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It took a global pandemic and the relative proximity of a visit to Singapore to convince my wife to give the Maldives a try. The distance from the US and the ‘will the food be good?’ (to her preferences) have been top of mind.
We are not sun or beach people. Much more for us cities and eats. This report is to be taken as our experience in isolation, not having the reference of visiting multiple Maldives resorts. My own prior visit to the Maldives was cut short due to flight and business matters, only staying around the airport on Hulhumalé Island and commuting over to Malé.
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is our best Marriott points redemption ever. We worked through 8 35k/night certs and are adding a 5th-night award for 140k points to extend our stay. It feels great to relieve the mental pressure of two years of certs backlog on an incredible resort.
My wife has never before fallen in love with a beach holiday. That she readily agreed to my propaganda push to extend the stay is our highest compliment. Thank you, Australian ribeye steaks.
New Resort, A Deal on Points
In May 2021, word spread among points travelers of a new Maldives resort opening in September with a relative bargain rate of 35k Marriott points/night (30k off-peak, 40k peak). The next Marriott option in the Maldives is 50k/night.
Frequent Miler has done foundational reporting on this resort. Greg and Nick visited it shortly after opening. See their review, along with their first impressions, and villa selection discussion. I’ve been steadily adding comments to their posts and decided to consolidate them in a dedicated post of my own.
This is a work in progress post that will be updated throughout our stay and from reader discussion in the comments. I am taking this approach because otherwise it will another trip that I’ll get to blogging when I return home, at which point I’ll get too busy and this will add to my trip backlog running t0 2013.
Resort Hopping Plan Nixed
“I’ve never seen you work so hard to plan a trip just to use certs,” she said.
The original plan resort hopping of 4 nights and Le Méridien Maldives and 4 nights at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, unless Conrad or Waldorf Astoria opened up last minute availability (Conrad did 5 days out, under their standard 7-day cancelation deadline, Waldorf Astoria didn’t).
SAii Lagoon is not highly reviewed, though does have the advantages of (1) boat transfer instead of seaplane and (2) ready standard award availability for Hilton free night certificates.
We arrived Malé at 11:50 am on Singapore Airlines. Our estimated 2-hour wait for the seaplane transfer stretched to 4 hours due to winds and flight congestion. Le Méridien Maldives arranges for its guests to use one of the 4 ‘VIP’ lounges at the seaplane terminal. Unfortunately, so, too, did the resort receiving the large family of maskless Russians with child wrestlers.
By spousal decree, there would be no extra seaplane transfers, thus eliminating Conrad. It was a lesson for us that resort hopping, unless both resorts happen to be on the same flight route, will consume most of the day. To hop resorts, your resorts need to liaise and current Maldivian regulations are that you need to receive a negative COVID-19 test before switching resorts, adding to the cost of the transfer.
By sumptuous breakfast the next morning, there would be no SAii Lagoon, either. Those expiring Hilton cert will need to find another use.
Maldives Practicalities (as of November 2021)
The pandemic-related requirements are:
- Negative PCR test sampled with 96 hours of your flight schedule departure time
- Electronic health declaration submitted within 24 hours of arrival to Maldives (as you may already be traveling at that point, this can be frustrating with quirks such as uploading the test result you need small resolution photo that can reject the phone picture option, so allow time for this process, it will be checked at your departure airport)
- Another electronic health declaration submitted within 24 hours of departure from Maldives
- Resorts all have PCR testing available to meet destination requirements, with typical next day turnaround
The visa regime for Madlvies is flexible for many nationalities. Have your stay booked and departing flight booked in case that is requested.
Seaplane Transfer
Le Méridien Maldives makes the seaplane arrangements. You can charge the flights to your room folio to use Marriott gift cards, a nice you if you have acquired some at a discount.
The seaplanes only operate in daylight hours. International flight arrivals after 15:30 need to overnight and take the seaplane the next morning.
Prices are roundtrip:
- $420 for adults
- $210 for children age 2-11
- Free for children under 2
Luggage allowance:
- 20k checked, 5 kg carry-on, per person age 2 and over
- $5 per kg for excess baggage, which can be charged to your room
- Malé airport main terminal has baggage storage at $6-$12 per day per piece of luggage, the price varying by size and weight
COVID-19 Precautions
My wife is very cautious and my biggest concern was that she would not feel safe and want to bolt.
