Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Maldives for a week?

29 replies

Fourbyfour · 05/03/2017 00:18

Have found an amazing hotel which works out at £4800 or so for 7 nights in an over water villa all inclusive.
My husband has always dreamed of this, and it's a big birthday for him in the next year so would be incredible to do.
Is it worth the money, just to tick it off his bucket list?
It was too expensive for our honeymoon as we wanted two weeks, and I can't sit still for that long.
I earn a healthy wage so tempted to save up and surprise him.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 05/03/2017 00:20

Ah it is man. It's on mine as well and I would be over the ruddy moon if the husband made it happen for me.

Do it seriously.

gamerchick · 05/03/2017 00:21

Can I come, I'll be no bother honestly Grin

LazySusan11 · 05/03/2017 06:28

Which island is it? The Maldives is one of my favourite places but not all have the beautiful white sand. Have you looked on trip advisor?

If it ticks all your boxes I'd say do it, you'll never regret a lazy day in an over water bungalow!

Original poster
Fourbyfour · 05/03/2017 17:11

Haha gamerchick, I'll see you there!

I can't remember which island it was on as I've lost the link now. That's really good to know about sand etc. I'll be sure to thoroughly do my research.

£5k is a lot of money for a week but hey ho! It's what will give me motivation to save, just that shock on his face and his excitement after.

OP posts:
SillyBub · 05/03/2017 17:15

It's a very long way to go just for a week. I've been for 14 and 17 days but wouldn't travel that far for just a week. Could you consider saving a bit harder and longer for 10 days? That would be the minimum I'd consider. Having said that I suffer terribly with jet lag so perhaps that clouds my opinion.

Original poster
Fourbyfour · 05/03/2017 18:44

It's an 11 hour flight or so isn't if? We've flown to Hong Kong for a week and that was a similar length flight and we found it absolutely fine.

OP posts:
heymrpostman · 05/03/2017 19:34

I'd do it but only on a direct flight which means BA November to March.
Go for it!

welshweasel · 05/03/2017 19:35

I've done it twice for a week and once for 10 days. 10 days infinitely better but a week is doable but you must have a direct flight and seaplane rather than speedboat transfer to make the most of it.

LadyOrangutan · 05/03/2017 19:35

I've done it for a week on a direct flight. Was bliss! Do it!

Original poster
Fourbyfour · 05/03/2017 19:45

Really useful to know about direct flight, I always always do longhand direct so absolutely would look to do this for this trip.
Happy to fly with BA and Nov to March is the time of year I wanted to go anyways as read weather is best then. So this is all great to hear.
Thanks everyone - do keep the opinions coming.

OP posts:
heymrpostman · 05/03/2017 19:57

There's a real active Maldives forum on TripAdvisor with some knowledgeable posters, definitely ask resort questions on there.

everready23 · 05/03/2017 20:07

Me and my DS stopped there for s week after getting married in Sri-Lanka. Oh my god it's so gorgeous out there. Defo go!!!
We really want to go back out; unfortunately with two young DC it's not going to happen any time soon!! 😂
Defo go!!!!

GinAndTunic · 05/03/2017 20:11

Do eet!

TheNaze73 · 05/03/2017 20:16

Do it. You'll have a fab time & create dime great memories

Idrinkandiknowstuff · 05/03/2017 20:17

We did 2 weeks on sun island. I'd go back tomorrow if I could. Amazing place. Book it, you will not regret it.

CPtart · 05/03/2017 20:23

Spent 11 nights on Paradise Island pre DC. Memories I'll never forget. You must go. We will again.

Original poster
Fourbyfour · 05/03/2017 20:31

Wow thanks everyone, it's fab you're all in agreement we must go! His 30th isnt until autumn 2018 but I'll likely book later this summer when flights get released so there is no going back!

OP posts:
gamerchick · 05/03/2017 20:43

I'm soooo Jealous Grin please come back when he knows what's happening and tell us his reaction.

Fintress · 20/03/2017 18:30

Maldives is our favourite holiday destination. What a fab surprise for your hubby! I suggest you take your time and do a LOT of research as there as so many islands spread over a huge area. Last time we spent 2 weeks at Lily Beach, it was fantastic, great house reef.

clerquin · 21/03/2017 00:21

One of our favourite pre kids' holidays. It's a long way to go for only one week. We spent 2 weeks on Velidhu on the North Ari atoll and I did my basic PADI there whilst DH did his advanced PADI. (I absolutely refused to learn to dive in a cold, dark quarry in the UK like he did). Water villa was too pricey for us since we spent our money on diving instead. On my list to revisit once we don't have to take the kids along too.

swimster01 · 24/03/2017 18:39

Which island is it? Maldives is our favourite destination - it is absolutely worth the money IF you enjoy snorkelling/diving. If not, then there are probably equally nice places to go to. There isn't much to do than to enjoy the sea.

Smidge001 · 24/03/2017 18:46

Oh that's interesting. I'm no diver, and a bit crap at snorkelling even, but I've always LOVED the idea of one of those over water bungalows!! Are you saying I'd get a bit bored and be disappointed? Must say, most of my holidays tend to be a bit more city like but I love, love, love the views (in the brochures) and feel as though I could stare at them for days.

swimster01 · 24/03/2017 19:21

Well, unlike a lot of other beachy places, you are pretty much confined to a small island (we could walk around the whole perimeter of ours in about 40 mins) and the highlight of the Maldives really is under the water. If I wasn't into snorkelling, I would go for the Caribbean/Mexico or Thailand which have equally as nice beaches but a bit more going on besides. Barbados is very nice.

Smidge001 · 24/03/2017 21:49

Thanks swimster what you're saying definitely makes sense. I just have to come to terms with it now Grin

maitaimojito · 01/04/2017 17:56

I've been to The Maldives, The Caribbean and Mexico and I don't think you can beat The Maldives. I could happily sit staring at the view from my water villa for a month and not get bored.

I'm happy reading a book or listening to music in the sun but DH found plenty to keep him occupied and he's not one for chilling out. The island we went to had kayaks, SUPs, windsurfing, table tennis, volleyball, gym, snorkelling and fishing trips, activities like wine tasting and DH also did his PADI diving certificate. I'd never snorkelled before but really enjoyed it and was out every day at least once.

We loved that it was the same temperature all day and night and that you could pack light (dress codes are generally casual and you only need flip flops for walking on the decking when it's hot).

I agree with what others have said about the length of your stay. A week is fine but make sure you get the direct flight and an island close to the airport if boat, or seaplane if not (we loved the seaplane and it was all part of the experience for us). We had friends that went and their boat transfer took twice as long as it should both ways due to rough seas. I'm not good with boats so I'm glad we went on the seaplane!

Definitely get it booked - we would be straight on a plane if we could afford to go back!