Maldives
Hotel Review: JOALI BEING, Maldives
JOALI BEING sits on the private island of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll, and it's the wellness-focused sister property of JOALI…
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Maldives
Welcome to our Maldives travel guide
Southwest of India, you will find the endless teal blue waters that make up the 26 Atolls of the Maldives. The Maldives offers incredible luxury and exclusivity that is unlike any other destination in the world. It is no surprise that the Maldives is known for being one of the world’s best honeymoon destinations, with its expansive, private bungalows perched above the waters edge or dotting the white sand. Hotel development has expanded significantly in recent years, providing luxury experiences for all price ranges.
Why OZEN Life Maadhoo is my #1 seller in the Maldives 🌊 Not all all-inclusives are created equal. This one is built different — and I’ve sent enough clients here to know exactly why they keep coming back. 1⃣ Transfers, both ways, included. No $600/person seaplane bill waiting for you at checkout. The speedboat is covered. 2⃣ Underwater dining, included. M6M sits 6 meters below the surface. At most resorts this is an $800+ splurge. At OZEN it’s part of your stay (4+ nights). 3⃣ Drinks, all of them, included. Premium pours, all day, everywhere on the resort. No tracking what you order. 4⃣ Watersports, included. Snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding — you’re not paying extra to actually use the ocean. 5⃣ Overwater villa, the real deal. Direct lagoon access, glass floor panels, the whole thing. Full minibar to enjoy that sunset. Ready to make it happen? DM me OZEN and I’ll put together a quote with our exclusive rates. Booking through Voyager Guru costs you nothing extra — you just get more. 💙 Save this for when you’re ready to plan ✨ #maldives #ozenlifemaadhoo #maldivesallinclusive #luxurytravel
5 things nobody tells you about Maldives seaplane transfers ✈️ The seaplane is half the magic of a Maldives trip, but it comes with some rules that catch first-timers off guard. Here’s what I tell every client before they fly. 1️⃣ Daylight only. Seaplanes don’t fly after dark, so a late international arrival means a night near Malé (or picking a speedboat resort instead). 2️⃣ It’s pricey and rarely included. Expect roughly $400–$1,000 per person roundtrip, on top of your room. A few all-inclusives bundle it in, most don’t. 3️⃣ Pack light, pack soft. Luggage limits are strict, and overweight bags can fly on a later plane than you. 4️⃣ Plan for a lounge wait. Flights are grouped, so an hour or two in the seaplane lounge is normal. 5-star resorts have their own private lounges, while some 4-star resorts use a shared one. 5️⃣ It’s beautiful, not comfortable unless you are flying @joalimaldives or @soneva ‘s planes. It’s loud and it gets really hot in there, so bring noise-cancelling headphones and water. And yes, the pilots fly barefoot. Have a question, or want more Maldives tips? DM me “MALDIVES” and I’ll send them your way. Booking with Voyager Guru costs you nothing extra, you just get more. Save this for when you’re ready to plan 🤍 #maldives #maldivesseaplane #seaplane
The hidden costs of a Maldives trip (that no one warns you about) 💸 Let’s be real — most people budget for flights and the resort rate, and then get absolutely blindsided once they land. Here’s what to actually plan for. 1⃣ Transfers — seaplane or speedboat to your resort can run $300–$600+ per person roundtrip, and it’s almost never included in the online total (or OTA booking!) 2⃣ Drinks & dining — unless you’re on a true all-inclusive, expect $25+ for a cocktail, $20–$30 a glass for wine, and even bottled water hitting $10–$15. Two drinks a day each adds $700+ to a week. 3⃣ Excursions & extras — snorkel trips, dolphin cruises, dive gear, bikes — all paid. And the resort boutique? Budget 3–4× what you’d pay at home. Pack the reef-safe sunscreen. None of this means don’t go — it means go prepared. DM me “BUDGET” and I’ll put together a full breakdown with what’s actually included at the resorts I recommend, plus our exclusive Virtuoso and Fora perks at no extra cost to you. 💙 Save this for when you’re ready to plan ✨ #maldives #maldivestravel #maldiveshoneymoon #voyagerguru #traveltips
