If the Maldives isn’t already on your bucket list, I suggest adding it immediately! The tropical string of archipelagos is a true paradise on earth that has undoubtedly graced the pages of your Instagram feed.
Malé is the capital city of the Maldives, and sits in the North Malé Atoll. As the international airport is located in the city, loads of people pass through Malé on their way to other islands and atolls without even exploring!
Spending a night in budget accommodation or a hostel in Malé is a great way to save money and meet local Maldivians.
Here is a list some of Malé’s top hostels and budget accommodations that will help you stay on budget in paradise.
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Quick Answer: Best Hostels in Malé
- Best Overall Hostel in Malé – Nap Corner: Cornerstone
- Best Hostel in Malé for Solo Travelers – Reef Guest House
- Best Budget Hotel in Malé – Tourist Inn
- Best Cheap Apartment in Malé – Seaview Apartment
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Malé –RIJ Hulhumalé
The 5 Best Hostels in Malé
Let’s take a closer look at the cheap hostels in Malé that will keep you on budget and enjoying tropical paradise!
1. Nap Corner: Cornerstone – Best Overall Hostel in Malé
- Private Room: From $27
- Address: Muranga Magu, M. Khaleej, 20317 Male City, Maldives
For those visiting Malé on a budget, booking out a private room can be pricey while staying in the Maldives. If you’re looking for a dorm bed in a shared room on the island, Nap Corner will be sure to exceed your expectations as it’s not only the best but the only classic hostel on the island.
You’ve heard of ‘pod-style’ hostel accommodation, right? Nap Corner is the first Malé hostel to follow the trend, with single occupancy pod beds.
Nap Corner had gone above and beyond to create a totally unique pod experience. When you rent one of the pods, you will feel like you’ve stepped onto a high-tech spaceship. Although unconventional, we love the effort the owners have put into making this space so memorable.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Includes all linens and towels
- Some private rooms
- Daily room service
You basically get a private room – albeit squishy – for a minimal price. You’ll be able to shut the door to your pod and get a good night’s rest without being disturbed by other guests.
The pods are well equipped with everything you might need for a short stay! Fresh linens and towels are provided for each guest, there’s also a personal safe, bedside light, plug outlets, and complimentary toiletries. The hostel even has a fast internet connection!
As if that weren’t enough, it’s ideally located, only a few minutes’ walk from a local Maldivian restaurant where you can fill up on food. The Vilingili Ferry Terminal is a block away, as is the National Football Stadium, National Museum, and the island’s top parks and beaches.
2. Reef Guest House – Best Hostel in Malé for Solo Travellers
- Private Room: From $75
- Address: Kimbingas Magu – 01 Goalhi Rowhouse R1104, Lot No.11121, Hulhumale, 23000 Male City, Maldives
Reef Guest House has clean and comfortable accommodation for a super low price. It is located on Hulhumalé island, only a short five-minute walk to the Eastern Hulhumalé beach, and a couple of miles from the Velana International Airport Ferry terminal. It’s ideal for solo travellers looking for affordable comfort with the added plus of being able to meet other backpackers.
There is a range of private rooms with double beds (and a family-sized room with a double bed and a twin bed), each with its own private bathroom.
The rooms are all equipped with their own flat-screen TV, efficient Wi-Fi, and great air conditioning – which is necessary for the tropical heat! One of the best things about this hostel in Malé is the private balconies and terraces, which overlook beautiful sunset and island views.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Complimentary toiletries
- Single and family room options
- Shared lounge to meet other travelers
Although it’s not technically a hostel, with shared dorms and a buzzing atmosphere, Reef Guest House has similar amenities, all for the low price of a hostel. You can make use of the shared lobby and kitchen to cook your own food – one of my best money saving tips while traveling.
The guesthouse is in a prime location for exploring nearby attractions. Within walking distance there is local cafes, restaurants, shops, and the beach. As well as the National Football Stadium, Henveiru Park, Sultan Park, and Ferry Terminal.
Although it’s unlikely that you’ll need to rent a car on this tiny island, the property has free parking. But with airport transfers available, it’s not a necessity.
3. Tourist Inn – Best Budget Hotel in Malé
- Private Room: From $60
- Address: Ma. Leaves Maaveyo Goalhi, 00960 Male City, Maldives
While the Maldives is expensive, Tourist Inn is a locally run guest house that has basic air-conditioned rooms for a reasonable price. A stay will have you conveniently located right by the Artificial Beach, Rasfannu Beach, and the National Football Stadium.
Whether you’re traveling alone or with a partner, there are superior single rooms and deluxe double rooms. All of the rooms in this Malé hostel have a private ensuite bathroom, high-speed Wi-Fi, and coffee and tea-making facilities (including Nespresso machines and complimentary pods).
I love this spot because of its shared lounge and helpful staff who always go above and beyond to make sure you are satisfied. Other than general housekeeping, Tourist Inn provides laundry and dry cleaning services, 24-hour security, and airport shuttle services. The building has its own elevator, which makes this spot ideal for accessibility.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Seaview Apartment – Best Cheap Apartment in Malé
- Private Room: From $44
- Address: 20054 Nirolhu Magu, 23000 Male City, Maldives
What I love about this modern apartment is that it it offers all the facilities, convenience in location, and low prices a top hostel would with so much more space and privacy.
It’s located only 2km from Velana International Airport between the tropical ocean and some of Malé’s most lush parks. The apartment has private guest rooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom.
