This is the Ultimate and most complete Guide for a Family Holiday in Maldives. Since 2007, we’ve stayed in more than 20 resorts with our son. I share here with you our most memorable experiences and information you may need to help you find your dream resort for you and your family in the beautiful Maldives.
ENJOY !
Are you Dreaming of Family Holiday in Maldives ?
YOU’RE AT THE VERY RIGHT PLACE !
Table of Contents
La Version Française est ici !
The Ultimate Guide for a Family Holiday in Maldives
PART 1. INTRO. The story.
( The part 2 is now separated in another post )
Our son has always come to the Maldives with us since he was 2,5 years old .
He is now a teenager...
I’ve put you some photos from my personal album at the end of the second part of this article.
They are simple yet great moments of happiness we had along the years with our “little one“.
Remark : You can now discover all the featured Family friendly Resorts here. I had to create a separate article dedicated to the resorts and their Kids Clubs.
Don't Miss
This year, besides the usual kids club programs and activities, I’ve also added more photos of the listed resorts, some kids menus, photos of family Villas and everything I estimated important to chose the best resort for you and your family.
You will find in this essential list the following Resorts :
. Update . May 2020
This post was getting too long after so many years.
You can now discover all the featured
Family friendly Resorts here
- Kandima
- OZEN at Maadhoo
- Centara Grand Resort
- Sun Aqua Vilu Reef
- Six Senses Laamu
- Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives
- Sheraton Full Moon | Kuramathi
- Shangri-La’s Villingili
- Lily Beach Resort and Spa
- The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives
- Dusit Thani Maldives
- Soneva Fushi
- Four Seasons Kuda Huraa
- Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
- One & Only Reethi Rah
- …the list constantly evolves
Spend a family holiday in Maldives. Summary
Photos & Souvenirs of our various stays…
I’ve added some more photos from my personal album at the end of the second part of this article 🙂
Here is Everything You Need To Know for a Family Holiday in Maldives.
It all started in 2007, here on Dreaming of Maldives…
….
I was receiving a lot of requests from parents asking where to stay with children in Maldives…and what are the (most) child-friendly Resorts.
So, instead of answering individually, I thought it would be a good idea ( for me and for you 🙂 ) to give you on Dreaming of Maldives blog an updated list of all the child-friendly Resorts of the archipelago.
I wish to say, before sharing the “Graal” with you, that we have visited many of them, but most important, that our son who stayed many months with us in Maldives since he was 2,5 years old has been pampered and entertained in most of them.
We keep on discovering new Kids Clubs each time !
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Which Resort should you choose with your children and according to your budget ?
Important note to our readers: Choosing the perfect holidays is a very personal affair.
I am dedicated to helping you find the best Maldives resort for you and your children, but I am not able to present you a list of resorts as everything depends first on your budget, you and your personal requirements ( apart from the kids club of course )
Here is how I can help you :
I suggest you to first submit our list online or to your favorite travel agent and see where and when you could stay with your budget.
– Be aware that some agents and/or websites have different prices, so do not hesitate to compare.
– Once you’ve got a first “selection”, come back to me via the comments and I will guide you to make it really perfect. This said, enjoy !
If you are an independent traveller and wish to organise your family trip by yourself, you will find some Selected Maldives Family Holiday Packages.
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Parents, read carefully what follows as today I will guide you through an idyllic journey into the romantic but still family-friendly Maldives !
After all, isn’t it a Dream ?
Kids Clubs in Maldives ? Wait, no too fast. It deserves a bit of history first…
There was a time, not so long ago, when we use to go to the Maldives with no children…at all….
The destination was far to be family-friendly for various reasons : the absolute Romantic atmosphere, the strong Equatorial Sun, the distance from Europe, but the main one was the complete lack of activities ( excepted for snorkeling ) for the little ones.
The structures and leisure choice of the Maldives resorts were dissuading most of us to travel with our children, leaving us with an exciting feeling of real intimacy but sometimes tainted with bitterness and nostalgia.
