Choosing the Perfect Maldives Resort

Q: We would like to holiday at a resort in the Maldives. We want a resort situated close to the airport, with a speedboat transfer time of less than 20 minutes. Could you recommend a luxury resort within 20kms of the airport? - Lee Reynecke

A: The hotel closest to the airport is the Hulhule Island Hotel, which is located only a short drive away on the same island. While the hotel is quite luxurious, I am sure you would be happier on one of the more traditional "single island resorts" nearby. Resorts located close to the airport that would suit you are the Four Seasons Resort, Soneva Gili, the Banyan Tree Maldives and the Taj Exotica Resort. The Taj is only a five-minute boat ride from the pier near the airport, so you could be checking into this exciting resort while others are still boarding their flights and boats to theirs. The Soneva Gili Resort on Lankanfushi island, the first all overwater resort in the Maldives. also lies within a few minutes boat ride from the airport. One of the most elegant resorts in this archipelago, the Banyan Tree Maldives, which is located 17kms from the airport on Vabbinfaru Island. Another stylish choice is the fabulous Four Seasons on Kudu Haraa Island. If you find these hotels a tad pricey but still want five-star comfort, you can try the Anantara Resort (19kms), the Angsana Resort (17kms) and the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort (6kms). Two all-inclusive resorts that offer great value are Club Faru on Farukolhufushi (a former Club Med only a seven minute trip from the airport) and Club Med Kanifinolhu (19kms). Other more wallet-friendly choices include Bandos Island Resort (7kms), Kurumba Maldives (3kms) and the Paradise Island Resort (10kms). You can find a full list of resorts and their distance from the airport on www.mymaldives.com and a detailed and authoritative report on resorts on the http://www.smarttravelasia.com/maldives.htm website. (8/1/12)