The bed was also super comfy and the entire place clean and quiet, which is exactly what you want after a long journey to the Maldives. There is even a small kitchenette if you plan to cook!
Of course, there is free Wi-Fi, as well as a bunch of shared spaces where digital nomads can set up their laptop and get some work done.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Wi-Fi
- TV sets
- Modern bathrooms with rain showers
Each bedroom is fitted with fresh white linen, giving the space a cozy feel. They also have air conditioning, airport pickup for an additional charge, a large TV, and free towels.
5. RIJ Hulhumalé – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Malé
- Private Room: From $86
- Address: Nirolhumagu – 06, Lot No.10056 , 20057 Hulhumale, Maldives
Believe it or not, you don’t have to venture to the famous southern atolls and spend an arm and a leg to find luxury in the Maldives. This hostel in Malé has spacious rooms, lavish linens, and tons of natural light, offering guests a taste of the classic Maldivian vacation for a fraction of the price.
The property is located in Hulhumalé, just a few steps from Eastern Hulhumalé beach and a short drive from the ferry terminal for when you are ready to venture to the next island.
The entire hostel has extravagant marble and wooden finishes, indented lighting features, and touches of modern glass. All of the rooms are have beautiful furniture, cozy beds, built-in closets, and a personal dressing table space that doubles as a desk – its a great spot for digital nomads, too.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Daily continental breakfast included
- 24-hour front desk
- Minibars and tea/coffee facilities
There is a range of different types of rooms to choose from at RIJ Hulhumalé, including deluxe double and twin rooms, to rooms with balconies, and family rooms with adequate sleeping space for four. Conveniently, the hosts will be happy to arrange discounted rates for solo travelers, you don’t have to wait to be coupled up to visit!
RIJ Hulhumalé has a social vibe in the shared lounge and on-site restaurant. Breakfast is served daily, and guests can make use of the minibar, coffee and tea facilities in their rooms.
There are plenty of hotel-like amenities, including a 24-hour reception, run by friendly staff who would be more than happy to go above and beyond to make sure you are taken care of. Services like private check-in, concierge, tour guidance, currency exchange, and baggage storage can be arranged upon request.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Malé Budget Stays
A few more places to check out that are not hostels or Maldivian villas, but are the cheapest guesthouse stays in Malé.
Club Blu
- Private Room: From $68
- Address: 11047 Nirolhu Magu, 23000 Male City, Maldives
Club Blu is one of the cheapest hotels in the city, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be roughing it. All rooms have private bathrooms, and some even have balconies. Huge wins for us budget travelers! Being only 1km from the airport, catching your flight out of the Maldives couldn’t be easier. The beds are comfy and all rooms have good AC and Wifi.
The Grand View
- Private Room: From $57
- Address: Dheyliyaa Hingun H. Melrose, 20038 Male City, Maldives
Another budget hotel in town, The Grand View has all the perks of an expensive stay like room service, an on-site restaurant, and currency exchange. If you manage to land an upper-floor room, you’ll even get some sick high-rise views. There are various sizes of beds to choose from, all with air conditioning, TVs, and ensuite bathrooms.
Fanfini Residence Malé
- Private Room: From $81
- Address: H. Fanfini, 20051 Male City, Maldives
This cozy hotel may be one of the best options in Male City. Whether you’re on a budget trip to the local islands and want to save some cash, or just don’t want to shell out a lot for a transit, this spot will meet your needs. I found it to be clean, and the fact that it’s only 200 metres from the ferry is down right incredible. The friendly staff made it even better along with the comfy beds and the fact that you can even select a room with a kitchenette!
Unima Grand
- Private Room: From $136
- Address: Roashanee Magu, 20260 Male City, Maldives
This cute hotel near may not be a Maldives beach house but it has everything you need for a capital city stay. It’s clean, centrally located, and just overall one of the best Malé hotels out there. I loved the funky design – it really gave it a fun vibe you don’t usually find in budget hotels in Asia. There’s also a restaurant and spa on location. You’ll also be close to the city’s main attractions which is perfect for a weekend night.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Malé
Cheap travel insurance should absolutely be on your Maldives packing list.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Malé Hostels FAQ
A few more questions people ask me about Malé’s hostels:
What to Pack for Your Malé Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
How much do hostels in Malé cost?
Depending on whether you’re browsing for a pod in a shared dorm or a private room with an ensuite bathroom, costs can vary drastically. A bed in a shared dorm will cost between $30 and $60 while a private room could set you back as much as $150.
What are the best hostels in Malé for couples?
RIJ Hulhumalé is the stellar Malé hostel for couples. It’s luxurious yet reasonable price per night, and centrally located but also social too!
What is the best hostel in Malé near the airport?
If you have an early flight out and are looking to stay close to the airport, Malé is pretty small, and any accommodation across the island will be closer to the airport than you think. However, Hulhulé (Airport Island) is the best island. There aren’t too many budget accommodations, I would recommend staying at Club Blu.
Final Thoughts on Malé’s Hostels
It’s not very easy to find a classic hostel in Malé. With strict clothing laws and alcohol bans, the island is not super popular with tourists, and most visit on their way to other islands.
There are a bunch of great budget accommodations on Malé, Hulhulé, and Hulhumalé. My favorite hostel in Malé would have to be Nap Corner, which has clean and modern dorm-like accommodations with a unique touch.
If you’re visiting with a partner, the RIJ Hulhumalé will exceed your expectations, giving guests a taste of luxury for a very low price per night.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Beach Houses in Maldives if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Maldives before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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