Maldives Dilemma: Guesthouse or Resorts, which is best?
Who wouldn't want to spend at least a week or two in the Maldives? I guess all of us, right? Well, I was lucky enough to book a flight to this beautiful island nation. However, I didn't want to break my bank account, so I decided to be smart and figure out a way to stay within the budget I had planned for the trip. I didn't want to spend a fortune on accommodation, using up my entire 9 days in the Maldives at an expensive Resort. Additionally, I really wanted to experience what life in the Maldives was truly like. So, I chose to try both options and divided my trip into two parts: I stayed in a guesthouse for half of my trip and in a Resort for the other half. If you're truly eager to visit the Maldives and find yourself unable to decide between the two options, then keep reading.
Let's dive right into it, starting with the main and most significant difference between a Guesthouse and a Resort…
You guessed it right, the Budget!
The Maldives have always been viewed by many as a luxury holiday destination, but things have changed in recent years and with tourists now being allowed on local islands, lots of guesthouses are popping up all over the country, making life for budget travellers much easier than it used to be. You could find a Guesthouse or even hotel room on a local island for about £200 a week for two people!
If your budget is a little higher and you really want to experience resort life in the Maldives then you will need a budget of at least £1500 for a one week stay for two people (Not to mention some extremely luxurious options that might require you to sell a kidney to afford!), and this is just for a basic accommodation choice in a resort excluding lunch and dinner. If you want to go for an overwater villa and possible and All Inclusive so you won’t have to worry about anything for your stay, then this price could easily double or even triple!
If you are curious about where I stayed in the Maldives, I’ll link both my stays down here:
Guesthouse: Sabba Summer Suites in Fodhdhoo
Resort: Sun Aqua Vilu Reef Resort
Differences: Guesthouse/Hotel on a typical Maldivian Island vs a Resort
Opting for a Guesthouse on a local island will undoubtedly give you a better insight on the local way of living, culture, traditions, cuisine and the real Maldivian hospitality. During our walks around the little village of Fodhdhoo Island everyone was super friendly with us. Even kids would come to us attempting to string together a few sentences in English to make us feel at home. We had the chance to visit the school and a small mosque, which woke us every morning with the call to prayer. We also had the opportunity to engage with locals who after sunset were gathered in front of their modest yet joyful homes, offering us a glimpse into their daily lives. Hospitality in Maldivian Resort is of course also great, but we would have never been able to experience what I just talked about without having stayed on a local island. Most resort staff members tend to be Maldivian as well and they are truly amazing people, yet it won't be quite the same as immersing yourself fully in their way of life on a local island. You will probably end up exchanging a few words with some of the Resort staff and other tourists and that’s basically it.
Eventually, we did visit a local island during our resort stay, but it amounted to little more than a brief stroll and a visit to the local souvenir shop. It was just one of these super touristy experiences.
Local Island, local laws
Guesthouses and more affordable hotels are typically situated on local islands. Since the Maldives is a Muslim country, it's important to adhere to the Muslim Sharia Law if you visit. No alcohol or pork and an appropriate dress code is required especially for women. However, that doesn’t mean you have to jump into the sea fully clothed. Wearing a bikini on designated beach areas around the guesthouse or hotel is certainly allowed. Yet, you should ensure to cover up if, for instance, you're crossing a local street to return to your room.
We had the beach 10 meters away from our room, and yet we were still required to cover up by putting on our t-shirts and shorts at the very least.
Resorts on the other hand, have a more western vibe so no particular dress code is required and no one will tell you if you cross a pathway in your bikini.
Activities? Not much of a difference apart from the cost
In terms of things to do, I didn't really observe much of a difference between the Guesthouse where we stayed and the Resort. Just remember that you are still on a very small island in the Indian Ocean, regardless of which place you choose to stay. You will be able to go snorkeling, paddleboarding, canoeing, and engage in various other water activities at any time of the day, regardless of your location. Additional options include scuba diving, island hopping, dolphin sightseeing tours, lunch or dinner at a sandbank, celebrating special occasions, and more. Both at the Guesthouse and the Resort, however, these activities were available for an extra fee.
One of the primary distinctions between activities at a Guesthouse versus a Resort is the cost of the activity, which is still much cheaper than what you would pay at a Resort. Yet, if you opt for an All-Inclusive package, you might have some of these activities included in your stay, as we did during our Resort stay, for example. Another observation I made is that all the activities we participated in while at the Guesthouse were much more private compared to those at the Resort, where they tend to organise island hopping in larger groups instead.
However, when it comes to party's organisation and the presence of alcohol, Resorts definitely have the advantage. It is really up to you when it comes to recreational activities. I mean lying down at the beach for someone is already a recreational activity, isn’t it?!
Which option is better for different group of people
Solo travellers: If you are a solo traveller I would recommend choosing a Guesthouse over a Resort. The atmosphere in a Guesthouse is much more family-oriented, and I'm confident that you will feel incredibly welcomed and at home regardless of which one you choose. We truly had an amazing time at Sabba Summer, and I would 110% recommend them for your stay in the Maldives!
On the other hand, if you enjoy your own company and have the budget for it, then I would suggest indulging in that bit of luxury and opting for a Resort.
Couples: To be honest, there is no wrong choice here. Both options will provide a wonderful experience. However, if you're on a once-in-a-lifetime trip and celebrating a special occasion such as your honeymoon or an anniversary, then Resorts offer a much more romantic environment. Although, Guesthouses and certain Hotels in the Maldives are catching up to this. Therefore, if you still want to save some extra money, I would advise you to conduct a good research and maybe get in touch with the accommodation directly to see what they offer for special occasions.
Families: When travelling with little ones, remember that certain Resorts in the Maldives may not accommodate kids under a specific age. On the other hand, Guesthouses usually do not have age restrictions. I would recommend comparing the facilities offered by Guesthouses and Resorts to determine which option suits you best. Some resorts offer kids' clubs, which can provide parents with a chance to relax during their holiday—this might be something worth considering.
Useful tip: Whether you choose a Guesthouse or a Resort, ensure that the location isn't too far from Malé, where your international flight will land. Travelling to more distant islands can be tiring for both children and parents. The islands are stunning no matter where you go, so you can't make a wrong choice in terms of beauty. Moreover, islands closer to Malé are generally more affordable to access, as they are often just a short speedboat ride away and do not require any internal flight or Seaplane trips.
Hope this will help you figure out your accommodation in the Maldives and as usual Happy Travel!
