What's the best time to visit the Maldives?

The off-season, from May to September, offers lower prices and a more relaxed atmosphere. However, the weather is still warm and sunny, making it perfect for a beach vacation.

What's the difference between the 'full board' and 'all-inclusive' packages?

The 'full board' package includes meals and drinks, while the 'all-inclusive' package includes everything, including activities and excursions. We opted for the 'full board' package, which was a great option for us.

How far is the hotel from Male?

The hotel is a bit far from Male, but it's still accessible by speedboat or seaplane. We didn't have to worry about additional expenses for transportation, which was a big plus.

What's the resort's policy on return and refund?

The resort has a flexible return and refund policy, which we appreciated. We were able to change our plans without any issues, and the staff was understanding and accommodating.

Can I bring my own food and drinks to the resort?

Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks to the resort, but be aware that there may be restrictions on certain items. We didn't bring any, but it's worth checking with the resort beforehand.

What's the resort's policy on smoking and pets?

The resort has a no-smoking policy, but there are designated smoking areas. As for pets, they're allowed, but there may be restrictions and additional fees. We didn't bring any pets, but it's worth checking with the resort beforehand.

Can I book a room with a private pool?

Yes, some rooms at the resort come with a private pool. We didn't book one, but it's worth requesting if you're interested. The pool was a great feature, and we enjoyed it during our stay.

What's the resort's policy on children and families?

The resort is family-friendly, and they offer a range of activities and amenities for kids. We didn't bring any kids, but it's worth checking with the resort beforehand to see what options are available.

Malahini Kuda Bandos Review: A Budget-Friendly Maldives Getaway

Hello fellow traveler!

Looking for a relaxing getaway in the Maldives without breaking the bank? You're in the right place.

I've been to the Maldives twice, and both times I stayed at the Malahini Kuda Bandos resort. It's a hidden gem that offers an incredible value for money.

So, why did I choose Malahini Kuda Bandos? Let me explain.

The first time we stayed at this hotel was in 2024, and we chose it out of several options. We settled on Malahini, and it was a great decision. First of all, our vacation was in July 2024 and August 2025, which is considered off-season in the Maldives, from May to September. Prices are significantly lower during this time.

Secondly, the hotel is a bit far from Male, so we didn't have to worry about additional expenses for seaplanes, extra accommodation in hotels, or expensive speedboats in case our flight arrived late.

Thirdly, we opted for the 'full board' package, not the 'all-inclusive' one.

And lastly, we were looking for a hotel that accepts cash payment on the spot, as paying with Russian cards is not possible. We're not package tourists; we book our flights and hotels ourselves and figure out how to get to the hotel.

So, in 2024, we booked a 'Deluxe room with partial ocean view', which was on the first floor of a two-story building, with a mini-yard and a balcony with a table and chairs, just 10 seconds away from the ocean.

Our room in 2025 was called 'Garden', it was the other side of the island, also a two-storey building where the mini-club for kids was located on the ground floor, and the fitness centre was nearby in the adjacent building. Our room was located on the second floor, and there was a table and two chairs near the entrance. It took just one minute to get to the ocean, head down to the ground floor, and walk 10 metres.

Our room was just as packed as our 'Deluxe' room. The room consisted of a massive bed, a sofa, a hammock for our luggage, and a special wardrobe (without a facade, just covered with curtains). Inside the wardrobe: an umbrella, a safe. There was a TV, but we didn't turn it on. The air conditioner was good, quiet, and there was a ceiling fan.

We had a mini-bar with four types of alcohol, chips, marzipan, and chocolate truffles, plus a coffee and tea station with tea, coffee, and water replenished daily. The staff brought us two bottles of water daily in a glass container, and we replenished the water as needed. Since we drink a lot of water, we asked them to bring us two extra bottles right away, so we didn't have any issues.

The shared bathroom had a shower with a curtain, and toiletries like shampoo and body wash were provided, replenished daily. We also had cosmetic supplies like shower caps, loofahs, cotton pads, and cotton swabs replenished daily.

