Alongside atoll, budget and villa type, resort size is an underrated variable that shapes a trip more than the brochures usually let on — and it's really a trade-off rather than a case of one being objectively better.
What a smaller, boutique resort tends to offer
Fewer villas, often just one or two restaurants, and a quieter, more intimate atmosphere — guests and staff tend to recognise each other by the second day. The trade-off is less choice: one restaurant concept means eating the same style of food most nights, and a smaller activity program than a bigger resort could offer.
What a larger resort tends to offer
More restaurants and cuisines, bigger kids' clubs and activity schedules (see our family-friendly resorts guide), and generally more watersports and excursion options running in parallel. The trade-off is a busier, less private feel, and a house reef or beach that's shared with more guests at once.
How to actually decide
Picture a genuinely repetitive week: if the idea of the same one or two restaurants for seven nights sounds relaxing rather than limiting, boutique suits you. If variety and options matter more than quiet, a larger resort will likely serve the trip better. Neither preference is wrong — it's simply a different trip.