FIRST TIMERS
12 Things to Ask Before Booking
Questions that resorts won't volunteer answers to. Ask these before you commit any money.
Quick Answer
The two most important questions: 'Is there construction during my dates?' and 'Can I see the a la carte menu prices?' Construction can ruin a trip. Hidden food costs can double your budget. Everything else is manageable.
Can ruin your trip. Ask before paying any deposit.
Affects your total spend by $500 or more.
Won't ruin the trip, but sets correct expectations.
Logistics that save time and hassle.
Is there any construction or renovation during my dates?
Deal-breakerWhy It Matters
Resorts build year-round. A new wing, jetty extension, or restaurant renovation means jackhammers from 7am. Some resorts relocate guests; others don't.
What to Expect
Honest resorts will tell you. Ask for a resort map with the construction zone marked. Request a villa at maximum distance from the work. Get a written confirmation that no construction will impact your stay.
How far is the house reef from shore?
ImportantWhy It Matters
Marketing says 'amazing house reef.' Reality: the reef may start 200 meters from the beach across a sandy lagoon. For snorkelers, that is a long swim over nothing.
What to Expect
Under 30m from shore is excellent. 30 to 100m is fine for confident swimmers. Over 100m means you will want reef shoes and a snorkel vest. Some resorts provide a jetty entry point that skips the lagoon.
What are the seaplane baggage limits?
PracticalWhy It Matters
Seaplanes enforce strict weight limits: typically 25 kg checked + 5 kg carry-on per person. Excess baggage costs $5 to $10 per kg. Surfboards, dive gear, and large suitcases may not fit.
What to Expect
Weigh your bags before you fly. If you are over, pay the excess fee at the seaplane terminal. Some resorts arrange extra luggage on later flights at no charge. Always confirm in advance.
What is the full cancellation policy?
Deal-breakerWhy It Matters
Maldives resorts have strict cancellation windows. Many charge 100% for cancellations within 14 to 30 days. Some peak-season bookings are fully non-refundable from the moment you book.
What to Expect
Get the policy in writing before paying any deposit. Check what happens for weather events, flight cancellations, and medical emergencies. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Is there renovation noise from neighboring villas?
ImportantWhy It Matters
Different from construction. Individual villa refurbishment means workers in the villa next to yours: drilling, painting, moving furniture. This can happen even when the resort has 'no major construction.'
What to Expect
Ask specifically: 'Will any villas adjacent to mine be under maintenance during my stay?' If yes, request a different villa assignment. Arrive early enough to change if needed.
Can I see the a la carte menu prices?
BudgetWhy It Matters
Deciding between Half Board and All-Inclusive? You need the actual menu prices. A $20 lunch difference per day over 5 nights is $200. Some resorts charge $45 for a margherita pizza.
What to Expect
Most resorts will share menus on request. Look at main courses ($25 to $60), drinks ($8 to $15 per cocktail, $40 to $100 per wine bottle), and minibar ($5 to $8 for water). Calculate total non-AI spend and compare.
Is All-Inclusive actually worth it at this resort?
BudgetWhy It Matters
AI value varies wildly. Some resorts include premium alcohol, excursions, and spa credits. Others include house wine, basic cocktails, and nothing else. Same label, completely different value.
What to Expect
Ask for the full AI inclusions list. Key items: which alcohol brands? Any excursions? Spa discount? Minibar? Laundry? Compare the AI premium (cost above HB) against what you would spend without it.
What happens if my flight arrives after seaplane hours?
PracticalWhy It Matters
Seaplanes operate 6am to 4pm only. If your international flight lands after 3pm, you cannot transfer to a seaplane resort that day. You will need a night in Male or the airport hotel.
What to Expect
Options: book the airport hotel ($150 to $300/night for Hulhumale hotels), ask if the resort includes a complimentary night, or choose a speedboat resort instead. Factor this cost and lost night into your plan.
Can I access the reef from the overwater jetty?
ImportantWhy It Matters
Some jetties have reef access ladders. Others sit over a sandy lagoon with no coral for 100+ meters. If snorkeling matters, the jetty access point changes everything.
What to Expect
Ask: 'Is there a designated snorkel entry point on the overwater jetty?' and 'What is the depth and coral coverage below the jetty?' Best case: reef starts directly below the villa steps.
What is actually included in the room rate?
BudgetWhy It Matters
Inclusions vary: some resorts include kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear. Others charge $15/day for snorkel gear and $30/hour for kayaks. These small charges add up fast.
