As there are nearly 80 different private-island water bungalow resorts in the Maldives, it would be extremely easy to spend a lot of time sorting through all the prices, features, and guest reviews to find the one that suits you best at a good price. Because we spent a few months sifting through this information, we're now publishing our “Editor's Choice” resort recommendations. This list is detailed to save you time finding both the best resort and best deal.

You'll also want to note that we also have a complete list of all of the cheap Maldives water villa resorts, but below you'll find the six best that combine low prices, excellent features, and very positive guest reviews. When you read through the list of resorts below, you'll quickly note that most of them operate on an all-inclusive basis to one degree or another. Because of this, and considering that nothing is cheap in the Maldives, they represent an even better deal than you might otherwise think.

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Editors Choice: 6 Best cheap water villa resorts in the Maldives

Meeru Island Resort – Maldives

  • Water villas: 106
  • Total rooms/suites: 286

 

With just over 100 water villas, you’ll see that the Meeru Island Resort has the most in the Maldives, and this is in addition to 180 island and beach rooms. Because of the large amount of rooms, this is a larger resort for the area, and it also operates on a full-board basis.

 

While you may not find this resort to be as romantic as some of the more intimate islands is the same area, this resort does offer over a dozen restaurants and bars in addition to an endless list of activities, which includes a pitch & putt golf course, football grounds, and gardens. The food here receives exceptional reviews for an all-inclusive resort, so if you are looking for an active and fun private-island at a great price, this might be just the place for you.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$560 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,062 per night
>More information about the Meeru Island Resort – Maldives >Check rates

Summer Island Maldives Resort

  • Water villas: 20
  • Total rooms/suites: 156

 

A large resort with over 150 total rooms, the Summer Island Maldives Resort is a great choice for romantic couples, especially if they choose the overwater villas. This is because the overwater villas are for adults only. In addition, depending on which overwater villa you stay in, you’ll be treated to either a sunrise or sunset view of the ocean.

 

Outside of the resort rooms, guests will find lots of activities to join in on. Some of these activities include beach volleyball, glass bottom kayaking, paddle boarding, darts, and of course, scuba diving and snorkeling. It should also be noted that the resort hosts the Firuma by Serena Spa, which wows with an ice room, steam room, and views from its overwater location.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$510 per night
  • High season online specials from US$733 per night
>More information about the Summer Island Maldives Resort >Check rates

Noku Maldives Resort

  • Water villas: 30
  • Total rooms/suites: 50

 

A small resort that offers both land based and overwater villas, the Noku Maldives Resort is an excellent choice for those who don’t have the largest budget for a tropical vacation. Eventhough the rooms themselves aren’t very expensive compared to other overwater villas, they still come complete with a private deck, ocean views, large bathrooms, and much more.

 

In addition to the rooms, guests here will also find lots of dining and drink options with different bars to select from, a spa, and both land based and ocean based activities. Due to the lack of kids clubs here, you’ll want to note that this resort is a solid choice for honeymooners or any other type of romantic couple.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$484 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,043 per night
>More information about the Noku Maldives Resort >Check rates

Veligandu Island Resort – Maldives

  • Water villas: 64
  • Total rooms/suites: 76

 

Serving as primarily a couples resort, the Veligandu Island Resort functions on a full-board basis with the option to pay a little more for an all-inclusive experience, which includes alcohol. What’s also really important is the non-stop stream of enthusiastically positive reviews. Along with a spa, this resort caters with a windsurfing and sailing center, surf bikes, volleyball, and a gym.

 

There are a few classes of water villas here with the smaller class of water villas offering a whirlpool tub, but most have a 2-person Jacuzzi instead, which is located on a private section of the back terrace. The food here also receives top marks here as well, which is quite an achievement in this price range. The staff at this resort are always notoriously friendly, which is always appreciated.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$825 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,065 per night
>More information about the Veligandu Island Resort – Maldives >Check rates

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort & Spa – Maldives

  • Water villas: 60
  • Total rooms/suites: 164

 

The Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa is a four-star hotel that houses 60 water villas of varying sizes, with many of the villas featuring their own private jacuzzi tub to enjoy and soak in. Guests here will find restaurants, bars, a beautiful spa, and various water activities that are outside the usual realm of snorkeling and scuba diving.

 

Even with their normal rates and during high season this could be a good choice. The reviews are also very good, usually recommending that people “just stay here” and you won’t regret it. When their online specials are going this might be the best value in the Maldives.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$550 per night
  • High season online specials from US$650 per night
>More information about the Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort & Spa – Maldives >Check rates

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort

  • Water villas: 80
  • Total rooms/suites: 150

 

Another 5-star resort that is known for having excellent online special rates, the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort (which is formerly known as the Hilton Maldives) is one to consider for just about every traveler. This is a larger international resort that’s loaded with luxury amenities, many dining options, and activity choices. Some of the activity choices include fishing, jet skiing, sailing, and various sightseeing tours.

 

While some resorts are fine with staying mostly empty during the slow weeks, the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort likes to cut their prices to what most people would consider to be ridiculously low. During busy weeks here, water villas usually start at close to US$800 per night, but if you go during a slower week (especially during the off-season) you can get the same room for well under half that. You might just get lucky so it’s worth checking this one.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$534 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,346 per night
>More information about the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort >Check rates
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14 thoughts on "Editor’s Choice: 6 Best Maldives water-villa resorts with private pools"

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  1. Hi There

    My partner and I are looking for a water bungalow in the Maldives for 5 nights for a honey moon, can you recommend any that has surfing close by

    Shane

  2. Hi Roger, my fiance and I are looking to book an water villa for our honeymoon in August. There is such a huge choice. We are tossing up between Baros and Huvafen Fushi. We would like something ultra romantic and luxurious as we will be only going for 5 nights. Can you give your recommendation on the two above or suggest another resort that we might enjoy honeymooning at? Thanks in advance.

    1. R&R,

      Unfortunately I’ve yet to make it to either of those resorts (there are about 90 Maldives resorts with water villas), but I do know from studying the market for all of these years that those are two of the best in general, and the best for honeymoons. Baros is one of the original water villa resorts and it’s a bit closer to the airport than Huvafen Fushi, but both have been updated fairly recently. I’m sure either one would be amazing, and I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help. -Roger

  3. hello

    could you advise about a luxurious 5* resort that offers overwater or beach villas with pools villas with pools that are completely private/secluded (not seen by anyone from outside). if all inclusive would be better thanks!

  4. Hi, I can’t see the name of W Resort & Spa. How do you rate this hotel as this property shows overwater villas with private pool

  5. Hi Roger

    Could you please suggest an over water villa resort in the month of November with open bathrooms, private jaccuzzi for the perfect honeymoon and which is not very expensive.

  6. Hi Roger

    Could you please suggest an over water villa resort/ hotel in the month of April (last week) with standard size rooms, open bathrooms, private jaccuzzi etc which leads to a super romantic getaway and which is not very expensive.

    1. Neha,

      Sorry I saw this late. These were the best Maldives deals for April, including a couple of really nice ones at appealing rates. Hopefully you can still get in on one of those. -Roger

  7. halo. i am doing research for my annual holiday. May i know if there is a list of water-villa resorts with private pools which offer all-inclusive package? (inclusive of 3 meals and alcoholic drinks all day). I understand that lily beach resort offer that, may i know which are the ones offering too?

    1. Dan,

      I am not sure of the specific resorts with private pools that also do all inclusive, but I’m sure there are quite a few. You might check out the main article on Maldives all inclusive resorts and find ones you like. I’m sure at least a few of them have private pool villas as well. Good luck. -Roger