This small, serene and remote resort is an excellent choice. Holidays here are low-key and grown-up, with A++ service, awesome water villas and some of the Maldives’ best marine life.
Stay at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo
It’s oh so quiet in the farthest southern reaches of the Maldives. Sea turtles roam, palm tree lull and the white sand is very much a postcard. It’s like you’ve stepped back in time, not to a Robinson Crusoe story, but to a colonial-era tropical tale that feels every bit like an Indian Ocean adventure. Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is not the easiest resort to get to, but your journey is rewarded with privacy, tranquillity, astonishing marine life and fabulous water villas. And this is Raffles. So expect legendary butler service and all the luxuries.
Location
Isolation is the advantage of this small island in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, almost on the equator in the far south of the archipelago. The reef and ocean extend in all directions and such a privileged location is a haven for some of the country’s best marine life. From Male you first take a 50-minute domestic flight and then it’s a short speedboat transfer. Although the domestic flight isn’t as exciting as a seaplane, it’s more convenient for international flights arriving after dark, when seaplanes can’t operate.
Rooms
The vintage colonial style could potentially feel stuffy and timeworn, but it’s brightened by the natural setting. Verandahs look out on a ring of white sands and ribbons of reef. Four-poster beds are ruffled by an ocean breeze. It’s the opposite of the contemporary bling now favoured by newer Maldives hotels, so not recommended if you seek a groundbreaking or modern style. Still, the elegant old-meets-new ambiance is quite refreshing. All villas are vast and feel like homes. We prefer the water villas, which are separated from the main island and provide more privacy.
Who is it for
This is a remote retreat for adults, ideal for quiet romance, underwater activities and anyone demanding the highest levels of service. You can walk around the island in ten minutes so if you don’t plan to get in the water, you won’t find too much to do. That said, the overwater spa is impressive and it’s the sort of place you’ll comfortably do a yoga session on your private Indian Ocean terrace.
Facilities & activities
A resident marine biologist runs tours of the house reef, which is one of the best in the archipelago. All the usual water sports are available but don’t expect any long hand-in-hand walks upon the island. This is really only a reef-surrounded sandbank. Food options are good but the key reason to stay is the service. The private butlers really do go above and beyond at this resort.
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