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A tranquil stay for readers with a luxury-level budget.
Why do people come to the Maldives? Typically, to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary or perhaps on a carefully planned once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon. It’s a destination that’s synonymous with romance and extravagance. But with 180 luxury resorts (and counting), travelers looking to book the perfect stay have no shortage of choice among the islands.
On our most recent trip in the Maldives, we visited a handful of resorts all throughout the country to give you an insider look at what you can expect when you book a Maldivian vacation.
If you’ve landed here while looking for my “budget-travel tips for visiting the Maldives” or island destinations in the atolls, where you can connect with the local culture, head over to the linked post instead.
Let’s take a look at the InterContinental Maldives Resort, also known as IHG Maamunagau Resort, and see if this is the ideal stay for your getaway.
Who is InterContinental Maldives Resort the Perfect Choice For?
If you are an active family looking for a luxury getaway with exceptional food and an abundance of activities, including the chance to see Manta Rays, this is a great resort choice.
Obviously, this is not limited to families; if you are a couple searching for a romantic getaway, you can certainly have that here. But it’s worth noting that this resort does host a lot of families, as it was named the “Best Luxury Resort for Families in the Maldives” by Travel and Leisure in 2025.
IHG was also named “#7 Best Resort in the Maldives Overall” by Travel and Leisure this year, and for years has been named one of the best waterside resorts in the Maldives, hailed for its service and its luxury amenities.
Sustainability at InterContinental Maldives Resort
Let’s talk green. Environment, not money.
The InterContinental Maldives is partnered with both the Manta Trust AND Ocean Group, protecting the mega and mini-fauna of the Maldives. The Manta Trust, in particular, is an incredible global organization that has chosen to base itself and its operations on this resort. Good news for you. If you’re interested in seeing the iconic reef mantas that live around here and in Hanifaru Bay! You can also help plant coral gardens thanks to their collab with Ocean Group.
They also use solar power for 15% of the resort’s energy (and growing), as well as implement numerous initiatives to reduce waste on the island.
Who is IHG?
To truly understand a resort’s footprint, you have to understand the parent company.
As a rule, I’m skeptical of foreign-owned and operated businesses operating in the global south. I think that it can lead to exploitation and a kind of Neo-Colonialism. The Maldives is a tricky destination, however. In fact, it’s one of the only destinations around the world where I ever work with all-inclusive resorts. Why? Because I think that the efforts made by the sustainability teams of these hotels are significant and today, vitally important to the Maldivian ecosystems and economic prosperity of the country as a whole. I digress, this is perhaps a whole blog topic in itself that I won’t bore you with here.
IHG is a British-owned company that has a stellar reputation globally when it comes to sustainability efforts. They have implemented all the “basic” green initiatives to reduce food waste and plastic, and also engage with the communities they serve, especially in the Maldives.
A Quick Look at InterContinental Maldives Resort Amenities
There are certain standards that pretty much every resort in the Maldives meets. They all offer snorkeling excursions (usually to a house reef + some other exciting nearby fauna), many offer a dive center for experienced divers and novices, they all have at least one exclusive dining option for people looking to up their culinary experience, they usually have a pool (often times with it’s own bar), a spa for facials and massage, cooking classes, sunset cruises, rooms that all offer privacy with easy beach access, and then each resort likes to pepper in it’s own flair that makes it a unique travel destination.
These are the unique amenities that IHG Maamunagau Resort offers you…
- Planet Trekkers Kids Club.
- AVI Spa. I challenge you to find a more idyllic place to have a massage. All the massage rooms are overwater and have expansive ocean views. Honestly, I wish I could have just slept in the AVI Spa rooms. The massage was excellent too.
- Gym and Yoga Center. Super high-end gym with absolutely everything you could ever need for a good workout. Morning Yoga is complimentary as well.
- Dive Center. Here, you’ll find the home base for the Manta Trust and where you’ll spend your time if you’re interested in the underwater world. They host lots of excursions, including outings to Hanifaru Bay when sightings are confirmed. You can get PADI certified, snorkel with Mantas, go on a sunset cruise, or have a guide for a house reef snorkel.
- Speaking of the house reef. The house reef here is super accessible from the main beach area. While guided ecursions are offered, you can also easily do this yourself.
- Totally protected snorkeling lagoon. InterContinental is one of the only resorts in the Maldives that has a totally protected lagoon, which means even when the weather isn’t good and the swells get crazy, you can still safely snorkel. Lots of wildlife, like sharks, come into the lagoon area as well.
- Free Bicycles. Every guest is set up with free bikes so you can easily get around the island. While the island isn’t particularly large or anything, it is a nice touch that makes getting around easy.
