Palm Trees, Plunge Pools, and Proving the Internet Wrong: Our Maldives Family Vacation

Before we booked our trip to the Maldives, we almost didn’t. I know—how ridiculous does that sound?

But we’d been deep in the travel blog rabbit hole, and The Points Guy (usually pretty reliable) had written a post saying the very resort we’d been eyeing was… overrated. The Maldives dream family vacation had been pinned on our family’s “someday” board for years suddenly felt like it might be a waste of time—and money. We hesitated.

Luckily, we got over it.

We were already in India, just a one-hour flight away, and it felt silly to be so close to one of the world’s most iconic island chains and not go. So we decided to take the risk. If it turned out to be disappointing, we’d still be in the Maldives. That couldn’t be too bad, right?

It wasn’t bad. It was magical.

We were met at the airport by a sleek wooden speedboat with cold towels, big smiles, and water bottles that somehow made hydration feel luxurious. The kids were instantly impressed. So were we. That boat ride alone, gliding across turquoise water so clear it felt photoshopped, set the tone for what would become one of our most peaceful, soul-restoring stops of the entire year.

When we arrived at the resort, it was like stepping onto a movie set—or maybe just straight into a screensaver. Palm trees swayed just so. The sand was impossibly soft. And our beach bungalow? A dream. Private plunge pool, an outdoor shower surrounded by tropical plants, and a front row seat to one of the most beautiful beaches we’d ever seen.

We quickly slipped into island life. Every morning, we’d wake up, step outside, and literally dodge coconuts that had fallen overnight. (Yes, really. They are large, and they fall with enthusiasm.) Then we’d make our way barefoot down the path, claiming a hammock or lounge chair depending on the vibe. The resort had hammocks in the ocean—like, suspended just above the water—which is now my personal definition of luxury.

Days flowed the way you always hope vacation days will. We swam, napped, played in the waves, snorkeled along coral reefs, and when we were hungry, wandered off for something delicious. The resort had a great mix of casual and upscale dining—oceanfront lunches, wood-fired pizzas, elegant curries, fresh grilled fish—and everything came with a view.

For a small island nation, the Maldives has a rich cultural blend shaped by centuries of trade across the Indian Ocean. You can feel it in the food—Indian, Sri Lankan, Arabic, and even East African influences—and see it in the architecture and art, especially in the capital, Malé. While our time was mostly spent at the resort, we learned that the Maldives is actually made up of nearly 1,200 islands, only about 200 of which are inhabited. Islam is the official religion, and modesty is expected in local villages—but resorts like the one we stayed in offer a bit more relaxed environment for visitors. Still, it was nice to be aware and teach the kids a little about where we were beyond just the beach.

When we wanted something more active, the resort had a whole menu of options: bikes to ride around the island, tennis courts, a beautiful spa, culinary and cocktail classes, and even live music in the evenings. And then there were the unexpected rain showers. Not light sprinkles, but sudden, loud, theatrical crash-down storms that came out of nowhere and were gone just as quickly. The hotel had umbrellas everywhere, and honestly, we kind of loved it. Something about racing through warm tropical rain back to our room or into the lounge to play a board game just made everything feel cozy and unplugged.

I also slept better there than I had in weeks. Maybe it was the stillness, or the sound of waves, or the pure exhaustion of months of moving around—but whatever it was, it worked. We all felt it. This little island was the pause button we didn’t know we needed.

I think back now and hate the idea that we almost skipped it.That we might have let one person’s review keep us from something this beautiful.

So here’s what I’d say:The Points Guy wasn’t totally wrong—maybe it’s not the flashiest resort in the Maldives. But for us? It was perfect. It was barefoot, sleep-deeply, coconut-dodging paradise.

And it turned out to be one of the best parts of our Family Fun Year.