How to choose an island and a hotel in the Maldives – 5 tips, photos, descriptions, prices 2021, map
The Maldives are white sandy beaches, crystal clear lagoons and a paradise vacation. There are more than 200 islands inhabited by locals and 88 islands, which 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 range “from and to”. Our review will help you choose an island and a hotel in the Maldives and not be disappointed.
Island size
As already mentioned above, the islands have a different area. If you are not confused by closed spaces, then you can choose small islands. One of these is Embudu, the size of which is 280×140 meters. If your plans include walks, evening entertainment, and you don't want to be limited to a couple of meters of space around the hotel, then pay attention to islands with a larger area, such as Gan. In addition, infrastructure is better developed on large islands.
Distance from 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. Here the important point is how much time it will take to get to the right place.
Some islands can be reached by boat and spend from a few minutes to several hours. If you are not a fan of sea travel and the very thought of such a swim is terrifying, 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, before the same about. Gan from the airport will need to cover a distance of about 450 km.
Accommodation type and room classification
On the islands, hotels have their own classification. If compared with the European one, which assigns stars to hotels: 5, 4, 3, then here they are classified as: Deluxe, Superior and Standard. Often tourists, choosing a room, prefer bungalows. 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, in which 2 or 3 rooms are located. There are also bungalows standing on the water. In general, all these points must be taken into account and preliminary clarified 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 is a sufficient number of square meters per person on the island to make the rest comfortable, you need to pay attention to who most often rests in the hotel you have chosen. There are islands in the Maldives where you are unlikely to meet compatriots.
The fact is that many hotel owners know that Russian tourists prefer to dilute their holidays with alcohol, so they do not accept guests from Russia. This means that many islands are simply closed to us.
There are other places where only Russian tourists mainly rest, for example, you can book a room at the Sun Island Hotel without any problems. Tour operators, as a rule, offer tours here. No wonder it was nicknamed the “Turkey of the Maldives”. In general, carefully read the reviews and, if you are flying on your own, do not be too lazy to clarify information about the possibility of accommodation with hotel representatives.
Explore the island and its features
Before choosing a hotel, study the information about the island, the recreational opportunities that it offers, the features, so that there are no unexpected surprises later.
Kuramati Island
One of the largest Maldivian archipelago, located 60 km from its capital Male. It has the shape of an irregular elongated triangle. Its length is about 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 water and on land. One of them is Kuramathi Maldives, which offers hot tubs, mini-bars, flat-screen TVs.
Spa centers, 12 restaurants, cafes and bars, a children‘s club are open on the territory. The Germans and the British love to relax here, in recent years a lot of Russians have appeared, from Asia – the Japanese and Chinese, of which there are more and more. The entertainment program attracts visitors from all over the world – diving, its own botanical garden and the jungle, which is not found in other resorts. There are running tracks, tennis courts, sports clubs and even a football field.
Gan Island
The largest and southern island is Gan. It is located beyond the equator. The territory is almost 15 sq. m. From Male airport you can fly by seaplane of a local airline in 1 hour. 20 minutes. The Equator village 3 complex is popular here, consisting of 78 rooms, with an outdoor pool and a private beach, free Internet. All apartments have air conditioning, TVs, a seating area, kettles, a hairdryer in an individual bathroom, bathrobes and slippers.
For sports lovers, there is a tennis court, water entertainment equipment, cycling or hiking, fishing and diving are organized. The contingent – a lot of Germans and British, smaller Spaniards and Italians. The hotel is located “Diver land” – a diving center, where qualified trainers work, those who wish can take a course and receive a certificate of international importance. After training, you can independently explore the depths of the Indian Ocean.
Kudafolodu Island
Kudafolhudu Island is located in Ari Atoll, it is small, only 0.2 x 0.15 km, it became a popular tourist destination in 1985. By seaplane, guests cover the distance from the airport in 25 minutes, located at a distance of 74 km from the airport. Here is the famous hotel Nika Island Resort & Spa 5. It is considered the most romantic place, protected from prying eyes, where guests feel comfortable, world-famous people come here who want to take a break from the public. Each shell-shaped bungalow has its own tropical beach.
Luxurious villas are available in beautiful complexes 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, here you can eat while enjoying the sea breeze. There is a beautiful lagoon, a beach with a gentle slope. Everyone will find something to their liking – take a boat ride, go windsurfing, play badminton or tennis, go on an excursion.
Conrad Rangley Island
Conrad Ranglin Island is located on the South Ari Atoll, its territory is 600 m long and 30 m wide. It is 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 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. The hotel Conrad Maldives Rangali Islandis rightfully considered 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 spa centers with a wide range of beauty treatments. Equipped with treadmills, it is possible to do almost all types of water activities – windsurfing, catamarans and jet skis. Spaniards and Germans come, tourists from Asia. Party lovers arrange entertainment shows, discos, and sports sections are provided for active recreation, and water sports are practiced on the beach. The administration constantly organizes excursions to explore the sights of the Maldives archipelago.
Ihuru Island
It has a rounded shape, about 250 m in diameter. From 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. All year round they have a favorable microclimate for health. Everyone can take part in various water activities and try their hand at mastering the underwater world.
This resort island is most popular with Italians, whose representatives can be very often found on Ikhuru. Restaurants often serve their favorite dish, pasta. Divers are taken to a nearby coral reef, where various underwater inhabitants are found. Those who wish can rent a boat, swim and just lie in the sun and admire the fabulous place. Vacationers from other islands come to Ikhuru to take part in various entertainment events. The resort is famous for comfortable beaches with white fine sand.
Kuda Huraa Island
Kuda Huraa is a small, 700-meter island. Located on North Male Atoll, 20 km from the airport. Then use the ferry (journey time about 1.5 hours), which runs regularly to the island and back. All hotels on Huraa are comfortable, equipped with the necessary equipment, beautifully decorated, and the courtesy and responsiveness of the staff are beyond criticism. The resort is Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraalocated in a beautiful location on a coral reef. Built in the traditional style of the local peoples, tourists are engaged in diving, surfing and other water activities. Surrounded by tropical greenery, the rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and DVD player and each has an en suite bathroom with a Maldivian shower.
Maafushi Island
Maafushi is oval in shape, its length is 1.27 meters, width is 0.26 meters. You can get from the international airport to Maafushi (and other inhabited islands) by passenger ferry in an hour and a half. Russian tourists like to relax in this resort, the island is located not far from the capital, there are many relatively inexpensive hotels, and comfort, as elsewhere, is at a high level.
The villa Cocoa Island Maldives 5offers luxurious rooms with air conditioning, TV, bathroom with all accessories, Wi-Fi connected, a library. The popularity of the resort is that the government recently allowed local residents to rent housing to visitors, which significantly increased their well-being, and tourists could save on rent. In addition, although there are no attractions here, tourists get acquainted with the traditions of the indigenous population with pleasure and interest.
Sun Island
Sun Island is a spacious and rather 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 aircraft, you can get to the resort by taking a short flight to Maamigili Island, the flight lasts about 20 minutes, then 10 minutes by boat to the place. Sun Island Resort & Spaoffers a full range of services, including private bathroom, air conditioning, swimming pool, hair dryer and much more needed for a comfortable stay. The administration organizes fishing trips, land excursions, interesting and informative boat trips, hydroplane flights.
You can rent water transport and take part in fun competitions held by the administration, ride 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 specialize in Thai, Italian and Japanese cuisine, and bars sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Popular among Russian tourists because of the excellent beaches, good service, a large number of recreational activities, including water. Beauty and massage parlors are open here at any time.