Lily Beach vs. Hideaway: How to Choose Which Maldives Island to Visit

Location

Lily Beach Resort & Spa is located in South Ari Atoll, a region that is home to the Whale Shark Marine Reserve you can find in the Maldives. Lily Beach is a bit easier to access than Hideaway from Male, just a scenic 25-minute seaplane flight away from the Velana International Airport. A leading Maldives all-Inclusive resort Lily Beach can offer a convenient all-in-one vacation experience for families and couples.

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a luxury private resort located in the most northern Maldives, in Haa Alifu Atoll. Fine dining, relaxation among untouched nature and luxury resorts are all hallmarks of a Haa Alifu Atoll vacation. Guests can opt for domestic or seaplane mode of transfer at the time of booking. Domestic – the flight is a beautiful journey of about 55 minutes to Hanimaadhoo airport. From there, you will be whisked away on a shared speedboat ride of 20-30 minutes to the beautiful resort at Hideaway.

Seaplane – a 75-minute flight to the resort. Guests opting to fly via seaplane will be in for a spectacular treat as the views of the low flying seaplane will be breath-taking.

Known as a playground of the rich and famous, the resort's VIP guests flying in via private jets can opt to choose Maafaru or Hanimaadhoo International Airports, where Hideaway's team will assist you in getting to the resort, via chartered seaplane, or the hideaway majesty yacht (only Maafaru).

Guests arriving in their own yacht will find all the facilities they need at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Marina – the first of its kind in the Maldives.

Beaches

The palm-dotted beaches and electric blue ocean create a dynamic landscape of Lily. Located in the channel, here the long and narrow island and Indian ocean meet, creating deep depths right off the shore (one reason why snorkeling around Lily Beach is so great) sometimes with strong currents washing the shoreline fortified with breakwaters. These factors, plus narrow strips of sand on the south side, mean the beach accommodation and swimming in the ocean at Lily Beach are more suitable for northern, more wide beaches, as well as for hanging by the pool. Guests staying in water villas have direct and easy access to the sea and house reef snorkeling.

Lily Beach is one of only four resorts on the eastern side of the atoll, and its extensive marine conservation program has led to a bounty of sea life there after years of coral bleaching. In Maldives, this is an amazing place to the house reef snorkeling and scuba diving to see sharks, rays, sea turtles, and other amazing sea creatures.

From August to November, South Ari (Alifu Dhaalu) Atoll is one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks. You may also spot manta rays in South Ari during the northeast monsoon from September/October to May. Deep-sea fishers can expect to find mahi-mahi, tuna, jack, and GT year-round.

Suited for genuine luxury and total privacy, Hideaway Beach is set on a crescent-shaped private island. With posh vegetation, the large island, which boasts some of the largest beachfront villas in the Maldives has endless options for a day on the beach. Providing the perfect backdrop for honeymoon or family escape the resort offers stunning views of the turquoise waters of a beautiful lagoon on the sunrise side, and pristine beaches with perfect, clean and wide sands all over the island. Combining the best ingredients of a tropical paradise, you won't find breakwaters or sandbags here. Away from the busy atolls close to the capital, Male, it becomes more quiet, peaceful and undisturbed. The setting is breathtaking, with lush greenery and vibrant marine life surrounding the area.

In 2022 Hideaway opened nine extravagant villas that redefine secluded and barefoot luxury in the Maldives. Nestled a world away from all you have ever known, The Signature Collection Residences offer unparalleled luxury within the resort’s peaceful northern point inviting guests to experience the unique ‘resort within a resort’ concept.

Like in Lily Beach there is a fabulous and easily accessible double house reef just a short swim from the beach that allows you to experience the magic that lies beneath the surface. If you are lucky you may even spot eagle rays and reef sharks cruising the reef along, or even turtles!

Activities & Water Sports

Whether you’re drawn to sailing adventures exploring nearby islands or seeking an adrenaline rush, both resorts cater to your desires. Guests get complimentary access to non-motorized water sports and snorkelling equipment. For those simply looking to have fun, don’t miss Floating Aqua Park at Hideaway Beach nestled in the lagoon’s shallow waters. Lily Beach Resort and Spa oozes with exciting water sports and activities that are just too good to miss out on!

Lily Beach and Hideaway are a haven for families and has a wide range of activities to keep all ages entertained. The various activities at Kids Clubs daily offer a variety of fun experiences for the younger guests at the resorts.

Both islands boast tennis and padel courts, wellnes and spa services, fitness, and evening entertainment. A lush 5-hole putting green with a sandbank, two golf simulator cabins is a good addition to land sports at Hideaway.

The Platinum Plan offers three excursions per person per stay to be selected from available options at Lily Beach: coral garden snorkelling, fishing trip, sunset cruise, trip to a local island.

If you are looking for the perfect way to explore the stunning island nation of the Maldives, then look no further than the newly launched Hideaway Majesty yacht at the resort.

Food That Caters to Culinary Travelers

Dining options - this is where Lily Beach really stands out. The resort's owner is a fan of food and made dining a special service point providing guests with only the best and most diverse products, so expect a section of chilled cheese with more than 30 world cheeses, a good selection of old and new wines, a large tank with live lobsters and even a fun children's buffet full of favorite children's goodies. The quality of the food and drinks is absolutely amazing for an all inclusive resort. Feels like you are having lunch and dinner at a gourmet restaurant and there are no extras attached. The food is always freshly prepared, varied and delicious every day. The chefs offer basically everything guests want, even though it' not on the menu, taking service to another level. For some simple but delicious fare, Lily Maa will help you blossom into a true gourmand, understanding that the quality of your Maldives’ experience inevitably spreads through the seduction of your taste buds, too. For something swankier, try Tamarind restaurant for inventive menus worthy of a special occasion meal.

The food at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is very good at all restaurants. Talented chefs take personal care about guests tastes to suite every palate and they remember everything you like. For a gourmet experience, Samsara is fabulous choices for something more regional, and Oasis restaurant for some international flair. Worth every penny ''White Platinum' All Inclusive Plan is highly recommended, as the cost of providing such food in a remote island is indeed quite high. The wine list included is extensive and includes some very good wine. The waiting staff is freindly and attentive - along with a great atmosphere favorable to meal time.

The resorts of the Maldives are renowned for luxury and lavish all-inclusive packages. Lily's award-winning Platinum Plan all-inclusive package is second to none and has been recognised by the prestigious World Travel Awards seven times in recent years as ‘Maldives Leading All-Inclusive Resort‘, and named by Forbes as the ‘Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Maldives 2023‘. As for prices, an all-inclusive stay at the Hideaway Beach Resort will cost you 10% more, but considering the beautiful setting, spacious luxury accommodations and full privacy, it is worth it.

In conclusion, if you’re debating between Lily vs. Hideaway, you’ll find that they each have unique landscapes, activities and vibes — but they’re both fabulous vacation spots for couples, families or group of friends.