Whether you choose to stay a few nights on Hulhumale before travelling to one of the Maldives many resorts, or you want to spend your whole vacation on this idyllic Maldivian island only a 10-minute drive from the airport, the Island Beach House is the hotel at which youll want to stay.

The Island Beach House is located directly across from the beach on Hulhumales main drag. The hotel has several ocean-view rooms, each with its own personal balcony. But even if you arent able to book one of these coveted rooms, the décor at the Island Beach House beautifully imitates the aesthetic of the pristine beaches that the hotel overlooks, creating a wonderful atmosphere in which to relax.

The indulgent use of the color white makes each of the rooms feel bright and airy. While the splashes of color, from yellow pillows on the bed to turquoise tile in the bathroom, mimic the look and feel of sunny day at the beach. The overall effect is both peaceful and elegant, setting the perfect mood for a tranquil Maldivian getaway.

The Island Beach House, easily the tallest hotel in Hulhumale, is perfect for anyone who enjoys breath-taking ocean views so pretty much everyone. The fifth floor, the hotels common area (apart from the restaurant), is a place where guests can hang out, listen to music, and most importantly, enjoy the view. The beach stretches out in either direction for as far as the eye can see. The use of this floor as a common area makes it possible for all guests to enjoy watching both the sunrise and the sunset from a spectacular vantage point.

If youre looking for a place to eat during your stay in Hulhumale you never have to go farther than the hotel, because the restaurant at the Island Beach House is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And Chef Jay is always more than willing to tailor any of the dishes to a guests personal tastes. Like it spicy? Chef Jay will be sure to add as many extra peppers as you want. Dont eat meat? Hes more than happy to get a little creative with a dish so that its just as delicious and filling. The menu is a mix of western and local Maldivian food, so youll always be sure to find something youre in the mood for.

Tip: Even if youre not usually the type to try new foods, I recommend ordering Chef Jays Maldivian-style breakfast at least one morning during your stay. The Mashuni (a kind of shredded, dried fish) paired with Dhiyaa hakuru and coconut roti is one of my favorite local dishes I ate during my entire stay in the Maldives.

There is an activities director on staff at the Island Beach House, so if theres anything you want to schedule during your stay, hell be more than happy to book it for you. Even if its last minute, hell do everything he can to make it happen. Scuba diving, fly boarding, renting snorkel gear, going out on a jet ski, anything you could possibly want to do, hell take care of it. All you have to do is request and relax.

Be sure to make time for a sunset catamaran cruise. The catamarans you can rent at Hulhumale through the Island Beach House are much larger than any youll be able to find at most resorts; Theyre equipped with a kitchen, beds, and restroom facilities, making it more enjoyable to spend hours on board. You can even request any meal you like and the chef will prepare it for you right on board to enjoy during your cruise around the island. However, be sure to request this ahead of time unless you want to wait for one of the crew to head back to shore, buy the ingredients, and then make their way back before the meal preparation can even begin.

Finally, if all you want to do during your vacation in the Maldives is layout on the beach and relax while listening to the waves roll in, then youll be happy to know that the Island Beach House has its own personal beach directly in front of the hotel. Guests can use the tables and chairs that are scattered throughout, as well as the lounge chairs that the hotel provides. Its the perfect setting in which to relax, enjoy a drink, have a picnic on the beach, or just lay out and work on your tan.

For practically half the price youd spend at a resort, you can have the idyllic Maldivian-style vacation youve always dreamed of at the Island Beach House on Hulhumale.

The island chief has recently partnered up with popular travel blogger, Kattie Bernath, a solo female traveler aiming to visit 196 countries before her 30th birthday. This article was written by her during her stay at the Island Beach House at Hulhumale. For more information on her adventures in the Maldives and her future endeavours visit her blog.