JOALI Maldives vs JOALI BEING: which sister resort should you actually book? 🌴 Same owners, same atoll, ten minutes apart by speedboat, and two completely different trips. I’ve stayed at both, and this is how I decide which one a client belongs at. 🎨 JOALI Maldives if you want art and design around every corner, a foodie-level dining scene (Saoke’s overwater Japanese is reason enough), sundowners with live music, big beach-club energy and a villa that’s enormous even at entry level. Works beautifully for families and couples alike. 🧘♀️ JOALI BEING if you need a reset, not just a holiday. Programming built around Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy, a spa complex you can use freely with or without a treatment, three kitchens at FLOW so eating clean never feels like a compromise, and the most proactive butler team we’ve had in the Maldives. Quieter, calmer, chill DJ sets by the pool rather than cocktail hour. ✨ Can’t decide? Do both. There’s a daily 12:30 inter-island transfer, and my split-stay order is BEING first to reset, then JOALI to celebrate. DM me “JOALI” and I’ll put together a quote with our Virtuoso perks at either (or both). Booking through Voyager Guru costs you nothing extra, you just get more. 💙 Full reviews of both are on the blog, link in bio. @joalimaldives @joalibeing #maldives
Towering ceilings with custom artwork adorning the walls, imported marble slabs from Norway and a massive, private infinity pool to enjoy day and night are just a few of the features of @joalimaldives that make this one of the most unique properties in the world. It’s a rare day that we enjoy the pool in our villa after dinner at midnight but something about the privacy of our own garden and the beautiful backdrop of the villa just made us want to take a dip. If you’re looking for true luxury in what feels like your own private fairytale mansion in the Maldives, Joali is it! DM us for rates and details #maldives #beautifuldestinations #maldivesislands
What’s better than sunsets and over water villas? I’ll give you a hint…basically nothing 😂😂 @alilamaldives is one of the most surprising gems in the Maldives right now. It’s an incredible property, offers an amazing all inclusive plan and is bookable with perks through me so if you’re looking for an excuse to get away, DM me 😉#maldives #beautifuldestinations
An overwater villa that makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale. @joalibeing has some of the most unique overwater sanctuaries you can find the #maldives. Towering ceilings, ethereal colors and beautiful, lush finishings truly made us never want to leave.
Ever wanted to stay in a bubble and wake up with the sunrise? It’s possible at @finolhu_maldives! Between Finolhu and .Here sits this beautiful secluded little bubble. A night here comes with a private dinner, breakfast and all the amenities of a 5 star hotel ❤️. Would you stay here for a night? #maldives #beautifuldestinations #finolhu #bubble
One of the highlights of @alilamaldives was the incredible dining and overall vibe of the resort. From @kavi_musik ripping on the decks at sunset to overwater sushi and toes in the sand italian, I could have stayed forever ❤️ #maldives #alila
Things to See and Do in the Maldives
- Snorkel with the Whale Sharks outside your hotel
- Scuba dive the protected reefs
- Enjoy a spa treatment in an overwater bungalow
- Take a seaplane from Malé to your hotel
- Surf the waves at some of the world's best hotels, like Niyama's Vogi Wave
- Try the traditional Maldivian cuisine
What to Know
We recommend a minimum of 4 nights in the Maldives, overall. Depending on where you fly from, the journey is long and there is typically an additional fee to get to your hotel from Malé. Therefore, 4+ nights is recommended to make the trek worth it.
Our personal recommendation is to either spend 4 nights at one hotel, or spend 9–10 nights and stay at 2 different hotels.
The majority of luxury hotels are on their own secluded island in a larger Atoll. The closest hotels to Malé are accessible by speedboats (transfers costing $70+) and the transfers are organized through the hotel. Hotels outside the vicinity of Malé will require a plane transfer (typically through sea plane arranged by the hotel). When selecting hotels, be sure to account for transfer costs in your budget as well as the airline the hotel uses.
There are two airlines that operate sea planes in the Maldives: Maldivian Air and Trans Maldivian. If you are hoping to stay at more than 1 hotel, review the properties these airlines fly to and align to that airline to avoid needing to transfer back to Malé before going to your next hotel. This can save you time and money, so check with your hotels in advance. Also note, a few luxury hotels operate their own seaplane and do not operate through Maldivian Air or Trans Maldivian, such as Cheval Blanc.
It's important to remember that once you are at your hotel, there is nowhere to go. All your meals will be served at the property as there is no "town" to go to. When considering your resort, be sure to take into account the higher cost of food due to import taxes in the Maldives. Many hotels offer packages that typically offer breakfast or breakfast and dinner. These can typically be a great deal.
