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A Mama’s take on the Maldives…
Pristine turquoise waters, swaying coconut palms and heavenly resorts… Sounds like a dream. The Maldives has long been considered the ultimate honeymooner’s getaway – but times are changing. Today, some of the world’s best family resorts can be found here, complete with mama-approved kid’s clubs and family-oriented activities. But how do you decide on where to go when the island nation is 1192 islands spread over 800km from north to south?
We chatted to Aja from The Luxe Nomad, to see what this luxurious travel company puts at the top of the Maldives list. This travel expert took to the Maldives (with her two-year old in tow!) to check out the best 5-star family getaways. From international flights, speedboats and seaplanes, to kid’s clubs, high-chairs and dolphin cruises, here’s how to give this romantic haven a family touch.
How to get there: Direct flights from Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Malé, Maldives (MLE) are about 7 hours. Click through the slideshow to see how to get to each of the gorgeous locations.
Skyscanner Travel Tip: The cheapest month to travel to Male, Maldives from Hong Kong is May, which is 13% cheaper than the average price. On the other hand, the most expensive month is February, which is 25% more expensive. Booking 16 weeks in advance helps families save up to 18%!
We love this resort for it’s (relatively) easy accessibility, myriad of restaurants (guests can dine at sister resort Anantara Veli’s restaurants too), and bright, relaxed vibe. A collection of 110 elegant and spacious beach and water villas and suites dot the island, with bicycles and buggies for transportation. Bliss. The Anantara Villa with a private pool and beach access is great for active little adventurers!
Kids will Love: The Dhoni Club – a collection of refurbished Maldivian boats situated in the middle of the resort. This club is complete with an outdoor playground, sandpits and a full list of activities (from painting to cooking classes). The al fresco setting is great to encourage children to enjoy the outdoors. Open from 10am – 5pm daily, children under 3 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Family Activities: Snorkelling with manta rays or dolphins, beach games such as football, chess and petanque, coral adoption programmes and lazy lunches at Aqua, overlooking the infinity pool.
Children under 12 dine free in all of the hotel’s restaurants.
Extras: Baby cots, high chairs, toddler toilet seats, toiletries, kids’ slippers and robes and customised meals.
How to Get There: A 35-min boat transfer direct to the resort from Male Airport.
www.theluxenomad.com/maldives/south-male-atoll/villas/anantara-dhigu-maldives-resort
Set on the largest island in North Male atoll, this villa-only resort offers a superb island getaway. Whether you choose the freedom of a beach villa, or the tranquillity of an overwater villa, these are some of the largest in the world. From the moment you step into the luxury boat transfer from Male, families can revel in the service, facilities and idyllic setting, featuring 12 powder-white beaches, the One&Only Spa, 2 kids clubs and a teen club.
Kids will love: KidsOnly (for children 4-9) offering dining facilities, a swimming pool and arts and crafts areas, as well as a host of activities under the watchful eyes of certified counsellors. Meanwhile, OneTribe (for tweens aged 9 -11) offers a chill out space directly on the beach, inspiring adventure, discovery and island exploration. Teens are also catered for in the comfortable and dynamic environment of ClubOne where teen counsellors guide activities. Open from 9am – 7pm daily, children under 4 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Family Activities: Rock climbing at ‘The Rock’, the Art & Pottery Studio (offering signature family pottery classes!), and swimming at Turtle Reef. For a meal to remember, make sure to check out the garden-to-fork dining under the Banyan Tree at Botanica.
Children under 12 dine free in all of the hotel’s restaurants.
Extras: Baby cots, high chairs, toddler toilet seats, toiletries, kids’ slippers and robes, children welcome packs.
How to Get There: A 35-min boat transfer direct to the resort from Male.
www.theluxenomad.com/maldives/north-male-atoll/villas/one-only-reethi-rah
Unveiled in July 2017, this 120-villa resort offers beach and water villas, 65 with private pools. The chic architecture and interiors were designed by world-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates and inspired by Maldivian island life. The 3 restaurants, spa, watersports centre and kids’ club allow families to do as much or as little as they please.
Kids will Love: The Little Explorer’s Club is chock full of activities – from balloon art and henna tattoos, to learning Dhiveli and coconut hunting. Open from 8am – 9pm daily, children under 4 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Family Activities: Destination dining, sunset dhoni fishing, and family movies under the stars. Seriously, Hong Kong kids will be amazed by the sheer amount of stars they can count!
Children under 2 stay and dine complimentary, while those aged 2-13 stay for free and enjoy 50% off meals. We couldn’t ask for much more.
Extras: Baby cots and high chairs.
How to Get There: A 20-min boat transfer direct to the resort from Male.
Opened in 1995, Soneva Fushi has pioneered (and continues to lead) in the eco-sensitive, barefoot luxury resort sphere. Here, 57 villas with beach access, most with pools, make for stunning a Robinson-Crusoe-meets-Flintstone stay. 6 restaurants, countless destination dining options, Mr/Ms Friday butlers, and villa bicycles or tricycles to take you from one place to the next (or buggy and Friday). Self-sustaining, with recycling, upcycling, and food waste management initiatives on-site. Despite all that’s available on the island, each villa feels so very private, a little family oasis.
