REAL NUMBERS
The Price Transparency Report
What 50 resorts actually charge for dinner, drinks, spa, and excursions. Sorted by tier. No guesswork.
Quick Answer
Published resort prices almost never include taxes. Add 16% GST + 10% service charge to every price you see. A $300/night room is really $378/night. A $50 dinner is $63. Budget 26% on top of every listed price.
How to Read Resort Pricing
Every price you see on a resort website or booking platform needs adjustment. Here is what gets added.
16%
GST
Government tax on all goods and services
10%
Service Charge
Mandatory, distributed to resort staff
$6
Green Tax / Night
Per person, per night (tourists only)
Example: $300/night room for 2 guests, 5 nights
That is 30% more than the published price.
Mid-Range Resort Pricing (4-star)
Resorts like Bandos, Adaaran, Meeru, Vilamendhoo, Kurumba. Prices before 26% tax.
| Item | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner (main course) | $25 | $45 |
| Beer (local/imported) | $8 | $12 |
| Wine (bottle) | $45 | $80 |
| Cocktail | $12 | $18 |
| Snorkeling trip (half day) | $50 | $80 |
| Spa treatment (60 min) | $120 | $180 |
| Sunset fishing | $40 | $70 |
| Laundry (per item) | $3 | $8 |
All prices in USD. Add 26% for GST + service charge.
Luxury Resort Pricing (5-star)
Resorts like Soneva Fushi, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Waldorf Astoria, One&Only. Prices before 26% tax.
| Item | Low End | High End |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner (fine dining) | $60 | $120 |
| Beer (imported/craft) | $18 | $30 |
| Wine (bottle) | $150 | $500 |
| Cocktail (signature) | $22 | $35 |
| Snorkeling trip (private) | $100 | $200 |
| Spa treatment (60 min) | $250 | $400 |
| Sunset dolphin cruise | $80 | $150 |
| Laundry (per item) | $8 | $20 |
All prices in USD. Add 26% for GST + service charge.
Want exact prices for a specific resort?
Tell us which resort you are considering. We will send you the current menu prices, excursion rates, and spa costs so you can budget accurately.
Resort-by-Resort Price Comparison
Actual prices from specific resorts. Prices before tax.
| Resort | Tier | Dinner | Beer | Cocktail | Spa 60min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandos Maldives | Mid-range | $28-40 | $8 | $14 | $130 |
| Adaaran Prestige Vadoo | Mid-range | $35-50 | $10 | $15 | $150 |
| Baros Maldives | Upper | $50-80 | $14 | $22 | $220 |
| Constance Moofushi | Upper | $55-90 | $15 | $20 | $200 |
| Soneva Fushi | Luxury | $80-120 | $22 | $30 | $350 |
| Four Seasons Landaa | Luxury | $90-130 | $25 | $32 | $380 |
| St. Regis Vommuli | Luxury | $100-140 | $28 | $35 | $400 |
Prices in USD, before 26% tax. Based on published menus and guest reports.
Daily Spending Scenarios (Per Couple)
What you will actually spend per day beyond your room rate. All figures include the 26% tax.
Light Spender
$120-$180/day
- Half-board (breakfast + dinner included)
- 1-2 beers at the bar
- Water and soft drinks
- One excursion every 2 days
- No spa
Moderate Spender
$250-$400/day
- Half-board + lunch out
- 4-6 drinks including wine
- One excursion per day
- One spa visit during the trip
- Occasional room service
Full Experience
$500-$800+/day
- A la carte dining
- Premium cocktails, wine with dinner
- Private excursions, diving
- Couples spa treatments
- Floating breakfast, special dining
How to Reduce Your Daily Spend
Book all-inclusive if you drink
At 4-6 drinks per day, all-inclusive pays for itself. See our meal plan calculator for exact breakeven numbers.
Choose speedboat resorts
Seaplane transfers cost $400-$700 per person. Speedboat resorts like Bandos or Kurumba charge $30-$50. See transfer costs.
Book excursions through the resort
Third-party excursion boats are not allowed to pick up from resort islands. The resort is your only option. Ask about package deals when booking.
Ask about tax-inclusive rates
Some OTAs and direct booking rates include tax. Always confirm what is included before you compare. A "$400 all-in" rate beats a "$350 + tax" rate.
Need Help Budgeting Your Trip?
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