Note about alcohol: Alcohol is available at the resorts, but alcohol is not allowed in the capital city of Malé. There is no duty free at the airport and you are not allowed to bring liquor into the country. You will need to purchase alcohol at your island resort.
Since the majority of hotels are on their own private island, most of them have a great gift shop where you can purchase clothing, accessories, items you have forgotten and other trinkets. There is no other shopping available and duty free upon departure from Malé international is limited.
Some hotels focus more on Maldivian culture than others, but in some hotel shops, you can find traditional lacquer goods, weaved goods and other crafts.
The Maldives is governed by a conservative Islamic government, and therefore, alcohol is illegal to bring into the country via checked luggage. Since resorts are on their own islands throughout the Maldives, guests remain unaffected by conservative laws. However, it is important to note that if you spend any time in Malé or populated islands, dress conservatively in town and at your resort, and do not sunbathe topless. We found Maldivians to be incredibly generous, kind and service-minded throughout our experience in the Maldives.
Planning a Trip to the Maldives?
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Typical Costs
The Maldives is unlike anywhere else in the world for a number of reasons. It’s important to consider all the costs that go into your trip to avoid trouble along the way.
Of course, there are the international flights and standard hotel charges — but it doesn’t end there. As you look up room rates and hotels online, we encourage you to look into the cost of the transfers before committing to a particular property. It’s common to see rates from $100–250 USD for boat transfers per person and anywhere from $450–600 USD for flight transfers per person.
Once on property, it is unlikely that you will be traveling anywhere for any meals. Most properties offer all-day dining at a number of restaurants, so we encourage you to look at restaurant and bar prices to ensure they align with your budget. Many properties offer meal plans that may be a good option for your vacation. The common packages are:
Breakfast: This rate only includes breakfast for two.
Half-Board: Includes breakfast & dinner as well as soft drinks (and 90% of the time, water).
Full-Board: Includes breakfast, lunch & dinner as well as soft drinks (and 90% of the time, water).
All-Inclusive: Includes all meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages.
If you are considering meal plans, be sure to look at the terms & conditions to ensure you have access to the restaurants onsite that you are looking for. It is common to be allowed into only 1 or 2 restaurants, even though they may have 4 or 5. We recommend finding hotels that allow you to try a variety of restaurants, particularly if you are staying for more than a few days.
Suggested daily budget — What you won’t expect from the Maldives is that you can find accommodations ranging across any budget. There are beautiful little guest houses for around $100 USD, all the way up to $1,000+ USD. Pro Tip: look for all-inclusive packages for a hassle-free vacation.
When to TravelMaldives Seasons
While there is no bad time to go to the Maldives, the best time to visit is between November and April. High season falls between December and March, resulting in higher prices but optimal weather. Monsoon season runs from May to October, peaking around June. The northern atolls have highest rainfall May–Nov; the southern atolls from Nov–Mar.
Travel Tips
- Understand your transfer options – There are two main seaplane companies in The Maldives. If you are changing hotels during your trip, be sure to understand which airline is handling the transfer. Unless you are transferring to a hotel that uses the same airline, you will need to transfer through Malé.
- Beware of your departure flights – If your flight leaves early in the morning, you will need to confirm that you can get to the airport in the morning. Most hotels will be unable to accommodate early international flights, unless you are transferred via boat.
- Consider a meal plan – Many hotels in the Maldives offer half board, full board or all-inclusive options for guests since there is nowhere else to go. Depending on the property, it's worth looking into these options to see if any are right for you.
- Try Scuba diving! – The Maldives has some of the best diving in the world. There is so much sea life, along with Whale Sharks, Manta Rays and other beautiful creatures. Diving not for you? Snorkel gear is usually free at the resorts.
Luxury Hotel Reviews
Check out some of our favorite Maldives resorts and what we like and don't like about each of them.
How to plan your trip
Planning a trip to the Maldives can be incredibly overwhelming. With hundreds of hotels and resorts spread across hundreds of islands, where do you even start? Our first recommendation is to set a budget for yourself. Consider what you’re willing to pay per night for your trip (and be sure to include a transfer cost of $250–800 per person). This will automatically give you a great sense of the options available to you.
Next, if you plan to stay at multiple resorts, we recommend properties that use the same seaplane company or are within boating distance to minimize transfer times.
Be sure to reach out to us via email if you need help starting to plan your Maldives trip! We have amazing partnerships with brands in the Maldives and around the world that provide additional perks and benefits for booking.
Gallery of the Maldives
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