Gili Lankanfushi is widely considered to be the top resort in the Maldives, and for good reason. This stunning, 45-villa, eco-friendly resort just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the airport succeeds in delivering truly unpretentious, relaxed luxury. Bare feet are encouraged (shoes are removed as soon as guests get on the boat from the airport), and each guest is taken care of by a personal butler with the title Mr. Friday. The spacious, charmingly simple overwater bungalows are made of several types of wood, and have outdoor (and rooftop) decks with views that might induce tears of joy. Also standard are freestanding tubs, Nespresso machines, Bose sound systems, and free Wi-Fi. On land, the beautiful island with 683 palm trees offers a beachfront swimming pool, small spa, range of activities such as yoga, and well-regarded restaurants and bars. This special gem in the Maldives has more authenticity than other brand-name resorts of the same price point — just ask tennis pro Novak Djokovic, practically a regular here. While there are meal plans here, they don’t include alcohol, so travelers seeking an all-inclusive Maldives vacation should consider Constance Moofushi.
Gili Lankanfushi is widely considered to be the top resort in the Maldives, and for good reason. This stunning, 45-villa, eco-friendly resort just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the airport succeeds in delivering truly unpretentious, relaxed luxury. Bare feet are encouraged (shoes are removed as soon as guests get on the boat from the airport), and each guest is taken care of by a personal butler with the title Mr. Friday. The spacious, charmingly simple overwater bungalows are made of several types of wood, and have outdoor (and rooftop) decks with views that might induce tears of joy. Also standard are freestanding tubs, Nespresso machines, Bose sound systems, and free Wi-Fi. On land, the beautiful island with 683 palm trees offers a beachfront swimming pool, small spa, range of activities such as yoga, and well-regarded restaurants and bars. This special gem in the Maldives has more authenticity than other brand-name resorts of the same price point — just ask tennis pro Novak Djokovic, practically a regular here. While there are meal plans here, they don’t include alcohol, so travelers seeking an all-inclusive Maldives vacation should consider Constance Moofushi.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is an upscale, 148-room property that's an easy 30-minute speedboat ride from Male. Rooms are spacious and mostly contemporary, but are dim, showing wear, and often littered with dead ants. Interconnecting rooms, a kids' club, and kiddy pool area make the resort suited for families, while a world-famous surf spot makes it an enticing challenge for surfers. Wear and tear aside, the resort's value is in the wide array of activities and features on offer, from a spa and pool, to bars, entertainment, and water sports. The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is more luxurious and also close to the airport, and often not much pricier, so it's worth comparing rates.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is an upscale, 148-room property that's an easy 30-minute speedboat ride from Male. Rooms are spacious and mostly contemporary, but are dim, showing wear, and often littered with dead ants. Interconnecting rooms, a kids' club, and kiddy pool area make the resort suited for families, while a world-famous surf spot makes it an enticing challenge for surfers. Wear and tear aside, the resort's value is in the wide array of activities and features on offer, from a spa and pool, to bars, entertainment, and water sports. The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is more luxurious and also close to the airport, and often not much pricier, so it's worth comparing rates.
The 22-room Pesona Beach Resort & Spa is a mid-range beachfront property that's right in Gili Trawangan's central hub. It's a short walk from the ferry dock, as well as a number of restaurants and bars. Rooms and bungalows are bright and basic, decorated with just a dash of tropical flare. They come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and safes, and most have furnished balconies or terraces. However, Wi-Fi is only available in common areas and the beach isn't the best on the island. The well-liked restaurant serves Indian and Western fare, and the Skylounge is popular (as is the pool). Travelers who don't mind spending a bit more could check out the Hotel Vila Ombak, where villas have open-air living spaces and private pools.
