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For a holiday destination to enjoy universal liking is no easy feat. The Maldives is among the few places that never fails to amaze its visitors.
But what precisely is so special about the Maldives?
We went around LoveTheMaldives, asking everyone to name one thing that made the Maldives the ultimate tropical island destination for them.
The results are below. While some state the obvious, you’ll soon discover that there is more to the island nation than its unrivaled natural beauty.
One island, one resort
Two mantras about the Maldives set the country apart from the rest.
“One island, one resort” means only one retreat per private island. As a result, once you reach the island, the staff takes care of everything.
Moreover, there is no running around required, and the population on the island remains limited to resort employees and guests only. As a result, there’s a sense of seclusion on the islands, even when you visit during high season.
“No shoes, no news” is the other favorite tagline many retreats like to popularize. The idea is to encourage guests to forget their worries or the outside world and enjoy a rejuvenating sojourn.
Also, since most private islands are immaculately clean and sandy, you can walk around barefoot without worrying.
Everything is structured
Tourism is one of the leading initiatives of the archipelago. Consequently, the Maldivian government has taken steps to create a simplified structure that makes holidaying in the Maldives a cakewalk.
Basically, you do not have to worry about anything once you’ve booked your resort. The staff will email you before departure and request details about your arrival. At this time, you can reserve your speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight through them.
Furthermore, upon arrival at Male Airport, the resort staff is again present to help guide you. They take care of your luggage and lead you to the jetty or the seaplane lounge.
At the resort, you can enjoy everything from dining to excursions without taking out your wallet. All the costs, including your transfer, are a part of the final bill you pay when leaving. In fact, you can have a cashless holiday in the Maldives.
Travelers staying on public islands should book scheduled speedboats in advance. Else, they can use the more economical local ferry system. Again, your guesthouse host can assist you with boat timings and bookings.
All-budget destination
Yes! The Maldives promises an abundance of the highest quality.
No! The island nation is not a holiday destination reserved for the rich.
On the contrary, the archipelago is an all-budget vacation spot, and that’s one of the things we absolutely love about the Maldives.
Different accommodation options in the Maldives
- Luxury resorts – Packed with top-class amenities and some more, the luxury resorts of the Maldives are award-winning. A holiday in one typically includes privacy, personal concierge, gourmet dining, and one-of-a-kind plush accommodations.
- Budget resorts – Several resorts grant all the fun of staying on a secluded island without having to break the bank. And worry not, you’ll still get spectacular abodes, great food, all the excursions, and excellent service.
- Liveaboards – A liveaboard holiday in the Maldives is perfect for travelers who like to be on the move. During the trip, you anchor at new locations daily and participate in various water sports. Liveaboard prices depend on the type of boat you are on as well as the duration of your journey.
- City Hotels – Some of the more popular inhabited islands and the capital city of Male have several city hotels. These are ideal for business travelers or tourists who prefer a more standardized stay. The hotels are convenient and often come with facilities like pools, in-house restaurants, and spas.
- Guesthouses – Operated by locals, guesthouses are modest accommodations with a homely feel. While guesthouses are comfortable, many also come with restaurants and can arrange excursions for you.
Promises a tropical vacation of all types
Very few places offer the chance to enjoy any type of vacation you want. In the Maldives, couples can book an adults-only resort for a private honeymoon. At the same time, several family-friendly hideaways feature multiple pools, dining options, and kids’ clubs. While these retreats have activities for all ages, they are an excellent choice for families looking to spend time with each other.
Furthermore, the Maldives certainly caters to adventure tourists. Nowadays, liveaboards cover multiple locations and plan cruises around diving, snorkeling, and surfing.
Additionally, while holidaying in the Maldives, tourists can book exotic experiences like blackwater diving, seaplane photo tours, and big game fishing to experience the ultimate thrill.
For many, Maldives and opulence go hand-in-hand. The archipelago does have some of the most stunning resorts in the world. Many of these are favorite jaunts among celebrities, royals, and the wealthy.
While extravagance often defines the Maldives, the island nation isn’t without strong cultural roots. Budget travelers and those searching for traditional indulgences can stay on the public islands. A vacation among the locals delivers complete insight into the Maldivian lifestyle, their festivals, clothes, dances, and food.
Unique overwater villas
They are luxury abodes over the water, looking out to the boundless sea!
Isn’t that just awesome?
Agreeably, other destinations have water villas. However, no place offers the diversity and extravagance of these unique residences as the resorts in the Maldives.
So why the hullaballoo over these accommodations?
Besides the novelty factor, overwater villas provide guests with an intimate nook on the island. Furthermore, you have direct access to the ocean.
What we love about the Maldives is that the water villas come in all shapes and sizes. From one-bedroom cozy ones to multi-facility-having overindulgent constructions, there’s a villa just right for you.
Not to forget, some villas leave you in a state of giddiness by offering uber-cool amenities like water slides, glass floors, swimming pools, and more.
