Alternatives to The Maldives - Relaxing Holiday - Approx $6k Budget

Tech and cars on 08/09/2019 - 12:21
Last edited 08/09/2019 - 14:49

Hi All,

Planning a holiday with my wife for 5 days around 20 Nov 2019. edit: We have been married for 3.8 years.

Budget is approx $6k with flights, food, and accomodation.

I thought we could afford the maldives with that budget, but it looks like unfortunately not.

Some other useful info:

i.) we don't drink alcohol. So food budget of ~$1000 should be sufficient.
ii.) Flights - happy to fly economy.
iii.) Activities - not really planning anything - We want to relax, eat food, swim, and see anything local, but not fussed.
iv.) Accomodation- ideally something quiet, tranquil, where we can sit with some books, stay in read, go for walks, eat food.

Thinking Fiji, Malaysia, Indonesia now that Maldives is not doable for that budget

Any help/suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Travel

Comments

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 08/09/2019 - 22:49

    We have been to the Maldives three times and you could definitely make it happen. We have stayed at the Conrad Maldives previously and just this past July, the new Waldorf Astoria - totally amazing - but these properties will be way beyond your budget.

    Anyway, check out the new SAii Lagoon Maldives, 5 nights will set you back around $3,000 including breakfast and dinner for the dates you are looking at. Fly Air Asia to squeeze the costs down. YOu can do it.

    • Tech and cars on 09/09/2019 - 10:51

      Thanks!

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:19

      haha - thanks for the encouragement. Decdided after posting this, that for 5 days it's not worth it as we will be spending too much of our holiday flying back and forth from brisbane.

  • Calmago on 09/09/2019 - 07:12
    +3

    It's a bit outside the box, but I'd recommend Samoa. We spent two weeks over there for our honeymoon (a week on each island) and it was fantastic.

    Super relaxed, some of the best food I've eaten (don't drive past the roadside local BBQ) The locals are all super friendly and some of the best scenery the pacific has to offer.

    If you can work it into your budget hiring a car is the best way to get around than figuring.

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:20

      That sounds awesome - never considered this place

  • myusername on 09/09/2019 - 07:41
    +1

    stradbroke island

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:21
      +1

      haha, good old straddy… thanks for the suggestion. That's more suited to day trips/weekends imo, but thanks

  • giftcardinspector on 09/09/2019 - 07:43
    +2

    If you're after good food I wouldn't go Fiji, it was ok but certainly not amazing.
    I'd head to Thailand for the food, Not all of Thailand is party party drinking.
    I found Koh Phangan so quiet and relaxing, look up Haad Yuan (don't go around full moon)
    Also the Philippines are stunning and relaxing.

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:33

      Many thanks for your suggestion

  • mingofmongo on 09/09/2019 - 07:45
    +1

    Vanuatu is lovely and would fit the bill. Plenty of resorts to stay in. The best we stayed at was a fairly basic one called Hideaway Island. So much coral to snorkel around.

    • cameldownunder on 10/09/2019 - 17:21

      Erakor Island ( no pool - swimming pool - A.K.A. no noisy splashing )
      Snorkeling, kayak, and not much more. Very limited Night activities ( 1 Cava night with fire and 1 movie night )

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:33

      Many thanks for your suggestion

  • plugmeister on 09/09/2019 - 08:03
    +2

    We stayed at a local airBNB in the Maldives on the island of Kaashidhoo. It is not a resort, you stay in local accommodation which is fairly basic, but is airconditioned and comfortable enough if you are not too fussy. For all food (local food), room and daily activities the cost was $50USD per person per night. Activities included swimming, snorkelling, reef fishing, night fishing, island tours and plenty of relaxing.

    There is no alcohol available on the island and foodwise you would need to like eating fish (also had chicken and even lobster on one night). The locals are very friendly and it is a nice way to see the real Maldives away from all the resorts.

    Extra costs are the ferry to/from the airport to Kaashidhoo either local ferry for about $5USD pp that takes a few hours (but is an experience in itself) or fast ferry for $35USD pp that takes just over an hour.

