CELEBRATE IN PARADISE
Anniversary Trip: Returning After 10, 25, or 50 Years
Which resorts have been renovated since your honeymoon. How to request the same villa. Re-creating the experience with upgrades.
Your Milestone, Your Strategy
What has changed depends on when you last visited. Here is what to expect for each milestone.
10th Anniversary
$3,000 to $8,000 for 5 nightsYour honeymoon era: 2016 honeymoon
What has changed
Most resorts you visited look the same. Some have added water villas or expanded restaurants. Reef health varies by atoll.
Return strategy
Request the same villa category. Ask the resort for photos of how the villa looks now. Upgrade to a pool villa if the category still exists.
Best resort picks: Baros (barely changed, timeless), Kurumba (renovated 2018, improved), Bandos (same character, new spa)
25th Anniversary (Silver)
$5,000 to $15,000 for 5 nightsYour honeymoon era: 2001 honeymoon
What has changed
Many resorts have been completely rebuilt. Water villas barely existed in 2001. Some resorts changed ownership and branding.
Return strategy
Research whether the resort still exists under the same name. Several resorts from the 2000s are now different brands. If the original is gone, find the closest equivalent in the same atoll.
Best resort picks: Four Seasons Kuda Huraa (opened 1997, expanded since), Soneva Fushi (opened 1995, evolved into top tier), Baros (consistent through the decades)
50th Anniversary (Golden)
$4,000 to $12,000 for 5 nightsYour honeymoon era: 1976 honeymoon
What has changed
The Maldives tourism industry started in 1972. If you visited in the 1970s, you were among the first tourists. Every resort from that era has been rebuilt multiple times.
Return strategy
Focus on the atoll, not the specific resort. If you stayed in North Male Atoll, return there. The water, the reefs, and the sunsets are the same.
Best resort picks: Kurumba (the first resort, opened 1972, fully modern now), Bandos (opened 1972, still operating), Baros (opened 1973, refined over 50 years)
Resort Renovation Timeline
When each resort was last updated and what changed. Use this to set expectations.
| Resort | Last Renovation | What Changed | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kurumba Maldives | 2018 to 2020 | All villas renovated. New pool villas added. Restaurants redesigned. Original character maintained. | Speedboat 10 min |
| Baros Maldives | 2017 to 2019 | Villa interiors refreshed. Lighthouse restaurant renovated. Reef conservation efforts expanded. | Speedboat 25 min |
| Bandos Maldives | 2019 to 2021 | New spa complex. Water villas added. Dive center upgraded. Budget-friendly rates maintained. | Speedboat 15 min |
| Soneva Fushi | Ongoing | Continuous updates. New villa categories added regularly. Cinema Paradiso and observatory are recent additions. | Seaplane 30 min |
| Four Seasons Kuda Huraa | 2020 to 2022 | Villa refresh. Surf shack and marine discovery centre expanded. Pool and restaurant updates. | Speedboat 25 min |
| Conrad Rangali Island | 2021 to 2023 | Major villa renovation. New Muraka undersea residence. Ithaa restaurant refreshed. | Seaplane 30 min |
| Anantara Dhigu | 2019 to 2020 | Villa interiors updated. Spa expanded. New dining concepts. South Male Atoll location unchanged. | Speedboat 30 min |
How to Request the Same Villa
It is possible, but not guaranteed. Here is how to increase your chances.
Before You Book
- Find your original booking confirmation or any photos with villa numbers visible
- Check if the resort still uses the same villa numbering system
- Contact the resort directly (not just the booking platform) with your request
- Mention the anniversary milestone; resorts prioritize these requests
What to Expect
- Specific villa numbers are a request, not a guarantee
- If the villa was renovated, the interior will look different
- Same category is more achievable than same exact villa
- Booking well in advance (3+ months) increases your chances
Returning to the Maldives?
Tell us where you stayed, when you visited, and what made it special. We will help you re-create the experience, or find something better.
Traveling with Adult Children or Grandchildren
Many anniversary trips become family celebrations. Here is how to make it work.
Traveling with adult children (20s to 30s)
Villa setup
Book separate villas in the same category. Most resorts offer connecting villas or villas on the same stretch of beach.
Activities together
Snorkeling, diving (separate), sunset cruise together, private dining for the family
Budget tip
Some resorts offer family rates or discounts on the third villa. Ask when booking.
Best resorts: Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Soneva Fushi (multi-bedroom villas), Anantara Dhigu
Traveling with grandchildren
Villa setup
Multi-bedroom villas or beach residences. Soneva Fushi and Four Seasons have 2 to 4 bedroom options.
Activities together
Kids club (ages 4+), family snorkeling, sandcastle building, marine biology programs
Budget tip
All-inclusive plans simplify costs when traveling with extended family. Lily Beach and Siyam World offer strong all-inclusive rates.
Best resorts: Soneva Fushi (The Den kids club), Four Seasons (marine discovery), Lily Beach (all-inclusive family)
Re-Create the Experience, With Upgrades
Villa Upgrade
- Beach villa then; pool villa now
- Standard then; overwater suite now
- Most resorts added pool villas since 2010
- Private pool adds 30 to 50% to nightly rate
Dining Upgrade
- Buffet then; private beach dinner now
- One restaurant then; five options now
- Most resorts added specialty dining
- Private dining: $200 to $600 per couple
Spa Upgrade
- Basic massage then; overwater spa now
- Couples treatments widely available
- Sound healing, yoga, and wellness retreats
- Couples spa packages: $300 to $800
Details Most People Forget
Small things that make the difference between a nice trip and a meaningful anniversary.
Tell the resort it is your anniversary
Mention the occasion when booking and again at check-in. Most resorts offer complimentary touches: a cake, flower decoration, champagne, or a room upgrade. These are standard for anniversaries but only if you tell them.
Bring your wedding album or photos
If you are returning to the same resort, bring photos from your first visit. Show the staff. They will sometimes arrange a recreation of the original photo at the same spot.
Book a photographer on the first evening
Golden hour photography on your first evening captures you fresh and relaxed. By day three, you will be too sunburned for good photos. Budget $200 to $500 for a 30 to 60 minute session.
Consider a vow renewal ceremony
If you are marking a major milestone, a vow renewal adds meaning to the trip. See our vow renewal comparison for pricing and resort options.
More Celebrations
Ready to Plan Your Anniversary Trip?
Prefer to talk to someone directly? Call us at +960 771 9666 or chat on WhatsApp