The 22-room Pesona Beach Resort & Spa is a mid-range beachfront property that's right in Gili Trawangan's central hub. It's a short walk from the ferry dock, as well as a number of restaurants and bars. Rooms and bungalows are bright and basic, decorated with just a dash of tropical flare. They come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and safes, and most have furnished balconies or terraces. However, Wi-Fi is only available in common areas and the beach isn't the best on the island. The well-liked restaurant serves Indian and Western fare, and the Skylounge is popular (as is the pool). Travelers who don't mind spending a bit more could check out the Hotel Vila Ombak, where villas have open-air living spaces and private pools.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa is an upscale all-inclusive resort that's a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male. It has 80 rooms with stocked minibars and simple but stylish decor and design, including Water Bungalows with glass floor cutouts revealing sea life below. On the island, guests have access to a private beach, non-motorized water sports, a sports and games area, two restaurants, two bars, and all-inclusive options -- but no pool. This spot is best suited to families or couples looking for a quiet and nature-filled spot to relax and have quality time for a decent price. Sister property Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is closer to Male and has a pool, so it may be worth comparing rates -- but note that Dhonveli's base-level rates include only breakfast, while meals and drinks are always included here.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa is an upscale all-inclusive resort that's a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male. It has 80 rooms with stocked minibars and simple but stylish decor and design, including Water Bungalows with glass floor cutouts revealing sea life below. On the island, guests have access to a private beach, non-motorized water sports, a sports and games area, two restaurants, two bars, and all-inclusive options -- but no pool. This spot is best suited to families or couples looking for a quiet and nature-filled spot to relax and have quality time for a decent price. Sister property Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is closer to Male and has a pool, so it may be worth comparing rates -- but note that Dhonveli's base-level rates include only breakfast, while meals and drinks are always included here.
Vakarufalhi Island Resort is an ideal spot for couples looking for an open space with a private island vibe. This 75-room, upscale resort has all the usual features-- from a spa and gym, to diving and table games -- though its only restaurant is a small buffet and there is no pool or public beach. All rooms are stylish, contemporary, and spacious with personal outdoor verandahs, designated beach spaces, views, and stocked minibars, and most have outdoor bathrooms and showers. The island's location is among the best for whale shark and Manta ray excursions or dives, and the house reef is worth a snorkel.
Vakarufalhi Island Resort is an ideal spot for couples looking for an open space with a private island vibe. This 75-room, upscale resort has all the usual features-- from a spa and gym, to diving and table games -- though its only restaurant is a small buffet and there is no pool or public beach. All rooms are stylish, contemporary, and spacious with personal outdoor verandahs, designated beach spaces, views, and stocked minibars, and most have outdoor bathrooms and showers. The island's location is among the best for whale shark and Manta ray excursions or dives, and the house reef is worth a snorkel.
For an ultra-hip, exclusive, and millennial-at-heart Maldivian experience, the five-pearl W Maldives is the place. Its 75 large and trendy rooms -- many of which sit over the ocean -- come along with a picture-worthy lagoon and beach, small-but-lively pool, casual gourmet restaurants, chic bars, and the Maldives' only underground club (with a resident DJ, no less). But being this cool comes at a price, so be prepared to shell out for the resort's many, high-quality features from dining and drinks to private yacht hires and solo trips to the W's own exclusive island.
For an ultra-hip, exclusive, and millennial-at-heart Maldivian experience, the five-pearl W Maldives is the place. Its 75 large and trendy rooms -- many of which sit over the ocean -- come along with a picture-worthy lagoon and beach, small-but-lively pool, casual gourmet restaurants, chic bars, and the Maldives' only underground club (with a resident DJ, no less). But being this cool comes at a price, so be prepared to shell out for the resort's many, high-quality features from dining and drinks to private yacht hires and solo trips to the W's own exclusive island.
Nika Island Resort is an Italian-owned, Maldivian-managed resort with 43 huge garden-set villas -- most with private beaches. An island-imposed two-hour time difference with the rest of the Maldives gives guests more time in the sun to snorkel the house reef, enjoy a cocktail at one of the two waterfront bars, or laze on beach loungers. A playground and two-bedroom family villas make it ideal for those with kids, while private beach villas with whirlpools, hammocks, and loungers make it a romantic pick as well. Meal plan options are flexible but restaurant service times are not. The resort features a spa, PADI dive center, free Wi-Fi, and slightly wild (and thus beautiful) garden grounds.
