Now and again, the Maldives calls my identify — and this time, it led me to Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, a surprising retreat tucked away within the Lhaviyani Atoll. Recognized for its powdery white seashores, this comparatively new addition to the Maldives’ luxurious scene will be discovered on Thilamaafushi Island and has been making severe waves — particularly for households touring with youngsters.
With college holidays approaching, and having heard a lot of glowing suggestions, it felt like the proper second to maintain the children entertained and see if this island paradise might stay 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 employees members who would welcome us with chilly towels, refreshing drinks and a heat smile on their faces. A couple of girls from the children membership had been equally ready to welcome each our children 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 right for households like us. Not solely does it have 2 separate bedrooms however equally two separate bogs, dressings, bathrooms, 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 anticipate like slippers for inside, however equally a set of flip-flops for outdoor. Welcome facilities included a bottle of glowing wine, juices for the children, an entire tower stuffed with candy bites, marshmallows with chocolate fishes on the aspect,…. Ah nicely, energy don’t depend on holidays!
Outdoors there’s a small pool which is ideal to chill down, but it surely’s equally nice for the children to have some correct enjoyable with out disturbing any of the opposite company on the island. And with direct seashore entry it’s arduous to get the children away from the villa as they’ve actually an countless playground proper in entrance of them.
The toilet
The bogs are outdoors (it’s a tropical island in any case) however semi coated so that you’ll all the time keep dry in case of rain however on the identical time you possibly can 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.
Every thing you must plan your journey in 2025
The amenities
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. General, I used to be actually pleasantly shocked 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 should 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 number 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 after all) and serves up some true gems.
In fact there’s additionally an important youngsters membership which is all the time a present from heaven once you journey as a household. In my view and expertise there’s 1 single factor that creates an excellent youngsters membership, and that’s partaking and enthusiastic employees. 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 employees is actually comfortable to see them stroll in, have enjoyable with them and simply love the interplay with the youthful company. A great deal of toys, facilities and what not are nice, however they’ll by no means make the true distinction. Fortunately Le Meridien understood the temporary and the children membership was successful all through our entire keep.
So the place d mother and father go proper after they left the children on the membership? Certainly…..the spa! And the Discover Spa didn’t disappoint, quite the opposite. Being situated 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 outstanding couple therapeutic massage and the glass flooring 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 mother and father is La Vie which gives a pleasant cocktail bar and an adults-only pool which is all the time a winner amongst mother and father.
For individuals who wish to be a bit extra energetic I can gladly say that the island has probably the most lovely padel courtroom I’ve ever seen! Fantastically positioned between the luxurious pure greenery of the island and the sunshine turquoise blue ocean, this courtroom 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 couple of youngsters, we had been greeted by the pleasant employees 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 situated within the Lhaviyani atoll which is round a 30-40 minute flight with the seaplane. As per common, the views alongside the best way are a number 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 general 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 stress-free 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 possibly can’t miss out on is the film beneath the celebs. Sitting again in open air beneath the celebs 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 crucial lovely 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 wish to dive into a number of the most beautiful coral reefs, there’s the very good dive centre. The employees are actually pleasant, ensuring everybody has the perfect 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 in all these sundown cruises. You possibly can think about the thrill of our children (and everybody else on the ship).
Price
As everyone knows, the Maldives are by no means going to be low-cost. However that being stated, I do really feel that some resorts provide higher worth for cash in comparison with others, and Le Meridien is definitely amongst those who give good bang for the buck. Costs in off-season begin from round 390 USD (taxes, charges and expenses 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.
Nonetheless, in case you are a Bonvoy member, you possibly can e book the resort from as little as 45.000 factors/night time which is mostly a steal. In fact you must add the switch price in all the above costs.
The most effective bit
What actually stands out to me is the truth that Le Meridien is a resort that gives 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 price mentioning is the truth that it’s situated on a pure island which all the time provides extra tropical vibes to your vacation because of the wealthy vegetation all over the place you look.
The ultimate verdict
In the long run it’s an exquisite 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 residing all throughout the globe and whereas he loves wildlife and nature, he can nonetheless take pleasure in an excellent 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
