Maldives is already one of the most unusual and magical holiday destinations in the world, particularly as home to about two-thirds of the world's overwater bungalows.
But for those who want to take the sea-life observation one step further than watching through a glass panel in your bungalow floor, you can dine at the world's first undersea restaurant at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort.
Open since 2005, the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is made of all glass and has 180-degree views of the magnificent tropical sea and plant life.
There are only 14 seats and 7 tables so it's wise to take advantage of the fact that you can make a reservation starting two weeks before you arrive, considering that the resort has 150 villas and rooms.
The cuisine is Maldivian-Western fusion with a seasonal menu, and it's open for lunch and dinner daily. Dress is “smart” and children under 12 aren't allowed to dine at the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at all.
I’m looking for a 2 bed or 2 bedroom overwater bungalow for early 2025. I know it’s too early to get rates but I have to start researching now. It would be in February 2025. 3 adults, 2 bed/bedrooms.
Is this all inclusive?
Is there a way to stay in the overwater bungalow for 3 days and the rest of the nights at the hotel on land?
Is the seaplane the only way to get to your location? or is there a ferry?
Kunta,
There are all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives, but not all of them. Almost all of the water villas have one large bed and most have a pull-out sofa. If you need two large beds you’ll probably have to book two water villas. There are a few places that have 2-bedroom water villas, but the prices are pretty much always much more than the price of two single water villas. The 2-bedroom places are super-luxury suites and usually start at at least US$3,000 per night.
Yes, you can book a few nights in a water villa and the rest of your stay in an island room. Some people even get upgraded that way and end up longer in the water villa.
Most Maldives resorts require a seaplane journey to get there, but the ones closer to the airport can also have a speedboat option and sometimes both. The sea-planes are obviously expensive, but they are an amazing and thrilling ride as well so most people love them. I hope this helps. -Roger