As the Covid restrictions prevented most of us from travelling, our social media feeds were filled with glamorous pictures of celebrities sunbathing, snorkelling or breaking their fast on the private beach pools of Maldives resorts. For some these pictures quenched our thirst for travelling, but for most others, they fuelled our eagerness to travel far and beyond.
Now that travel restrictions have been removed and international travel has become almost normal, it is time to plan for a trip to the Maldives.
As an archipelago on the Indian Ocean, Maldives is undoubtedly one of the most pristine places on the planet. The unending blue waters, the exotic beaches, thrilling underwater life and abundant natural beauty make a vacation here ideal.
But with over 1000 islands here and almost as many hotels and resorts here, planning a trip to the island nation can be very difficult. If you are planning an expensive and luxurious trip – then the choices will not overwhelm you because the Maldives is known for its exotic, 5-star water villas.
But if you are on a budget and yet want to stay in a water villa – it can be tough to choose the best. Truth be told, you will not be able to enjoy the Maldives without partaking in its many luxurious activities. Fortunately, over the years the demand for budget luxury villas has grown. Today, you have some choices of staying in budget villas that may not match the opulence or grandeur of a 5-star villa but will offer you the sea-life up close with more than basic amenities.
Want to know about these exciting budget water villas? Read on!
Staying in Water Villas While in the Maldives
In any guide to an ultimate vacation, three things will be mentioned. Luxury, jaw-dropping scenic beauty, and a whirlwind of activities. When you think of Maldives, you can surely enjoy these three things in abundance. But what makes any vacation in the Maldives perfect is staying in the water villas.
But what are water villas?
They are villas standing on stilts over the top. Usually situated on the shoreline or just over a shallow reef, water villas are quite sturdy (contrary to what you may believe). Since there are built into the sand and always located in shallow waters, you can always stay close to the sea and sand without any risk of the high tides.
Water villas bring the sea to your doorstep so that you can enjoy your bit of the ocean privately.
All of this may sound too luxurious for a budget traveller. But the good news is that there are several cheap water villas in the Maldives that offer excellent services, facilities, and amenities. These water villas allow you to stay close to the azure waters, take a bath in the vast Indian Ocean whenever you please, and explore the area at your will – all without burning a hole in your pocket.
Most of these cheap water villas serve you delicious local cuisine, Ayurvedic massages and arrange for you water excursions and private dinner parties. If some are open for children, many are only for adults – giving you the choice to stay in just the kind of place you want to be in.
Budget Water Villas in the Maldives
Reethi Beach Resort
In 2017, Reethi Beach Resort was adjudged by the Flight Network, an Australia-based international travel agency as the ‘World’s Best Budget-Friendly Honeymoon Destination’. It is a perfect destination for honeymooners looking to create some irreplaceable memories. At the Reethi Beach Resort, you are welcomed to a relaxed Maldivian living style with unspoilt nature all around you.
You can enjoy many water-adventure sports here such as catamaran sailing, kitesurfing, water skiing and even canoeing. Underwater, you will go snorkelling and witness some amazing species of fish, octopus, and turtles. If luck is by your side, you could even spot an odd dolphin!
A room with breakfast will cost you anything between ₹ 15,000 to ₹ 20,000 per night for two adults. Remember that you must factor in an additional transfer cost from the Male International Airport to your beach resort. This will cost you an additional ₹ 25,000 per adult (this includes domestic flights and boat charges).
Embudu Village
As a comparatively small resort, the Embudu Airport’s greatest advantage is its vicinity to the airport. It is just 10 km away which means that the transfer cost is reasonably low at ₹ 6000 round trip for an adult.
Though you will not have private access to the beach here, you will be offered a private terrace that is fenced from other rooms. The attraction of the room is the glass floor which allows you to enjoy the underwater without leaving the room. You will feel you are floating on the sea! It’s quite a surreal experience. The rooms are furnished with high-end luxuries including Jacuzzis and other necessary amenities.
