A city stay in Hulhumalé
NB Grand is a guest house in Hulhumalé, the reclaimed island just across the Sinamalé Bridge from Velana International Airport. At around 2 km from the terminal, it suits travellers who want a convenient first or last night in the Maldives without committing to a remote resort. The property has a restaurant, a spa, and rooms ranging from compact city-view doubles to a suite with a private balcony facing the sea. Rates start at just over $100 per night, and the airport shuttle is complimentary.
The honest verdict
A compact, practical guest house with sea-view options, useful for airport stopovers or budget-conscious stays in Hulhumalé.
Best for
- Stopover and transit stays
- Travellers wanting easy airport access
- Couples on a modest budget
- Those curious about local Hulhumalé life
Maybe not ideal for
- Travellers expecting a private beach
- Those seeking an alcohol licence
- Guests wanting large or villa-style accommodation
Setting and location
Hulhumalé sits just over the Sinamalé Bridge from the airport. From NB Grand, several cafés and a restaurant are within 500 metres, and the island's public beach is a short walk away. The location scores well among guests for things to do and airport access.
Sea views and room design
Several rooms face the ocean, and the top category — the Suite with Sea View — adds a private balcony. All rooms are 17–20 m², air-conditioned, with soundproofing, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. The suite and the Super Deluxe both include balcony or terrace access.
Spa and on-site facilities
The property has a spa and wellness centre, a restaurant, room service, and a sun terrace. Each room also has a minibar (in most categories) and an electric kettle, which makes early-departure mornings a little easier.
Outdoor terrace
A sun terrace gives guests somewhere to sit outside. It is the main outdoor common space at the property, and views from upper-floor rooms and the suite's balcony extend toward the sea.
Experiences on & off the island
Amenities at NB Grand
Great for your stay
- Restaurant
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Spa and wellness centre
- Free WiFi
- Airport shuttle (free)
- Room service
- Non-smoking rooms
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Towels/sheets (extra fee)
- Additional toilet
- Bath or shower
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
Bedroom
- Linen
- Wardrobe or closet
- Alarm clock
View
- City view
Outdoors
- Sun terrace
- Terrace
Kitchen
- Dining table
- Cleaning products
- Electric kettle
- Refrigerator
Getting there
NB Grand is in Hulhumalé, roughly 2 km from Velana International Airport across the Sinamalé Bridge. The property runs a complimentary airport shuttle, so no taxi booking is needed on arrival. Hulhumalé is a separate island from Malé, connected by the bridge rather than by boat.
An airport taxi is inexpensive — typically MVR 60–100 (about $4–8) on the fixed fares, taking 10–20 minutes; the public airport shuttle bus costs even less. No ferry or speedboat is needed — the islands are connected to the airport by road.
On the map
Where to eat
- Crepe Runner restaurant 0.26 km
- vilu rest cafe 0.26 km
- momo tea cafe 0.29 km
- frengo cafe 0.29 km
- Dondon Cafe' & Bistro cafe 0.33 km
- wilu breeze cafe 0.4 km
With 34 Google reviews and a 3.1/5 rating, feedback is mixed. Property and service each drew more positive than negative mentions (5 of 8 and 5 of 7 respectively). Rooms and bathrooms were more divisive — rooms ran 2 positive out of 9 mentions, bathrooms 1 out of 5. Breakfast and the restaurant fell in the middle.
- Things to do4.7
- Restaurants3.3
- Airport access4.7
Share of positive mentions per theme, from Google reviews.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get from the airport to NB Grand?
The property is about 2 km from Velana International Airport via the Sinamalé Bridge. A free airport shuttle is included. Journey time across the bridge is short, making this one of the most accessible places to stay relative to the airport.
Does NB Grand offer breakfast?
Yes, breakfast is available at the property. Check your booking confirmation to see whether it is included in your rate or available as an add-on.
What room types are available?
There are five categories: Superior Double, Deluxe with Ocean View, Super Deluxe with Balcony and Ocean View, Executive Double, and Suite with Sea View. All sleep two. Sizes range from 17 m² to 20 m².
Which rooms have a sea view or balcony?
The Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Executive, and Suite categories all include a sea view. The Super Deluxe with Balcony and the Suite with Sea View both have balcony access. The Superior Double is city-facing only.
Is alcohol available at NB Grand?
Hulhumalé is a residential island and is alcohol-free. NB Grand, like all properties on the island, does not serve alcohol.
Is there a beach at NB Grand?
There is no private beach at this guest house. Hulhumalé has a public beach on the island that guests can walk to separately.
Can I arrange snorkelling or diving through the property?
Yes, the property can help arrange snorkelling, diving, canoeing, fishing, and windsurfing excursions. These are organised with local boat operators — there is no on-site dive centre or reef accessible from the property itself.
Are there places to eat near the property?
Several cafés and eateries are within 500 metres, including Crepe Runner restaurant (0.26 km), vilu rest, momo tea, frengo, Dondon Café & Bistro, and others. NB Grand also has its own restaurant and room service.
Is free WiFi available?
Free WiFi is included in the Superior Double, Deluxe, and Executive room categories. Check at booking whether the Suite and Super Deluxe include it, as it is listed among the property's general amenities.
What is the price range?
Rooms start from around $104 per night for the Superior Double and go up to around $160 for the Suite with Sea View. Rates vary by season and availability.
Is NB Grand suitable for families?
All rooms are listed as sleeping two guests. There are no family rooms or interconnecting configurations listed in the available facts, so larger groups or families with children may find space limited.
Is there a spa at NB Grand?
Yes, the property has a spa and wellness centre on site. No specific treatments or operating hours are listed, so it is worth contacting the property directly for details before booking.