- Pool Bar Area. Aside from the adults-only area, there is also a pool bar where you can get drinks while in the water and then pop over to one of the two restaurants (one offers delicious wood-fired pizza).
Why Choose InterContinental Maldives Resort, AKA What Sets This Resort Apart From The Rest
As you can tell from the lengthy list of amenities. InterContinental makes a huge effort to set itself apart from the competition. Here are the things that I really enjoyed about our stay at InterContinental.
1. It has one of the very best spas in the Maldives.
If you stay at InterContinental Maldives, you simply have to book a spa treatment. This was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life and most certainly the best massage I’ve ever had.
2. You can visit Hanifaru Bay from here.
Hanifaru Bay is a Marine Eco-Biosphere Reserve near the Raa Atoll, where InterContinental is located. This essentially means that the waters here are protected for the Mantas. During certain times of the year (May-August), huge numbers of Mantas come here to swarm and feed. Not all hotels can visit Hanifaru Bay, only the ones within close proximity. Fortunately, InterContinental is one of them.
Visiting Hanifaru Bay is expensive, but it is also highly regulated. In fact, boats are only allowed in the bay each day if the rangers spot mantas and make a call to the resort. Three days a week, resorts get the call, and 3 days a week, local islands get the call.
This means that signing up for the excursion doesn’t guarantee it will run on your desired day.
3. They have a variety of truly impressive restaurants.
From the Fish Market (where you get insanely good seafood and freshly picked Maldivian Lobster in a lively outdoor ambiance, to the Lighthouse Restaurant (yes, in a real lighthouse), serving truly sensational Mediterranean cuisine– all of InterContinental’s food surpasses the normal Maldivian Resort standards.
I was super impressed with every meal we ate on the property. I did feel that there wasn’t enough Maldivian cuisine featured on the menus.
4. Family-friendly BUT equipped with an Adult’s Only area.
While this is a family-friendly resort, there is a safe space to escape the kids. This pool is set up with a lovely sunset deck, restaurant, and a scenic bar overlooking the lagoon. As a child-free adult myself, I think this is very important. I just wanted a place to have a nice glass of wine by the water and watch the sunset in peace. This is the perfect place to do so.
5. They host Manta Trust and have an Adopt a Manta Program.
The hotel’s collaboration with the Manta Trust is one of the best things about it. Luxury travel should always give back. All travel should give back. The Manta Trust is a great way for you and your family to get involved on your vacation as well.
How Much Does a Visit to InterContinental Maldives Resort Cost You?
Sunset Overwater Pool Villa
Overwater Pool Villa
Beach Pool Villa
$2,600 on IHG for all-inclusive
$2,400 for all-inclusive on IHG
$2,800 for all-inclusive on IHG
There are obviously a lot more rooms available than these three, but these are the three most popular options for couples.
While it appears cheaper on the official IHG website, in the final steps, it adds on the Green Taxes, Service Charges, and other taxes, which push the price higher than Booking.com’s options. I will say that you should absolutely book directly with the resort if you are a resort rewards member or are interested in all-inclusive options.
Should You Opt for the All-Inclusive Package?
I won’t lie, InterContinental is pricey, even by Maldivian Resort standards. If you browse the food menus, you’d be hard-pressed to eat anything for under $50 per person. This is why most guests opt for an all-inclusive option. And I do suggest that here, especially if you plan on drinking while on the island.
Should You Travel in the Off-Season?
While some resorts have an array of indoor spaces and lots of activities for a rainy day, we found ourselves feeling very cooped up when the torrential rains of off-season struck. I would not recommend opting for off-season, although that sometimes comes with discounted price tags. If you’re planning a vacation to IHG Maldives in the first place, I wouldn’t expect that the difference of a few hundred dollars is going to make that much of a difference.
So, no. I would not recommend rolling the dice on an off-season trip to InterContinental Maldives.
Is a Seaplane Required?
The only way to reach IHG Maamunagau Resort is by seaplane transfer with Manta Air. This seaplane transfer costs around $550 per person.
A Glimpse Inside InterContinental Maldives Resort’s Beachfront Pool Villa
We stayed at the Beachfront Pool Villa, which is on the same beach that the house reef is located off of. Here are some photos from our stay to give you an idea of what to expect. One thing I particularly liked about the rooms was the decor. Unlike many Maldivian resorts, which often opt for minimalist designs, this one had a really homey and lovely vibe.
Our Personal Opinion: Is InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort Worth the Splurge?
This is certainly one of the most luxurious stays available in the Maldives. If you’re looking for a chance to spot Manta Rays in their natural habitat, an excellent house reef, stunning beaches, well-decorated rooms, 5-star food, and to be truly pampered in an overwater spa, this is the Maldivian resort for you.
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