To your question... sorry- all I know is the liveaboard life~ although we did stop and visit 6 or 7 resorts. Due to the charcter and quantity of the diver guests, I can't imagine a more friendly area to take a "newbie" diver. They all seem to be well aquainted with handling divers who are just starting out.
Take advantage of this- as she would be a terrible dive buddy match for you, the photographer... for now. Let them take her on a guided chaperoned tour- while you go and play with the other photographers. If you do a dive with her- leave the camera in the room- pay attention to your best dive buddy.
The Maldives? It has changed a bit since your last visit. The Maldives fell out of favor with its stream of Euro-toursists because of the warm water's effect and coral bleaching (1997). Maldives still had a lot to offer even then, and now it has evolved into yet another phase of the ongoing changes that affect our reefs.
It is still the place to go for natural encounters with larger critters! Lots of wrecks, many, many islands- and a visit to the city of Male is a great thing. The way the airport operates and transfers is a mind blowing hoot.
Go, take a shot- but be kind, gentle and attentive to your new dive buddy- after you let the local DM Pro's take her out for 5 or six dives- you should stand clear! Ask the DM's to talk to her about signing up for a night dive class~ open her eyes!