Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa 

This was our fourth annual visit to Le Meridien Maldives, and the resort and staff continue to meet and exceed our high expectations. From small touches like personalised artwork on our tables to a surprise chef’s tasting dinner on the beach at Riviera (thank you, Chef Arvind and manager Rishab for arranging!), we were thoroughly spoiled during our 11-night stay. We love reconnecting with our many friends on the staff and meeting new friends. The food in each of the restaurants is always excellent and varied. Our days typically start with cappuccino, a beetroot smoothie and a healthy bite to eat at Waves Cafe (poached egg on sourdough avocado toast, fresh fruit with yoghurt and mueslix or an indulgent crab and lobster eggs Benedict one morning). These morning treats are served with a smile by Ari, Neng, Madhi or Kyra. We generally have lunch (and several dinners) at Riviera so we can enjoy Chef Arvind and team’s Mediterranean-influenced creations such as Pil Pil Gambas, Grilled Pulpo (octopus), flatbreads with delicious toppings, croquetas, Manti (Turkish beef ravioli), sea bass, black cod, lamb chops and the freshest salads, all served in a beautiful beachside location. We can while away several hours there, enjoying the food and chatting with Rishab and his friendly, efficient team (Evi, Ari, Xavi, Uuchu, Madhi, Neng, Bertha, Ali Baba and Kyra). We also enjoyed the lively twice-weekly pool party barbecue lunches, hosted by Rupesh and DJ Baby Santika, and several dinners at Velaa, which does wonderful pizzas at lunchtime, Caesar salad, perfectly cooked steaks, rack of lamb and hearty grilled fare expertly crafted by Chef Pradeep. We are always warmly welcomed by Srijana, Lita and Yashoda. At Turquoise, we satisfied our craving for Indian food during their Indian night and also enjoyed the Maldivian night, trying some zingy local specialties. Turquoise Manager Aapaa always looks after us so well and is a devoted Arsenal fan, happy to chat about the latest in English and European football. Tabemasu (managed by Puspa and her amazing team) is an elegant setting for a banquet of sushi, sashimi, beautiful rolls and other Japanese specialties — the crab salad is a must-have. The Teppanyaki dinner, which we have at least once per visit, is dramatic and entertaining, a feast both eyes and mouth. The bar staff also kept us well hydrated (!) and managed to convert my husband to enjoy Aperol Spritz and several variations, which he previously never liked. (Thanks, Uuchu from La Vie bar!) I’ve mentioned the delectable salads served at all of the restaurants, and it’s worth noting that these super-fresh lettuce leaves are sustainably grown right on the island, thanks to Le Meridien’s own pesticide-free hydroponic farm and growing system, one of the largest in the Maldives. I recommend taking one of the scheduled tours of The Greenhouse, which produces salad crops and herbs that are far superior to the salads served on other islands (and we’ve sampled a few). There’s no comparison, and I wonder why more islands don’t adopt this system too because salad crops and herbs don’t tend to travel well in a tropical climate. To work off all these indulgences, we were put through our paces by the ever-energetic Hari in the gym and also played Padel tennis for the first time. The gym is very well equipped for a resort gym and overlooks the reef and Indian Ocean, so you can watch the reef sharks splashing around to catch breakfast or a pod of dolphins frolicking beyond the reef. We treated ourselves to a very spoiling couples massage with Asi and Rinchen at sunset, which was divine, organised by Raj. Our overwater pool villa is our home from home: clean, comfortable and mid-century stylish rather than palatial. Our various bookings and requests were efficiently handled by Ali from the front-office team. Above all, what sets Le Meridien Maldives apart is its staff (“associates”), most of whom have been there for several years or since opening in 2021. They are so generous, kind-hearted and genuinely willing to create memorable experiences. Please maintain the fun, friendly spirit of the resort and the excellence! We hope to return next year.