Every so often, the Maldives calls my title — and this time, it led me to Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, a surprising retreat tucked away within the Lhaviyani Atoll. Identified for its powdery white seashores, this comparatively new addition to the Maldives’ luxurious scene could be discovered on Thilamaafushi Island and has been making severe waves — particularly for households touring with youngsters.
With faculty holidays approaching, and having heard numerous glowing suggestions, it felt like the proper second to maintain the youngsters entertained and see if this island paradise might reside as much as the promise.
The welcome
From the second my household and I stepped out of the seaplane onto the jetty, we had been greeted by a number of workers members who would welcome us with chilly towels, refreshing drinks and a heat smile on their faces. Just a few girls from the youngsters membership had been equally ready to welcome each our youngsters to the island whereas immediately spoiling them with a branded solar hat which they didn’t let go of throughout the the rest of our keep.
The room
We stayed in a 2-bedroom seashore pool villa which is good for households like us. Not solely does it have 2 separate bedrooms however equally two separate loos, dressings, bogs, terraces and so forth, ensuring you’re by no means cramped for area, quite the opposite.
The inside is recent but nonetheless cozy and there’s an overload of little particulars all throughout that you just wouldn’t all the time count on like slippers for inside, however equally a set of flip-flops for outdoor. Welcome facilities included a bottle of glowing wine, juices for the youngsters, an entire tower filled with candy bites, marshmallows with chocolate fishes on the aspect,…. Ah effectively, energy don’t rely on holidays!
Exterior there’s a small pool which is ideal to chill down, nevertheless it’s equally nice for the youngsters to have some correct enjoyable with out disturbing any of the opposite visitors on the island. And with direct seashore entry it’s laborious to get the youngsters away from the villa as they’ve actually an countless playground proper in entrance of them.
The lavatory
The loos are exterior (it’s a tropical island in spite of everything) however semi coated so that you’ll all the time keep dry in case of rain however on the similar time you may indulge within the joys of an out of doors bathe within the sunshine or moonlight….or each. Hair dryers, robes, slippers, nice smelling gels and lotions, it’s all right here.
The whole lot you might want to plan your journey in 2024
The services
There’s rather a lot to cowl however let’s begin with the the meals. There are 4 eating places starting from Japanese to Mediterranean and worldwide. Total, I used to be actually pleasantly stunned by the standard and number of meals. The truth that the island boasts its personal huge vegetable backyard does assist with offering the freshest salads I’ve ever eaten within the Maldives. The stand out restaurant for me have to be Tabemasu because it served some very good Japanese meals and the mocha whiskey-sour was a real revelation!
Additionally don’t miss out on a few of the very tasteful dishes at Riviera throughout lunch, because it sits as bit extra hidden than Turquoise and Velaa Grill (which have nice lunch choices too in fact) and serves up some true gems.
In fact there’s additionally a terrific youngsters membership which is all the time a present from heaven if you journey as a household. In my view and expertise there’s 1 single factor that creates a superb youngsters membership, and that’s partaking and enthusiastic workers. All through the years my youngsters have visited tons of various golf equipment and those they like and stand out are those the place the workers is actually comfortable to see them stroll in, have enjoyable with them and simply love the interplay with the youthful visitors. A great deal of toys, facilities and what not are nice, however they may by no means make the actual distinction. Fortunately Le Meridien understood the transient and the youngsters membership was successful all through our complete keep.
So the place d dad and mom go proper after they left the youngsters on the membership? Certainly…..the spa! And the Discover Spa didn’t disappoint, quite the opposite. Being positioned totally overwater it immediately creates a calming environment. The totally different therapy rooms are additionally separated from one another, ensuring there’s no noise disturbance by any means throughout your therapy. We had an excellent couple therapeutic massage and the glass ground panels had been excellent to dream away whereas wanting on the marine wildlife going about their day within the reef beneath you.
One other spotlight for the dad and mom is La Vie which gives a pleasant cocktail bar and an adults-only pool which is all the time a winner amongst dad and mom.
For individuals who wish to be a bit extra energetic I can gladly say that the island has probably the most stunning padel court docket I’ve ever seen! Fantastically positioned between the luxurious pure greenery of the island and the sunshine turquoise blue ocean, this court docket even makes probably the most lazy visitor rethink their alternative to not be energetic within the Maldives.
Location
The second I arrived at Velana Airport in Malé along with my spouse and a pair of youngsters, we had been greeted by the pleasant workers from Le Méridien. They swiftly whisked us to the Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) desk the place we actually checked in our baggage inside 5 minutes. It all the time surprises me how easy seaplane transfers are in Malé and this was no exception.
Le Meridien is positioned within the Lhaviyani atoll which is round a 30-40 minute flight with the seaplane. As per normal, the views alongside the way in which are a few of the most mesmerising on the earth with tropical islands popping up left, proper and centre. The entire seaplane flight is such a quintessential Maldivian expertise so whereas it takes a bit longer to achieve your resort, the views and total pleasure do make up for it.
Different good touches
Le Meridien has a very nice airport lounge within the new seaplane terminal, making the entire switch expertise much more enjoyable and seamless. With showers, dressing rooms, wifi, a buffet and even an out of doors terrace, you actually can begin you vacation right here.
One other very good expertise you may’t miss out on is the film beneath the celebrities. Sitting again in open air beneath the celebrities whereas watching a blockbuster is one thing very distinctive. Add to it freshly made popcorn and the information that you just’re sitting on a tropical island in one of the stunning spots on the earth, and also you’ll rapidly perceive how particular all of it is.
And for many who wish to study extra about marine life, or simply need to dive into a few of the most gorgeous coral reefs, there’s the very good dive centre. The workers are actually pleasant, ensuring everybody has the very best expertise on the market, irrelevant if it’s on a snorkelling journey, a coral reef dive or perhaps a sundown dolphin cruise. Talking of the latter, we had been fortunate sufficient to have dozens of dolphins swim out in entrance of our boat for about 40 minutes throughout one among these sundown cruises. You may think about the joy of our youngsters (and everybody else on the ship).
Value
As everyone knows, the Maldives are by no means going to be low cost. However that being mentioned, I do really feel that some resorts provide higher worth for cash in comparison with others, and Le Meridien is actually amongst those who give good bang for the buck. Costs in off-season begin from round 390 USD (taxes, charges and costs included) which is fairly uncommon for a strong product on this island archipelago. For our 2-bedroom seashore pool villa costs begin round 850 USD.
Nevertheless, in case you are a Bonvoy member, you may e-book the resort from as little as 45.000 factors/night time which is known as a steal. In fact you might want to add the switch price in all the above costs.
One of the best bit
What actually stands out to me is the truth that Le Meridien is a resort that provides lots of the facilities which you’ll solely discover within the actually high-end properties. And to do that with out charging you an arm and a leg is actually refreshing to see. One different factor that’s value mentioning is the truth that it’s positioned on a pure island which all the time provides extra tropical vibes to your vacation as a result of wealthy vegetation in every single place you look.
The ultimate verdict
In the long run it’s a beautiful resort which serves completely for each households and {couples}. Strong facilities, a great deal of totally different villa choices, all kinds of meals shops and nice worth for cash. Would I return? Completely!
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Kristof Eyckmans
Kristof Eyckmans is a journey author from Antwerp, Belgium. He’s been dwelling all throughout the globe and whereas he loves wildlife and nature, he can nonetheless take pleasure in a superb city jungle.
Did you take pleasure in this text?
Obtain related content material direct to your inbox.
Please allow JavaScript in your browser to submit the shape
