How to choose an island and hotel in the Maldives

The Maldives are all about white sandy beaches, crystal clear lagoons and a paradise vacation. There are more than 200 islands inhabited by locals and 88 islands that are designed for a carefree vacation 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 hotel in the Maldives and not be disappointed.

Island size

As mentioned above, the islands have different areas. If you are not confused by confined spaces, then you can choose small islands. One of these is Embudu, which measures 280x140 meters. If your plans include walking, evening entertainment, and you do not want to be limited to a couple of meters of space around the hotel, then pay attention to the islands with a larger area, for example Gan. In addition, the larger islands have better infrastructure.

Distance from airport

Since the complexes are distributed according to the principle of one hotel on one island, in any case, a transfer from the airport will be required. The important point here is how long it will take to get to the right place.

Some islands can be reached by boat and it can take 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 hotels closer to the airport. If the cost is not the main thing for you, then you can choose a seaplane as a transfer. So, for example, to the same Fr. Gan from the airport will need to cover a distance of about 450 km.

Accommodation type and room classification

Hotels on the islands have their own classification. When compared with the European one, which assigns stars to hotels: 5, 4, 3, here they are classified as: Deluxe, Superior and Standard. Often tourists, choosing a room, prefer a bungalow. You need to be careful here, because they are different.

Bungalows can have one floor and stand apart, there are two-story grouped or block-type bungalows in which there are 2 or 3 rooms. There are also bungalows standing on the water. In general, all these points must be taken into account and preliminary clarify the information with the representatives of the hotel or tour operator if you plan to purchase a package tour.

The contingent of holidaymakers

Despite the fact that there is enough square meters for one person on the island to make the rest comfortable, you need to pay attention to who most often rests in the hotel of your choice. 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 mostly rest, for example, you can easily book a room at the Sun Island Hotel. Tour operators, as a rule, offer trips here. No wonder he was nicknamed "Maldives Turkey". In general, carefully read the reviews and, if you are flying on your own, do not be lazy to clarify the information about the possibility of accommodation with the hotel representatives.

Explore the island and its features

Before choosing a hotel, study the information about the island, the opportunities for recreation that it offers, and its features, so that there will be no unexpected surprises later.

Kuramachi island

One of the largest Maldivian archipelago, located 60 km from its capital, Male. Has the shape of an irregular elongated triangle. Its length is about 2 km, width - 0, 4. On a seaplane, this distance can be covered in 20 minutes. Kuramachi has three luxury hotels and dozens of bungalows, located both on the water and on land. One of them - Kuramathi Maldives, offers vacationers hot tubs, minibars, flat-screen TVs.

Spa centers, 12 restaurants, cafes and bars, and a children's club are open on the territory. Germans and British like to rest here, in recent years there have appeared a lot of Russians, from Asia - 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 jungle, which is not found in other resorts. There are jogging tracks, tennis courts, sports clubs and even a football field.

Gan Island

The largest and southernmost island is Gan. It is located behind the equator. Territory - almost 15 sq. m. From Male airport you can fly by seaplane of the local airline in 1 hour. 20 minutes. Here, the popular Equator village 3 * complex, consisting of 78 rooms, with an outdoor pool and a private beach, free Internet. All apartments have air conditioning, TVs, seating area, kettles, hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers in an individual bath.

For sports lovers, there is a tennis court, water sports equipment, cycling or hiking, fishing and diving are organized. The contingent is many Germans and British, fewer 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.

Kudafoludu Island

The island of Kudafoludu is located in the Ari atoll, it is small, only 0.2 x 0.15 km, and 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, in which 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 green beach.

In the beautiful complexes, luxury villas are available 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. Relaxing massage treatments are available at the spa, and there is a gym.

The restaurants serve European, local and Asian cuisine, and you can also dine while enjoying the sea breeze. Here 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.

Konrad Rangli Island

Konrad Ranglina Island is located in South Ari Atoll, its territory is 600 meters long and 30 meters wide. It is located about 100 km from the capital's airport, you can fly in half an hour by seaplane, then the passengers are transferred 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 over 500 m long. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island hotel is 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 offering a wide range of beauty treatments. Treadmills are equipped, there is an opportunity to do almost all types of water entertainment - windsurfing, riding on 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 regularly organizes excursions to explore the attractions of the Maldives archipelago.

Ihuru Island

It has a rounded shape, about 250 m in diameter. 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 healthy microclimate. Everyone can take part in various water activities and try their hand at mastering the underwater world.

This resort island is the most popular among the Italians, whose representatives can be found very often on Ihuru. 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 Ihuru to take part in various entertainment activities. The resort is famous for its comfortable beaches with white fine sand.

Kuda Huraa Island

Kuda Huraa is a small, 700-meter island. Located in North Male Atoll, 20 km from the airport. Then take the ferry (travel time is 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 do not cause any complaints. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa enjoys a prime location on a coral reef. Built in the traditional style of the local people, tourists go for diving, surfing and other water activities. Surrounded by tropical greenery, rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and DVD player, and each bathroom has 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 to other inhabited islands) by passenger ferry in an hour and a half. Russian tourists like to rest in this resort, the island is located not far from the capital, there are many relatively inexpensive hotels, and the comfort, as elsewhere, is at a high level.

Villa Cocoa Island Maldives 5 * offers luxurious rooms with air conditioning, TV, bathroom with all accessories, Wi-Fi, a library. The popularity of the resort is that the government not so long ago allowed local residents to rent out their homes to visitors, which significantly increased their well-being, and tourists could save money on rental housing. In addition, although there are no attractions here, tourists with pleasure and interest get acquainted with the traditions of the indigenous population.

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 aircraft, you can get to the resort by making a short flight to Maamigili island, the flight lasts about 20 minutes, then 10 minutes by boat to the place. Sun Island Resort & Spa offers a full range of services, including an en suite bathroom, air conditioning, swimming pool, hairdryer and much more for a comfortable stay. The administration organizes fishing trips, overland excursions, interesting and educational boat trips, seaplane flights.

You can rent water transport and take part in funny 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, while bars sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

It is popular among Russian tourists due to its excellent beaches, good service, and a large number of recreational activities, including water activities. There are cosmetic and massage rooms at any time.

Maldives on the map