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Where to Stay in the Maldives for First Time in 2024
For first-time visitors to the Maldives in 2024, there are several options to consider based on preferences and budget. Here are some recommendations:
Also read: Where is the Maldives located on the World Map?
1. Luxury Resorts
For a luxurious stay in the Maldives in 2024, there are several top-rated resorts that offer exceptional experiences. Here are some of the best luxury resorts based on the search results:
Gili Lankanfushi:
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is a luxurious resort located on a tiny coral island in a sparkling lagoon, just a short 20-minute boat ride from Malé International Airport. The resort features spacious villas with jetties threading across the water, providing guests with stunning views and direct access to the marine life surrounding the island. Gili Lankanfushi prides itself on offering world-class service in a sustainable manner.
The resort is committed to environmental stewardship by protecting marine diversity and safeguarding the island for future generations. Guests are encouraged to reconnect with nature and participate in environmental initiatives during their stay. Gili Lankanfushi’s dedication to sustainability is evident in its eco-friendly practices, such as using responsibly sourced materials for villa construction, minimizing plastic usage with refillable toiletry containers, and reducing energy consumption through various initiatives.
Villa Nautica
Villa Nautica Maldives, formerly known as Paradise Island Resort, is a luxurious island retreat located in the North Malé Atoll, just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. The resort offers a blend of laid-back island life with unforgettable experiences, celebrating the glamour of cosmopolitan quayside living. Villa Nautica features private terraces, plunge pools, and stunning sunset views, providing guests with everything they need to make the most of their time in paradise. The resort offers overwater bungalows, romantic beach villas, and family villas, each designed to offer comfort and luxury during their stay. Dining options at Villa Nautica range from freshly caught seafood to traditional dishes infused with Maldivian flavors.
The Araamu Spa at the resort is a peaceful hideaway surrounded by tropical greenery, offering treatments designed to nourish the mind, body, and soul. Guests can enjoy a range of activities both above and below the waves, including scuba diving, water sports, beach yoga, cycling through the jungle, private beach picnics, and romantic dinners at different restaurants each night. Villa Nautica promises guests a luxurious and unforgettable stay surrounded by pristine beaches, vibrant underwater worlds, and endless possibilities in a glamorous setting that embraces the seafarer lifestyle with a touch of sophistication.
Soneva Jani
Soneva Jani is a luxurious resort located on the island of Medhufaru in the Noonu Atoll, Maldives. It is one of the world’s most exclusive and lowest-density resorts, featuring both overwater and island villas. The resort offers a range of facilities, including swimming pools, free Wi-Fi, family rooms, beachfront, airport shuttle, spa, fitness center, bar, private beach area, wonderful breakfast, picnic area, outdoor furniture, beachfront, sun deck, private beach area, BBQ facilities, and more. Soneva Jani is accessible by a 40-minute seaplane ride from Male International Airport or a 1-hour speedboat ride from Soneva Fushi, its sister resort.
Soneva Jani offers a variety of dining options and experiences, including the complimentary cheese room, chocolate room, and ice-cream room for all guests. The property is also known for its sustainability efforts, with a focus on treading lightly on the ecosystem and empowering local and global environmental efforts. For more information, Visit Maldives
2. Budget-Friendly Guesthouses
Some budget-friendly guesthouses to consider for your stay in the Maldives in 2024 are:
Maafushi
In Maafushi, Maldives, there are several budget-friendly guesthouses that will offer comfortable accommodation options for travelers in 2024. One such option is the Summer Villa Guest House, which has a rating of 4.2 and offers rooms at a price of $48 per night. Located in K. Maafushi, this guesthouse provides a cost-effective stay with positive reviews from 128 guests.Additionally, Seven Corals Guest House is another budget-friendly choice in Maafushi, offering accommodation at an affordable rate. This guesthouse has received a rating of 4.5 based on 130 reviews, making it a reliable option for travelers looking for economical yet comfortable lodging in the Maldives.
Fulidhoo
Fulidhoo is a budget-friendly island in the Maldives, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant blue waters. It is accessible from Male International Airport by a 58-km ferry ride, which takes around 1–3.5 hours depending on the method of transport. The island offers a variety of accommodations, including guesthouses like Seena Inn and Kinan Retreat, which are highly rated and include amenities such as air conditioning, breakfast, and wifi.
For activities, visitors can enjoy snorkeling in the house reef, which is easily accessible from the beach. The island also has a designated bikini beach for those who want to wear less reserved attire. Fulidhoo is a great destination for those looking for a budget-friendly and laid-back experience in the Maldives.
Dhigurah
Dhigurah is a beautiful island located in the Maldives, known for its pristine beaches, turquoise lagoons, and diverse marine life. The island is home to whale sharks, which are year-round residents, and is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. The island is also known for its commitment to environmental protection, with initiatives such as waste management and participation in the Parley initiative, which aims to protect the oceans.
Activities on Dhigurah include spa treatments, romantic dinners on the beach, fishing excursions, Maldivian cooking classes, sandbank picnics, jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, SUPs, and more. Dhigurah is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Maldives, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, marine life, and cultural experiences.
3. Family-Friendly Resorts
The Maldives offers a variety of family-friendly resorts that cater to the needs of families with children. Some of the best family-friendly resorts in the Maldives include:
Sun Island Resort
Sun Island Resort & Spa, now known as Villa Park Sun Island Resort, is a prominent resort in the Maldives offering a paradise-like experience for guests. Located at the southern tip of South Ari Atoll, just 113 km from Velana International Airport, the resort boasts a range of accommodation options, including standard beach bungalows, superior beach bungalows, beach pool villas, water bungalows, presidential suites, sun villas, and sunset villas.