The perfect balance
For years, Maldives Resorts have received many unsolvable requests from their guests who wanted more than a Baby sitting – a service that was not always available, outrageously expensive or had to be booked days in advance -.
As traveller’s exigencies were continuously increasing, Resort Managements had to face an inevitable challenge : combine and maintain the tranquillity, the intimacy and the Romanticism of the Resort with the presence of children.
The challenge was not that easy, considering the legendary concept of the destination.
How to satisfy everybody ?
Honeymooners, couples, families and children themselves ?
How to preserve the Magic ?
The answer lies in a creative and thoughtful idea : to make stylish, fun and surprising Kids-Clubs.
The challenge is nowadays accomplished.
Today, our children can also enjoy the Maldives dream, parents can finally enjoy some romantic holidays and Honeymooners and couples still embrace the complete feeling of being on a private Hideaway.
It is important mentioning that even though these kids clubs are magnets to many holidaying parents, none of the resorts will ever look nor feel like a kindergarten.
Kids-clubs and Kids activities are always managed separately and discretely so that they do not interfere with the serenity and ambiance of the island.
The first Kids Club were first introduced by 5 Stars Luxury Resorts, around 2009, which is relatively new for a tourist destination of 40 years !
Luckily, today, many 4 Stars Resorts also provide their guests with this cool service.
Perfect Places for our kids
Kids Activities in Maldives
Unlike many kids clubs available around the world, the small structures of the kids clubs of the Maldives Resorts allow your children to have access to extraordinary activities :
The TOP 10 Things To DO that Maldives Kids Clubs have to offer
- Cooking with a Chef
- Being a Marine Biologist
- Private excursions on board of dhonis
- Learning Maldivian Nature with adventures and discovery of the island in small groups
- Learning Maldivian Culture with songs and dances
- Art and crafts made from local items (sand,coconuts) to develop children’s creativity
- Yoga
- Spa treatments
- Treasure Hunts
- Theater
- & so much more…
Besides usual kid’s activities, kids clubs also offer great fun : treasure hunts, outdoor and indoor sports and games, playgrounds, sand castle building, shell finding, crab races, PlayStations, TV, books, films etc…
Some Kids-clubs also propose lunches and/ or diners to the children, giving the parents the opportunity for a Tête-à-Tête.
More and more, in a constant search for Guest satisfaction, Resorts keep their Kids-Clubs open until 9.00 pm or even 10.00 pm. How late it can appear, this opportunity can be very useful in case of a night-diving or snorkeling…
The ideal time will be at around 7.00 pm, giving couples the pleasure to enjoy the dreamy Sunset time starting around 6.00 pm.
Family Holiday in Maldives The Best Kids Clubs – THE LIST
You can now discover all the featured Family friendly Resorts here
I had to create a separate article for all the Kids Clubs.
Family time. My Personal Photo Album
My Personal Album. 12 years in Maldives in a few photos 🙂
Personal Photos
First A Photo from my personal Album in answer to Emna, Sarah, Prasad, Martha… and to all parents who wish to spend a holiday in Maldives with their little ones… Maldives are great for them too.
Maldives open their mind and awakens their senses. It’s also wonderful time to discover Nature.
Happiness in Maldives along the years…
These photos were shot during various stays in Maldives. Along the years, our son has learnt to enjoy any moment. From a very special bike ride to cruises on my beloved Dhonis, time is fun, time is unforgettable but always close to nature.
Last note : some resorts do not have Kids Clubs, but they are still a great place to stay with our kids 😉
A VERY COOL BIKE RIDE AT GILI LANKANFUSHI MALDIVES ! there is no Kids Club BUT, it’s a fantastic resort for kids and family time ! Mr or Mrs friday can take care of your child with many activities like snorkeling, watersports, cooking lessons, sport, spa, marine biology…you name it 🙂
PS : YOU WILL NOTE THE COOKIE IN HIS HAND…
OUR BIKES AT SIX SENSES LAAMU. EACH BIKE HAS OUR INITIALS !
Some resorts provide everything for our kids like bathrobes, shower and beach slippers…
They look super classy !
