With thoughtful and clean design elements, chic and modern decor, luxe amenities like L' Occitane bath products, and guests ranging from families to honeymooners, Velassaru Maldives is a luxury property with a lively, casual vibe. It's also got one of the most impressive infinity pools we've seen. The 129 rooms come with thoughtful features like polished coconut shell decor accents, personal wine fridges, plunge pools, outdoor showers, and private beach areas. There's also a large public beach with a teeming house reef, overwater spa, dive center, watersports center, and five restaurants and two bars -- and it's only 25 minutes via speedboat from Male. 

Built in the mid-90s, this tropical resort island has all the necessities for a Maldives vacation -- stunning white-sand beaches, warm turquoise water, water sports, all-you-can-eat buffets, and comfortable rooms on the beach or over the water. There are far more luxurious (and expensive) resorts around, but relatively easy access to the airport and reasonable prices make Adaaran Club Rannalhi a solid value for the Maldives. However, it's worth comparing rates with the Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, which has nicer rooms and two chic infinity pools.

It may not be luxurious, but Embudu Village is one of the most affordable and convenient resorts in the Maldives. Visitors don’t come here for the rooms or the food (though neither are bad) -- they come for the picture-perfect beaches and water sports, which are on par with the top resorts in the area. Travelers who want to experience flying in a seaplane should also consider Kuredu Island Resort, which has better facilities and similar off-peak rates.