What these resorts cost, and what the brochure leaves out
The Maldives is the most photographed and least honestly described destination in travel. We publish what a trip actually costs, what the transfer really adds, and what the brochure leaves out — with a source and a date against it, or marked unknown.
We have not stayed at these resorts and we will never pretend otherwise. Everything here is research you could check yourself. That is the point.
"From $499 a night"
Rates almost always exclude 16% GST, a 10% service charge, and a $6 per person per night green tax. A $499 room is nearer $640 before you have eaten anything.
"Just 30 minutes from Malé"
That is airborne time. Seaplanes do not fly after dark, so a late international arrival means an unbudgeted night in a Malé hotel. Almost nobody mentions this before you book.
"Excellent house reef"
Written by the resort about its own reef. We publish a reef grade only when survey data or first-hand reports back it. Right now that means we say we do not know.
Where this site currently stands
15 resorts listed. Every price below is unverified — carried over from an earlier draft and not yet confirmed against a published rate. House reef grades have been reset to unknown. Claims we could not source have been deleted rather than left standing, which is why some pages are thin.
We would rather show you a sparse page that is true than a full one that is not. You can see all 177 licensed resorts from the government register, and how we source this.
North Malé Atoll
286 villas in North Malé Atoll, speedboat transfer included
Transfer included · before tax · unverified
North Malé Atoll
196 villas in North Malé Atoll, speedboat transfer included
Transfer included · before tax · unverified
Dhaalu Atoll
1km island lifestyle resort in Dhaalu Atoll
Includes $440 transfers · before tax · unverified
South Ari Atoll
112 villas in South Ari Atoll, whale shark excursions
Includes $1,160 transfers · before tax · unverified
South Malé Atoll
Adults-only, 86 villas in South Malé Atoll, surf access
Transfer included · before tax · unverified
North Malé Atoll
75 villas, 25-minute speedboat from Malé
Transfer included · before tax · unverified
Noonu Atoll
151 villas on a 1.5km island in Noonu Atoll
Includes $1,280 transfers · before tax · unverified
South Ari Atoll
Two islands, one bridge, and the world's first underwater restaurant
Includes $1,320 transfers · before tax · unverified
North Malé Atoll
45 villas, 20-minute transfer, no-shoes policy
Transfer included · before tax · unverified
Baa Atoll
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with resident marine biologists
Includes $1,360 transfers · before tax · unverified
North Malé Atoll
110 villas across a 4.5km island with nine beaches
Transfer included · before tax · unverified
Dhaalu Atoll
Two islands, an underwater club, and surf breaks
Includes $1,320 transfers · before tax · unverified
Baa Atoll
Baa Atoll jungle island, 63 villas, no overwater villas
Includes $1,400 transfers · before tax · unverified
Noonu Atoll
Retractable rooftop villas and a waterslide into the lagoon
Includes $1,400 transfers · before tax · unverified
Noonu Atoll
47 villas in Noonu Atoll, with a golf course
Includes $1,400 transfers · before tax · unverified