We changed our beach towels every day by simply leaving them on the outdoor chairs, and fresh ones would be waiting for us in the morning. As for the clothesline, it was a bit tricky to use, as everything dried really poorly. We brought our own clothesline and clothespins, which worked out great since we had a private courtyard – it was really convenient.

Let's talk about the island itself – it's tiny, about 400 by 450 meters. We made it a habit to walk around the island a couple of times a day.

The island is incredibly lush, with plenty of greenery, coconut palms, banana trees, and pineapple plants. There are colorful flowers, mangrove trees, and banyan trees. Hammocks are strung up among the palm trees, where you can relax and escape the scorching sun.

One thing that really stood out to me was the wildlife on the island - I saw flying foxes, herons, peacocks, and even some chickens roaming around.

The island has a main restaurant where they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as two bars at opposite ends of the island. There's also a paid restaurant and a spa center.

One of the best things about this island is the range of activities you can do. I've been to the gym, and the water sports center - they offer excursions, equipment rentals, and even catamarans. There's also a mini-mart on the island where you can find everything from magnets to beach gear, souvenirs, ice cream, and sunscreen. It's basically like having a mini-town on the island.

The views from the island are stunning - you can see the neighboring island of Kuda Bandos, the Malé skyline, and even the planes taking off from the nearby airport. But despite all the development nearby, we still felt like we were truly on the Maldives.

I also want to mention the dining situation. Since there aren't any supermarkets or cafes on the island, most people eat at the resort's restaurant. It's not a bad thing - the food is actually really good, and it's nice to have everything in one place.

I was blown away by the quality of the food - it's super fresh and the chefs are really going for it. They've got a range of dishes, from grilled options to seafood, soups, fruits, veggies, pasta, potatoes, baked goods, and juices. Whether you're in the mood for something light or hearty, there's something for everyone. The buffet isn't huge, but you'll definitely leave feeling satisfied.

They also have a solid selection of drinks, including premium spirits and craft cocktails.

As for entertainment, they've got a range of activities - movie nights, karaoke, live music from local stars, and traditional dances with drums. And if you're looking for something low-key, they've got board games at the beach cafe.

Day of cinema: You get a film in English with subtitles, and as a bonus, you're given small portions of popcorn.

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Day of karaoke: The guy, the DJ, puts on songs of your choice, each in your preferred language, he chooses the songs and you sing along.

Day of songs: We were lucky enough to catch a musician who was absolutely killing it with popular global hits. He even performed a hit in broken Russian, Ira Mali's 'London Paris'.

Day of dancing: A folk group performed in front of us, with traditional dances and drums. Their performances were super fun and energetic.

One of the highlights of our stay was watching the marine life wake up at dawn. Every morning, we'd head out to the pier to see sea turtles, rays, and mantas swimming in. Bottlenose sharks and fish would swim around the shore throughout the day, and in the evenings, we'd feed them fresh bread.

The weather was amazing, with temperatures consistently in the mid-80s (28°C) throughout both July 2024 and August 2025. We only experienced one brief tropical downpour in 2024, but it lasted only 10 minutes before the sun came out again.

In 2025, we arrived at the airport on a cloudy day, but the sun came out the next day and stayed that way for the rest of our trip. The water was warm and crystal-clear, with coral reefs visible in some areas. We snorkeled with masks, but the reef didn't impress us much.

We tried buying coconuts from the convenience store on the island, but they were pricey and not that great. We ended up skipping them both times. Not a fan.

The Wi-Fi on the island worked like a charm, no matter where we were. We could load up our devices and stream content without any issues.

There's no communal pool on the island, but each villa has its own mini pool. It's a nice touch.

The reception staff speaks some Russian, but it's not always available. Luckily, most of the staff speaks English, and there's always a translator on hand if you need one.

We loved our stay so much that we're already planning to come back. The island's laid-back vibe is infectious, and the food is amazing. The ocean is warm, and the sun is shining bright. What more could you ask for in a budget-friendly island getaway?

I'd definitely recommend this island resort to anyone looking for a relaxing getaway.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, and I'll do my best to help and provide any necessary advice!

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