Hello, I’m SINAE, a travel writer who has always been drawn to beautiful resort destinations.
The Maldives remains one of those destinations that almost everyone dreams of visiting at least once. I have visited three times so far, and one impression remains unchanged with every trip: regardless of which resort you choose, the experience is invariably special.
I have stayed at both ultra-luxury properties and more moderately priced resorts, and each offered its own appeal. During this particular journey, I divided my stay between three nights at The St. Regis Maldives and three nights at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. As expected, internationally recognized hotel brands continue to deliver a level of consistency that is difficult to overlook.
No Seaplane Required – Complimentary Speedboat Transfer in Just 10 Minutes
One of the first things travelers discover when researching the Maldives is that most islands are occupied by a single resort.
While a handful of resorts can be reached by speedboat, many require a seaplane transfer from Malé International Airport. The seaplane terminal is conveniently located beside the international airport, but the cost can be significant.
Round-trip seaplane transfers for two guests often range between $600 and $800, making it difficult for many travelers to experience multiple resorts during the same trip. After all, doubling transportation costs is rarely an attractive proposition.
There is also the issue of scheduling. Seaplane departure times are typically assigned by the resort the evening before travel, which can make planning less predictable.
For that reason alone, choosing a resort accessible by speedboat can be one of the smartest ways to reduce both costs and logistical stress in the Maldives.
One of the strongest advantages of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is its location. The resort is only a 10-minute speedboat ride from Malé Airport.
Guests booking Full Board or All-Inclusive packages also benefit from complimentary round-trip speedboat transfers included in the room rate. This not only reduces overall travel expenses but also saves valuable time on arrival and departure days.
The short distance becomes even more valuable during periods of unpredictable weather, when longer transfers can occasionally become inconvenient.
👉 Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa – Check rates on Agoda
👉 Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa – Check rates on Expedia
Overwater Villa with Plunge Pool
One important consideration when visiting the Maldives is meal planning. Once you arrive at your resort island, there is nowhere else to dine.
Full Board includes three meals daily, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and round-trip transportation. All-Inclusive extends those benefits to include alcoholic beverages as well.
The price difference between the two plans is often around $50 per night. Considering that two cocktails can easily cost the same amount, the All-Inclusive option generally represents excellent value. Even enjoying a single cocktail each day can justify the additional cost.
Although Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa offers both traditional hotel rooms and villa accommodations, I believe there is one experience that defines the Maldives more than any other: the overwater bungalow.
For many travelers, the Maldives and overwater villas are practically inseparable.
If not here, where else will you wake up directly above an endless stretch of emerald water?
The views are simply spectacular.
Older Resort, Exceptionally Well Maintained
Before arriving, I had come across reviews mentioning that the resort felt somewhat dated. In reality, I found the opposite to be true.
The property has been maintained to an impressively high standard, and I never once felt that it appeared tired or neglected.
The bathrooms have been renovated and feel modern and immaculate. The bathtub, in particular, offers beautiful views overlooking the lagoon, making it a surprisingly memorable place to unwind.
The bedding meets the comfortable standard one would expect from the Sheraton brand – soft, supportive, and exceptionally comfortable.
Inside the villa, there is a Nespresso machine, and stepping outside leads directly to a private plunge pool, sun loungers, and an outdoor seating area. A short staircase descends straight into the ocean.
What surprised me most was how convenient this became during daily life. Swimming in the lagoon, returning to the villa, relaxing by the pool, and heading back into the water again made it remarkably easy to spend an entire day outdoors.
Turndown service was provided every evening, and housekeeping consistently maintained the villa to a high standard throughout the stay.
Excellent Snorkeling Right Outside the Villa
One of the greatest advantages of staying in an overwater villa is immediate access to the ocean. While the resort has designated snorkeling areas, there is something uniquely enjoyable about being able to enter the water whenever you choose without needing to walk anywhere.
One useful tip: the Maldives experiences two high tides and two low tides each day. I found snorkeling during low tide particularly rewarding, as the shallower water often brings marine life closer to the surface.
Schools of vibrant blue fish regularly passed beneath the villa, and I was even able to spot juvenile blacktip reef sharks. These are small, harmless young sharks rather than the larger species many people imagine. They often remain in shallower water where they are less vulnerable to predators.
Another fascinating feature of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is its coral restoration program.
The resort has installed coral pyramid structures designed to encourage coral growth. Over time, these artificial structures become thriving habitats for marine life.
Being able to observe this process firsthand was genuinely fascinating.
Many newer resorts were built in areas where the surrounding marine environment experienced substantial disruption during development. In contrast, this resort has had decades for its reef ecosystem to mature and recover, which contributes significantly to the quality of the underwater environment today.
Being Close to Malé Does Not Mean Less Beautiful Water
One common misconception about the Maldives is that the farther a resort is from Malé, the more beautiful the ocean and marine life must be. Having personally visited seven resorts in the Maldives, I have found that this assumption is not always accurate.
In fact, some of the best snorkeling and underwater scenery I have experienced was at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.
The beaches are every bit as stunning as those found elsewhere in the Maldives. Crystal-clear water, white sand, and postcard-worthy scenery are hardly in short supply.
What distinguishes this resort is the maturity of its surrounding reef ecosystem. Because it has been established for many years, the marine environment has had significantly more time to develop compared with some recently constructed properties.
The advantages are clear: no seaplane costs, complimentary speedboat transfers, and surprisingly strong snorkeling opportunities.
The primary drawback is that the resort includes a larger number of standard hotel-style rooms, resulting in a livelier atmosphere and generally higher guest numbers than some of the more secluded luxury islands. That said, I found the advantages compelling enough that this trade-off never significantly affected my overall experience.
For travelers seeking convenience, strong value, and excellent marine life without the additional expense and complexity of seaplane transfers, this resort remains one of the most compelling options in the Maldives.
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