There is no doubt that accommodation in the Maldives is affordable as anticipated but it varies depending on your affordability. As a holiday resort, you will notice that there are numerous hotels, hostels, guest houses, lodges, and apartments at your disposal once you are in the Maldives.
Accommodation is usually categorized according to one's preference. It can be from staying with families, renting an apartment, being at a hotel, sharing a room, or better yet campus accommodation too.
It is better to ask a local acquaintance or a fellow ex-pat living in Male to help you through the renting process. Knowing your landlord or being introduced through mutual friends would also be highly beneficial both with price negotiations and should problems arise in the future. This is highly important as foreigners have very little legal protection in the Maldives when it comes to housing disputes.
Your landlord will probably ask you to pay rent in USD even though this is against the country's currency regulations. Negotiating this issue may not always be successful but if you do agree to pay your rent in USD, keep in mind that it will depend on currency fluctuations.
Another thing to expect when renting an apartment are deposits, which can often be requested in the amount of up to six-month rent. It is possible to negotiate this point, however, lowering the amount you pre-pay for housing.
Housing features
As the city is very small, housing options are limited. With that, you can find various accommodation types from studios to larger apartments and townhouses. Shared housing is also a popular option and a great way to cut down costs.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city, consider renting in the neighboring islands of Villingili and Hulhumale. These offer more and larger accommodation options and much better prices. You can get to Male easily from either island via a quick ferry ride.
Hotel features
Hotel rooms are offered at the lowest price on Agoda.com with many of them in the vicinity of Colleges and Universities. Find the perfect accommodation near Maldives National University, with choices like the Dharavandhoo Stay and the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.
Agoda.com's secure on-line booking form makes it easy to reserve hotels close to Maldives National University. Accommodation can be conveniently located on our Maldives Islands city page, with user-friendly search tools and comprehensive hotel information.
Agoda.com is trusted by over 3,500,000 travelers who book their accommodations near famous sights like Maldives National University.
Bed and Breakfast near the Maldives National University
Unima Grand Hotel
The location is very convenient as the hotel is located just 50 meters from the main road next to the sea. The rooms have a breath-taking view of the sea that is an attraction for a lot of expatriates in the Maldives.
There is an airport transfer provided by the hotel and it takes close to 10 mins to cross the bridge. Guests do not mind sharing transportation from the hotel.
There is a shopping street where you can walk hours along the street just 2-3 blocks away from the hotel, but you should go after 5 pm, especially when all shops are opened. During prayer times, there is usually a subtle sound from the mosque of people.
Novina Hotel
Novian Hotel is known for an exceptional hospitality, helpful staff, variety of breakfast that is at your disposal. Based on online reviews, the staff is accustomed to going the extra mile of ensuring that guests have a comfortable stay at the hotel. If you happen to stay at Male even for one day, book this guest house.
Your stay will be a memorable one mainly because of the treatment that the hotel staff renders to guests booked there. The hygiene and cleanliness of the rooms are above average hotels in the area and you are guaranteed your money's worth.
An apartment
The best way to go about arranging your accommodation in the Maldives is to make sure it's covered by your employment contract. You will then have much fewer things to worry about throughout your stay in the country.
If this is not an option, start by looking at the offers online. You can also join ex-pat forums and clubs on social media to get more insight into the country's rental market. Once on the spot, check the classifieds section of local newspapers (like Haveeru). Male is not a cheap place to rent in.
One-bedroom apartments in the city center can start at $500 while bigger places can cost up to $1,600. Staying on the neighboring island (Villingili and Hulhumale) can prove to be a much more economical solution with prices for a one-bedroom place starting at under $300. You should expect to pay a deposit for several months in advance.