The Maldives

[Question10]

Have you been to the Maldives? If so, where would you recommend staying? Any top tips? Never been but planning to go Feb 2025 for a big birthday celebration 🎉

who are you going with for a big birthday - with your partner or with friends/relatives? Maldives is ultra romantic so may not be ideal if you are planning friends/relatives celebration.

Thanks! I’m going with my husband & 7 year old child

sorry - have nothing helpful if you are travelling with a 7 year old - save to say I would definitely pay attention to the resort/island you choose and the transfer methods (seaplane or boat/speedboat)and timing and check that will work for a tired child.

I'd be interested in any hints or tips here. DB and DSIL would like a more "fancy" holiday for her 50th - what would be a sensible budget for the Maldives. They are not in the ££££££££££££££ bracket but prepared to splash out ( no pun intended ) a bit more. A couple with no DC

@Question10 I apologise without reservation for hijacking your post - but was talking to DB and it came to mind .

I would be very careful with the resort. As they are mostly on small islands with nothing else there, it could be very boring for a 7 year old if it's not geared up for kids (not just tolerating them). Can I suggest looking at Sri Lanka instead, you have the option of a trip to the elephant sanctuary or turtle hatchery but still stunning beaches

This. We went as a couple 20 years ago and loved it. But, outside of diving/snorkeling, (amazing, like being in an aquarium) sunbathing, chilling, there is not a lot to do. Sri Lanka has very much more, and can be surprisingly inexpensive.

Thanks for all your replies! And no worries @BasiliskStare ask away!

With reference to my child, they are a very competent swimmer & looking forward to the snorkelling. Also, I’m looking at places with kids clubs so they can go there for part of the day to hang out with other kids!

I've been to the Maldives a few times. Lux on South Ari Atoll is the best resort I have been to. But we went there as a couple. When we took our five year old a few years ago we went to Kurumba - it's the closest resort to the airport. We chose it as it was our first proper long haul trip with her and we thought a short speedboat ride rather than a wait for a seaplane would be best. She loved it - the whole country is a giant beach. She swam, used the sea swing, snorkelled a bit (but having snorkelled fine in a swimming pool at home decided she hated the feeling of salt water on her lips🤷‍♀️), loved the restaurants and asked to go to the kids club.

Because you can see Male kurumba doesn't have the same desert island feel as some resorts, but it was a good choice with a young child. It's not all water villas either (a lot of resorts are and apply a minimum age of about 12 to stay in them). The house reef is good and we saw some amazing sea life.

If you love food, do karumathi.
9 restaurants. All inclusive plus.
kids club too.
it was amazing.

Try Kuredu.

it’s a bigger island and again, won’t give you the remote feel the other islands do (I have family who are from the Maldives and I’ve visited several islands, plus had holidays myself in 3 different ones). Kuredu was not my favourite but I prefer tiny islands with less choices. Kuredu is a bigger resort.

travel is long. If you are staying in any of the outlying atolls (and I’d include Kuredu in that) you’d benefit from a seaplane transfer).

We went to Lux with our then 5,7 and 9 year olds. Plenty to do there for competent swimmers and a nice kids club at that time. (10 years ago!)

We stayed at the Riu Atoll with a 9yo and a 11m old. We had a wonderful time. Long journey but well worth it.
The flight out was horrendous for turbulence but otherwise the 9yo loved the planes and speedboat transfer.

He snorkelled, loved trying the water sports and loved the games they had at the pool. He really enjoyed using the swim up bar to get his drinks too.

The staff adored our 11mo and made a right fuss of him.

It was a holiday that was pushed back by Covid and TUI being right buggers about where and when we could book - so we were kind of pushed into it with the 11mo but actually it was the perfect holiday for us to take him on in the end so it all worked out fine, despite my reservations pre travel.

I too was a huge fan of Kuramathi. Literal heaven on earth!

@Mykittensmittens

if you have family there, are there any islands or resorts you'd recommend for single women or women travelling together?

I've only been with DP but I have a single friend who is desperate to go. I said to her that I wasn't sure there was anywhere that would fit as it seemed v. romantic and ultra-coupledom! Any ideas?

There are lots of amazing resorts wirh tons od activities for children incl kids clubs, kids pools, mini disco, snorkelling trips, etc

I’ve been 8 times - I’m pregnant and can’t wait to go again with my baby!!

I think Lux is lovely but I much preferred Six Senses Laamu.

Kuredu is a great affordable option with kids - so many kids there!!

Cora Cora is smaller but perfect luxury and chilled vibe with kids, of which there are plenty and you can do painting classes and similar

Both kuramathi and kuredu are lovely for kids. I slightly prefer kuramathi, but it’s also bigger. Op also look into Lily Beach, I would love to try it snd everyone I know loved it.
definitely choose a resort with house reef.

Thank you for all of the suggestions!!

I always thought the Maldives was just for couples/honeymoons but these resorts sound amazing. Off for a wistful browse now! Good luck with the holiday hunting.

We have been to the Maldives twice with DS when he was 5 then again when he was 7

We stayed on BANDOS as we wanted the medical centre to be on the same island due to DH health issues

DS absolutely loved it and there were lots of other children to play with - the 2nd time we went it was for Christmas and New Year so it was great for there to be so many children

It certainly wasn't just for romantic couples

I don't know if there was a kids club as he stayed with us the whole time so didn't enquire about it

MIND you this was quite a few years ago so might have changed now

yes they do have a kids club on BANDOS

My only experience was Helengeli and I wouldn’t say that it appeared overly like honeymooning couples everywhere. Admittedly there were a lot of couples but there were a couple of families with younger children (I don’t think there was a kids club though), groups of women who spent every decent sunset taking pictures of themselves making heart shapes with their fingers, and a couple of groups of mixed friends.

We were staying in a beach bungalow rather than a water villa and it was September so I don’t know if that influences the demographic and my perception of coupledom. We had loungers assigned to the room and they had bushes separating each set of loungers so it felt quite private for a very restful beach holiday interspersed with hours snorkelling on the house reef. I was concerned I’d feel claustrophobic being confined to one island but loved it for a fortnight.

The Maldives are amazing with kids. We loved our holidays there. Obviously you need to choose the right resort/island.