At Le Méridien Maldives:
- There is an on-site clinic with a resident doctor
- On-site PCR testing is $120++ (such as for departure destination requirement)
- Staff wear masks at all times
- Guests are required to wear masks in the breakfast buffet area
- Many of the guests wear masks coming and going at the dining venues, etc, which to us is a mutual show of respect and a relief
- Those incapable of showing decency to fellow humans appear to have self-selected out of staying here
Dining
The dining is excellent, far surpassing our expectations. It only took the first breakfast to sell us on a longer stay.
The dining outlets are:
- Turquoise (breakfast and dinner)
- Velaa Bar + Brill (lunch and dinner)
- Tabemasu (dinner, closed Wednesday)
- Riviera (adults-only bar by the adults-only pool, with a $45 meat and seafood sampler during happy hour 17:30-19:00)
- Latitude Coffee Shop
- Waves Cafe
(This section is a work in progress as we eat more, and when I have time to upload more pictures)
Turquoise Breakfast
Wide range of options, with a point of pride that options change by day to mix things up.
I love that there are daily Maldivean options to have a local taste.
The East Asian noodle station’s highlight has been the lamb bone soup. The daily dim sum falls short.
The Indian station the various dosa, papadam, paratha, etc are paired with dishes such as the lamb keema we hope appears for an encore.
The crepe, pancake, and waffle station does their thing.
The eggs are a wide variety. I snooped on another table that introduced me to shakshuka.
For fruits the secret is to buddy up to the staff and request the good stuff they keep in the back or only irregularly appear, such as longan, mango, passion fruit, and papaya.
The barista makes a variety of drinks, including today’s special a milk late with apricot juice.
Free flow sparkling wine appears some days.
Turquoise Dinner
We have had two dinners are Turqiose.
The first night a la carte pasta and butter chicken in large portions. As noted in the experience of others, this is the one place at the resort that charges for water, a $5 per table charge added.
The second dinner we were then on a half-board meal plan with 3-course dinner. Pictures to come!
Velaa Dinner
Velaa’s meats are outstanding. We keep returning to the Australian ribeye.
My favorite starter is the reef lobster and tuna tartare.
The lamb chops come out a bit salty.
There is a massive meat platter if you are famished.
The grilled catch of the day, red snapper, was a bit tough, so I will try again with papilotte method, which I am told is a fancy way say it is steamed.
The desserts are all tasty. After so many calories the first nights, I am reducing to a scoop each of basil ice cream and raspberry sorbet.
Pictures to come!
Other Dining
We haven’t tried the other mealtimes or outlets. We’ll see.
Meal Plans
There are now 3 meal plan options.
Marriott Platinum or Titanium that select breakfast as their welcome amenity (and should) get a $30 discount on all:
- Half-board = breakfast + 3-course dinner at Turquoise or Velaa, no complimentary drinks other than water, $65 for Marriott Platinum or Titanium
- Full-board = the above + 2-course lunch at Velaa, plus a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, $120 for Marriot Platinum 0r Titanium
- All-Inclusive = the above plus the other dining outlets, $200 for Marriot Platinum 0r Titanium
- Minimum 4-day commitment for meal plans (shorter stays excepted), though I expect they would play ball on this
We started a la carte. Upon enjoying the food, we went up to half-board. We are not drinkers so the higher options are of little value to us.
I”ll get more info on these plans uploaded.
Rooms
My wife expressly wanted a beach bungalow nestled in the tress and cool in the day.
I plan to ask resort staff for a peek at other room types to compare, then will fill out this section.
Fitness Center
A view that will make you want to hit the treadmill. I have been daily, prior to my evening snorkel.
Spa
I’ve walked by it daily. That’s all I know!
Snorkeling
It has been too windy these days Nov-Dec are the windy months) to go to the main spot north of the island. Instead, I was directed near the spa and have had excellent two-a-day sessions. I keep forgetting I have a waterproof camera. I will fill out a map of the spots and get some pictures.
Water Sports
Paddleboards and glass-bottom kayaks are free to rent. It has been too windy to use them.
Service
An incredible team. Above and beyond, A-list staff across the board. More to say, can’t say enough. This group has launched this resort with a camaraderie and skill that is a joy.
Recommendation
If you have been on the fence about the Maldives, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is a great points travelers sweet spot. Go for it!
