, swimming in the crystal clear water, and having a nice cocktail on your terrace watching the amazing Maldives sunset. The all-inclusive hotel has on-site restaurants with amazing ocean views, a great spa, a fitness center, and family-friendly rooms. 

This is certainly one of the best resorts if you are looking for value for money as you can get a lot included in the price of just one night at some of the other resorts in the Maldives. 

The hotel arranges diving tours and boat tours to photogenic beaches with turquoise waters and almost guarantees the perfect photos that will make everyone at home jealous. Just make sure to book in advance so you can secure the best deals!

11. Bandos Maldives – one of the best spots in the Maldives for diving

  • 5 nights all-inclusive (all taxes included): $3,050
  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $2,150
  • Transfer for 2 people: $190

Total average per night (all-inclusive): $650

Another hotel where I had a chance to stay personally, this one is on a budget side. 

Bandos Maldives is situated on a private island and its biggest advantage in my opinion is that it is located only about a 20 mins boat ride from Male! This will help you not only save time after a long international flight, but also save quite a lot on the coast of the seaplane (they are fun, but definitely not cheap!)

This all-inclusive hotel offers beautiful villas and bungalows right on the ocean and beach suite rooms. Each Villa has a private swimming pool, beach access, a terrace, and spacious rooms with a nice ocean view.

Something that I love about this resort is that it has some great options no matter your budget. The beach suites are a little more affordable but still have a private terrace, beach view, and access to the hotel’s swimming pool. 

Bandos Maldives’s beach is also a great spot to dive and snorkel. I dived with a guide even without having a PADI certificate (it is allowed, please read more in my dedicated post) and I saw manta rays, sharks and many more wonderful colorful things!

If you are not into diving, no worries, you can actually see some incredible animals right from the shore! 

Oh, yes, in my opinion, Bandos has the biggest amount of cool tours, I tried most of them – local village visit, sunset cruise, fishing – what else? So yes, it is great for active travelers, those who get bored from sunbathing on the beach. 

This amazing resort has Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and western restaurants offering mouth-watering cuisines from around the world with a great selection of wines. It will be so hard for you to decide among these beautiful restaurants set by the beach but I still envy your predicament. 

If I were staying in this hotel I would make sure to spare a lot of time to spend in the luxurious spa, getting a massage and some well-deserved beauty treatments (I loved the spa!) You will find all you expect from the island Maldives in this hotel!

12. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu – with a veterinarian-run marine turtle rescue center

  • 5 nights full board (all taxes included): $1,730
  • Transfer for 2 people: $870

Total average per night (full board): $520

Located on the Dhuni Kolhu island, you can reach this beautiful hotel with a 30-minute scenic seaplane ride from Malé International Airport. This hotel offers picturesque overwater villas and suite rooms with a private swimming pool, beach access, and beautifully decorated rooms with free wifi. 

The Coco Palm hotel has on-site restaurants with amazing ocean views, a great spa, a fitness center, and family-friendly rooms. Make sure to book an in-villa dining experience whilst you’re here so you can enjoy a private dinner party with foods from international cuisines served right in your own little home away from home. The perfect way to enjoy a little bit of luxury in an incredibly intimate setting. 

Fancy rooms and delicious food is all well and good but doesn’t it feel just that little bit better to know that you are helping to make a difference why you are lounging by the pool? Coco Palm hotel has partnered with the Olive Ridley Project to create the first veterinarian-run turtle rehabilitation center in the Maldives. Together they work to remove discarded nets from the ocean and rescue and treat turtles which have become a victim of them. 

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is a great hotel with a private island vibe that offers a perfect boutique holiday. 

Subscribe here to get up to 35% off your accommodation for your next trip!

Budget resorts and hotels in the Maldives (half board from $80 per night)

13. Sun Island Resort – 5-star resort on a budget

  • 5 nights all-inclusive (all taxes included): $2,420
  • 5 nights full board (all taxes included): $1,510
  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $1,280
  • 5 nights accommodation (all taxes included): $910
  • Transfer for 2 people: $700

Total average per night (full board): $440

This 5-star hotel located on a private island offers all-inclusive accommodation. Even though you are traveling on a budget you can still enjoy staying in a private villa at Sun Island Resort. Each villa has a private swimming pool, beach access, and fully furnished spacious rooms. 

There is a very good restaurant where you can enjoy local seafood with a nice view, an excellent spa and wellness center, a gym, and 5 bars in this beautiful hotel so there really is no holding back with this incredible all-inclusive rate!  

You can enjoy chilling on the white sand beach, swimming in the crystal clear water, and go on boat tours to discover beautiful beaches on the island of Maldives. I know that they also do a lot of celebrations – be it a wedding ceremony or simply renewing vows – they can organize a lot! No wonder they have ~460 villas, it can accommodate any occasion!

If you want to do some watersports activities the resort offers snorkeling, surfing, canoeing, and catamaran sailing activities. For those who would like to stay in a beautiful villa with an ocean view and don’t wanna spend a lot of money on accommodation, Sun Island Resort is the best place to stay in the Maldives. 

