The specialists of the Russian Express company told how to relax in the Maldives without spending a fortune. And we are not talking about guesthouses with breakfasts, but about classic Maldivian hotels on the islands. When to book a tour and how to choose a hotel and type of food to save money – read our article.
There is an opinion that a trip to the Maldives is always a mega–luxury vacation, generally inaccessible to a middle-class tourist, and many do not even consider the opportunity to go on such a trip.
However, the tourist market is changing, many countries are becoming more expensive, and destinations that previously seemed like an impossible dream, on the contrary, are among the leaders in accessibility for different categories of tourists.
Usually, when they talk about “cheap tours to the Maldives”, they mean holidays in unpretentious guesthouses on local islands where locals live. And this, of course, is not at all the “Maldivian vacation” that we see on social networks.
But in fact, you can not buy a tour to the Maldives “island hotels” for a lot of money, you just need to know the nuances. The specialists of the Russian Express suggest using the following recommendations in order not to overpay.
EARLY BOOKING OF HOLIDAYS IN THE MALDIVES
“Early booking of tours to the Maldives is valid throughout the year. It is better to purchase vouchers in advance – this way you can save from 10 to 30%. We recommend booking a trip 30, 60 or 90 days before arrival. In addition, discounts can be combined with additional seasonal bonuses,” the tour operator’s experts say.
AIRFARE TO MALDIVES AT AN ATTRACTIVE PRICE
A flight to the Maldives with an early booking will also be cheaper. It is especially possible to save money on flights with connections through Arab countries – this is how almost half (or rather 44%) of all tourists from Russia get to the Maldives (rather than direct flights).
According to the Russian Express, for example, you can now find good–priced connecting tickets on flights operated by Oman Air (connecting in Oman), as well as from a budget airline from the UAE – Air Arabia (connecting in Sharjah), which recently entered the destination. Fares start from 66,000 rubles per person round trip.
“Now, in December, for example, it is most profitable to book tours to the Maldives for the May holidays,” the company’s specialists advise.
SEASONAL SPECIAL OFFERS FOR ACCOMMODATION IN MALDIVES HOTELS
You can relax in the Maldives at any time of the year. It should be understood that for beach holidays, diving and surfing in the Maldives, the period from November to April is ideal, this period is considered high season.
From May to October the probability of rains on the islands is higher, although they are short-lived and occur mainly at night or in the morning. But it is during this period, considered the “low season”, that prices at Maldivian hotels decrease, special offers appear .
Hotels in the Maldives regularly issue special offers, discounts on accommodation for which can reach 60%. In addition, hotels often offer additional bonuses for guests in the form of free transfers, upgrade of the food category, SPA vouchers, etc.
WHICH HOTEL IN THE MALDIVES TO CHOOSE IN ORDER NOT TO OVERPAY
Russian Express has compiled a list of recommended 4*-5* hotels on Maldives with the best price–quality ratio, and recommends paying attention to them:
- Villa Park 5 *(Sun Island)
- Kuredu Island Resort 4*
- Meeru Island Resort 4*
- OBLU Xperience Ailafushi 4*
- Kuramathi Maldives 4*
- Furaveri Island Resort 5*
- Hard Rock Maldives 5*
- SAii Lagoon Maldives 5*
- Adaaran Club Rannalhi 4*
- Cinnamon Dhonveli 4*
For example, the cost of a package tour with departure on December 11 for 8 days/7 nights with all–inclusive meals and accommodation at the Kuredu Island Resort 4* hotel starts from 498,800 rubles for two people, which is quite comparable to the prices for a vacation in a luxury five-star hotel in Turkey. But it will be the Maldives! With all their flavor.
Maldives with island hotels suggest relaxing holidays surrounded by the ocean and tropical vegetation. Photo: Russian Express
WHAT TYPE OF FOOD IS CHEAPER IN THE MALDIVES
The question may seem strange, but hotels with breakfasts in the Maldives will eventually cost more (everything on the islands is imported, eating at a hotel located on an island where there is nothing but it, for an additional fee, will be very expensive).
The Russian Express emphasizes that it is more profitable to book classic hotels in the Maldives with all-inclusive or full board (FB or FB+, with drinks included), and not at breakfast or with two meals a day (HB).
“If tourists want to save money, we advise you not to be lazy and explore the concepts of hotels. Some of them, for example, offer 2-3 versions of the all-inclusive system with different contents, and you can choose the appropriate one. Having read in advance what is included in the price of a particular hotel, tourists will be able to avoid overpayments for services on the spot,” the experts of the tour operator add.
TO THE MALDIVES WITH A DISCOUNT – WITHIN A YEAR AFTER THE WEDDING
Newlywed tourists, when booking a tour to the islands, can count on a discount of up to 20% and in general on special “wedding” rates, as well as small gifts on the day of arrival (beautifully decorated room, cake, fruit).
At the same time, it is worth considering that hotels in the Maldives consider newlyweds not only those who go on a trip immediately after marriage registration, but also those who have married in the last six months or even a year (depends on the hotel).
“UNPOPULAR” DATES WITH GOOD DISCOUNTS
“To book a tour with maximum discounts, we recommend considering “unpopular” dates, for example, such periods are considered: in early December, before or immediately after the May holidays, in June or July”, – they also advise in the “Russian Express”.