Nika Island Resort is an Italian-owned, Maldivian-managed resort with 43 huge garden-set villas -- most with private beaches. An island-imposed two-hour time difference with the rest of the Maldives gives guests more time in the sun to snorkel the house reef, enjoy a cocktail at one of the two waterfront bars, or laze on beach loungers. A playground and two-bedroom family villas make it ideal for those with kids, while private beach villas with whirlpools, hammocks, and loungers make it a romantic pick as well. Meal plan options are flexible but restaurant service times are not. The resort features a spa, PADI dive center, free Wi-Fi, and slightly wild (and thus beautiful) garden grounds.
Just a 20-minute boat ride from the airport, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is a five-pearl luxury property with a village-like vibe. The small island is home to 176 rooms, an oceanside spa, contemporary fitness center with tennis court, dive center, free non-motorized water sports, a kids' club and pool, lagoon-style pool, and several bars and restaurants. With its close proximity to Male, this is an ideal upscale resort (with all-inclusive options) for anyone who wants to mix in a visit or two to the capital city or just stretch the hours of their vacation as far as possible.
Just a 20-minute boat ride from the airport, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is a five-pearl luxury property with a village-like vibe. The small island is home to 176 rooms, an oceanside spa, contemporary fitness center with tennis court, dive center, free non-motorized water sports, a kids' club and pool, lagoon-style pool, and several bars and restaurants. With its close proximity to Male, this is an ideal upscale resort (with all-inclusive options) for anyone who wants to mix in a visit or two to the capital city or just stretch the hours of their vacation as far as possible.
This 10-year-old hotel in the capital of Malé is suited for budget travelers and those who need a place to crash between flights. The 12-story building has 30-plus rooms with city views and is accessed from a hidden alley entrance, just a five-minute walk from the airport ferry. There is a hostel feel to the place — especially in the lobby where locals like to hang. Basic, worn rooms have private bathrooms (with no shower curtains), AC units, desk space, and free Wi-Fi; many guests complain of cleanliness issues, and one room we stayed in had a bed bug infestation. A 24-hour kitchen dishes out simple fare in the lobby, and the rooftop will serve Asian food and non-alcoholic drinks (slated to open later in 2015). Day-trip excursions such as diving and surfing can be arranged, or an artificial beach is walkable for those on a dime.
This 10-year-old hotel in the capital of Malé is suited for budget travelers and those who need a place to crash between flights. The 12-story building has 30-plus rooms with city views and is accessed from a hidden alley entrance, just a five-minute walk from the airport ferry. There is a hostel feel to the place — especially in the lobby where locals like to hang. Basic, worn rooms have private bathrooms (with no shower curtains), AC units, desk space, and free Wi-Fi; many guests complain of cleanliness issues, and one room we stayed in had a bed bug infestation. A 24-hour kitchen dishes out simple fare in the lobby, and the rooftop will serve Asian food and non-alcoholic drinks (slated to open later in 2015). Day-trip excursions such as diving and surfing can be arranged, or an artificial beach is walkable for those on a dime.
Built in the mid-90s, this tropical resort island has all the necessities for a Maldives vacation -- stunning white-sand beaches, warm turquoise water, water sports, all-you-can-eat buffets, and comfortable rooms on the beach or over the water. There are far more luxurious (and expensive) resorts around, but relatively easy access to the airport and reasonable prices make Adaaran Club Rannalhi a solid value for the Maldives. However, it's worth comparing rates with the Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, which has nicer rooms and two chic infinity pools.
Built in the mid-90s, this tropical resort island has all the necessities for a Maldives vacation -- stunning white-sand beaches, warm turquoise water, water sports, all-you-can-eat buffets, and comfortable rooms on the beach or over the water. There are far more luxurious (and expensive) resorts around, but relatively easy access to the airport and reasonable prices make Adaaran Club Rannalhi a solid value for the Maldives. However, it's worth comparing rates with the Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, which has nicer rooms and two chic infinity pools.