Maldives Travel Answers

Correction... Coming May instead of Feb. Thanks!

looking forward to reading the advice you get...

If I could afford..1500 per night in Feb it would be ok, in May... Í would spend that money somewhere else, May is not actually the best month for going to Maldives.

The Maldives are mainly a luxury destination of the highest order. I will agree that the Maldives are a great destination often overlooked, however that is mainly due to very high costs involved. Sometimes the prices are just way out of the park. The Baros Island Resort, prices for instance, will jump from600.00 to1200 per night, depending on the day and month, and that is for the least expensive room, which is still a Deluxe Villa. An over the water villa (Water Villa), the price jumps to900.00 and up. This is not for backpackers at all, and "island hopping" is not really done here. Here is the Baros Island Resort webpage for review. http://www.baros.com/ If this works for you, then I highly suggest that you pre-book and do it now. Remember to include any of the activities that you may want to partake in as this resort is very popular. Also remember that all the resorts need either water transport or flights/heli transport. The Komandoo is a good choice as well. Cannot tell the present rates, but judging from the diving prices, they are likely in the same range as the new Centara. First you should be aware that June/July and well into August, are the monsoon season. Be prepared for a lot of rain. I do realize that those resorts that are open during the low season are likely attractively priced, but understand also that high season is quickly booked up, and the prices skyrocket. It is best to drink only bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Know that water is expensive at the resorts. Be real careful in the ocean as swimming in the shallows can cause some serious cuts by the coral reef, and also not a good idea to walk barefoot in the sand due to small pieces of coral, (mainly due to storms and tsunamis), that can cut you.....and watch out for the Trigger fish amongst other things. (Do ask the staff). Do not attempt to bring alcohol with you, as this is a muslim country. It is available in the resorts but do not expect it anywhere else. This also means that when you are in main population areas, dress modestly and respect the culture. It has been a while since I was in the Maldives. (I was a five star tour director), but I do keep up on things. If resort costs do not face you, then likely the resort will arrange transport. However, if you are considering using the dhoni as a water taxi, read on. Back then it was quite easy to rent a dhoni, and unless someone here says otherwise I would say that it is surely still possible today. It is almost impossible to go to the Maldives and not find yourself on a dhoni several times. Be aware of inflated price attempts though. ....further, do not forget to see a travel medicine specialist , for information on malaria tablets and such. Do not take advise on this issue from non-medical personnel, including us. If you are from the U.S., do not assume that your regular doctor knows what to tell you. Also take PLENTY of bugspray. Remember you are relatively isolated and cannot easily run to the store. If you go anywhere other than the resort islands, do dress relatively conservatively. Also, they may tell you that the water is drinkable, but I advise against it. Hope this helps……d:o)

Hi CGF, Let's say its on feb. Where would you recommend with the budget of US$1500 a night for a water villa/bunglow? Cheers!

Odinnthor already gave a lot of infos :)

Wow, with your budget, this is one on my bucket list: sixsenses.com/SixSensesLaamu... Glass bottom bathtubs!

Odinthor give great advice. He is an expert! I wish I can spend1,500 per night. That's a lot of money!

HI Guys, I know that Odinnthor has provided very good information what to look out for in Maldives. And Baros Island resort is a clue for consideration. But am looking for more recommendations that i can look at within the budget that's been allocated. Like Callavetta input is something that i look at. Definitely, we would not settle with one option. :) I am looking forward to rest and relax environment with beautiful sceneries, good food and service. looking for more kind souls to provide inputs.

Hey, I appreciate the kind words, but as a tour director for five star operators for a few decades, I do have a bit of insight. Anyway, I did try to explain the quite complicated pricing structure in the islands. It is not easy in just a few words. It bears scrutinizing carefully, as a one day/date difference can mean a difference of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. As for the finer accommodations, - there are a few new ones that impress me although they were built after my time there. Knowing the environment though, I can certainly tell they live up to their promises. The above mentioned Sixth Sense is a fine one. So are most (but not all...) of the "Five Star Alliance" hotels there. fivestaralliance.com/luxury-... I am also a fan of the Taj Hotel Group. Their Taj Exotica is exquisite. tajhotels.com/Luxury/Exotica... Huvafen Fushi is a great smaller resort if you prefer small... greatsmallhotels.com/maldive... However the one that is really impressive to me is the Reethi Rah, which is a part of the exclusive "One & Only" resorts. I have stayed at two others and spent a lot of time in a third. (Ocean Club in the Bahamas and Le Saint Geran in Mauritius, - the third is the Palmilla in Cabo). No, I have not stayed in the Reethi Rah, but having seen the "scematics", and knowing what "One & Only" is all about from experience, - that would be the place I would seek out if I was to go back to the Maldives. http://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/ Hope you enjoy the journey......d:o)

The Taj looks pretty spectacular! Ordinator, when would you say is the best time to visit the Maldives?

Ordinnathor, thank you so much for the recommendation of resort to look out for. One & only is really nice but it requires a minimum stay of a week! For that, i do not have the luxury. haha... btw, i come across this resort. http://dhigu-maldives.anantara.com/ Opinion please.. Cheers...

The Anantara hotels have a fine collection of hotels. I am pretty sure that it is a Thailand invention. They do have a number of hotels all over Thailand, and they have several hotels in the Maldives. They are also a part of several exclusive luxury hotel groups, including the Global Hotel Alliance, one of whom is the Kempinski Hotels which I truly love. I would check all their properties in the Maldives before choosing one.

I have seen some of their resorts (3 of it) in maldives. And i prefer the dhigu as compared to the rest. And with your feedback. I think i have an answer. Will go for this. :) You think 1st week April is good to go? Cheers...

yeah..You should check out all of them and see what's e best suits you...I stayed last April at Vakarufalhi Island Resort - http://www.vakaru.com/ and i think its among the best water villas in Maldives. Found tons of activities to do as well. and it was beyohd awesome. I didnt want to leave the place and go back to Birmingham. hehe.

Wow!!! Sounds like you got a blast! Is 4 days sufficient or 5 days the best?? Cheers