Addu Atoll hotels by area
Addu City is a chain of islands joined by a road, plus resorts further out. Where you sleep decides what you can do on foot, how you arrive and which rules apply. A guesthouse on a local island follows local rules. A resort sets its own.
Your booking also matters for entry: visitors need a confirmed, prepaid reservation in registered accommodation. Read the entry rules first. To fill your days from any base, see the Addu excursions.
Where to stay in Addu: the areas compared
The kinds of stay found in each area. Check current availability and prices with your dates.
| Area | Kind of stay | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Gan | A hotel in the former Sergeants' Mess of the British base, in use as a hotel since 1983 | Arrival day, the airport, wartime history |
| Hithadhoo | Guesthouses on the administrative island | Addu Nature Park, local life |
| Maradhoo-Feydhoo | Guesthouses on the link road | Local life with road access to Gan |
| East | A resort joined to Hulhumeedhoo by a bridge | A resort stay in the east |
| South | A resort reopening in stages after a long closure | Travelers who confirm what is open before booking |
For most first visits, a guesthouse on Hithadhoo or Maradhoo-Feydhoo suits travelers who want island life. The hotel on Gan suits a short stay close to the airport. Resorts suit those who want a resort stay and are happy to plan transfers.
Choose in three steps. First decide whether you want local island life or a resort. Second, pick the area that matches your plans: the airport and history on Gan, nature on Hithadhoo, the link road in between. Third, ask the property about transfers, house rules and taxes before you pay. Flight details are in the Gan Airport guide.
Addu tours and day trips
Snorkeling trips, dives and island tours around Addu, with live prices and availability.
Guesthouse or resort: what changes
The big difference is the rules around you. On inhabited islands outside resorts, owning or drinking alcohol is a crime, and so is being drunk. Do not bring alcohol from a resort onto a local island, and do not expect your guesthouse to serve it.
Dress is more covered than at a resort. Keep your shoulders covered away from resorts and avoid short or tight shorts. When you swim at a local beach, cover your upper arms and thighs. Nudity and going topless are not allowed even at resorts. The local island guide explains daily life in more detail.
Do not assume a house reef. The resort in the east has none, and swimming is closed on its eastern sunrise side, while its western side is for swimming. Strong tidal currents are a real risk in the Maldives, so ask your host where swimming is safe and follow local warnings. For reefs you can reach, see the snorkeling guide.
Prices and taxes on your room
Room rates vary too much to give a single range, so compare like with like.
Compare the same terms
Compare rooms with the same occupancy and the same meals. Ask whether the price includes tax. A low rate that leaves out taxes can end up costing more.
Tourism GST
The tourism GST is 17 percent since 1 July 2025. It applies to guesthouses as well as hotels.
Green tax
The green tax is $12 per person per day. On inhabited islands, hotels and guesthouses with up to 50 registered rooms pay $6. Children under 2 are exempt. It is counted in 24-hour blocks from check-in, and the last block counts only if you stay at least 12 hours. A guesthouse is not automatically a $6 property, so ask which rate applies.
Check what is open
Some resorts are reopening after long closures, and not every facility may be running. Confirm what is open for your dates before you pay.
Addu Atoll hotels: frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in Addu?
It depends on what you want. Hithadhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo offer guesthouses and local life. Gan offers a historic hotel close to the airport. The east has a resort. The table above compares the areas.
Can I drink alcohol at an Addu guesthouse?
On inhabited islands outside resorts, alcohol possession and drinking are against the law. Do not expect a guesthouse to offer it, and do not carry it from a resort.
Does the resort in the east have a house reef?
No. Its eastern sunrise side is closed to swimming and its western side is used for swimming. Reef trips are organized by boat.
How much tax is added to my room?
Tourism GST of 17 percent applies, and green tax of $6 or $12 per person per day. The $6 rate is for hotels and guesthouses on inhabited islands with up to 50 registered rooms. Ask your host which rate applies.
Is this the official Addu accommodation website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the official site of Addu City Council, Visit Maldives or any resort, and it is not connected to any hotel or guesthouse.