In most destinations you choose a hotel and eat wherever you like. In the Maldives, your resort usually has its own island, so its restaurants and bars are where you'll eat and drink for your whole stay. That makes the meal plan one of the most important choices in your booking, and one of the most confusing.
Here's what each plan usually includes, what it usually doesn't, and how to choose.
The plans at a glance
| Plan | Usually includes | Usually extra |
|---|---|---|
| Bed and breakfast (BB) | Daily breakfast | Lunch, dinner, all drinks outside breakfast |
| Half board (HB) | Breakfast and dinner | Lunch, most drinks with meals |
| Full board (FB) | Breakfast, lunch and dinner | Most drinks, including with meals |
| All-inclusive (AI) | All main meals, snacks and a selection of drinks | Premium drinks, some restaurants, many activities |
| Premium all-inclusive | A wider choice of restaurants and drinks, often with extras such as excursions or spa time | Varies by resort; check the list |
Every resort defines its plans a little differently. Treat this table as a guide, and read the inclusions for the resort you choose.
Bed and breakfast
Breakfast in the Maldives is often a generous buffet or à la carte spread, and sometimes a floating breakfast in your villa pool for an extra charge. Everything after that is paid for as you go.
Suits you if: you're staying a short time, plan to try the resort's speciality restaurants, or eat lightly through the day.
Keep in mind: there's usually nowhere else to eat on the island, so lunches, dinners and drinks add up over a week.
Half board
Half board covers breakfast and dinner, usually in the main restaurant. At some resorts you can use your dinner at other restaurants, sometimes with a supplement.
Suits you if: you skip lunch or prefer a light snack by the pool, and want the main meals covered.
Keep in mind: drinks with dinner are usually extra, apart from water at some resorts.
Full board
Full board covers all three main meals.
Suits you if: you'd like predictable meal costs but don't drink much alcohol.
Keep in mind: drinks are usually extra, even with meals, and for many travellers the jump from full board to all-inclusive is worth comparing.
All-inclusive
All-inclusive usually covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, snacks or afternoon tea, and a selection of soft drinks, house wines, beers and spirits. Some activities, such as non-motorised water sports or a sunset cruise, may be included.
What it often doesn't cover:
- Premium brands, champagne, cocktails off the special list and bottles from the wine list
- À la carte or speciality restaurants, which may cost extra or be limited to a set number of visits
- In-villa dining and minibar items
- Excursions, diving, motorised water sports and spa treatments
- Compulsory festive gala dinners over Christmas and New Year (more on festive dates)
Drinks are often served during set hours and in selected bars.
Suits you if: you enjoy wine with dinner or a drink at sunset, travel with teenagers, or simply want to stop thinking about the bill.
Premium all-inclusive
Many resorts offer a step above standard all-inclusive, under names such as premium, platinum or deluxe. These plans often add a wider choice of restaurants and drinks, premium brands, a stocked minibar, and extras such as an excursion, spa time or a dive.
Suits you if: you'd use the extras anyway. Read the list closely, as two plans with similar names can include very different things.
How to choose
Ask yourselves four questions:
- Do we drink alcohol with meals or at sunset? If yes, all-inclusive is often the simplest and best-value choice. If not, half board or full board is usually enough.
- Do we eat three meals a day on holiday? Many travellers in the heat find a big breakfast and dinner are plenty, which points to half board.
- Do we want to try the speciality restaurants? Bed and breakfast or half board leaves room to explore. Some all-inclusive plans restrict the restaurants you can use.
- How long are we staying? On a short stay the difference is small. Over a week or more, the right plan can make a real difference.
Things worth knowing
- One plan for the whole booking. Many resorts require the same meal plan for everyone in a villa and for the whole stay. Changing on arrival isn't always possible, so it's worth deciding in advance.
- Children's meals. Resorts usually have their own policy on children's meal plans by age. Tell us the ages of any children so we can quote correctly.
- Some resorts sell certain plans only. Some resorts offer only all-inclusive, others only bed and breakfast or half board.
- Alcohol is served at resorts. Visitors can't bring alcohol into the Maldives, including duty-free, so resort bars are the place to buy a drink.
- Taxes and service charge. Maldives resort stays carry a service charge, a tourism goods and services tax, and a nightly green tax. Our quotations show these clearly, together with your villa, meal plan and transfers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between half board and full board?
Half board includes breakfast and dinner. Full board adds lunch, so all three main meals are covered. In both cases drinks are usually extra.
Is all-inclusive worth it in the Maldives?
Often, yes, especially if you enjoy alcohol, travel with teenagers, or stay a week or more. Because your resort is usually the only place to eat, prices on the menu add up quickly.
Are drinks included with half board in the Maldives?
Usually not, apart from water at some resorts. Check the inclusions for the resort you choose.
What does premium all-inclusive include?
It varies by resort, but often adds premium drinks, more restaurants, a stocked minibar and extras such as an excursion or spa time. Always read the inclusions list.
Can I change my meal plan after I arrive?
Sometimes, but not always. Many resorts require the same plan for the whole stay and everyone in the villa, so it's best to decide before you travel.
Are taxes included in Maldives meal plans?
Resort stays carry a service charge, a tourism tax and a nightly green tax. Our quotations show them clearly alongside your villa, meal plan and transfers.
