Island Dreamin’: 7 Affordable water villas in the Maldives

Sarah Khan 16 Nov 2017 updated the 22 November 2017 à 12:19

1/7
7 Affordable, Yet Stunning Water Villas in the Maldives
Looking for a private island resort stay in the Maldives - without having to bust your wallet? Browse through the gallery for our recommended picks!
2/7
Ranveli Island Resort
This 4-star beach resort, formerly known as Ranveli Village, offers 56 spacious four-room chalets furnished with your very own private balcony or beachfront backyard. Located at the Villingilivaru Island of South Ari Atoll, the resort is surrounded by untouched natural lagoons, with the chalet just mere steps away from the azure ocean waters.

For the water sport enthusiasts: there is a spectacular in-house reef perfect for divers looking to explore the diverse marine life around the island. Fancy canoeing in the Indian Ocean? You can. Wind down after an invigorating day of activities at the Lansimoo Spa.

Its rooms are clean, basic and comfortable, equipped with a minibar - although without a TV or WiFi. As such, if you’re looking for a no-frills, casual stay in the Maldives with a local touch, this is the ideal spot for you.

Prices start from SGD100/night.

Photo: Ranveli Island Resort
3/7
KIHAAD Maldives
‘Kihaa’ translates to ‘young coconut island’ in the local Dhivehi language. The resort is recognised as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve as one of the best diving locations within the Maldives.

Built in 2012, the KIHAAD resort feels upscale and new, despite its relatively affordable price point. It sits on a 600-meter long island surrounded by a waist-deep lagoon, pristine white-sand beaches and an abundant marine life.

The resort itself features a dozen water bungalows as well as a spa built over the lagoon on stilts. It comes with great family-friendly amenities, which makes it a top choice if you’re looking to travel with your family. Its only drawback is that you have to board a 30-minute seaplane flight from Male Airport, followed by a boat transfer after - at least the views you get are pretty scenic!

Prices start from SGD200/night.

Photo: Kuda Fushi Resort (Facebook)
4/7
Kuredu Island Resort
Kuredu is one of the most popular and largest resort islands in the Maldives. Stretching just over a mile in length, the resort has 14 restaurants and bars, two spas, three pools, a soccer field and golf course, with rooms equipped with Nespresso machines, a minibar and free Wi-Fi.

You can choose your preferred accommodation type, depending on what type of views you’d like to wake up. These include the Garden Bungalows, Beach Bungalows, Beach Villas, Jacuzzi Beach Villas as well as the exclusive and luxurious Water Villas. For a truly indulgent and extravagant resort experience in the Maldives however, treat yourself to a stay fit for royalty at the exquisite Sulthan Pool Villas.

Prices start from SGD200/night.

Photo: Kuredu Island Resort (Facebook)
5/7
Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa
The massive 184-room Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is one of the few resort islands in the Maldives that lets you whale-watch. The rooms are spacious and handsomely-furnished. The resort has an impressive array of amenities that range from multiple swimming pools, restaurants, sports fields and spas.

Prices start from SGD200/night.

Photo: Vilamendhoo Island Resort (Facebook)
6/7
Kurumba Maldives
Opened in 1972, this upscale 180-room resort is the oldest in the Maldives, located on a former coconut plantation surrounded by pristine beaches. Unlike a few other resorts in the Maldives, getting here requires a quick and cheap 10-minute boat ride from the airport (no pricey seaplanes required).

Granted, it may not be the most tranquil or scenic of locations (due to a protective man-made barrier). Nonetheless, the resort still has to plenty to offer amenities-wise, with its 11 restaurant and bars, two swimming pools, a contemporary spa, options for wine tasting and sunset jazz, and even a kids’ club with babysitting services. In fact, its sleek Thile Restaurant, which opened in 2014, ranks as one of the best restaurants in the Maldives. You can expect a comfortable stay in their rooms which are furnished with contemporary decor, outdoor patios and spacious open-air bathrooms.

Prices start from SGD300/night.

Photo: Kurumba
7/7
Sun Siyam Ira
This 221-room private island resort in the secluded Noonu Atoll island first opened in 2008 under the Hilton hotel chain, before being run by a Maldivian family. You can choose to stay in the beach villas with private pools) or the overwater villas equipped with your very own private deck into the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

The 52-acre island has an inexhaustible array of water sports and leisure activities appealing to all ages, which include a PADI dive center. This is one of the few (competitively priced) luxury resorts with a kids’ club and babysitting service, which makes it the perfect accommodation option if you’re vacationing with your kids. You do require a seaplant to get to the resort

Prices start from SGD300/night.

Photo: Sun Siyam Ira

7 Affordable, Yet Stunning Water Villas in the Maldives

Starting as low as SGD100/night, these are the wallet-friendly luxury villas of your dreams.

The Maldives: home to ridiculously turquoise waters, pristine sands and perennial warmth that extends beyond the deep rays of the sun to the friendly locals.

If you’ve always fancied a trip to this slice of paradise, but aren’t willing to splurge on their steep luxury accommodation options, you’ll be gratified to know that there are absolutely stunning (yet affordably-priced) private island villas for your picking.

Starting as low as SGD100 a night, these are the wallet-friendly luxury stays that definitely do not compromise on the idyllic island holiday experience. Browse them in the gallery above!

Sarah Khan

10 Beautiful water villas in Indonesia that will take your breath away

Heaven on Earth: A guide to the best islands in the Philippines

15 Green hotels in Southeast Asia that will make your jaw drop

Kim Kardashian West just unveiled her new...