Resorts

A private beach villa, a cocktail under the palms, a restaurant overlooking the ocean and staff ready to fulfil almost any wish — that is how most people picture the Maldives.

And resorts really can offer an incredible holiday. There is just one detail: resorts in the Maldives vary enormously.

What exactly is a resort?

A resort is usually an entire island turned into a hotel complex. There is no local village, no schools and none of the ordinary everyday life of Maldivians. Everything is organised around the guests: beach or overwater villas, restaurants, bars, pools, spas, excursions and various activities.

You come here to relax. Someone else takes care of almost everything.

But do not imagine that all resorts are alike. Some are small and quiet, and you hardly meet anyone else. Others are huge complexes with lots of restaurants, pools and activities. Some are ideal for families with children; others cater mainly to couples looking for peace and privacy.

Prices vary enormously too. And a higher price does not always mean a resort that suits you better.

Five stars. And then what?

This, to my mind, is where the most important part of choosing begins.

What is the beach like? Is it wide? Is there natural shade? Is it easy to get into the water?

What is the reef like? Is there a good house reef you can swim to from the island, or will every interesting underwater experience require a boat trip?

Where is the villa? On the beach or over the water? On the sunny side or the shady side? Is it really private, or will your neighbours be just a few metres away?

What does the price include? Food, drinks, transfers, excursions, water sports? Or will some of those cost extra?

And resorts themselves have different characters. One offers peace and romance, another is full of children and activities, and a third mainly attracts diving enthusiasts.

So choosing a resort is not simply a choice between four and five stars.

And what about a resort versus a local island?

For me, these are two different ways to experience the Maldives. Both have their advantages.

At a resort, you can have more privacy, more organised service and facilities designed specifically for tourists.

On a local island, you are among Maldivians themselves, with more freedom to meet people, choose restaurants and arrange a variety of excursions. Costs are usually considerably lower too.

And when it comes to nature? Beaches and coral reefs do not care whether there is a luxury resort or a little family-run hotel behind them.

I have visited wonderful resorts — Gangehi, Nika, Ellaidhoo. I have spent hours on their incredible reefs. Beautiful, peaceful places with lots of greenery. But for me, several days spent only in surroundings like that would be a little too peaceful. For someone else, it could be their dream holiday.

That is exactly why I do not believe in a universal “best resort”.

And now, something important!

Over the years, the “Малдивите – прекрасни и достъпни” (The Maldives – Beautiful and Affordable) Facebook group has gathered a huge number of impressions, photos, comparisons and accounts of different resorts.

And the questions keep coming:

Kuredu or Kuramathi? Which has the better reef? Where is best for children? Which resort is good for snorkelling? Is all-inclusive worth it? What about an overwater villa? Can we combine a resort with a local island?

I will soon create a dedicated section of the website with detailed information on individual resorts, their advantages and disadvantages, comparisons and advice on choosing.

My idea is not to create a promotional ranking of the most luxurious hotels. There are enough of those already.

I want to help everyone find the resort that best matches their wishes and budget.

For now, below you will find some of the experiences and discussions already shared in the Facebook group. This is just the beginning.