Affordable hotels in the Maldives exist, and these are the best ones

Who isn’t dreaming of a Maldives holiday right about now? We sure are — which is why we’ve compiled the very best affordable hotels in the Maldives to help make your island dreams come true, as well as the insider tips to save you money on your dream Maldives holiday.

While the Maldives – with its stunning over-water villas, world-renowned marine life and dreamy white sand beaches – has a reputation for being rather expensive, not every resort in the Maldives will cost you an arm and a leg. Really.

In fact, a new wave of reasonably-priced hotels across the archipelago are making the Maldives more accessible than ever. Millennial-targeted hospitality brands such as Avani + Fares and The Standard offer a Maldivian holiday experience that’s fun and dynamic with prices that are millennial-friendly, too. But all the hotels on our list – which mostly cost under £300 per night – are stylish, tropical paradises with different aesthetics that cater to all kinds of vibes, from thatched roof beach huts to stunning overwater bungalows.

To make your stay even more affordable, we’ve included our top, travel editor-approved tips to save even more money on your Maldives getaway…

How to have an affordable holiday in the Maldives

Go all inclusive

Staying on a bed and breakfast or even a half board rate in the Maldives can lead to an eye-watering bill on checkout because a lot of food and drink – especially branded items and alcohol – is imported. All-inclusive packages cover meals, drinks, and often snacks and basic activities, so you’re less likely to be hit with unexpected bills. So if you’re someone who would like a glass of wine on the beach, or you want to eliminate the stress of calculating costs after every meal, then we’d recommend looking into all-inclusive packages.

Stay on a local island

In contrast to resort islands, local islands are home to local communities, so staying on one not only lets you experience authentic Maldivian culture, but saves you money. Guesthouses and small boutique hotels on local islands are far more affordable than luxury resorts, often including breakfast and excursions at a fraction of the price. Meals at local cafés are inexpensive, transfers are cheaper, and activities like snorkelling cost significantly less.

Some local islands are more established in terms of tourism than others, most notably Maafushi and Maalhos, for which we’ve included some options below (Kaani Beach Hotel and Manta Reserve Maldives).

It’s important to note that alcohol is prohibited on local islands due to Maldivian law, but some guesthouses arrange trips to nearby ‘floating bars’ or resort islands. Similarly, outside of designated ‘bikini beaches’, modest dress is expected at all times.

Visit during low season

Most resorts and hotels in the Maldives follow a seasonal pricing structure, so travelling outside of the high season of November to April delivers pretty good savings. In fact, you can often stay in higher-end accommodations for the same price you’d pay for a mid-range option in high season.

Low season (May to October) is often associated with rain due to the southwest monsoon, but showers are usually brief and tropical. You’ll likely experience overcast days and choppier seas, but temperatures still hover in the high-20s. What you lack in constantly perfect weather, you’ll make up for in savings and fewer crowds.

Plan transfers carefully

One of the best ways to save during your holiday in the Maldives is choosing an atoll, such as South Malé, North Malé and Vaavu, that can be accessed via speedboat from Malé Velana International Airport, as seaplane transfers often start from around $400 (around £300) to $800 (around £600) for the resorts furthest away. Speedboat transfers are typically half that. Check whether your hotel is accessible by speedboat instead, such as Velarassu Maldives, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa and Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa below.

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Ahead, the 16 best affordable hotels in the Maldives, according to a travel writer…

Don’t forget to save when you book with these Booking.com discount codes and Expedia discount codes at checkout.