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Your thoughts were really helpful for our trip there (just returned a few days ago). We did find that there were a couple of large family groups that refused to wear masks or would only wear them below their noses, and one of the kids’ staff was consistently without her mask — even behind the counter at one of the restaurants leading an activity! Other than those individuals, though, we felt pretty comfortable in terms of Covid precautions and had a wonderful experience. We’ve never done this type of trip before. (Normally even if we stay at a resort we… Read more »
Thanks for the review Stefan! We’re also taking Singapore airlines, how many days do you recommend to stay at the hotel without getting bored with food or activities?
@Sam – the activities are fairly limited on land. Yoga, beach volleyball with guests and staff, a weekly manager’s reception, the oversize chess set and so on that I figure are standard in the Maldives. The water sports will depend on the winds. As I understand, we are getting past the windy season. Our first week the dive shop essentially did not operate. Later in the second week things improved enough for them to do most activities. A 5th night free award is a good basis to consider. Not too short, while long enough to settle in. Most guests to… Read more »
@Sam – also, double check your SQ flight time, the two morning flights when we went, I saw a report that the second has been moved to the night slot on some days that forces an overnight in Malé (some days already were one day and one night when we booked). This report is saying SQ has been unwilling to move him to the flight that was one hour prior to the original flight time.
Now, it’s 45k/night to stay. Not worth it. For a few more points, I’ll stay at the W.
@Jim – many nights are 35k. I just booked 5 more to extend our stay. The 45k nights are when the two types of base-level rooms are not available. I have noticed that close-in the availability changes regularly even within the same day, father out I haven’t watched. You’ll also see ‘points with cash upgrade’ for 35k + $100 and some other offers. I haven’t been to any other of the resorts so have nothing to compare W or otherwise. I think the only time I’ve stayed at a W is in Guangzhou.
I am thrilled to see this post! We are headed there in just a couple of weeks and let’s just say that we are very Covid-conscious, so that’s been a real concern for us. We’re doing a 10 hour layover in Doha on the way (overnight) so the timing for testing and things is making it convoluted. We’re debating the meal plan and not targeted for a gift card offer, so any other thoughts on meal plans and expenses would be especially helpful. If you do any of the paid activities and have any thoughts on those, that would be… Read more »
Also, in news that I think you’ll appreciate, we decided we didn’t want to come into Male and not see anything beyond the resort, so we’re staying overnight to visit some of the (seemingly quite limited) sights there. From other reviews/comments online, that doesn’t seem to be a popular approach. We may regret it, but I’m hopeful that adjusting to the jet lag for $60/night will also be a good idea.
@Amy – that is an approach I recommend. In my prior trip I commuted over to Malé and enjoyed a walking circuit of the island, especially seeing various boats load up supplies for the resorts, and the local swimming spots. It is a fun slice of life for the curious traveler.
I would recommend checking travel restrictions before making plans. There were some restrictions going to Malé due to the pandemic, but those may have been relaxed. I wouldn’t dedicate more than one day, and many resorts pre-pandemic would have free city walking tours available if you had a flight later in the evening.
Yes, of course — as of last weekend, as long as you stay at an approved guesthouse or hotel and follow the rest of the Maldives restrictions, it’s fine.
Another question for you — did you have laundry done at the Le Meridien? Wondering if the prices are reasonable or if I should just pack my trusty Woolite packets.
@Amy – pack your Woolite. Hefty per item prices.
Got it, thanks!
Just learned we need a second PCR test in Male before we go on to the resort because our transit will exceed 24 hours. (8 hour layover in Dallas, 10 in Doha, plus flights = ugh.) So I guess we will get an added highlight for our trip of getting to visit a testing facility in Male!
For future travelers who need a PCR test in Male (ask the resort in advance), Mediflex promises results in 6 hours (fast track) 12 hours (non-urgent).
Thanks Stefan. Great report so far. Just one quick question: you can use USD denominated Marriott gift cards outside the USA (or is it because prices are denominated in USD at the Le Meridien Maldives)?
@John in HK – I believe worldwide hotels should be able to take them, at the hotel’s exchange rate which is likely to be unfavorable. Since Maldives hotels bill im USD, no loss there.
Sounds wonderful. On the snapper, snapper is not tough, other than the skin. In fact, I’ve no idea how you can cook it to be tough. Best guess is that the snapper wasn’t snapper (which is more common than you may think).
@sban – Interesting! It was grilled until nearly dessicated. I am no expect on id-ing them, I can add a picture.