14. Reethi Beach Resort – great value for private water villas

  • 5 nights full board (all taxes included): $1,180
  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $990
  • 5 nights with breakfast (all taxes included): $650
  • Transfer for 2 people: $1,190

Total average per night (full board): $470

Reethi Beach Resort is situated in Baa Atoll and offers a unique stay experience on a private island. Even though it is quite far from Male (hence the transportation cost), the villas are actually pretty affordable so all in all it ends up to be a good deal! 

PRO TIP: If you are traveling with kids, check out their website, sometimes they throw offers when kids under 12 can fly to the resort free of charge. 

Each villa comes with a swimming pool, private beach access, and rooms with great amenities. 

Reethi Beach Resort has a very good spa and a fitness center to keep in shape during your stay. At night, enjoy a meal in the open-air restaurant with a great view of the islands of the Maldives before hitting the disco to try your hand at karaoke. Such a perfect vacation if you ask me! 

You can also do some water sports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking of course! All of this and not-so-crazy prices, it’s a yes from me! This 4* Resort is one of the best affordable hotels in the Maldives where you can have a memorable holiday with your families and loved ones walking on the white sand beach and swimming in the crystal clear water without a care in the world! Paradise!

NOTE: The next 4 accommodations – 2 resorts and 2 Airbnbs are located on the local islands and, while the service and everything else is still great, you will not be able to drink alcohol (Maldives is a Muslim country). If that is an issue, please read this section below, it explains how to avoid this. If you couldn’t care less about alcohol, just scroll down to #15 in the list. 🙂 

Drinking alcohol on the local islands

0 Drinking alcohol on the local islands

Please note that drinking alcohol is not allowed in Male and other local islands. While you can consume alcohol with no problems on private islands-resorts, it is illegal to do so on local islands. 

However, you can buy a day pass and take a boat trip to nearby resorts to have cocktails while enjoying the beautiful facilities. The day pass prices are between $100-$250 per person for a day. If you are looking to visit a certain resort it’s worth searching on google for the hotel name + “day pass” to see if it is offered or ask your hotel for suggestions. Unfortunately, not all resorts have the option of day trips but the ones that do tend to include return boat transfers, lunch and access to the pristine beaches, bars, and watersports. 

Another option is to visit the floating bars near Maafushi. There are a couple of boats that have licenses to sell alcohol and are essentially set up off the coast of Maafushi as floating bars. From Male you will need to take a local speedboat to Maafushi which takes approx 30 mins and costs around $25. You can ask your hotel to help you arrange this. 

Then, to reach either of the bars you have to contact your chosen boat to arrange a free pickup by speedboat. You will see signs for the boats plastered all over the island. Onboard the boats you will generally find a Dj, an alcoholic drinks menu, and good views of the surrounding area. 

Just remember that often these boats will only take cash and as alcohol is so hard to obtain in the Maldives that they may not be fully stocked at all times. Check out this video if you want to see what they are like!  

15. Crystal Sands – deluxe rooms in a hotel with ocean views

  • 5 nights full board (all taxes included): $770
  • 5 nights half board (all taxes included): $600
  • 5 nights with breakfast (all taxes included): $500
  • Transfer for 2 people: $100

Total average per night (full board): $170

Located in one of the beautiful parts of the island, you can easily reach Crystal Sands hotel with a 30-minute speedboat ride or a 1.5-hour ferry boat ride from Malé. Being this close to Male means you can save a little on the transport and still enjoy an incredible stay. 

Crystal Sands offers deluxe rooms with a beautiful ocean view, free wifi, and a great terrace so even though you may not have your own villa here, you will still get to experience the typical Maldivian beauty.

The funky, bright, and modern decorations of the rooms and restaurant are sure to give you that holiday feeling and with an international restaurant and spa onsite, every one of your needs is catered for. 

As you have probably noticed by now, this hotel is considerably cheaper than all the rest in my list. This is because all the previous ones were actually located on a private island, while this one is going to be a bit less fancy – it is a 3* hotel and it is located on one of the local islands. But hey, the sea is the same blue everywhere and the hotel has amazing reviews, so it is a great option for those on a tight budget. 

16. Tourist Inn – an affordable hotel in the city center

16 Tourist Inn Where to stay for cheap
  • 5 nights with breakfast (all taxes included): $410
  • 5 nights accommodation (all taxes included): $380
  • Located on Male – No transfer fee

Total average per night (bed & breakfast): $80

Centrally located in the capital city Male, Tourist Inn offers an affordable stay in the Maldives. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on accommodation you can choose to stay in this hotel in the local area and discover the other beaches with day tours. 

Tourist Inn has air conditioning rooms, a great breakfast, an airport shuttle and is located just 3km (1 mi) away from the Male International Airport. The main landmarks of Male such as Sultan Park, National Museum, and Villa College QI Campus are within walking distance and as there is no on-site restaurant available, you will appreciate the magnitude of local restaurants offering interesting affordable meals in the area.

