MaldivesNever having been before, which one resort would you recommend me to try given the chance ne

dbrookf

Never having been before, which one resort would you recommend me to try given the chance next year?!

Voyager2002

TBH I suggest you consider a different destination. Once you are on a resort island you cannot easily (or cheaply) go anywhere else, so if you are unhappy with the price of food or drink you are stuck.

Sandtree

You seriously need to consider your budget and also how you buy.

Maldives is never cheap but can become exceptionally expensive. Do you want an over water villa or would you be happy on dry land? Again going over water can add 50% or more to the bill and may push you down to a lower grade hotel to make it affordable.

What is available direct and whats available via agents/packages seems to vary more than many other destinations, I found many hotels only offered up to FB for direct bookings but some did offer AI via packages. In many cases you'll be on a single island that only has your hotel on it so no options of going local or otherwise avoiding your hotels drink prices etc.

When we were looking to go we looked at the St Regis and Conrad hotels but that was mainly due to having status with Marriot and Hilton hotels and so able to get some element of a deal... as warned though, all there is the villa, beach and the sea so you better hope you like your room.

Archergirl

We had this dilemma when we first went, we are avid snorkelers and that was the reason to go. We didn't want to be stuck somewhere with a mediocre reef or not enough fish to see. 
We decided to go on the Yaswara Princess a dive boat that caters for snorkelers as well, you go somewhere different each day so never boring, the food and drink is excellent and the crew are wonderful, they have a Facebook page. it was so good we have been twice more and will go again as soon as able. Would never be happy on a resort now...

sa_v6

Honestly, we had the best time there recently (our third trip). Highlight for us was seeing rays almost on the beach! 
We almost booked a package but used compareflights.co.uk to find a cheap flight from Dubai (which we got to using airmiles off our credit card). Return flights were cheaper and we spent the savings from all that on better accommodation.

My best tip is to pack a waterproof camera of some kind, you won't forget it, the sealife (even for someone not into that kind of thing) is beyond incredible. Well worth the visit but I strongly agree with Sandtree above - it's easy to lose your shirt and feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway!

twopenny

Dbrookf have a look at the Maldives Forum on Tripadvisor on a computer so you see the full site and on the right of the page is a list of advice, the first one is 'Which resort'.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g293953-i7445-Maldives.html

You need to think through what you want first or it's too confusing. Do you want somewhere for just one, a couple and romantic, a couple and social or with children?

Do you want a boat transfer or a sea plane transfer?

Do you want somewhere with eating options, a big buffet or fresh local fish, do you want coral and snorkeling or no news no shoes back to basics?

Then look at what's available that will suit you and your budget. It is expensive but it's also adictive if you like white sand and warm seas and tons of fresh air.

Archergirl hi, another YP devotee here. We're a niche market 

twopenny

Oh and I'd go for the All Inclusive. Even with HB or FB if you have to pay for water or soft drinks even that's really going to mount up. Remember they have to import it to Male then purchase and import it to the island. You are stuck with their prices.

MATTR5

The right Maldives Island really really depends on what you want (eg Big island with lots going on, or small romantic island maybe Adults Only) and your budget - Biyadhoo is one of the cheapest islands and is doing a Free all Inclusive upgrade at the moment for certain departure dates so is from about £1200pp for a week all inc - its got an amazing reef for divers but it's basic and informal - but you might want the best deal for a 5* luxury island with Spa etc - as said above if you choose the wrong island you're stuck 

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tacpot12

I've been to Biyadhoo a couple of times and can recommend it if you need a budget option. It's a great island for a romantic holiday for two. The house reef is amazing and accessible to snorkelers. 

dbrookf

Thanks all! Some good opinions!

silvercar

Join the Facebook group ‘Maldives holidaymakers’ plenty of advice on there.
we were there in December, I can tell you that once on your resort island you feel very safe re covid - everyone is in their own villa so socially distanced, restaurants are in the main outdoors.
I would definitely go all inclusive, as everything is so expensive otherwise.