Question Getting to the Maldives from the US

[cetacean]

I think I saw this mentioned in another thread, but I'm having trouble finding it...

We are considering staying 2-3 days in Male or Hulhumale to rest before the long flight back. I recall reading that Male itself is pretty lousy and there isn't anything to do. Really all we want is a good hotel and access to vegan/vegetarian food for a couple days. Do y'all have any opinions or recommendations?

Two decent options...

Spend a day at the Hulhule Island Hotel (same island as the airport, not the same island as Male, which is not worth it). If you really want to see Male taking a water taxi from Hulhule is easy... This hotel is fine for an overnight stay, but I would not spend multiple days here...

The other option is there are quite a few resorts a speed boat ride away from the airport. The Four Seasons is a 15 min. boat ride away, Kurumba is 15 min away, Paradise Island is 20 min away...there are many others.

There are no good hotels in Male, but there are more than a handful within 45 min from the airport by boat - pick any of them for a few days. People do this all the time... after spending a week plus in one of the outer atolls or a liveaboard we have often finished a trip with a few days stay at one of the closer island resorts to the airport.

 

[mattfish]

I think I saw this mentioned in another thread, but I'm having trouble finding it...

I realized that the posts I was looking for were in this thread lol

 

[mattfish]

I appreciate everyone's input and advice.

What we've decided to do is to spend 2-3 days before the liveaboard at one of the hotels a short boat ride from Male. Then we will just do a one-night stay at the airport hotel after the liveaboard (some R&R, and gear cleaning/drying/packing) before we fly home.

 

[mattfish]

we're going to see if there is a Hilton or IHG hotel within a 30-min boat ride of Male. We have some good perks with those hotel groups. We just want a few days to relax and adjust to the time shift before we get on the boat and start diving.

 

[Volleyball]

Be advised at MLE, we’ve seen an empty taxi line and recently, at 1030pm on a Friday, 100+ people with about a 30 minute wait. The fastest option for an overnight would be the male water taxi and stay somewhere within walking distance but there are mosques that blast the call to prayer over loudspeakers starting at 430am. There are many early domestic flights (5-6am) out of MLE allowing one to reach another island/atoll early enough to make the morning dive

 

[pintodog]

I think I saw this mentioned in another thread, but I'm having trouble finding it...

We are considering staying 2-3 days in Male or Hulhumale to rest before the long flight back. I recall reading that Male itself is pretty lousy and there isn't anything to do. Really all we want is a good hotel and access to vegan/vegetarian food for a couple days. Do y'all have any opinions or recommendations?

As far as staying in Male...it is all about what you expect/want. I stayed two nights in the middle of Male because I wanted to experience something more "local". My flight arrived late on the first day but I got a full day and a half to experience the city. I definitely got that and I really enjoyed it. It is a bustling, crowded, lively place where few foreigners go. Had great food and enjoyed the atmosphere. I did not think it was lousy at all. HOWEVER...it is DEFINITELY not the "Maldives Experience" that everyone is used to. If you are after something more quiet and "resort-y" then stay in Hulhumale. I had zero regrets staying in Male and would recommend it for someone that wants the kind of experience I described.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Having flown in and out of the Middle East at least a couple of times every year for over a decade, I'd jump at the chance for a layover in Istanbul to get out and see some sights.

Whatever seating you choose, make sure to force yourself to get up and walk about to keep your blood circulating.

Deep vein thrombosis (aka leg clots) are no joke.

Business class is at less risk because of the reclining seats.

Understanding Your Risk for Blood Clots with Travel

Learn about your risk for blood clots with travel.

www.cdc.gov

Qatar Airways Q Suites or First Class are good.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Be advised at MLE, we’ve seen an empty taxi line and recently, at 1030pm on a Friday, 100+ people with about a 30 minute wait. The fastest option for an overnight would be the male water taxi and stay somewhere within walking distance but there are mosques that blast the call to prayer over loudspeakers starting at 430am. There are many early domestic flights (5-6am) out of MLE allowing one to reach another island/atoll early enough to make the morning dive

Pretty much every hotel has a pickup service as well.

 

[Volleyball]

Pretty much every hotel has a pickup service as well.

Adding a datapoint that Club Blu does not. For context, this is a $50/night guesthouse; we landed at 10pm and had a 520am domestic flight; we were in the room for less than 5 hours

 

[Volleyball]

As far as staying in Male...it is all about what you expect/want. I stayed two nights in the middle of Male because I wanted to experience something more "local". My flight arrived late on the first day but I got a full day and a half to experience the city. I definitely got that and I really enjoyed it. It is a bustling, crowded, lively place where few foreigners go. Had great food and enjoyed the atmosphere. I did not think it was lousy at all. HOWEVER...it is DEFINITELY not the "Maldives Experience" that everyone is used to. If you are after something more quiet and "resort-y" then stay in Hulhumale. I had zero regrets staying in Male and would recommend it for someone that wants the kind of experience I described.

To piggyback off this, one can dive a 2-3 tank in Hulhumale and tour Male after