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A meal plan is a way to prepay for meals during your holiday in the Maldives. There are four main categories of meal plans in the Maldives: bed & breakfast, half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive. Each has pros and cons; this article aims to help readers decide which meal plan is best for them. You can determine the best meal plan based on who you are travelling with and why you are coming to the Maldives.
Here are some resorts that offer a fantastic breakfast to start your day
Suitable for: guests who prefer to choose when and where they want to dine; personalised dining experiences; an active holiday; in-villa dining; and control over food consumption.
Almost every resort holiday booking in the Maldives includes a daily breakfast as part of your stay, even if you don’t pre-book any meal plans. Breakfast is usually available as a self-service buffet in the main restaurant or as a semi-buffet with à la carte dining at some resorts. The breakfast service is generally between 0700 and 1000 at most resorts, though some start and end later. A few high-end resorts also offer unscripted dining and the option to order your breakfast at any time you prefer. If you check out really early in the morning, the resort usually provides a takeaway breakfast that you could enjoy when you reach the airport.
Why Book Breakfast Only?
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with bed & breakfast only.
Resort's that offer great deals with half board meal plans
Suitable for: This dining option is ideal for couples, active guests, those with a small appetite, and guests looking for a more luxurious resort.
Half board is a meal plan that includes breakfast each morning and dinner each evening at predetermined restaurants at the resort. Very few resorts allow you to choose between lunch and dinner. The overwhelming majority of resorts offer breakfast with dinner only. More restaurants are open for dinner than for lunch, and a resort's culinary team always aims to delight guests with a special theme for each evening. Restaurants are typically open for breakfast between 0700 and 1000 and for dinner between 1900 and 2200 each evening. Usually, there are more restaurants open for dinner than for lunch. Most half-board meal plans entitle you to dine in the main restaurant only with credit towards your bill or a discount for meals at other restaurants.
Half-board: Half-board meal plans in the Maldives typically include breakfast and dinner at the resort’s main restaurant, excluding beverages, in-villa dining, or private dining.
Half Board Dine-Around: If you book a holiday at a resort that provides a half-board dine-around, you will be able to choose where to have dinner from a selection of restaurants.
Half Board Plus: Resorts offering Half Board Plus include meals with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at meal times or throughout the day, depending on the resort's policy.
Why Book Half Board?
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with half board meal plans.
Resort's that offer great deals with full board meal plans
Suitable for: full board is ideal for families, budget-conscious travellers, casual drinkers and non-drinkers.
A full board meal plan includes three daily meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner for the duration of your stay. This type of meal plan typically includes meals at the resort's main restaurant. Full-board meal plans are perfect for families, budget-conscious travellers and guests who don't drink alcohol, as they cover meals for the duration of your stay. Restaurants are typically open for breakfast between 0700 and 1000, for lunch between 1230 and 1430, and for dinner between 1900 and 2200 at most resorts.
Full Board: Full-board meal plans in the Maldives typically include breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the resort’s main restaurant, excluding beverages, in-villa dining, or private dining.
Full Board Dine-Around: If you book a holiday at a resort that provides a full-board dine-around, you will be able to choose where to have lunch and dinner from a selection of restaurants.
Full Board Plus: Resorts offering Full Board Plus include meals with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at meal times or throughout the day, depending on the resort's policy.
Full Board All-Inclusive: A full board all-inclusive plan offers unlimited beverages during meal times and should not be mistaken for an all-inclusive meal plan, which offers beverages throughout the day from select bars and restaurants.
Why Book Full Board?
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with full board meal plans.
Resort's that offer great deals with all inclusive meal plans
Suitable for: All inclusive meal plans are ideal for families, couples, and groups of friends.
An all-inclusive holiday includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the duration of your stay as well as a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This type of meal plan typically includes meals at the resort's main restaurant. All-inclusive meal plans are perfect for families, couples and groups of friends, as they include meals and beverages for the duration of your stay. Restaurants are typically open for breakfast between 0700 and 1000, for lunch between 1230 and 1430, and for dinner between 1900 and 2200 at most resorts. Drinks are available at mealtimes, and you can enjoy unlimited beverages throughout the day from 1000 hrs to 2300 or midnight daily.