Guests can indulge in a wide range of activities at the resort, including snorkeling with whale sharks and manta rays, fishing excursions, island hopping tours, water sports like windsurfing and water skiing, spa treatments at Araamu Spa offering various services like aromatherapy and reflexology, and recreational activities such as billiards, table tennis, volleyball, and more.
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, located on Dhigufinolhu Island in the Maldives’ South Malé Atoll, is a luxurious 5-star family beach resort offering a range of amenities and activities for guests of all ages. The resort is just a 35-minute speedboat journey from the Maldives’ international airport, providing quick and convenient access for travelers.
The resort offers a plethora of activities for guests, including scuba diving, surfing, deep-sea fishing, and wellness treatments at the overwater spa. Families can enjoy engaging activities at the Dhoni Club, cinema under the stars, and various water sports. Additionally, guests have access to facilities at the sister resort, Veli, located just across the lagoon. For those seeking a luxurious family-friendly retreat in the Maldives with a wide range of activities and amenities, Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort provides an unforgettable experience amidst paradise-like surroundings.
4. Private Island Resorts
Some of the best private island resorts around the world, offering exclusive and luxurious experiences, include:
Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah
The Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah is an exclusive and luxurious private island resort located in the Baa Atoll of the Maldives. This private island retreat offers unparalleled luxury and privacy for guests seeking a truly unique and lavish experience.
Accommodations and Amenities:
- The resort features a seven-bedroom Beach House, PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, white powder beach, extreme water sports, pools, spa, and exclusive use of a 19-meter luxury yacht named Voavah Summer
- Guests can explore the UNESCO territory surrounding Voavah by taking the Voavah Summer yacht to dive with sharks and turtles, swim with mantas, enjoy secluded sandbank picnics, or witness breathtaking sunsets in the Baa Atoll.
- The Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah provides an extraordinary level of luxury, privacy, and personalized service for guests looking for an exclusive retreat in one of the most stunning locations in the Maldives.
Coco Privé Private Island
Coco Privé Private Island, located in Kuda Hithi Island, Maldives, is renowned as one of the world’s most exclusive private islands for hire, attracting discerning guests from across the globe. The island offers a split-level design with a spacious master bedroom, living and dining areas adorned with bespoke pieces, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private Jacuzzi.
This island boasts a master residence named Palm Residence with stunning views of the Indian Ocean and five additional luxurious villas that can accommodate up to 12 guests in total. It provides wellness activities such as yoga, Pilates, personal training, and full-body massages to help guests achieve balance and relaxation during their stay.
Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi is a luxury resort located in North Malé Atoll, Maldives. It is a 30-minute speedboat ride from the international airport and offers a variety of dining experiences, including underwater dining at Latitude 4°, beachside dining at Fogliani’s, and a range of international cuisines at Raw. The resort also features an underwater spa, private dining experiences, and various water sports activities. It is part of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) family and has been recognized as one of the most romantic resorts in the Maldives.
5. Diving Resorts
These resorts provide exceptional diving experiences with a focus on marine life, luxury amenities, and top-notch service to ensure an unforgettable stay in the Maldives in 2024.
Baros Maldives
Baros Maldives is an award-winning boutique resort renowned for personalized service excellence. Located amidst a myriad of attractions, it is a natural paradise with a lush island canopy, just 25 minutes by speedboat from the Maldives’ international airport1. The resort offers a range of luxurious accommodations, including over-water villas and beach villas, each with its own unique charm and amenities.
The resort also offers a range of activities, such as diving or snorkeling in the coral reef just off the island and dining in the over-water pavilion at The Lighthouse Restaurant. It is one of the top resorts in the Maldives, offering a unique blend of luxury, privacy, and serenity in a beautiful natural setting.
Six Senses Laamu
Six Senses Laamu is a luxury resort located in the Laamu Atoll, Maldives. It offers a unique blend of privacy, coziness, and luxury, with several superb restaurants and a Six Senses Spa featuring private treatment nests. The resort is known for its world-class diving area, and guests can become certified divers with the help of the resort’s team of instructors.
Six Senses Laamu provides a variety of diving experiences, including double-tank dive trips that leave at 9:00 AM and single-tank dive trips that depart at 10:30 AM. The resort also offers a range of other activities, such as snorkeling, surfing, and fishing, as well as a fitness center and a yoga pavilion.
Kuredu Island Resort & Spa
Kuredu Island Resort & Spa is a top diving destination in the Maldives, offering a variety of diving experiences for both beginners and experienced divers. The resort is home to Prodivers’ PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center, which provides daily excursions and courses for divers and snorkelers.
Some of the top dive sites around Kuredu include the famous ‘Kuredu Express’ and ‘Kuredu Caves’, which offer spectacular diving opportunities on some of the most varied reefs in the Maldives. Guests can also explore the ‘Shipyard’, a unique dive site with two shipwrecks, and observe green sea turtles at the ‘Turtle Caves’. Kuredu Island Resort & Spa is a top choice for those seeking a luxurious diving experience in the Maldives, with its world-class diving facilities and a range of activities to enjoy both above and below the water.
FAQ’s
Where to stay in the Maldives for first time in 2024
For a first-time stay in the Maldives in 2024, you can consider various options based on your preferences and budget: Luxury resorts, budget-friendly guesthouses, family-friendly resorts, private island resorts, and diving resorts.
best place to stay in Maldives for couples
For couples looking for a romantic stay in the Maldives, some top recommendations include: 1. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, 2. The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi, 3. LUX South Ari Atoll. These resorts provide a blend of luxury, privacy, and romantic ambiance, making them excellent choices for couples in the Maldives.