Vacation Destination: Maldives
The Journey to Paradise
Getting to the Maldives from the United States is not for the faint of heart. It is about 30 hours in total travel time to get there. This was the longest solo flight I have done so I am going to list my survival tips below. The first leg of my flight was a solid 13 hour flight from SFO --> Istanbul. Then a 8.5 hour airport layover in which I revived myself with a shower, food, and an attempted nap at the airport lounge. The next leg was a 8 hour flight that arrived in Male.
10 Tips for Long Flights
1. Prepare yourself for sleep: Invest in a travel pillow to help ensure you can sleep on the flight. If you are tired, give into it and try to sleep. Pack melatonin, a sleep mask, and a microfiber blanket/towel in your carry on!
2. Bring snacks: Airline snacks have come along way but having something nutritious always makes me feel better when I am traveling. I usually pack nuts, Perfect bars, popcorn, and apples in my carry on.
3. HYDRATE: Drink plenty of bottled water on the plane. I always bring a reusable water and fill it up on at the airport prior to my flight. Hydrate your skin as well because airplanes are super drying. Moisturize your face, hands, and apply lip balm.
4. Stretch and move on the plane: Moving around during the flight increases blood flow to your legs and reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Get up and walking down the aisles or stretching in your seat can help prevent muscle stiffness and soreness. I also find it boosts my overall mood and energy levels.
5. Reserve a good seat: If you want more leg room, try to get an exit row. If you want to avoid children, avoid the front of the plane. I usually opt for an aisle seat because of the frequency I need to use the restroom.
6. COMFORT > fashion I’m wearing leggings, a baggy t-shirt, and a big sweatshirt. No makeup so I can moisturize on the flight.
7. Get on your new time zone: Set your time zone to your destination on your phone and try to adjust your sleep to the new time frame so you can arrive fresh. Even if its staying up a couple hours more or missing a meal, anything helps!
8. Be productive: Don't forget to exercise your brain. Bring a book, get some work done on your laptop, or listen to a podcast. Make sure to charge or pre-download anything you may need in advance.
9. Netflix & Chill: If you are trying to wind down, Netflix is always an option. Most long haul flights have in flight entertainment. Make sure to pack noise cancelling headphones.
10. Keep a positive attitude: Traveling can be rough especially when there are delays, cancellations, and not so favorable conditions. Be grateful when things are going smoothly, and that you are in route to an exciting adventure. Keep a peaceful mind- meditate, listen to some calming music, do some breathing exercises.
After surviving over 30 hours of travel, I arrived in Male and was greeted by the humidity and hustle and bustle of the airport. Hotel and tour agencies were tracking down the new arrivals and I was able to easily locate The Standard's booth. I was appreciative of the diligent service of the hotel staff, as they dealt with transporting my luggage and promptly guided to your speedboat transfer or the seaplane terminal and their staff promptly placed me on a shuttle bus to the sea plane terminal.
I waited about an hour at the air conditioned terminal building before finally boarding. The sea plane ride was loud, bumpy, but the most scenic flight in the world. It showed a glimpse of the turquoise waters dotted with tiny islands. It's truly a sight to see from above.
The sea plane landed next to a floating platform in the middle of the ocean where a boat for the Standard resort picked me up and then took me to the hotel. It's amazing how coordinated it all was so I was not waiting too long on that platform!
I was greeted by the white sandy beaches and the friendly staff. Just looking at the turquoise waters and tranquility of the resort had me forget about the long journey I just took. I was reunited with my friends and ready to relax and enjoy paradise.
5 Star Accommodation
The Standard hotel is a stunning property that offers a unique blend of relaxation, social life and adventure. There are 115 villas each with a private lounge deck and plunge pool. The overwater bungalows seamlessly blends contemporary design with the natural beauty of the Maldives. The interior of the villa was beachy, clean, and had joyful splashes of highlighter pink. We fit 3 people in the ocean overwater villa. Our room had a private infinity pool and stairs that led to the crystal-clear waters right from our private deck.
Amenities of the resort:
-Private beach access
-Infinity edged main pool
-PADI dive centre
-Bikes
-Boogie service (golf cart)
-Fitness center
-Tennis court
-4 restaurants, 2 Bars
-Free wifi
-Snorkeling gear
-Spa
-Boat excursions
-Motorized and non-motorized watersports
-Kids club
-Medical Tent
-Nightly disco/live music
-Room Service
-24/7 reception desk
The Standard has the most kind and courteous staff. They were extremely accommodating and upon arrival, we were assigned someone to address our questions to. All resort staff without exception were so friendly, caring and attentive and they made sure that we were welcomed since the time of the arrival till waving good bye.
Dining
What to Do?
First priority is to relax and take in the beauty. The Maldives had the most gorgeous beaches I have been to. Everyday I would wake up in awe of its beauty and stunning landscapes. Take in the little things. You can watch sunrise from one part of the resort, and sunset at the other. I've been to a lot of beaches but they all rival the soft powedery sand and clear blue water that was so warm it felt like a bath! You can even see fish and marine life from your private deck in your villa
I started to get into a routine while I was there: morning yoga, breakfast at Kula, swim at the main pool, then head back to the villa for music & private pool/ocean swimming. After the daytime fun, we would shower and head to happy hour and dinner. Sprinkle in some excursions in there and it was truly such an amazing experience in the Maldives.
