The archipelago known as The Maldives has long been considered a destination only for lovers, but upon closer inspection, it is easy to see that the location is also an ideal holiday destination for loved ones. Our new holiday, booked through South African travel agency Priority Escapes, took us to six different islands hoping to showcase what the Maldives has to offer to everyone. Whether you want to go on a bae-cation, solo-cation or friends-cation, the Maldives has plenty of options for you. Here are some recommendations for places to check out and stay in…
The archipelago known as The Maldives has long been considered a destination only for lovers, but upon closer inspection, it is easy to see that the location is also an ideal holiday destination for loved ones.
Our new holiday, booked through South African travel agency Priority Escapes, took us to six different islands hoping to showcase what the Maldives has to offer to everyone.
Whether you want to go on a bae-cation, solo-cation or friends-cation, the Maldives has plenty of options for you. Here are some of our recommendations for places to check out and live in the archipelago country located in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean.
This city is located in the southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometers from the mainland of the Asian continent.
Bae-cation
Put it down
This is a five-star location in what is often described as the desirable Raa Atoll of the Maldives. While a 45-minute seaplane ride after a nine-hour flight to the main Island of Male from South Africa seems like a lot of work, the facilities at Dhigali make the trip well worth it.
What makes this location perfect for bae-cation is the island restaurant, Haali bar facing the sea, the fact that they have a limited number of honeymoon suites as well as some other exquisite suites and beach villas as well as their spa.
Although the Maldives is generally considered a romantic location, Dhigali and all it has to offer has got everything to love about the destination.
There are activities for those who want to go out and experience the various moods of the island, activities on the island for other children’s trips and some restaurants for travelers who want to squeeze a gastronomic experience into their vacation.
All this can be ordered through the resort’s custom app which allows guests to book dinner and activities, discover more about the island as well as its facilities. The best part about the app is that it allows guests to track their vehicles on the island in real-time to plan a route around the Island if they don’t feel like walking well.
When we recommend this location for bae-cation, that doesn’t mean families or solo travelers can’t stay here.
At the time of writing earlier in the year, Priority Escape deals with R 47 898 per person sharing, down from R 66 300 for an all-inclusive seven-night stay at this location.
Also read: Dhigali Maldives: You won’t want to travel any other way
OBLU Select Lobby
Located just a few minutes from Male International airport, Lobigili is among the closest islands to the main island.
This contemporary five-star resort is known as a coveted baecation destination as it is designated as an exclusive resort for adults.
The name also refers to this idea as it comes from the Dhiveli word for love “Loabi”. “Gili,” on the other hand, means Island.
This special resort even has what it calls a “Lobby Plan,” – an exclusive and comprehensive vacation plan that combines all the elements of an intimate, indulgent vacation experience.
When we visited, this place built the largest underwater restaurant in Maldives called Only BLU Under Ocean Restaurant. On the Lobby Plan, guests receive one complimentary dining experience at Only BLU for a minimum of four days.
What I enjoyed most about the stay – apart from meeting a South African woman who had just started working at the resort – was the fact that this particular resort was staffed mostly by women.
When a travel package to a specific location booked with Priority Escape can again be available, you can expect a budget of around R 68 200 for flights, transfers and seven nights in that location. In addition, you can budget around R56 522 pps when booking a Lobigili Stay for a couple.
Solo-cation
OBLU Choose Sangeli
Although this resort is aimed at families and couples, it can make a beautiful solo-cation given just how spacious the resort is.
At OBLU Select Sangeli, there is a lot to do and solo-cation travelers have plenty of options to fill their time when they are not scheduled on their own.
You can sign up for one of the resorts many group activities, like yoga on the beach.
Alternatively, you can try your hand at sunset fishing to watch spinning dolphins, charter your own boat and enjoy a private relaxing cruise around Sangeli Island or book yourself to take part in some of Sangeli’s boat tours.
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Sangeli has a relaxing wellness complex for those days when you want to relax, complete with a spa overlooking the sea.
You can also enjoy the sunset in one of the two bars; Beru is also a poolside bar at Banyan (the island’s adults-only complex).
Booking through this company will set you back about R 52 858 pps for seven nights.
Kuramathi
Kuramathi is also known as a family-friendly island, however, the fact that it is one of the largest islands that we visited makes it a good place for solo-cation as you will never get bored. Kuramathi has seven dining options, an on-site ecology center, a selection of water sports and some fantastic nightlife venues and that’s not all the island has to offer.
Some of the water sports offered at this island resort include; diving, windsurfing, catamaran and dinghy sailing, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking, speed boat trips, sunset cruises and big game fishing to name a few.
A trip to this island, depending on what offers are available and when you book can set you back north of R 33 932 pps.
Friends
OBLU Ailafushi
Located on a private island with a beautiful lagoon, OBLU Ailafushi opened earlier this year and was built to cater to friends, families and so-called “millennials”.
Staying at this resort comes with free water sports so you’re an adrenaline junkie or just want to try something new while out on the ocean.
This is one of the locations that has a promenade on the island for shopping but be careful because the items cost US dollars. It also has food trucks open during set times and provides live DJ sets at one of the poolside restaurants. A Open offer to stay at the resort is priced at R 38 535 pps.
Maldivian standards
The Standard remains one of the most memorable locations of our trip, not only for it’s quirky decor but also for the ease with which we can make friends with our travel group.
Mealtimes and karaoke nights were far more fun with our new friends than they would have been had we just stuck in our travel group.
Attractions at this particular resort include; a disco ball in the bathroom of the water villa together with a giant tub, a circle, diving equipment in the room on the wall as part of the decoration, a restaurant serving traditional Maldivian cuisine, bicycles to get around the island as well as a bar. through the water complete with a glass floor.
At the time of writing, you can book a seven-night stay at The Standard for R47 270 pps.
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