    We figured if you are going to go to a resort you can do that anywhere, so opted for the local experience. For 5 nights our total cost was $600USD plus airfares.

    • Tech and cars on 09/09/2019 - 10:53

      This sounds quite nice actually - but looking for the pampered life unfortunately for this particular trip.

  • codinghelloworld on 09/09/2019 - 09:48
    +1

    You can consider Phuket. I just travelled in July and stay 4 days with just $750 in JW Marriott, 2 adults 2 kids in one room. Also you can book the flight with just $1200-$1400 for 4 person returned flights.

    My total expenses for 4 persons in 10 days in Phuket around $3k, including flights, hotels and JW Marriott, eating out.

    • Tech and cars on 09/09/2019 - 10:52

      Wow, need to go on holidays with you! You've budgeted well!

    • rave75 on 10/09/2019 - 15:25
      +1

      Teach me o master OzB

  • Bottom Dollar on 09/09/2019 - 09:49
    +1

    El Nido

  • tik tok on 09/09/2019 - 09:50
    -1

    Does 3.8 years mean 3 years 8 months ? Or ?
    Other than that I recommend Sanur, Bali. Although a caveat is that Bali is not cheap. I don't know why everyone harps on Bali being so cheap. Its not. Even the local workers (who are people from nearby islands) think Bali is very expensive.

  • field1985 on 09/09/2019 - 10:45
    +2

    $6k for 5 days?! Are you sure you're an OzBargainer? Because you're not acting like it…

    • Tech and cars on 09/09/2019 - 10:54
      +2

      For 2 people, $3k per person, for a holiday where you lounge, eat food and get pampered - it sounds reasonable to me!

      • bohn on 09/09/2019 - 11:02
        +1

        sounds fine.

        • vetopower on 09/09/2019 - 15:37
          +4

          Completely different holidays.

          Shopping at local supermarkets and staying with locals is not even remotely close to lounging around and getting pampered, which is what the OP is looking for.

          • field1985 on 09/09/2019 - 16:43
            -5

            @vetopower: I agree. They are completely different holidays. I traveled further, for seven times as long, did heaps more activities and it still cost less ($ and emissions).

            It's also why I pointed out that their "holiday" could be had in Aus for less then 10% of what they are paying.

            How anyone could be "relaxed" knowing their holiday is literally creating garbage islands? That's sociopathic…

    • ldt on 09/09/2019 - 16:06
      +4

      Agreed. You could find a great holiday with great food, and a great hotel for half that if you're clever about it.

      • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 10:02
        +1

        haha, it's a different story once you're married. Combined income and combined decisions.

        By myself, I'm happy to slum it up. With my +1, it's a different story. I'll take the path of least resistance!

        • ldt on 10/09/2019 - 11:13
          +2

          But I don't mean slum it up. Just search around, and you could get some great (5 star) hotels, flights, food etc for Under $3k.

          • field1985 on 11/09/2019 - 14:50

            @ldt: This is what I'm talking about. Since when did avoiding wasteful spending become "slumming it"? The level of entitlement some people display!

            • ldt on 11/09/2019 - 15:02

              @field1985: I guess if you want to spend double the price for the same holiday you're perfectly entitled to!

          • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:35

            @ldt: I'll definitely look for some good deals when booking it in the end.

            $6k was the upper limit. If I can get the type of holiday I want for half the price, of course I'm going to.

        • field1985 on 11/09/2019 - 14:41
          -1

          We were hardly slumming it. I traveled with a my elderly father (77 years old) as my +1. Stayed in AirBnbs, hotels and friends. Went paragliding, race track driving, climbed the Alps, saw Berlin, Amsterdam, Geneva, etc).

          So basically you are paying 10x what you need because "wife" says so? Have fun with that divorce! o_O

    • boostpak on 11/09/2019 - 13:11

      @field1985 where are you used to staying at a caravan park?