Floating Breakfast
This experience is entirely for the 'gram. Your breakfast is served on a floating tray and delivered to your villa's pool. It is quite the balancing act to make sure everything doesn't end up in your pool. I would probably skip this one and just head to Kula for breakfast with a view.
Private "Castaway" lunch
Imagine an entire island to yourself. White sands and limitless turquoise waters surround you. The Castaway lunch ended up being my favorite excursion we did. You are taken on a boat to an isolated and uninhabited island for the afternoon. Once docked on the island, we found a shaded space with blankets, cushions, and a picnic basket with Maldivian snacks and a bottle of champagne. For the next two hours, we did as we pleased until we were taken back by the resort.
Water Activities
The Maldives are a tropical paradise that people visit for the beaches and watersports. The underwater life is a diver's paradise. For the adventure seekers, take part in thrilling water sports activities, such as jet skiing or parasailing. If you would like to get off the island for a bit, there is snorkeling or dive excursions that you are able to book. On the resort map you can see where "Baby Island" is and I swam to it one day. Definitely more of a workout that a leisurely swim but if you want to do it, have a staff member go with you to supervise.
Spa
Ahhh the spa. The Standard Spa (adults only, 18+) offers indoor hydrotherapy with a circuit of communal hammam, aroma steam room and plunge shower. They also have traditional massages, facial, and other treatments. The all inclusive plus package included a 30 minute signature massage and there is a pool to relax afterwards.
Yoga + Fitness
There is a gym onsite as well as daily morning yoga offerings. The yoga studio is inside the spa with windows exposing the beautiful blue surroundings. Vinyasa flow, restorative, and aerial yoga as well as sound healing sessions are offered. They even have a tennis court with rentable racquets.
Beru Bar
The night isn't complete without a stop at Beru Bar. There's pool table and an open glass dance floor with a huge disco ball. DJs rotate through and I love that live music is offered every night.
Resort Activities
Final Thoughts + Considerations
Resort Selection
Whether you're seeking a romantic escape, a family vacation, or a blissful solo retreat, The Standard Maldives will exceed your expectations and create memories to last a lifetime. The Standard delivered on the highest levels of luxury through personalized services, a vast range of amenities, and sophisticated accommodations. I also appreciated that the resort is committed to preserving the Maldives' pristine environment, and adhere to eco-friendly practices.
All the Maldivian resorts are on their own island, which range in size and amenities. Choose wisely as these will be the only facilities you have access to on your trip. There are plenty of options depending on your budget.
I booked my Maldives trip as a package that included the hotel all inclusive stay, seaplane transfer, spa treatment, and excursions. You can book all these add-ons during the booking process, and it makes the trip seamless and less stressful to plan. I knew I was traveling far to an unfamiliar place and it can be hard to coordinate things so doing this allowed me to just worry about the plane ticket and getting myself there.
Weather
Don't forget the Maldives are in the tropics. I went in August and feel like we lucked out with the weather as it is known to be a higher chance of rainfall and thunderstorms. There was only one day it was on/off rainfall – but these storms usually pass pretty quickly and it turns back into blue skies. It's humid so bring a reusable water bottle if you can. I wish the resort had water refill stations set up but you just have to ask the staff for water. Peak season may have the best chance for nice weather but it also comes with a steeper price tag. Check out the links below to see what months are best to travel:
Tip: If you are visiting during high plankton season (mid-summer to mid-winter) you should see if a trip to Vaadhoo Island Beach is possible. Bioluminescent organisms line the shoes and create a shiny glow in the dark.
Plan your flight times accordingly
If your resort requires sea plane transfer, you will have to consider your flight arrival times as the sea planes only operate in daylight hours. The last one usually departs at 2:45PM. Aim for an arrival flight morning-mid afternoon and departure in the late afternoon/evening to avoid a night spent in the concrete jungle of Male.
Everything is Extra
If you didn't already pre-pay for something, assume there is a cost. Costs for food, drinks, excursions, rentals, etc at the resort will be high. Everything in the Maldives has to be imported, usually from Dubai and then brought to the resort by boat. It's expensive and worth considering a meal plan, all inclusive, or booking with a travel agency to get the most out of your money.
Immerse in the Local Culture
Local language: Dhivehi, although English is largely spoken
Religion: Islam
The Maldives has a large South Asian influence. This gives it a unique melting pot of culture from Sri Lanka, India, South East Asia, Arabia and Africa which all add to the country's culture and history.
The Standard served authentic Maldivian cuisine, which often includes fresh seafood, coconut, and a variety of tropical fruits. The staff was informative about any questions about traditional way of life, and their own customs/culture.
Don't wait until your Honeymoon
The Maldives is the most beautiful place I have been to and is truly paradise on Earth. It is often regarded as a top honeymoon destination, but is just as well suited for a girls trip, family escape, or solo adventure. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of this country and indulge in today relaxation - a luxury that shouldn't be reserved solely for honeymooners.
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