The Best Airbnbs in the Maldives

We have only spoken about the resorts so far, but there are also Airbnbs – some more fancy, some less. As usual, all the prices, including the airbnb fees are already included in my calculation. 

Here are some great ones I’d like to bring to your attention:

17. Fascination Yacht Charter – a unique stay experience on a luxury yacht

View of yacht
  • 5 nights full board: $7,650
  • Taxes payable on-site: $1,740

Total average per night: $1,880

Fascination Yacht Charter is a great accommodation option in the Maldives for those who want to have an interesting experience staying on a boat. The boat has rooms with great amenities and can accommodate up to 6 people. They provide pick up from Male International Airport and drop you off at any place in the area! So if you want a unique way to arrive in style at your resort, why not book a charter?   

In this beautiful yacht, you will have your private skipper and chef. All of the meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the price so you don’t need to worry about anything so you can focus on discovering the most beautiful beaches of the island Maldives. 

You will also be able to do a lot of activities such as diving ($140 per dive plus tax), fishing, and surfing if you choose. Imagine yourself waking up to the best views of the Maldives every day with turquoise-colored water. I highly recommend this Airbnb for a unique holiday experience. 

18. Villingili Sea View – a nice apartment by the beach

  • 5-night stay (all fees included): $340

Total average per night: $70

This Airbnb located in Male features fully furnished spacious rooms. It is a fully furnished apartment with a kitchen, great amenities and a balcony with a sea view. You can easily walk to the beach and swim in crystal clear water and enjoy white sand beaches. 

This Airbnb’s balcony is a perfect place to watch the sunset while having a nice meal! It is also located in a peaceful area so you can relax in your room after exploring the island. 

Local restaurants and shops are within walking distance of the house so If you are visiting the Maldives on a budget, this Airbnb is a perfect place to stay!

✈️ Cost of traveling:High
🌎 International Airport:Velana International Airport (MLE)
☀️ Best time to go:November to April
📅 How many days:5-7
👶 Family friendly score:Great
👑 Luxury price:$1,000
:dollar: Mid-range hotel:$500
🛏️ Budget:$200

Frequently asked questions about the Maldives

0 Frequently asked questions about the Maldives

🏝️ Which part of Maldives is the best to stay in?

Ari Atoll and Baa Atoll are the best islands to stay in the Maldives. Some of the best resorts to stay at are Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and Reethi Beach Resort.

🏖️ Which island is most beautiful in the Maldives?

Baa Atoll is the most beautiful island in the Maldives. Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences and Reethi Beach Resort are some of the Maldives best resorts to stay in here. 

💰 Is it expensive to stay in the Maldives?

The Maldives has the most luxurious hotels in the world. Therefore, yes, staying in the Maldives is expensive. However, there are budget-friendly accommodations available too such as Bandos Maldives and Sun Island Resort.

🤔 Where to stay in the Maldives on a budget?

You can find budget resorts in the capital city Malé. Some of my recommendations for those who are traveling on a budget are Sun Island Resort and Reethi Beach Resort.

✨ What is the best resort in the Maldives?

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and Niyama Private Islands Maldives are the best resorts to stay in the Maldives for a vacation in paradise. 

🕐 Which month is the best month to visit the Maldives?

The best time to visit the Maldives is between November to April as the climate is warm and the average temperature is around 30°C.

💸 What is the cheapest month to go to the Maldives?

The cheapest months to travel to the Maldives are between May to September. This is the monsoon season and you can expect rainy days. 

⏳ How many days to spend in the Maldives?

Many people stay approximately 5 nights in the Maldives but it is totally depending on you. There are many activities to do such as snorkeling and surfing and you can simply enjoy white sand beaches and crystal clear water if you want to stay longer. 

Conclusion

0 Where to stay for cheap in Male

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I did writing it! In my opinion, there are some pretty fantastic options out there and I only wish I’d stay in all of them (maybe soon?:) ). I did however stay in 3 of them, and as for the rest – I did a careful research on the pricing, location and reviews!

I would like to remind you of the importance of making a booking in advance as the Maldives is a very popular travel destination. This will help you to get better deals on hotels and guarantee to stay in your favorite hotel. 

I know I’ve already given many hotels and resorts but to wrap up, here are the best 2 resorts to stay in the Maldives with a great location as well as good reviews. I definitely recommend you to stay in one of these if you can’t decide between the awesome options in this list!

  • Amilla Maldives Resort – One of the best luxury resorts in the Maldives offering an amazing stay on a private island perfect for a honeymoon
  • Kandima – A very nice hotel to stay for the whole island lifestyle experience in the Maldives

If you have any other suggestions or questions about the Maldives please leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to leave a reply to them!

Enjoy your time in paradise,

Yulia


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2 Comments

  1. Reeta 11.04.2022 at 08:05
  2. Chad 01.04.2022 at 08:11

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