May 7, 2021, 10:45 am
Last edit by: jason8612
Hotel email:
[email protected]
Resort Shared Seaplane Transfer:
Prices are inclusive of tax and fees and to be paid upon check-out.
420 USD per adult (12 years and above)
210 USD per child (ages between 2 and 11.99 years)
Baggage
Complimentary for infants (below 2 years)
Standard baggage is30 25kg including hand luggage. Excess weight will be charged at 5.60 USD per kg (per round trip).
Max dimensions are 158 cm and 32 kg. Infants do not have baggage allowance.
Hours
Operate between 06:00 to 16:00.
For check-in, last international flight must arrive at or before 15:30.
For check-out, first international flight must depart at or after 09:00.
Complete Details can be found here.
COVID Related Topics
Testing
Testing available at 120++ USD pp and reservations should be made no later than 72 hours prior to departure.
Quarantine/Isolation Policy
What happens if I test positive for COVID? Current policy can be found here.
Contact Tracing
Where can I find the list of properties under contract tracing? Here.
What happens if a resort is listed under contract tracing?
Guests must travel directly between MLE airport and the property post arrival and pre departure via international flight ONLY.
Inter-island transfers will be ceased and guests will not be able to arrive from, depart to, another island in the Maldives.
Water Sports & Diving Menu
Spa, Beauty, & Fitness Menu
F&B Menu
Latitude Menu
Riviera Menu
Tabemasu Menu
Turquoise Menu
Velaa Lunch Menu
Velaa Dinner Menu
Waves Menu
Wine Master List
Mini Bar Menu
Meal Plans
Prices are inclusive of tax and fees
Bed and Breakfast per night
30 USD per adult (12 years and above)
15 USD per child (ages between 3 and 11.99 years)
Half Board per night
95 USD per adult (12 years and above)
47.50 USD per child (ages between 3 and 11.99 years)
Complimentary for infants (below 3 years)
Full Board Plus per night
155 USD per adult (12 years and above)
77.50 USD per child (ages between 3 and 11.99 years)
Complimentary for infants (below 3 years)
All-Inclusive per night
230 USD per adult (12 years and above)
115 USD per child (ages 3 and 11.99 years)
Complimentary for infants (below 3 years)
Details can be found here.
F&B Bonvoy Discounts
General Members & Silver Elite 10%
Gold Elite 15%
Platinum, Titanium, & Ambassador Elite 20%
Full Details can be found here.
Resort Map
Can be found here.
Room total can be found here.
Beach Bungalow and Beach Villa are categorized by location. See the resort map for more information.
Paid/confirmed upgrades
Rates per night as of 08-May-2021
From Sunrise OWV to Sunset OWV 50++ USD
From Sunrise OWV to Sunset OWV w/ pool 250++ USD
Terms
Must be for entire duration of reservation
Requires non-refundable payment at time of confirming
Availability and rates subject to change
Can you apply SNAs at this property? No.
Late Checkout Policy (subject to availability)
General Members: None
Silver Elite: "Priority"
Gold Elite: 2pm
Platinum & Titanium Elite: 4pm
Ambassador Elite: 4pm or "Your24"
Welcome Gift
General Members & Silver Elite: None
Gold Elite: 500 points per stay
Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite: Welcome Gift: 1000 points per stay OR amenity per stay OR breakfast at Turquoise Restaurant per day for 2 persons (member + 1)
Drone Restrictions
"We strictly prohibit the operation of any type of UAV or drones for any purpose within and above the premises of the resort as our guests' privacy is of our utmost concern. This prohibition extends to devices launched from the resort or from outside the boundaries of the resort. If you wish to take photographs or videos, you may do so at the common areas of our resort."
[email protected]
Resort Shared Seaplane Transfer:
Prices are inclusive of tax and fees and to be paid upon check-out.
420 USD per adult (12 years and above)
210 USD per child (ages between 2 and 11.99 years)
Baggage
Complimentary for infants (below 2 years)
Standard baggage is
Max dimensions are 158 cm and 32 kg. Infants do not have baggage allowance.
Hours
Operate between 06:00 to 16:00.
For check-in, last international flight must arrive at or before 15:30.
For check-out, first international flight must depart at or after 09:00.
Complete Details can be found here.
COVID Related Topics
Testing
Testing available at 120++ USD pp and reservations should be made no later than 72 hours prior to departure.
Quarantine/Isolation Policy
What happens if I test positive for COVID? Current policy can be found here.
Contact Tracing
Where can I find the list of properties under contract tracing? Here.
What happens if a resort is listed under contract tracing?
Guests must travel directly between MLE airport and the property post arrival and pre departure via international flight ONLY.