What to Expect
Ask for the full list of complimentary activities and equipment. Key items: snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, gym access, wifi, and airport transfers. Some resorts bundle these; others charge for each one.
What do water sports actually cost?
BudgetWhy It Matters
Marketing says 'water sports center.' Reality: jet ski rental costs $80 to $120 for 15 minutes. Parasailing: $80 to $100 per person. Wake boarding: $60 to $90. A family afternoon of water sports can cost $500+.
What to Expect
Request the water sports price list. Compare against what All-Inclusive covers (some AI plans include non-motorized sports only). Budget $200 to $500 for a family if these matter to you.
What medical facilities does the resort have?
PracticalWhy It Matters
Most resorts have a basic clinic with a nurse. Not a hospital. Serious injuries require evacuation to Male (30 minutes to 2 hours depending on location). Decompression chamber for divers is only at Bandos.
What to Expect
Ask: 'Is there a doctor on the island?' (not all have one). 'What is the evacuation protocol?' Check if your travel insurance covers medical evacuation by seaplane or speedboat. Bring personal medications; the resort pharmacy is basic.
When to Ask Each Question
Some questions are only relevant at specific stages. Here is the timing.
| Stage | Questions to Ask | Why Now |
|---|---|---|
| Before shortlisting | #1 Construction, #4 Cancellation policy, #8 Late arrival transfers | These are deal-breakers. No point researching further if these fail. |
| While comparing resorts | #2 Reef distance, #6 Menu prices, #7 AI value, #10 Room inclusions | These differentiate resorts. Use the answers to compare value. |
| Before paying deposit | #3 Baggage limits, #5 Renovation noise, #9 Jetty reef access | These affect your daily experience. Confirm before committing money. |
| After booking | #11 Water sports costs, #12 Medical facilities | Good to know for budgeting and packing. Not booking-dependent. |
Red Flags in Resort Responses
If a resort gives you these answers, pay attention.
"Minor improvements are underway"
This is code for construction. Ask for specifics: what is being built, where, and what hours. Get photos of the work zone relative to your villa.
"Our house reef is accessible by boat"
If the house reef requires a boat, there is no house reef in the traditional sense. You will need to schedule and pay for snorkel trips.
"Menu prices are available upon arrival"
They are hiding the prices because they are high. Any resort confident in their value will share menus before you book.
"Cancellation policy is standard"
There is no standard. Policies range from fully refundable 30 days out to fully non-refundable at booking. Demand the actual terms in writing.
"All-Inclusive covers everything"
It never covers everything. Ask for the full exclusion list. Common exclusions: premium spirits, spa, motorized water sports, specialty restaurant surcharges.
"We'll do our best to accommodate"
This means no guarantee. If a specific villa position or upgrade matters, get a confirmed assignment in writing, not a "best effort" promise.
We ask these questions for you
Send us your resort shortlist. We check construction schedules, meal plan value, reef quality, and villa positioning. No hidden surprises.
Quick Checklist
Copy these questions and send them to your resort or agent before booking.
- Is there any construction or renovation during my dates?
- How far is the house reef from shore?
- What are the seaplane baggage limits?
- What is the full cancellation policy?
- Is there renovation noise from neighboring villas?
- Can I see the a la carte menu prices?
- Is All-Inclusive actually worth it at this resort?
- What happens if my flight arrives after seaplane hours?
- Can I access the reef from the overwater jetty?
- What is actually included in the room rate?
- What do water sports actually cost?
- What medical facilities does the resort have?
How to Ask Without Being Annoying
These are legitimate questions, but how you ask them matters.
Email the resort directly
Most resorts have a reservations email. Send your questions in one organized email. Reference your booking number if you have one. Keep it factual, not confrontational.
Use an agent (like us)
Agents have direct contacts at resorts and know what to ask. We can get construction schedules, villa maps, and menu prices faster than individual guests. This is one of the key reasons to use an agent.
Check recent guest reviews
TripAdvisor and Google Reviews from the last 3 months often mention construction, reef quality, and food value. Read the 3-star reviews for the most balanced perspectives.
Time it right
Ask questions after you have narrowed to 2 to 3 resorts, not before. Resorts are more responsive to serious enquiries than to research-stage browsing. Mention your dates and party size upfront.
Book with Confidence
Prefer to talk to someone directly? Call us at +960 771 9666 or chat on WhatsApp