Maldives is one of the first destinations that comes to mind when one thinks of honeymoons. Stunning islands, blue waters, and luxurious hotels – the country offers the honeymoon of dreams.

We recently spent 4 days at Club Med Finolhu – the gorgeous hotel boasts of large villas with infinity pools. The rooms and restaurants are both supremely scenic and it’s easy to see schools of fish, sting rays, and even baby sharks in the water while walking around in the hotel. But my favourite corner is the beach front dotted with hammocks, a lone bench, and even a swing in the middle of the glittering turquoise waters.

When we uploaded our first Instagram post from the hotel, we got hundreds of questions about hotels, packages, and activites in Maldives. That got me thinking! On the face of it, planning a romantic getaway to Maldives seems pretty un-complicated. But throw in dozens of hotels offerings similar villas, water-sports, and views, and you are bound to get confused. Trust us when we say this, the second you start looking at your options, your mind will be in a tizzy!

So here’s a few things you should consider while planning a honeymoon or a special romantic getaway in Maldives

Which hotel should I choose

There is no dearth of beautiful hotels in Maldives. But it can take ages to get to some hotels. Most international flights to Maldives land at Male Airport. Some hotels are a boat ride away from Male and for others you have to take another short flight.

As a rule of thumb, we would suggest picking a hotel that is a boat-ride away from the airport in Male, if you are visiting Maldives for 3-5 days. This minimises transfer time, so you can have more fun enjoying yourself at the hotel.

Which room should I choose?

Most hotels in Maldives offer both over-water villas and beach-facing villas (both types come with private pools). If you’re a couple, we would recommend going for a luxurious over-water villa. That’s because you can find stunning beach-facing rooms in a number of other countries such as Seychelles, Indonesia, and Mauritius. Over-water villas are found in very few countries across the world – they make a honeymoon in Maldives truly special. Even if you aren’t a keen swimmer, the feeling of waking up right on the ocean makes this an incredible experience.

When it comes to over-water villas at Club Med Finolhu, you can choose from sunrise and sunset villas. Sunset villas have better views, especially at sunset but they get sold out well in advance. Here’s a little peak into our Sunrise villa at Club Med Finolhu. It was large and spacious with stunning views of the Ocean. The living room and bedroom gave way to a sprawling bathroom, ideal for bubble baths or flower baths – and who doesn’t want one of them on a honeymoon? But my favourite part was the patio – a large lounging bed by an infinity pool of dreams. We woke up to baby sharks and sting rays floating around our villa almost everyday! And spent endless hours relaxing in the pool, gazing at the view, munching on breakfasts, and sipping cocktails. Can you blame us?

What kind of package should I choose?

When it comes to packages, usually we like personalising our suggestions according to the kind of traveller you are. But when it comes to Maldives, all inclusive packages are your best bet, no matter what kind of traveller you are. That’s because hotels are on little islands and there are no other restaurants in the vicinity. As a result, you don’t have an option but to eat all meals at the hotel where you’re staying. If you don’t choose an all-inclusive package, costs of these meals quickly add up. Every single juice you order or dessert you have will be added to your bill. Going all-inclusive solves that problem all together.

Opting for an all-inclusive package also means you know exactly how much you will be spending. Even better, you wouldn’t have to carry cash at all as your payment for the hotel includes all meals. One tip we have with all inclusive packages is to ensure you read the fine print well – see what is included and try to sample everything. For instance at Club Med Finolhu all meals, check-in service, and an open bar are all included in the cost. But that’s not all – the cost also includes room service and a dedicated butler. This is an amazing addition because there’s nothing better than breakfast in bed is there? And once you’ve relaxed to your heart’s content, head out for activities such as snorkelling or fitness classes – which are also part of the all-inclusive package.

I’m vegetarian – will I get enough food to eat?

The on-site restaurant at Club Med Finolhu has a diverse range of meals ranging from burgers and pastas to Indian curries and sushi. So there is plenty to choose from. If you eat meat, we would highly recommend sampling the sea food in Maldives. It’s delicious.

But if you’re vegetarian, you’ll still have plenty to choose from. Expect the usual array of fresh juices, cereals, pastries, and fruits for breakfast. The lunch and dinner menus are constantly changing, but try the pesto pasta at lunch if you get a chance. It goes perfectly with a glass of white wine. Dinner is à la carte and an elaborate affair – expect good service and memorable food, especially the desserts. If you have any food allergies or you’re vegetarian then we have one tip for you – make sure you inform the hotel about your food preferences when you make the booking – this way the chef will whip up some delicacies keeping your restrictions in mind. He will also have special menus, designed for you, if you book a special romantic dinner in your room or on the beach.

What activities should I opt for?

There is no dearth of water-based activities in the Maldives. We would recommend starting with activities that are included in your all-inclusive package such as snorkelling. This offers a chance to see Maldives’ incredible marine life at close quarters. You can also hop over to the neighbouring Club Med Kani, which caters to families and larger groups, for a spot of kayaking or sailing.

If you’re in Maldives for a long time or you’re a water baby, then we would recommend activities like jet-skiing that come at an additional cost. If you want to take your honeymoon in Maldives up a notch, you can also book dinner on the beach or a luxurious couples massage at the scenic spa at Club Med Finolhu.

What should I pack?

If I had to summarise packing for Maldives in 2 words, I would say this – resist overpacking. If you’re planning a honeymoon in Maldives, chances are you would shop a lot and end up overpacking for your holiday. But I’m here to warn you – don’t do it! Chances are you will be in your swimwear for large parts of the day. As a rule of thumb, I suggest packing the following for a 4 day honeymoon in Maldives

Packing list for men

• 2 pairs of swim shorts
• A few tees
• 1 denim shorts
• 1 pair of casual linen trousers
• 2 formal shorts or trousers for evenings
• 3-4 crisp shirts for dinners
• 1 pair of casual slippers
• 1 pair of formal shoes
• Protective sunglasses

Packing list for women

• 3-4 swimsuits
• 2 casual dresses
• 2 beach cover-ups
• 1-2 pair of shorts
• 2-3 casual tees
• 2-3 dressy evening outfits
• A large beach bag
• Nightsuit
• Some accessories like headscarves and earrings
• Protective sunglasses
• Makeup: I would suggest something light such as BB creams and lip tints

As always, don’t forget to pack lots of sunscreen and have a good time 🙂

I hope this has answered all your questions about planning an amazing romantic getaway in Maldives. If you’re travelling to Maldives with kids or your family, then we have an entire article about that as well. Check out How to plan a trip to Maldives with your kids or family

Finally, it’s always a good idea to check the property website for best prices and deals.

Finally, here’s our video from Club Med Finolhu, Maldives. Hope you enjoy watching it 🙂