While flicking through the glossy travel magazines, you most certainly have come across the quintessential image of the Maldives -- turquoise water, white sand and a stunning over-the-water stilt house with a butler serving a bikini clad guest on her private terrace. You turned the page thinking "Yes, that looks stunning, but I could never afford to go." Well rest assured that these spectacular islands aren't just a destination for the well heeled, the well-bred and glamorous celebrities. The Maldives can be affordable if you know where to look. Idyllic beaches, an abundance of sunshine, freshly caught seafood and exceptional snorkeling and dive locations on thousands of shallow coral atolls await.
Perhaps one of reasons that the Maldives have remained so pristine is the fact that they are so remote. Apart from a few direct flights on mainly low-cost carriers from Europe, the only way to get to the Maldives is via another Asian destination, like India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia. Once you arrive at Hulule International Airport near the capital of Malé, you will need to catch a sea plane or boat service to one of the many hundreds of atolls that make up the Maldives, so factor in an additional $100-$250 for the round-trip transfer depending on the hotel's distance from Malé and the mode of transport.
There are close to a hundred resorts, each of which usually occupies its own small island -- privacy, exclusivity and luxury go hand in hand. Most properties offer accommodation in individual bungalows or villas on a half board, full board or all-inclusive basis with a selection of in-house restaurants. Because almost all produce needs to be brought in (apart from whatever may be grown or caught on the island) your best menu selections will be fresh seafood and fruit. You will almost always be restricted to dining options at the hotel you stay at, unless you choose to take a boat ride to another island or take a picnic lunch on an excursion. Unfortunately several resorts were destroyed during the Tsunami of December 2004. Some were completely demolished, a few have been rebuilt and a number of others are still under reconstruction.
One of the least expensive resorts is Embudu Village (tel. +960/664-0063; www.embudu.com) on the tiny island of Embudu, located a mere five miles from Hulule Airport. It features124 rooms including standard, superior and over water villas. Regular summer (May 1 to October 31, 2008) room rates start from $140 for a standard double room, $162 in a superior room and $265 in a water bungalow. Boat transfers cost $46 per person or $23 for children. Add $25 per person per night for all-inclusive (all meals, standard alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks). The property is currently offering a special on all-inclusive stays from May 1 to July 24, 2008 with 18% off standard and superior rooms and 15% off water bungalows. Stays from September 5 to October 31, 2008 receive 12.5% off standard and superior rooms and 10% off water bungalows. The hotel is home to Serena Spa offering an extensive selection of treatments to pamper, soothe and relax.
The Sun Island Resort (tel. 800/656-1808; www.sunislandmaldives.com) is 66 miles from Malé on the island of Nalaguraidhoo in the South Ari Atoll. It is a five-star property with over 400 rooms, making it one of the largest properties in the Maldives. Double deluxe room rates here in July 2008 are priced from $118 including breakfast for two but all-inclusive meal plans are also available. It features five restaurants, several bars, a large swimming pool with swim up bar and even squash courts.
Kuramathi Resort (tel. +960/666-0527; www.kuramathi.com) located in North Ari Atoll is a moderately priced resort located 35 miles from Malé via a 90 minute boat transfer or 15 minute sea plane flight. Double room rates start from approximately $175 per day for two people on a half board basis (including breakfast and dinner) or add $40 for full board in what is considered their low season -- May to July. Even in high season from January to early May, rates only go up to $265 per room per night in a standard room, $10 more in a superior room and $35 in a deluxe room. Round-trip speed boat transfers are $120 per person or $250 by sea plane. There are three restaurants within the hotel (and an additional two plus a few cafes located elsewhere on the island) and even standard rooms are air-conditioned beachfront bungalows with exceptional views. Kuramathi island also features accommodation at the slightly more expensive Cottage & Spa or Blue Lagoon, but even at these properties, stays are affordable with over water bungalows priced from $225 per night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Club Rannalhi, Adaaran (tel. +960/664-0376; www.clubrannalhi.com) South Malé (Kaafu) Atoll, 34km. from Malé International Airport. Standard rooms in two story chalets start from $175 per night on a half board basis during the months of May and June with a $100 supplement for water bungalows. The 45-minute round-trip speed boat transfer from the airport is $100 per person.
As several hotels do not provide accommodation rates on their websites (or may not even have their own website), an online booking agency like Agoda (www.agoda.com) or Asia-Hotel (www.asia-hotel.net) is a helpful resource for booking your accommodation in the Maldives, sometimes at lower than advertised rack rates. For example, the four-star Reethi Beach Resort (www.reethibeach.com) on the island of Fonimagoodhoo in the Baa Atoll has villa rooms for stays in June 2008 priced from only $97 per night including breakfast when booked through Agoda.
Round-trip flights to Malé currently hover around the $2,000 mark (via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur), depending on the season, but if you aren't locked into taking your vacation at a particular time, look out for airfare sales to Asian destinations that come out throughout the year, then add on the sector to Malé (from approximately $600) and you may be able to save several hundred dollars.
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