All Inclusive: A standard all-inclusive meal plan typically includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Dine Around All Inclusive: If you book a holiday in the Maldives with Dine Around All Inclusive, you will be able to choose where to have lunch and dinner from a selection of restaurants, and you can also enjoy a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during your stay.
Soft All Inclusive: If a resort offers a soft all-inclusive meal plan, it usually includes daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a selection of non-alcoholic beverages only.
Premium All Inclusive: Premium all-inclusive meal plans usually include dine-around lunch and dinner, a selection of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and other benefits.
(Resort Brand) All Inclusive: Some resorts offer a hybrid all-inclusive meal plan that combines standard and premium options. It usually includes a selection of benefits not included in a standard meal plan, and the benefits increase with the length of your stay.
Luxury All Inclusive: This meal plan allows guests to enjoy anything, anywhere, anytime. They can include dine-around options or unscripted dining with unlimited beverages and a selection of benefits, including spa treatments, excursions, and activities.
Why Book All Inclusive?
Here are some benefits and drawbacks of booking a holiday in the Maldives with all inclusive meal plans.
The Maldives is one of the most expensive holiday destinations in the world. The minimum cost of a stay at 3-star or 4-star resorts in the Maldives ranges from USD 300 to USD 500 per night, before discounts, with and without meal plans. Despite this, you can save a lot of money by booking your trip early to take advantage of early booking discounts.
In addition to the discounts, guests who book early may be eligible for complimentary meal plan upgrades. More often than not, resorts offer complimentary upgrades on special occasions and during certain times of the year. You would have fewer expenses at checkout if you settled your accommodation bills before your arrival. Planning your holiday early with the help of one of our travel advisors could save you time and money.
Why we recommend this: Depending on your preferences, half-board allows you to be more flexible with your plans and offers more spontaneity and room to explore different activities. At the same time, all-inclusive offers more comfort and a relaxed break, so you don’t have to think much or make decisions.
Why we recommend this: Travelling with kids becomes much easier with full board, as it includes all meals. Booking full board will save you money if you don’t drink (much) and want a more activity-focused holiday, and you can also stay at more luxurious resorts. Booking an all-inclusive will be more expensive, but you can indulge in a relaxing holiday that way; however, it will limit your choices somewhat.
Why we recommend this: Booking a holiday with breakfast only will allow you to plan a very intimate holiday with private dining, special activities, and excursions, which are typically not included in meal plans, and pay for meals à la carte or dine in the villa. Half-board deals are great, especially if you can get one as a free upgrade. All-inclusive stays require little planning and allow you to dine and relax if that is what you prefer.
Why we recommend this: Booking an all-inclusive holiday is usually a good choice if you are travelling with friends, as you will most likely be socialising. If you and your buddies don't drink much, you might consider a full-board stay to save on costs
Why we recommend this: You can relax on your solo journey with an all-inclusive meal plan. There are no schedules when you are on holiday, unless you yearn for a holistic retreat flush with daily yoga, sound healing, and a regimented diet and wellness plan. If an active holiday is what you prefer, scuba diving or watersports, half board or full board would be the better options
Why we recommend this: Half-board or full-board is ideal if you are planning an active holiday because drinking alcohol and scuba diving are dangerous, and the same goes for doing a lot of watersports while inebriated.
Why we recommend this: You could have a wonderful, relaxing holiday when you book all-inclusive, which includes three daily meals and select beverages so there is less to pay for at checkout.
Why we recommend this: There are more options to explore when you are looking for a half-board stay, and great deals with free meal upgrades are available if you book early.
Why we recommend this: If you prefer a quiet holiday, the Maldives has great resorts for a secluded vacation. There are far fewer visitors who travel to the Maldives each year than to many other destinations around the world. If you avoid all-inclusive resorts and look for half-board/full-board offers instead, you can have a wonderful, intimate getaway in a villa that's nicer and more spacious.
Why we recommend this: If you prefer socialising with friends, an all-inclusive stay at a resort specialising in all-inclusive holidays is ideal. You will find like-minded guests gravitate to these more interaction-friendly resorts