Top resorts in the Maldives for an overwater villa stay
- Gili Lankanfushi – For the ultimate above-water accommodations, book a stay at Gili Lankanfushi. A standout resort for having only overwater villas, the resort is an eco-friendly haven for conscious travelers. Gili Lankanfushi has 46 villas that are only a 20-minute boat ride from Male.
- Regis Maldives Vommuli – There is no shortage of contemporary features in all the 44 overwater villas at St Regis. These abodes have dreamy additions like day beds, iPad room control, pools, and swings. If you plan to go over the top, book the John Jacob Astor Estate, the resort’s uber-luxurious overwater villa.
- Soneva Jani – Chapter One and Chapter Two are the epitome of overwater living in the Maldives. Features like retractable roofs, waterslides, outdoor baths, and swimming pools make overwater villas at Soneva Jani
Gateway to vibrant sea life
The majority of the Maldives is the sea. As a result, discovering more about the occupants that call the Maldivian waters their home makes for a remarkable vacation. That the ocean surrounding the archipelago promises a vibrant aquatic life means visitors have the opportunity to indulge in genuinely wonderous underwater explorations.
The diversity of sea life in the archipelago is astonishing. What we love about the Maldives is that you don’t necessarily have to go into the water to witness several of these sea creatures. You can observe them from the beach, underwater restaurants, glass floors in your bedroom, or on boat rides.
Among the most popular marine life you will likely encounter are whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and dolphins. But there are also hammerhead sharks, white and blacktip reef sharks, lionfish, clownfish, barracuda, parrot fish, and hundreds more.
Additionally, guests can partake in various activities for a more hands-on experience with Maldivian sea life.
Excursions to witness the Maldivian sea life
- Snorkel off the beach over your island’s house reef.
- Take a diving tour ranging from night or wreck diving to swimming with manta rays or hammerheads.
- Book a liveaboard that includes stopping at various diving and snorkeling sites around the archipelago.
- Work with local organizations to help with turtle protection.
- Plant and adopt a coral through your resort’s coral nursery.
Heaven for gourmands
If you are a food lover, the Maldives is, quite surprisingly, one of the best places to indulge in exceptional culinary adventures. Being an island, fresh seafood is a given. Interestingly, local Maldivian dishes replicate the straightforwardness of its people. They consist mainly of island produce and seafood, prepared using simple traditional methods.
Furthermore, what we really love about the Maldives is that the gastronomic tables at the private retreats reveal a smorgasbord of international delights. Not only are the presentations classic or experimental in their character, but they are often the creation of the best international chefs. So, expect everything like plant-based vegetarian dishes, Japanese teppanyaki, and wood-fired Italian pizza.
In addition, the gastronomic excellence of the Maldives doesn’t just end with well-prepared food. The archipelago is all about memorable settings and experiences, and restaurants play their part in it. While the list of fantastic restaurants in the Maldives is quite extensive, here are some that stand out for their ingenuity or theme;
Fascinating places to eat in the Maldives
- Tavaru – At 37 feet, Tavaru is one of the tallest structures in the entire Maldives. The building houses Japanese teppanyaki on the top floor and a wine cellar with a jealousy-inducing wine collection down below. To dine at Tavaru, you’ll have to book a stay at Velaa Private Island.
- Flying Sauces – Soneva Fushi’s thrilling gastronomic escape involves ziplining through the island’s foliage to reach the treetop table. It promises an exhilarating dining affair topped with gourmet food.
- Botanica – Helmed by Chef Matthew Kenny, Botanica emphasizes healthy vegetarian eating through its garden-to-fork Moreover, with limited service, it truly is an exclusive affair not to be missed. Book a vacation stay at One&Only Reethi Rah to savor a meal at Botanica.
- Terra – While most guests are busy on the beach, don’t forget to look up for a panoramic seat at Terra. The treetop restaurant is an architectural marvel that plates curated continental menus. Plan a holiday at Waldorf Astoria Maldives to appreciate this top-of-the-world culinary extravaganza.
- Ithaa – The world’s first undersea restaurant places Ithaa on almost every gourmand’s bucket list. While the food here is spectacular, the view is quite simply out of this world. Relish underwater dining without getting wet by booking your vacation at Conrad Maldives Rangali.
Picture-perfect & dreamy!
Luminous waters, gorgeous sunsets, and that middle-of-nowhere remote feeling make the Maldives a picture-perfect dreamy holiday spot. Admittedly, you need to make some effort to reach here, from possibly taking a long flight to booking a boat transfer that takes you to the resort.
However, once you reach your destination in the archipelago, the Maldives coddles you to no extent. In the end, you relish a relaxed vacation packed with unlimited pampering, great food, and as few or many activities as your heart desires.
Even if you decide to do nothing and simply lounge, the Maldives will fascinate you with its innate natural beauty. Pristine white beaches, endless ocean views, all-around greenery, and the opportunity to witness marine life from land require no additional exertion from your side.
Lastly, one of the main reasons we love the Maldives is that the islands are stunning no matter the direction you look in. All said and done; along with a stimulating experience, the island nation will leave you countless Insta-worthy photos to share on social media and with friends and family upon returning home.
