Ayada Maldives is in Gaafu Dhaalu, far in the south, yet it is easy to reach off a late flight from India. The domestic flight to Kaadedhdhoo and the speedboat connect from Velana landings as late as 22:20, so an evening arrival still sleeps on the island.
It is a big resort with eight restaurants, a butler for every villa and a reef we rate among the stronger ones we sell. The snorkel, fishing and cruise trips run daily, the dive centre goes out four times a day, and the house reef snorkel is timed around you rather than a rota.
What you pay
Pick a villa and a package and the price is the whole stay for two: three nights, or four on the split stay, with the meal plan you pick, the return domestic flight and speedboat, and every Maldivian tax.
The earliest dates here are the cheaper window. Every line steps up once the resort moves into its high season.
All inclusive is the step to weigh. It adds about an eighth to the half board figure on the same villa and dates. It pays for itself if you drink with lunch and dinner. Light drinkers do better on half board.
The split stay is how we would book it. Two nights on the beach and two over the water, and it is the only package long enough for the honeymoon extras.
What's included, and what isn't
In the price: your villa for two, the meal plan you pick, the return domestic flight and speedboat, a 30-minute massage for two, a sunset cruise, 25 per cent off at the spa, the water sports centre and the Ottoman Lounge, and every Maldivian tax including green tax.
Not in the price: your international flights, travel insurance, drinks on half and full board, excursions, diving, spa treatments beyond the massage, Indian TCS, and anything not named above.
Who this isn't for
Anyone who wants to be on the sand within an hour of landing. This is two legs, a flight and a boat, and around two hours door to island. On a three-night trip, an island in North or South Malé Atoll wastes less of it.
Three-night honeymooners. The honeymoon extras need four nights, so only the split stay qualifies.
Anyone expecting everything on all inclusive. The plan sold here has breakfast and dinner at the Magu buffet, lunch at Ocean Breeze or Zero Degree, and US$50 per adult off dinner elsewhere. Drinks are covered at four venues, not all eight. The richer Diamond plan needs seven nights and is not priced on this page.
Before you book
Honeymoon extras, on four nights: sparkling wine on arrival, one in-villa breakfast, and a set dinner for two at Kai or Ocean Breeze.
Book dinners on day one. Six of the eight restaurants need a reservation, and Mizu, the teppanyaki counter, has few seats and closes at 21:00. Your butler books them, and the spa wants a day's notice.
The festive period is not priced on this page, because the resort runs its own festive programme then. We can still book it.
Send us your dates, flight times and who is travelling, and we will price half board and all inclusive side by side. Message our Maldives specialists on WhatsApp or send us an enquiry. We reply within 24 hours.