Here, our son contemplates the Dreamy view from his deck thinking about the busy program that awaits for him at the kids club. Life can be so difficult sometimes …
Learning to Dive at 8 years old . Even saw reef sharks ! How cool is that ??
FASCINATED BY SEAPLANES…
UNTIL ONE DAY…
Continue reading
In the second part of this Family Friendly Resorts you will find most of the Maldives Resorts that offer a Kids Club with all essential information.
More and more resorts offer a kids club and facilities for kids.
I’ve added them hereunder for your reference.
Click on a resort to explore more.
- Kanuhura
- Lux* Maldives
- Hideaway Maldives
- Velaa Private Island
- Kihaad Maldives
- Holiday Inn Kandooma
- Cheval Blanc Randheli
- Bandos
- Angsana Velavaru
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
- JA Manafaru
- Constance Halaveli
- Anantara Dhigu
- Anantara Kihavah
- Niyama
- Amilla Fushi
- Maafushi
- Finolhu
- Furaveri
- St Regis Vommuli
- Outrigger
- Konotta
- Loama
- Olhuveli
- Cocoon
© Dreaming of Maldives 2007 – 2022
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20 comments
Hello, thanks for the great effort.
This was really useful.
My baby girl is 18 months and I was wondering where will the babysitter stay with my kid. Is it possible to stay with her at the Kids Club ? as I think it’ll be much more fun to her than staying in our room.
and one more question, I know babysitters are paid per hour, what about the kids club ?
Hello Danya !
Yes you can stay in your baby kids clubs in most of the resorts.
Ideally you should always contact your chosen Hotel to reconfirm 🙂 and be sure that nothing changed.
Kids clubs are free. Sometimes with extra charges at certain times of the day ( evenings late for example ) but that is rare.
Dreamfully yours
Rozenn
We’ve recently returned from an amazing 12 days with our boys age 4.5 and almost 2 years old, we spent a wonderful week at Angsana Velavaru on [URL hidden] and thereafter 5 days with friends at Vilu Reef – beautiful of course but less positive about the second hotel. Greetings from London!
Maldives is a little Island but it is fill with natural beauty. Those who love beaches and water travel should visit Maldives once. This is also very good for kids. I have a very gentle feeling about this Island.
Hello, Thanks for all the detailed information. We are traveling with our kids 13 year old daughter and 11 year old son. They would love to make new friends in their respective clubs. They prefers all water activities like snorkeling, banana boat,etc.. Any recommendations. Thanks
Us too with our 13yr old daughter and 11 year old son – where did you book and any feedback please?
Hello, thank you so much for those incredible information. I have been to the Maldives for my honeymoon back in 2011 and stayed at the Kurumba resort. I was great but it was not mind blowing. I now have a 4 year old son and we are planning to go back to Maldives for our anniversary, however I want to try a different resort this time around. Could you please tell me the top all inclusive resorts that also has decent options for my son? I just don’t want him to be bored but he won’t be staying at the kids club all the time so it’s not a priority.
Thank you.
Comment…Hello
we would prefer all inclusive/half board family resort in Maldives. I have looked at several option and I am on the verge of a mental meltdown
This will be our first time in Maldives, so we looking for the WOW factor.
We will be travelling with a 12 year old boy -no siblings. Prefer water sport (banana boats/kayak/wakeboarding/diving/snorkelling/parasailing etc), other fun activities, good seafood and having fun.
Most resorts have a kids club for young ones – 11 yrs. So we looking for a pre-teen /teen club with loads of activities.
Kindly advise further
Thank You
Regards
Dear Ani,
Please send me a request via email or contact your local travel agent.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Rozenn
Hello,
I’m looking for recommendations for 4 days/3 nights in January for my family of four with a 3.5 yr old and a 1 yr old. I’m looking for a family friendly resort with a great kids club especially for the 3.5 yr old plus somewhere that will allow for the 1 yr old to visit with one of the parents. Also of importance is a great snorkeling location at the resort for adults and kid. I need a location that has a wonderful beach with activities that will keep them entertained.I would prefer a resort that only requires a speed boat transfer or quick sea plane. The budget would probably be around $1000 per night if possible.
