Introducing the brand new Le Meridian Maldives resort…
Out of the thousands of islands that make up The Maldives the unique beauty of each and every single one never seizes to amaze me. Last month I travelled to the stunning Le Meridian Maldives located on Thilamaafushi Island. This was my 9th visit to the idyllic paradise scatter and yet, spending 5 nights at Le Meridian Maldives felt as though I was witnessing a whole other world entirely.
Categorised as ‘affordable luxury’ Le Meridian Maldives is a truly show-stopping island with the largest blue lagoon I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing in The Maldives. The Indian ocean is perfectly shallow for miles around the resort acting as a blanket of sparkling blue that creates a picture perfect backdrop for the dreamy water villas.
Le Meridian is wonderfully located in the Lhaviyani Atoll so you have the unique experience of flying to the resort via a small sea plane, it takes around 35 minutes from the international airport and this for me is such a special part of a trip to the Maldives. There is no view in the world quite like it!
Our Water Villa
With the scene so perfectly set by nature the rooms need to do little to impress when it comes to creating a ‘wow-factor’ stay but the over water villas at Le Meridien Maldives are designed to show off the stunning scenery at every opportunity. With ample space and large sliding windows leading out towards the ocean, the view of endless blues is available to you at every moment.
The deck area is perfect for catching rays both from the sun on your skin and seeing the aquatic creatures in the water as they swim directly beneath your net. The iconic steps down into the ocean lead out perfectly to waist height water for as far as the eyes can see.
You have the option to chose a sunrise or sunset water villa, the design themselves are the same it just depends on if you like your dreamy pink skies with a side of coffee or wine 😉
For the full room tour watch the full Vlog here:
The Spa
When staying in the Maldives relaxation isn’t desired, it’s mandatory. That being said, should you want to send your zen barometer off the charts Le Meridien has a world class spa for the ultimate paradise indulgence.
We had the luxury of enjoying a one hour massage at the levitated utopia. The treatment rooms not only have open views of the ocean ahead but also a glass window below the treatment bed so that when your therapist is taking care of calming your muscles the fish playfully swimming beneath your eyes is calming for your soul.
If you do treat yourself to a spa experience I highly recommend heading there an hour or so before sunset as the structure is perfectly located for the best views of the pastel painted the sky.
Magic on the Doorstep…
Le Meridien Maldives is so wonderfully located in The Maldives that it boasts a flourishing house reef for daily snorkel trips. Those with a keen interest in the underwater world of the Indian Ocean can swim side by side turtles, rays, sharks and countless colourful fish.
Not only can you interact with them in the water you can also experience the unique delight of seeing wild dolphins if you venture out on one of the organized sunset tours on the islands private boats.
Le Meridien Maldives also has a beautiful, uninhabited sandbank just a 5 minute boat ride from the hotel. The stretch of white power has a stunning untouched charm and offers the most amazing setting for a ‘once in a life time’ aperitivo.
Wining & Dining
Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa boasts six restaurants and bars where guests can indulge in unique and varied dining experiences. Having so much choice allowed us to have a fine dining experience of over-water indulgence on our first evening in the Japanese Restaurant, Tabemasu. The food was delicious and the evening’s stunning sunset offered a unique and natural backdrop to accompany all five courses and wine pairing.
The main restaurant Turquoise is where you can enjoy buffet service for breakfast and on some evenings dinner, you can also dine with a menu for lunch and in the evenings, there’s a wide selection to choose from and a beautiful view of the ocean and palm fringed sandy beach. It sits side by side Vela Bar & Grill which offers menu service for lunch and dinner, this is located directly in front of the pool so it’s also a wonderful spot to enjoy a daytime cocktail!
After your daytime tipple Riviera Bar is the perfect place to saunter in the sand to, it offers the most incredible view of the sunset with the warmest service and amazing mixology specialists.
Whether you are sipping or spooning Le Meridien Maldives are proud to use a greenhouse-to-plate approach for its restaurants. The island has an on-site Greenhouse which is a semi-automated hydroponic system producing organic vegetables for the guest menu and also for a few of the local surrounding islands. The Greenhouse is an impressive structure that is designed to capture and recycle rainwater to support healthy growth of their delicious produce. From the mint leaves in the mojitos to the leafy greens in the salad, the ingredients ae home grown and there’s honestly something about knowing this that just makes them taste so much more delicious!
Le Meridien Maldives is a resort filled with so much warmth. You can effortlessly enjoy the five star luxury experience without a hint of pretentiousness.
Evenings feel intimate and special whether you enjoy the spectacular outdoor cinema or simply star gaze on your balcony, there’s something so serene about the simplicity of the island.
For more information and to book your own trip click here.
This post was part of an influential Collaboration, my stay was gifted. All opinions are my own.