The cost per night with breakfast, lunch and dinner is around ₹ 27,000 per night for two adults.
Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
Private beach area, fully-equipped rooms, swimming pools, airport shuttle, free Wi-Fi, family rooms. These are just some of the advantages of one of the cheapest water villas in Maldives – the Sun Aqua Vilu Reef. There are different types of rooms available in the resort – right from suites with private pools to deluxe beach villa suites and deluxe suites with jetted tubs. There is also a beachfront bungalow you can book here.
The resort gives you ample opportunities to enjoy the sun-kissed beaches, the luminous sunsets, the walks by the beach at night, water adventure sports and more. There is a spa too here which can just be perfect for relaxation.
The water villa Maldives price of this resort is reasonable too. Depending on the type of room you choose, it can cost you anywhere between ₹ 27,000 to ₹ 40,000. Airport transfers additionally cost you about ₹ 35,000 on a round trip.
Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa
Vilamendhoo is known for offering the best snorkelling and diving opportunities in the Maldives. Even then it is rated among the cheap water villas in the island nation. Apart from offering several activities, the resort’s opulence is evident in its 184 rooms – some are water villas while most others are attached to the land structure. The water villas are attached to the western end and offer privacy and tranquillity. The resort has an equal share of swimming pools, restaurants, spas, and sports fields.
There are also designated “adults only” areas within the resort. So, if you want to enjoy peace by the sea, you can choose to do so here. However, the resort does allow children. There are huge discounts for children choosing to live with their parents.
Approximately you will have to pay ₹ 27,000 for a suite for two adults. The cost of transfer is about ₹ 28,000 on a round trip.
Fihalhohi Island Resort
Fihalhohi is a small, secluded, and calm resort perfect for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As an excellent place for honeymooners, the resort offers a spectacular view of the rising and setting sun.
The room amenities are at par with the best of the best. An added attraction of this place is the massive use of wood elements in its design which gives it an eco-friendly vibe. The bathrooms must be specially mentioned as you can enjoy champagne while soaking in the tub and enjoy the setting sun right from there!
There are private sun terraces with sea views at Fihalhohi with direct access to the blue lagoon.
Again, the cost per night of one of the suites is about ₹27000 which includes half boarding (with breakfast and dinner). The transfer cost on a speed boat costs about ₹16000 per person, round trip.
Adaaran Club Rannalhi
Float on the pool, lie on your back under the canopy of stars, enjoy a secluded dinner on the sandbank or simply bask in the golden setting sun. It is just so much you can enjoy at the Adaaran Club Rannalhi that the days spent here will be the most memorable ones.
The resort takes you on many snorkelling trips for you to explore the calm of the underwaters. Once out of the water, you can enjoy moments of bliss at the Balinese spa here.
The water villas will cost you approximately ₹ 31,000 while the transfer will cost about ₹11,500 round trip per person.
Meeru Island Resort & Spa
Bike hikes, private beaches, babysitting facilities, and free Wi-Fi are just some of the many facilities to be enjoyed at the Meeru Island Resort and Spa. There are three swimming pools for you to enjoy and family rooms if you are planning to bring your children along. The beach villas come with spa bath facilities (that’s an attraction you shouldn’t miss). There are also two-bedroom villas worth enjoying if you are travelling in a big group.
The cost of the rooms ranges between ₹ 26,000 to ₹ 45,000. The transfer from the airport costs about ₹13000 per person on a round trip.
Kandima, Maldives
Kandima offers a “new” side to the Maldives where there are wild parties by the beach, extensive dining options and the chance to see lots of dolphins. The private island resort is markedly different from the other honeymoon destinations as it is aimed more at the sports-loving, adventure-loving couples who are looking for luxury pool villas but at an affordable rate.
The cost of each water villa here is approximately ₹21000 per night for two adults while the transfer cost is about ₹27,000 round trip per adult.
Your next international vacation must be to the Maldives. The serenity, the calmness, the exotic beaches, and the enthralling lifestyle are beckoning you! Why wait?