Now and again, the Maldives calls my title — and this time, it led me to Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, a shocking retreat tucked away within the Lhaviyani Atoll. Identified for its powdery white seashores, this comparatively new addition to the Maldives’ luxurious scene may be discovered on Thilamaafushi Island and has been making severe waves — particularly for households touring with children.
With faculty holidays approaching, and having heard plenty of glowing suggestions, it felt like the proper second to maintain the youngsters entertained and see if this island paradise might dwell 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. A number of women from the youngsters membership have 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 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 bogs, dressings, bogs, terraces and so forth, ensuring you’re by no means cramped for area, quite the opposite.
The inside is contemporary but nonetheless cozy and there’s an overload of little particulars all throughout that you simply wouldn’t at all times 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, a complete tower stuffed with candy bites, marshmallows with chocolate fishes on the facet,…. Ah effectively, energy don’t depend 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 arduous to get the youngsters away from the villa as they’ve actually an limitless playground proper in entrance of them.
The toilet
The bogs are outdoors (it’s a tropical island in spite of everything) however semi lined so that you’ll at all times keep dry in case of rain however on the identical time you’ll be able to 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 part you should plan your journey in 2024
The services
There’s lots 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 shocked by the standard and number of meals. The truth that the island boasts its personal large 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 excellent 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.
After all there’s additionally a terrific children membership which is at all times a present from heaven if you journey as a household. In my view and expertise there’s 1 single factor that creates a very good 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 blissful 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 mother and father 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 soothing environment. The totally different remedy rooms are additionally separated from one another, ensuring there’s no noise disturbance in any respect throughout your remedy. We had an excellent couple therapeutic massage and the glass flooring panels have 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 at all times a winner amongst mother and father.
For many who wish to be a bit extra energetic I can gladly say that the island has essentially the most stunning padel court docket I’ve ever seen! Superbly positioned between the plush pure greenery of the island and the sunshine turquoise blue ocean, this court docket even makes essentially 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 at all times 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 regular, the views alongside the way in which are a few of the most mesmerising on this 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 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 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 excellent expertise you’ll be able to’t miss out on is the film underneath the celebs. Sitting again in open air underneath the celebs whereas watching a blockbuster is one thing very distinctive. Add to it freshly made popcorn and the data that you simply’re sitting on a tropical island in one of the stunning spots on this planet, and also you’ll shortly 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 excellent 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 one in all these sundown cruises. You possibly can think about the joy of our children (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 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 prices 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, if you’re a Bonvoy member, you’ll be able to ebook the resort from as little as 45.000 factors/evening which can be a steal. After all you should add the switch value in all the above costs.
The very best bit
What really 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 really refreshing to see. One different factor that’s price mentioning is the truth that it’s positioned on a pure island which at all times 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 dwelling all throughout the globe and whereas he loves wildlife and nature, he can nonetheless get pleasure from a very good city jungle.
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