Inspired by the formation of the atolls, coral reefs and marine life, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, which opened on September 1, 2021, is picturesquely located in a remote corner of the Lhaviyani Atoll on the natural private island of Thilamaafushi. The nine-hectare island is known locally as “Reef Island” and is considered the quintessential Maldives – an eco-conscious getaway framed by a dazzling lagoon and colorful reefs with lush native flora and fauna.
The six restaurants and bars and the Explore Spa by Le Méridien celebrate the destination’s special features, sounds and flavours, while guests explore the atoll’s unique environment above and below the water with a variety of signature experiences. With 141 villas with a subtle color concept, whose design combines European finesse with the brand’s typical mid-century design and Bauhaus aesthetic, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is a refuge for curious and creative travelers to discover the destination with typical European enjoyment.
Size of the island
9 hectares, 1800 x 500 meters
How to reach Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Guests can easily reach the resort in 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana (MLE) International Airport in Malé.
The rooms
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa comprises 141 villas, set amidst the tropical landscape and scattered on the water, each with magnificent views of the pristine beaches, the sea and the turquoise lagoon respectively. The villas with a choice of one, two or three bedrooms combine art and industrial design with clean lines, neutral tones and contrasting renewable materials that emphasise simplicity, openness and functionality.
The restaurants
Guests can choose from six restaurants and bars with a menu of international specialties and local produce: Inspired by Japanese fishing villages and water lanterns, the signature restaurant Tabemasu entices with a teppanyaki counter and its own outdoor pavilion where a masterfully prepared omakase tasting menu is served.
The adults-only Riviera bar is located on the beach, framed by an oceanfront infinity pool and a private beach, where extended, leisurely lunches and sundowners blend seamlessly as the sun bathes the ocean in the most magnificent colours. The Le Méridien promotion “Au Soleil” also takes place on the beach section there as part of the weekly culinary resort events. “Au Soleil” adds a pinch of summer feeling to the “Golden Hour”, i.e. the magical time just before sunset, through European-inspired small plates (petits plates), rosé cocktails and homemade gelato or sorbet from Le Scoop by Le Méridien, served to live music and the sound of the waves.
Under banyan trees and gently swaying palm trees, the Waves Café indulges in deliberately healthy cuisine, with a focus on organic products directly from the producer. The Velaa Bar + Grill by the pool focuses on freshly mixed cocktails and light dishes to enjoy in the sun. In the evening, there is grilled seafood, meat and delicacies from the wood-fired oven. The Le Méridien Hub sees itself as a creative meeting place. Thanks to the cooperation with illy, coffee specialties prepared individually by the barista are available there. The culinary offer is rounded off by the Turquoise, a kind of marketplace on the beach, where guests can choose from a variety of international and local dishes from breakfast to dinner.
Spa & Leisure
The hub of the resort is the Waves Lifestyle Hub, a central “feel-good place” in the midst of unspoilt countryside and breathtaking sea views. This small, fine lifestyle area includes a gym facing the sea and an elevated yoga pavilion surrounded by greenery, as well as the Waves Café, an interactive studio with a focus on local contemporary art. In a shop, you can buy handmade and modern lifestyle products. The resort’s Marine Hub offers various conservation activities, such as the protection of mangroves and seagrass, or turtle identification and snorkeling with the marine biologist. Here, participants even have the opportunity to give a turtle a name. The resort’s private island, Bodu Finolhu, is full of tropical greenery and a continuous beach that frames the island – perfect for relaxing. Families can take advantage of the services offered by Le Méridien Family and Kids’ Hub, whether it’s a day or night hike on nature trails, listening to folk stories or taking art classes on sustainability. In The Greenhouse greenhouse, too, people can work together, for example when planting greens, harvesting and cooking. Other features include the Explore Spa by Le Méridien and two infinity pools.