  • cheaplee on 09/09/2019 - 11:35
    +2

    Eratap Beach Resort - Vanuatu

    • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 10:09

      I'll look this up - thank you

  • gyrex on 09/09/2019 - 12:46
    +2

    I've been to the Maldives and it's absolutely incredible. Other options similar to it located more closely that I've visited: Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, West Papua New Guinea to name a few. Another option further afield is the Seychelles and I'd actually say the Seychelles was more beautiful.

    • gyrex on 09/09/2019 - 12:49

      Oh another option might be the Philippines (Cebu, Palawan, Borocay, Siargao. Just got back from Thailand after a 10 year hiatus and it's a rubbish tip. Bali is also a rubbish tip with garbage beaches.

      • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 10:10

        Thanks - good insight from what sounds like someone with a good range of beach holiday experience.

  • Resin on 09/09/2019 - 13:01
    +2

    Vietnam is great, 5 days isnt very long though. If you are foodies, id defintely recommend Japan, could do 3 nights tokyo and 2 nights kyoto. However, I imagine you are looking for a beach holiday judging by the places you suggested

    • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 10:10

      Yes, beach/tropical weather would be ideal.

  • lord henry on 09/09/2019 - 15:39

    It's hard to go past Thailand. There are some luxury resorts on Koh Phi Phi that you need to get a boat to (after a flight to Phuket - which is pretty easy).
    They feel secluded and luxurious, but nowhere near as expensive as Maldives.

    Samui also has some great options.

    • Tech and cars on 09/09/2019 - 20:45

      Thank you for listing that resort - I'll look it up with the wife!

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 09/09/2019 - 16:04

    I have had a thought about this; given you are time limited

    Maybe just fly to Cairns and stay at Palm Cove. I really enjoy that place if I need to travel locally.

    • Tech and cars on 09/09/2019 - 20:45

      Not a bad idea but have done local australia. Next time it's a 3 days weekend, I'll look this up!

  • ldt on 09/09/2019 - 16:04

    I went to Fiji last year, and although it was nice, it was very expensive for what I got. You can find some beautiful hotels around Malaysia and Indonesia (even Bali!) that are half the price and are almost exactly the same. Especially if all you want to do is eat, swim and relax.

  • Snoopy113 on 09/09/2019 - 16:39

    You should be able to do Maldives on that Budget. You dont drink alcohol which is going to save you an absolute bomb. I stayed in Meeru Resort for my honeymoon 5 years ago. We went for all inclusive and overwater villa which was out of your budget, but the other rooms on the island looked awesome and were way cheaper. If i was to go back I would be happy with a beachfront villa. Just looking at Meeru Island, your dates for a beach front Villa would be around $3,600 for the 5 nights. Which looks like it includes all meals.

    On the same trip I went to Langkawi and it was nice, but was really underwhelming because we had already been to the Maldives. The big benefit of Langkawi is that there is no sin tax on the booze there, so its great if you drink alcohol. Ive been to Phuket before and its an absolute shithole, dont go there to relax.

    • Tech and cars on 09/09/2019 - 20:44

      Thank you. Genuinely appreciate you going to the effort of looking up my dates and costs for the trip! I'll raise it with the wife and see what she says!

      Also, haha, about Phuket…

  • Thorn69 on 09/09/2019 - 22:46
    +1

    jetstar is having a hawaii sale this week return for free! give that a go those flights are usually cheap as another good one is japan then you could book flights to okinawa and thats better then the maldives for sure

    • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 10:04

      okinawa - didn't consider this at all. Will look it up and see if it aligns! thanks

  • CocaKoala on 09/09/2019 - 22:57
    -1

    iii.) Activities - not really planning anything - We want to relax, eat food, swim, and see anything local, but not fussed.
    iv.) Accomodation- ideally something quiet, tranquil, where we can sit with some books, stay in read, go for walks, eat food.

    You've pretty much described Vanuatu.

    Stay at one of the less crowded Islands (Santo, Aore, Tanna, etc.)

    But do visit Port Vila for a day.

    • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 10:05

      Haha, sounds like I need to live in Vanuatu :)

  • whyisave on 10/09/2019 - 05:50

    Hawaii.
    It's expensive, if you're in Honolulu (Waikiki).
    Try Maui too.

    • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 07:41

      Did hawaii two years ago, it was nice but I would say I liked the Australian beaches more!

      • whyisave on 10/09/2019 - 08:11
        +1

        Seychelles ?
        That will fit your budget.

  • tipidmode on 10/09/2019 - 08:46

    You can go to Philippines
    - El Nido, Palawan
    - Coron, Palawan
    - Boracay - stay in the luxurious Shangri-La Resorts or Discovery Shores Hotel
    - Cebu
    - Siargao
    - Dumaguete - make sure to visit Manjuyod sandbar
    https://www.myshoesabroad.com/manjuyod-sandbar-guide/

    Lots of water activities like diving, snorkelling, surfing.

    Hope this helps.

    • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 10:03

      Many thanks - I'll look these up!

      Aiming to book next weekend.

  • knk on 10/09/2019 - 09:30

    Malaysia is definitely do-able for that budget. If you just want to sit around and do nothing / relax, see some local sites Langkawi is a good option.

    • Tech and cars on 10/09/2019 - 10:04

      A few people have mentioned - it's near the top of the list, thank you :)

  • Mg on 10/09/2019 - 09:45

    Check out Eratap in Vanuatu.. Great place
    Edit: someone already mentioned above :)

  • Scribblers on 10/09/2019 - 12:11

    Palm Cove (30 min out of Cairns). Not much to do but it fits the bill for food and swimming and pampering. Yes, massage etc will be more than in Thailand but flights will be cheaper and shorter (important when you only hi for 5 days).

    The Sea Temple resort is pretty good, Sanctuary might be ab touch better but is not close to the cafe and restaurants.

    A big plus is that it's relatively free from bogans, drunks and young people.

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:37

      haha, " free from bogans, drunks and young people" - why do you assume I'm not one of them? :P

      Kidding, thanks for the suggestion!

  • k1llersloth on 10/09/2019 - 12:39

    Me and the wife booked the Maldives for a week and paid 8k including flights, if you look around there are some cheap places that are just as good as the known name resorts. We have all inclusive alcohol, breakfast lunch dinner etc, staying at Hotel Riu Atoll in the overwater room. You could probably get it a lot cheaper if you were happy staying in a normal room

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:38

      Yeah, the concept of the over water room is quite awesome, but in the end decided that maldives is a no go due to time having to be spent on a plane.

  • ingster on 10/09/2019 - 12:40
    +1

    https://luxuryescapes.com/au/offer/novotel-lombok-resort-and…

    This is a pretty good deal on Lombok

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:39

      Yeah - I've never heard of using luxury escapes before - would you recommend it?

      • ingster on 15/09/2019 - 21:25

        Yep we used them for a Holiday to the Maldives no less! Very good.

  • Gaz1 on 10/09/2019 - 15:03

    A few Maldives options here:
    https://www.tripadeal.com.au/search/?destination=[%22Maldives%22]

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:39

      in the end decided that maldives is a no go due to time having to be spent on a plane. - Thank you though.

  • Peteroz on 10/09/2019 - 16:09

    Can recommend Boracay in Philippines! Great place to visit!

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:40

      Thank you - will look it up.

  • praga on 10/09/2019 - 23:58

    Sri Lanka, for 6K you can do a lot there. Have a look at Anantara in Kalutara.

  • d86 on 11/09/2019 - 10:17
    +1

    Mate, forget about Vanuatu / Bali / Sri Lanka / Malaysia (Tioman, Penang, Langkawi). It is not what you'd expect with a 6k budget, especially in Malaysia.
    Just go Thailand and stay in a luxury resort in Phuket / Krabi / Koh Phi Phi. You can even get an all-inclusive villa with staff to cater for you.

    • bohn on 11/09/2019 - 13:44

      Khao Lak is nice, about two hours from Phuket by car.
      Don't stay in Phuket though.

