Maybe you can afford the Maldives after all? Get two-thirds off your stay in a villa like this at the brand new Alila Villas Hadahaa.

by Kathryn Maier on Travel Deals

Have you been drooling over Wanwisa's Dream Trip dispatches from the Indian Ocean, wondering how on earth you can afford a Maldives getaway? The solution might be Alila Villas Hadahaa, a brand-new environmentally friendly resort there. Lindsey Wallace, the Maldives expert on Wendy's list of top travel specialists--as well as the genius who planned Wanwisa's trip and whose Maldives recommendations we covered in the "Islands on Sale" feature in our July issue--has checked it out and says that it's one of his new favorites. 

Luxury like this doesn't come cheap: An "Island Villa" (the least expensive room category, pictured above) normally costs $1,183 per night. But Lindsey has negotiated a special rate with the resort: $790 per night, including all taxes and service charges, with every other night free. If you stay an even number of nights, you end up paying an average of $395 per night--which is more than 65% off the rack rate of $1,183.

For travel between: August 16 (the resort's opening date) and December 19, 2009.

Book by: There is no book-by date.

Book through: Lindsey Wallace of Linara Travel, the only person who can get you this specially negotiated rate.

Caveat: You'll also need to pay for transfers to and from the resort. These start at $280 per person.