Kids will Love: The amazing children’s Den – a standalone complex complete with a pool, waterslide, cinema room, Lego room, arts and crafts area. Activities include ‘Pirate Treasure Hunts’, ‘Stunning Sand Sculptures’ and more – catering for toddlers to teenagers alike. Best of all – they also schedule in ‘Time with your family’. Open from 10am – 5pm, children under 4 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Family Activities: Sunset dolphin watching cruises, family paddleboard races, leisurely in-villa breakfasts, lunch in the organic vegetable garden. Also visit the outdoor Cinema Paradiso, or check out the planets, stars and the moon up close at the high-tech Observatory.
Make the most of the complimentary all-day chocolate and gelato rooms. And chefs are happy to customise meals for picky eaters.
Extras: Wooden baby cots, high chairs, toddler toilet seats, customised gourmet meals, organic vegetables from the garden, adult tricycles with cushioned seats in the back for kids.
How to Get There: Fly into Male followed by a 30-min seaplane transfer direct to the Soneva Fushi Airport (ie sandbank) in the Baa Atoll.
Conrad Rangali offers family-dedicated experiences spread across 3 islands. Take your pick between the livelier Rangalifinolhu, the more romantic adults-only getaways at Rangali island (if you want to escape for dinner and leave the kids with a babysitter) and an immersive, relaxing experience at The Spa Retreat. 8 Restaurants and 4 bars take care of your gastronomical needs while the myriad of activities will help burn off all those delicious calories.
Kids will Love: Operated by trained childcare consultants, the Majaa Kids Club has a packed schedule of activities ranging from coconut planting and origami to kite-flying and snorkelling. Ideal for kids aged between 3-12. There’s even a selection of lunch menus for little gourmands. Open from 10am – 6pm, children under 3 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Family Activities: A private family yoga class, glass-bottomed boat cruise, whale shark and turtle safaris, or a spellbinding lunch at Ithaa, the all-glass, undersea restaurant.
Little ones under 12 dine free from the children’s menus.
Extras: Majaa Kids Club pack upon arrival. Regular kids amenities and Children’s menu in most restaurants.
How to Get There: Fly into Male followed by a 30-min seaplane transfer direct to the resort.
Opened in 2016, this 77 villa resort offers all the hallmarks of the St.Regis brand: tasteful, innovative (slightly futuristic-looking) design and works of art, that signature St. Regis butler service, Family Traditions at St. Regis activities and those unforgettable Bloody Marys. We also love the shapes and interior accents inspired by the surrounding marine life such as the Whale Bar with its turtle bar, and seashell-shaped library. Whether your villa is on the island, steps from the turquoise waters, or overwater – you can be sure to expect a stylish stay.
Kids will Love: The Children’s Club offers activities such as yoga, meditation, cooking, painting and puzzles; built around a daily theme such as Nature, or Fitness. Open from 10am – 6pm daily, children under 4 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Family Activities: Private fishing trips to a deserted sandbanks, followed by a barbecue prepared by your chef and butler, glass-bottom kayaking, sandcastle building and movie nights under the stars.
Little ones under 12 stay and dine for free with the summer offer Kid’s Pass.
Extras: Baby cots, high chairs, toddler toilet seats, toiletries, kids’ slippers and robes.
How to Get There: Fly into Male followed by a 60-min seaplane transfer direct to the resort.
As the first and only resort to open in the Thaa Atoll, COMO Maalifushi offers 65 land and water villas. Each one features the unique aesthetic of Japanese interior designer Koichiro Ikebuchi. Elegant and minimalist, the vibe is calming, the service passionate and the experience uplifting. Besides quality time in your villa, you can surf, spot hammerheads and whale sharks nearby, or escape to COMO Shambala Retreat while the kids explore the lagoon.
Kids will Love: Play by COMO encourages the resort’s youngest guests to make the best of COMO’s service, design, cuisine and wellness approach, offering family bonding, and independent activities to engage and excite children. Kids of an “I can swim” age can snorkel with the resident Marine Biologist, or go on guided nature walks. We all know Hong Kong kids could use a bit of that! Little ones can also exercise their budding culinary skills with the sushi and pizza making classes.
Family Activities: Family yoga, castaway picnics, splash net dolphin cruises and Island barbecues on Lavadhoo Island are great highlights.
Tiny tots under 2 eat for free, and kids between the age of 2-12 eat for half-price.
Extras: Baby cots, toddler toilet seats, high chairs, kid’s plates and cutlery, bottle warmers and sterilisers, baby baths, prams, kids toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, Children’s Welcome Kit.
How to Get There: Fly into Male followed by a 60-min seaplane transfer direct to the resort.
www.theluxenomad.com/maldives/thaa-atoll/villas/como-maalifushi-maldives
Featured image via Aja. All other images via The Luxe Nomad or respective hotel websites.
