Water Villa or Beach Villa? Ask our Maldives specialist…
By Carly Watling on 7th August, 2024
The Maldives: water villa, or beach villa?
It’s always a pleasure when the phone rings with a first timer Maldives enquiry.
For many, its a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list trip, perhaps as a honeymoon, and picking up the phone to make that call is a big deal. This is the year I am going to spend this money on this trip and live the Maldives dream I’ve been carrying around for years, possibly for the only time in my life. (Yes, there is some pressure when you receive a call like this too..!)
These callers often have a very clear image of the white sandy beaches, coral reefs to snorkel, and romantic dinners in open air restaurants with feet buried in that cool sand. And of the villa too.
Water Villas have become synonymous with the Maldives and its easy to see why they have this enduring draw. Diving from your bedroom in to the ocean and listening to the waves underneath you as you fall asleep at night isn’t something you get at your average hotel – or even at every exquisite, luxury hotel. This is something unique, and coupled with the privacy they offer and their rarity, it’s easy to see why they are a non negotiable for some visitors. You don’t get children staying in the Water Villas either (#safetyfirst) so the whole jetty the Water Villas are built on is usually a kid-free zone.
And if that alone hadn’t convinced you – just look at that Water Villa in the photo above, from a beautiful boutique island called Milaidhoo.
Dreamy.Â
But don’t ignore the draw of the Beach Villas!
As a beach fan, I love having my own little sand garden flowing out to the ocean myself (see that image on the right?! That’s Milaidhoo as well).
And price wise, the beach villas with a pool are often a similar price to the Water Villas without a private pool and I know which I would prefer…
They’re usually clustered nearer the main facilities of the island, so a short walk to the bar and restaurants when I want a snack or a little company. And you are more likely to get a 2nd bedroom or a separate lounge area on the land too.
Making a final decision…
…is very personal! It does all vary a lot island to island and prices are dynamic so it’s best to discuss your priorities and check options in real time. Whether you choose a Maldives water villa or beach villa, your holiday is guaranteed to be gorgeous.
You could also go completely off-piste and stay in a Maldives Treehouse anyway…
Written by Carly Watling
Top Travel Tip
“Both Sri Lanka and the Maldives are amazing standalone – but a combination of the two is an addictive pairing. 10 days exploring the highlights of Sri Lanka hits culture, wildlife, breathtaking scenery and incredible food at a good pace, and then you can wind down with a few nights of luxury on the most perfect beaches in the world” – Carly, Asia Specialist
