Surrounded by a coral reef and lagoon teeming with marine life, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa has set itself apart with eco-conscious practices and creative ways to educate and entertain guests
THE RESORT
It takes a 45-minute transfer by seaplane from Malé, with the coolest-looking flight crew dressed in black shorts, crisp white shirts, flip flops and aviators, to get to Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa. After a welcome unlike any other I’ve experienced – the entire management team greets each seaplane – I’m whisked off in a buggy for a quick tour of the 22-acre property. Sandy pathways are flanked by lush native flora, which create a loosely woven canopy overhead. Solar-powered lights illuminate common areas and solar panels on the roofs of the restaurants and arrival hub reduce the resort’s dependence on diesel generators. I can barely tear my eyes away from the hypnotic blues and greens of the waters around me but I nod absent-mindedly while the friendly driver points out an adults-only pool, kids hub, an outdoor movie night arena and activity centres around the property. En route to my villa, I catch sight of a baby reef shark and a sting ray gliding along in the shallow waters near the overwater villas.
STAY
There are 141 one and two-bedroom beach and overwater villas at this five-star property. I opt for a sunrise overwater villa, which has a deck with direct access into the ocean. The pale peach walls of the interior are simply decorated with Maldivian handicrafts. Natural light floods the spacious bathroom, where a giant tub is the ideal spot to soak in the view from the floor-to-ceiling glass walls. In keeping with the resort’s sustainable initiatives, shampoo and liquid soap are filled in ceramic dispensers and fresh drinking water is delivered every day in glass bottles. The on-site reverse osmosis plant converts seawater into still and sparkling potable water thus reducing the resort’s dependence on plastic mineral water bottles. On my first afternoon, I fall into a deep sleep with the doors to the deck wide open. The bed is so comfortable that I don’t hear the brief rain and thunderstorm that passes overhead. I put this down to tiredness after a long flight, but nights of blissful sleep continue throughout my stay.
TIP - Life jackets can be found in the walk-in closet and are mandatory when swimming since the current is strong especially during high tide.
EAT
There are six F&B outlets on the island, including overwater Japanese restaurant Tabemasu. Open only from 6-10pm, this tastefully designed space has floor-to-ceiling windows so diners can watch the evening sky change from orange to pink and finally a deep shade of purple. The menu is extensive, but there are plenty of choices for vegetarians including a marinated seaweed salad that is crunchy and refreshing and tantanmen soup, which has a base of mildly sliced sesame broth and plenty of texture from bok choy, tofu and mushrooms. The salmon nigiri, Wagyu beef tenderloin and spicy tuna roll don’t fail to impress. There’s also a teppanyaki station where the chef’s will rules and takes the pressure off having to choose from the wide selection on offer.
Breakfast at Turquoise, the all-day dining restaurant, is an international affair with freshly baked Viennoserie, granola pots, chia puddings, live cooking stations serving eggs your way, Chinese congee, a selection of cheese and more. But what I find myself going back for repeatedly is mas huni, a traditional Maldivian breakfast dish of shredded tuna mixed with freshly grated coconut, finely diced onion and lime juice, which I eat with a soft local flatbread called roshi.
Opt for Riviera Tapas and Bar to enjoy lunch with mesmerising ocean views. It sits within 10 steps of the waves and is the ideal spot for an indolent afternoon. The chef recommends the most popular item on the menu - gambas al pil pil. Succulent tiger prawns topped with fresh microgreens from the resort’s hydroponic greenhouse sit in a tangy tomato broth. It is served with the kitchen’s signature sourdough bread, which might seem unnecessary at first but mopping up the broth afterwards is half the fun. Waves Café next door is ideal for coffee, sandwiches and light snacks.
Velaa Bar + Grill, which also serves lunch, turns into a grill restaurant at night with steaks and grilled seafood being the highlights.
ACTIVITIES
Snorkelling around the house reef and the sunset dolphin cruise are the highlights of my stay. Deep water scares me but I swallow that fear and follow my guide. A busy underwater kingdom awaits with colourful fish of all shapes and sizes including parrot, clown, surgeon and angel fish. The resort maintains seagrass meadows around the island which support a variety of marine life. I am lucky enough to spot a green turtle on the seabed. Scuba diving, jet-skiing, wakeboarding and kayaking are other watersports on offer.
The on-site dive centre’s staff have a knack for knowing where pods of bottlenose dolphin congregate in the open ocean. We don’t have to wait long before a family of adults and babies appear, effortlessly cutting through the water alongside the vessel, whistling at each other and jumping into the air, which elicits claps and squeals of delight from their adoring audience.
The Marine Hub believes in a hands-on approach and encourages adults and kids to join its coral restoration programme, marine biology talks and Mangrove 101 experience during which guests can walk into the mangroves with a marine biologist who will teach them about the birds and aquatic life that inhabit this delicate eco-system.
Relaxation is the order of the day in the Maldives and a gym is the furthest thing from my mind but sunrise and sunset yoga classes on the beach offer the right balance of cardio and stretching.
Masterclasses with award-winning visiting chefs are also constantly being planned by the team so keep a look out for those during your stay. Au Soleil Fest, a signature Le Meridien programme, is an evening party under the stars where guests mingle and try food from pop ups serving Indian kebabs, sushi, paella, salads made with the freshest leafy greens from the resort’s greenhouse and more.
SPA
Set in a secluded portion of the island, Explore Spa is an overwater space where couples and individual treatment rooms have clear panels directly under the beds so guests can look at the coral gardens below. The massages, facials and body wraps on the menu marry Ayurvedic principles with modern techniques to achieve physical and mental harmony. Customisations are available based on an individual’s dosha. After a discussion about my skin, my therapist recommends the Sundari facial, which uses natural active ingredients to exfoliate and moisturise followed by pressure point stimulation on the face and scalp along with lymphatic drainage. I don’t remember much beyond inhaling a wonderful blend of essential oils followed by gentle cleansing and woke up 50 minutes later to find my complexion looking calmer and happier (much needed after being out in the sun all day, even though I liberally apply SPF70 sunscreen).
