Once in a while, 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 could be discovered on Thilamaafushi Island and has been making critical waves — particularly for households touring with children.
With college holidays approaching, and having heard a number of glowing suggestions, it felt like the proper second to maintain the children entertained and see if this island paradise may stay as much as the promise.
The welcome
From the second my household and I stepped out of the seaplane onto the jetty, we have been greeted by a number of employees members who would welcome us with chilly towels, refreshing drinks and a heat smile on their faces. Just a few women from the children membership have 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 in the course of 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, bathrooms, terraces and so forth, ensuring you’re by no means cramped for house, quite the opposite.
The inside is recent but nonetheless cozy and there’s an overload of little particulars all throughout that you simply wouldn’t all the time count on like slippers for inside, however equally a set of flip-flops for out of doors. 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 facet,…. Ah effectively, energy don’t rely 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 visitors on the island. And with direct seashore entry it’s arduous to get the children away from the villa as they’ve actually an limitless playground proper in entrance of them.
The lavatory
The loos are outdoors (it’s a tropical island in spite of everything) however semi lined so that you’ll all the time keep dry in case of rain however on the identical 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.
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The services
There’s so much 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 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 among 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.
After all there’s additionally an amazing children membership which is all the time a present from heaven whenever you journey as a household. In my view and expertise there’s 1 single factor that creates an excellent children membership, and that’s partaking and enthusiastic employees. All through the years my children have visited tons of various golf equipment and those they like and stand out are those the place the employees is really pleased 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’ll by no means make the actual distinction. Fortunately Le Meridien understood the temporary and the children membership was a hit all through our entire keep.
So the place d dad and mom go proper after they left the children on the membership? Certainly…..the spa! And the Discover Spa didn’t disappoint, quite the opposite. Being positioned absolutely overwater it immediately creates a soothing ambiance. The totally different remedy rooms are additionally separated from one another, ensuring there’s no noise disturbance in any way throughout your remedy. We had an outstanding couple therapeutic massage and the glass ground panels have been excellent to dream away whereas trying 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 affords a pleasant cocktail bar and an adults-only pool which is all the time a winner amongst dad and mom.
For many who wish to be a bit extra energetic I can gladly say that the island has probably the most lovely padel court docket I’ve ever seen! Superbly 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 selection 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 children, we have 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 positioned within the Lhaviyani atoll which is round a 30-40 minute flight with the seaplane. As per ordinary, the views alongside the way in which are among the most mesmerising on the planet 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 succeed in 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 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 may’t miss out on is the film underneath the celebrities. Sitting again in open air underneath the celebrities whereas watching a blockbuster is one thing very distinctive. Add to it freshly made popcorn and the information that you simply’re sitting on a tropical island in probably the most lovely spots on the planet, and also you’ll rapidly perceive how particular all of it is.
And for many who wish to be taught extra about marine life, or simply wish to dive into among the most gorgeous 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 have been fortunate sufficient to have dozens of dolphins swim out in entrance of our boat for about 40 minutes throughout certainly one of these sundown cruises. You possibly can think about the joy of our youngsters (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 supply 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 expenses included) which is fairly uncommon for a stable 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 may e-book the resort from as little as 45.000 factors/evening which is known as a steal. After all 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 gives most 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 really 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
Ultimately it’s a beautiful resort which serves completely for each households and {couples}. Stable 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 get pleasure from an excellent city jungle.
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