Top Holidays in the Maldives

Thinking about dropping the big bucks on the Maldives? Choosing the right place to stay is massively important. Since the Maldives is so spread apart, the choice could make or break your trip. If what you’re after is romance, you won’t want to be battling screaming kids for space in a pool. And if all you want to do is snorkel, make sure your island has a reef. To help you sort your dream Maldives vacation, Flight Centre Marketing Manager Cecelia Yee picks the perfect hotel for every experience.

Looking for… romance?

If you’re after an intimate and romantic break, Yee recommends the Anantara Veli Resort & Spa (four-night packages from $16,099). The hotel is full of over-water bungalows with sea life swimming below, pristine coral reefs and sun decks with views of the palm-fringed island. It’s also totally free of noisy children or boisterous teenagers thanks to an age policy. 

Looking for… family fun?

Towing along the little ones is brave, but it’s all about picking the right spot, like the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (four-night packages from $18,499). “Watch Manta Rays with your children as you cross the bridge between the establishment, or even dive with them!” says Yee. “Taking your family snorkeling with a whale shark will make this a trip you’ll all remember forever.”

Looking for… a little snorkeling?

You can get equal doses of low-key luxury and breathtaking wildlife at Cocoa Island by COMO (four-night packages from $20,599). “Stay in private stilted villas with a breathtaking beach lagoon setting,” says Yee. “After some amazing warm-water diving and snorkeling sessions during the day, be sure to finish your night perfectly with the most romantic dining on the beach side.” 

Looking for... a natural paradise?

Relaxation is the name of the game at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives (four-night packages from $20,699), where the concept is “no news, no shoes.” Here, it’s literally okay to show up shoe-less and embrace the bare necessities. “End each night listening to sea waves,” Yee recommends. “It’s the ultimate way to get back to nature.” 

Looking for… an adventure? 

As the sole hotel in Laamu, Six Senses Laamu (three-night packages from $20,899) is a fantastic base if you’re into watersports. “The island is home to the Maldives’ most famous surfing wave, Yin Yang,” explains Yee. “There’s also a coral-rich house reef, where you’ll see oriental sweetlips, parrotfish and even green turtles while snorkeling. Everything you imagined trying in the seas, even swimming with dolphins, is conveniently available at this resort.” Packages include flights, return speedboat transfers between hotel and airport, and accommodation with daily breakfast. Visit www.flightcentre.com.hk for more details. 

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