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:40

      I'm really liking this idea. All inclusive villa with staff catering for me… thank you.

  • suchan on 11/09/2019 - 11:19
    +1

    First things first, a 5 day holiday somewhere in an ASEAN country and you have a budget of $1000 for food?

    Are you really an OzBargainer? XD

    I'll be very surprised if you can top $250 for food over 5 days.

    That said, I highly recommend Fiji (never been to Maldives but you get similar experience IMHO) Super friendly locals and beautiful beaches and tropical setting.

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:42

      Thank you.

      On holidays, I usually don't hold back and I order the steak, or the lobster if it's there! That's why I budget so much.

      Usual home life is a lot more calculated however.

  • boostpak on 11/09/2019 - 13:10

    I have been to heaps of asian countries and Maldives. Definitely do Maldives even if you have to throw in an extra 500-1000 it will be worth it. It's exactly what you are looking for tranquil, relaxing, calm, serene perfect for a married couple. Asian countries like the ones listed can be great, but they're very different to places like Maldives, ie you get what you pay for. There's a lot of hussle and bussle at those asian countries whether you try to avoid it or not. People can get in your face, it can be crampy and overall just doesn't feel like the holiday you are explaining that you want. Only other suggestion would be some of the Polynesian countries as they can offer a somewhat similar experience in a different way. I know asia would be cheaper, but there's always something you are cutting when you cut cost.

    • Tech and cars on 15/09/2019 - 17:43

      Thanks so much - yeah, this is what I thought. A lot of hussle and bussle is a nice way to describe it - but I figure by the time you get to the resort/it's secluded enough ? :)

      • boostpak on 16/09/2019 - 10:19

        Asian resorts can be relaxing and secluded, but unless you want to spend your entire holiday inside a restort (highly unlikely), you will come accross that hussle and bussle for sure. They are a pretty different holiday compared to like a maldives which is just more lux.

  • PeppermintGrove on 11/09/2019 - 18:00
    +1

    I know nothing about Maldives but did spot this deal recently:

    https://cudo.com.au/au/offer/mercure-maldives-kooddoo-island…

    Maybe worth checking out?

  • nomoneynoproblems on 18/09/2019 - 22:38
    +1

    I just got back from da nang, Vietnam and was super jelly driving past the resorts there. Definitely considers this https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g298085-d1332639…

  • Almost Banned on 19/09/2019 - 16:47
    +1

    So - where did you decide?

    • AncientWisdom on 23/09/2019 - 00:15
      +1

      Keen to know as well…

    • Tech and cars on 24/09/2019 - 21:06
      +1

      Thanks all

      Ended up booking something different to the entire list.

      The feedback that I directly took on as a result of this thread (So thank you all):

      1.) Consider travel time, 1 week is not a very long time. No point spending a large portion of the trip on a plane/in transit.
      2.) It shouldn't be $6k for a week. It should be a lot cheaper.

      Other factors that came in:
      3.) My wife's health currently isn't 100%, so being near to a city with easy medical access played a big role.

      So we picked Malaysia, and started booking it. As we were booking Malaysia, a targeted ad popped up for singapore…

      In the end we picked; Singapore.

      Staying in the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (which has the pool/swimming/relaxing bit). But also got the city, where you can go out and do things and enjoy the local food.

      Many thanks to all who contributed to this thread :)

      • AncientWisdom on 27/09/2019 - 01:16

        Have a blast!

      • boostpak on 08/10/2019 - 16:34
        +2

        singapore is a very different holiday to the one you described. Very city type of holiday now lol

  • tgk247 on 27/09/2019 - 21:33

    Hey, I've read what has been posted so far and have filled out the getcluey explorer with warm temperature with beaches for 5 days in November. I've also limited the travel time up to 12 hours one way. You can easily adjust it and add more activities you are keen to do and fill out some of the other factors.

    It comes out with "There are 108 locations in 19 countries departing within 12 hours of Sydney with warm weather in November with Beaches!"

    https://www.getcluey.com/en/explorer/MaxTravelTime12-Tempera…

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