How to Plan 5 Days Affordable Luxury Maldives Holiday

Before booking your air tickets to Maldives, do read our 7 Important Tips to Know When Planning Maldives Trip. The article highlights some important factors you must know to avoid getting shock over hidden fees for your holiday.

This guide is about planning an affordable luxury getaway in Maldives. Since Maldives is famous for a romantic retreat, everyone should have a chance to experience it.

1. How Many Days in Maldives

In our opinion 4 to 7 days is recommended for a Maldives holiday for average couple, 4 days for one hotel or 7 days for 2 hotels. Any more you might be bored easily.

From Malaysia & Singapore, budget airlines AirAsia & Tigerair flies direct to Male, Maldives.

Very Important : If arriving late afternoon after 3.30pm or flying out early morning, you might require to overnight in Male if there is no more seaplane or speedboat transfer, do check with your hotel.

Note : AirAsia flight will arrive 8pm at night therefore you will need to overnight in Male. So do plan 5 days and not 3 days if taking AirAsia.

Airline Ticket Budget : RM500 / SGD300

1. Airport & Hotel Transfer

Most room rates do not include airport & hotel transfer and it can be very expensive. Always check how much is the transfer cost before deciding which hotel to stay.

1. Which Hotel to Stay?

There are 2 types of islands in Maldives – private & residential. Private islands are where most private hotels are located while residential islands are islands with local residents.

Residential islands tends to be dirtier and no alcohols are allowed. The lodge are mostly converted residential housing & you will mostly need to arrange sightseeing trips when staying in residential islands.

As this guide is to plan an affordable luxury getaway, we looked into several 4.5 to 5 star hotels for 4 days rates.

No Hotel Name Airport Transfer (USD) Hotel Rates (USD) Meals (USD) Total
1 Velassaru Maldives Resort – Halfboard 308 1497.6 210 2015.6
2 Filitheyo Island Resort – Halfboard 800 959.1 210 1969.1
3 Gangehi Island Resort – Fullboard 870 1013.88 1883.88
4 Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort – Halfboard 450 1215.75 210 1875.75
5 Club Med Kani – All Inclusive 302 1135 1437
From the list research, Club Med would offer the best value hence we will use it as planning. Also since will require to overnight in Male, we will budget extra USD70 for that night.

Note : All the hotels prices are subject to change and correct at time of release.

Hotel Budget : Club Med 4 days + Male Hotel – USD1,437 + USD70 / 2 pax = USD753.50 per person (RM2,872 / SGD1,033)

1. What is Half Board, Full Board & All Inclusive

Most hotels are located on their own private island hence there are not much dining option than to dine at your own hotel. Dining can be expensive in Maldives as with limited choice. Depending on the hotel rates, you do see these 3 terms – Half Board, Full Board & All Inclusive

Half Board – The room rate includes Breakfast & Dinner

Full Board – The room rate includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

All Inclusive – The room rate includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner + Beverages (It might be all day dining & beverages as well)

1. How much to budget for Food

If your room rate is without meals, you will need to allocate budget for meals. Depending on hotels the rate differs. You should be able to request for their menu price.

1. Total Budget Per Pax

No Info USD RM SGD
1 Air Ticket 500 300
2 Airport Hotel 1 Day 35 133 48
3 Airport Transfer 151 575 207
4 Club Med 4 Days 567.5 2162.8 778
Total 3370.8 1333

Since Club Med is all inclusive hence we dont have to extra budget for food & drinks. However is always good to bring more money for extra activities.

As this is just a guide for an affordable luxury getaway, feel free to browse other luxury hotels with water bungalow rooms to make it a truly luxurious vacation.