Dear Arti,
Please send me a request via email or contact your local travel agent.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Rozenn
Hello,
Congratulation on your web-site and the information you have put together. I have searched the Net a lot and yours seems to be the most informed and neutral at the same time.
You don’t mention the Hideaway Beach resort ? is it because you don’ t think it should be included in your list or because you don’t have any info or opinion on it ?
I am taking my wife and 4 kids ( 12, 10, 6, 2 ) in October. Initially I was going to go to the LUX as there seems to be a consensus on their children activities although the snorkeling doesn’t seem to be the best. But I was proposed a deal on Hideaway’s ” palace villa” and I am now hesitating.
Thank you very much for your help,
Olivier
Dear Olivier,
I do not recommend Hideaway anymore as management and concept have radically changed.
I am sorry.
All the best,
Rozenn
Hello,
First of all, let me congratulate you on putting all that list together. Not only is it extremely comprehensive, but it is also very useful!
I plan to travel to Maldives in October/November, with a group of 3 couples + 3 children (3,5,7 years old). All adults are divers and would like to dive a lot, so I wonder whether you could recommend, within your list, resorts which have the best diving sites around as well as shore diving (which really helps when traveling with children…)
Thanks a lot!
Hello dear Sanji !
Thank you SO much for your comment 🙂
I would be happy to help you but I cannot properly advise you without more details about your budget & wishes.
Feel free to Contact me directly via email so I can properly guide you,
Rozenn.
Hi.
Thank you so much sharing infomations… I absolutely admire you.
I would like to have advice from someone like you…
We are coming to Maldive family for 4. 2adult 2kids, 5yo and 2yo. trying to find a kids club for my younger one.. but from my reserch I could not find one.Do you know any resort where there is 2yo can use kids club facility without nanny or parents supervise? I think 2yo is not easy age so perhaps there isn’t. but if you know, please share with me.
Also, in my mind, there is three resort for us,, Per Aquum Niyama or Soneva Fushi.. or Atomospher Kanifushi,
Last time when we visited to maldive that was 10years ago and we stayed one and only Kanufura… I wish the hotel renovation has completed by this time…
Could you kindly tell me your personal feeling of these three hotel?
we are coming for celebrating our 10th anniversary and my big age birthday.
I look forward your advice..
Thank you
Hello dear Wakako!
Thank you SO much for your comment 🙂
I’ve replied to you via email
Warmly
Rozenn.
Hi,
We’ve booked our flights to the Maldives for 4 nights in July with our 4 year old daughter. Ideally I would like a resort that we can get to by boat and that has an in-house reef (+ lagoon would be a bonus). There’s Kurumba and Sheraton but doesn’t grab me. We are looking a spending for 4 nights so can you please recommend a few resorts that I may have overlooked. There are just too many to contemplate! 🙂
Thanks!
Hi there,
We have twin boys @5years old. We want to stay in water villa and want to see sea turtles and fishes under water. We are planning to go on December.
May I please have your advise on where to stay and what activities we can have for the kids
Thanks,
Acco
Hello dear Soumaya !
I would see 1st : Lily Beach. My absolute favorite due to the All inclusive PLUS one of the most amazing House Reef among Maldives Resorts.
Your kids will be able to explore too ! And very easily. !
Please read this : Lily Beach Maldives Dreamy Resort.
This is a unique and most complete presentation and review you’ll find around.
Then I would go for Sheraton Full Moon for the reef too and the service and finally Kurumba.
I would have gladly advise you Atmosphere KAnifushi but they have no house reef at all.
FOR DOLPHINS : Attention : It is NEVER sure to see them 🙂 They do not comply with our appointments 🙂
NOTE for your 2 years old child : Make sure with each resort that you can come with him/her at the kids club. The minimum age is most generally 3/4 years old and 2 years old kids can not stay alone there.
I hope this will help you.
Best regards
Rozenn