Inter-island transfers will be ceased and guests will not be able to arrive from, depart to, another island in the Maldives.
Water Sports & Diving Menu
Spa, Beauty, & Fitness Menu
F&B Menu
Latitude Menu
Riviera Menu
Tabemasu Menu
Turquoise Menu
Velaa Lunch Menu
Velaa Dinner Menu
Waves Menu
Wine Master List
Mini Bar Menu
Meal Plans
Prices are inclusive of tax and fees
Bed and Breakfast per night
30 USD per adult (12 years and above)
15 USD per child (ages between 3 and 11.99 years)
Half Board per night
95 USD per adult (12 years and above)
47.50 USD per child (ages between 3 and 11.99 years)
Complimentary for infants (below 3 years)
Full Board Plus per night
155 USD per adult (12 years and above)
77.50 USD per child (ages between 3 and 11.99 years)
Complimentary for infants (below 3 years)
All-Inclusive per night
230 USD per adult (12 years and above)
115 USD per child (ages 3 and 11.99 years)
Complimentary for infants (below 3 years)
Details can be found here.
F&B Bonvoy Discounts
General Members & Silver Elite 10%
Gold Elite 15%
Platinum, Titanium, & Ambassador Elite 20%
Full Details can be found here.
Resort Map
Can be found here.
Room total can be found here.
Beach Bungalow and Beach Villa are categorized by location. See the resort map for more information.
Paid/confirmed upgrades
Rates per night as of 08-May-2021
From Sunrise OWV to Sunset OWV 50++ USD
From Sunrise OWV to Sunset OWV w/ pool 250++ USD
Terms
Must be for entire duration of reservation
Requires non-refundable payment at time of confirming
Availability and rates subject to change
Can you apply SNAs at this property? No.
Late Checkout Policy (subject to availability)
General Members: None
Silver Elite: "Priority"
Gold Elite: 2pm
Platinum & Titanium Elite: 4pm
Ambassador Elite: 4pm or "Your24"
Welcome Gift
General Members & Silver Elite: None
Gold Elite: 500 points per stay
Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite: Welcome Gift: 1000 points per stay OR amenity per stay OR breakfast at Turquoise Restaurant per day for 2 persons (member + 1)
Drone Restrictions
"We strictly prohibit the operation of any type of UAV or drones for any purpose within and above the premises of the resort as our guests' privacy is of our utmost concern. This prohibition extends to devices launched from the resort or from outside the boundaries of the resort. If you wish to take photographs or videos, you may do so at the common areas of our resort."
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Thilamaafushi, Maldives [Master Thread]
Nov 30, 2022, 11:16 am
#1516
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 68
Anecdotally, capacity doesn't seem that high. We run into the same handful couples and families. The water is nice on the new pier, moderate but definitely noticable current flowing from west to east.
Other observations:
Absolutely go out to the house reef if you want to see sea life. The group that went snorkeling before us said they saw manta rays.
The gym is small but nice and well equipped. New machines, a couple of full squat racks, Olympic weights etc.
The resort is very kid friendly, something to keep in mind.
Double the amount of sunscreen you plan on brining, and some aloe vera too! 🙂
Lots of walking (if you want too, we enjoy it). The resort has golf cart transportation on demand if you'd prefer to ride.
Other observations:
Absolutely go out to the house reef if you want to see sea life. The group that went snorkeling before us said they saw manta rays.
The gym is small but nice and well equipped. New machines, a couple of full squat racks, Olympic weights etc.
The resort is very kid friendly, something to keep in mind.
Double the amount of sunscreen you plan on brining, and some aloe vera too! 🙂
Lots of walking (if you want too, we enjoy it). The resort has golf cart transportation on demand if you'd prefer to ride.
Nov 30, 2022, 11:32 am
#1517
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: LGA RIC PHF ORF
Posts: 96
Thanks so much! Coming in a few weeks and doing my shopping list now. Do you think water shoes, own snorkel sets or fins would be necessary? What camera is best for Maldives - Go Pro? I will definitely buy lots of sunscreen and Aloe Vera =) Is it cold in the evening? Are they lots of bugs (someone in the summer got many mosquito bites)?
Unless you have really nice snorkel gear or fins and would not be happy with the resort supplied gear, I'd not recommend brining your own. What they supplied was totally fine in my opinion.
Right now there's no bugs to speak of. A few house flies but that's about it.
It's hot! Late morning through early evening is obviously hotest time of the day. 85°F every day, but really feels much warmer than that with the sun. At night it's warm, but comfortably so. I would not call it "cool" at all. (As of late Nov, early Dec)
We brought a Go Pro but haven't taken it out yet, I'm sure it will do the job just fine. Phone on the camera for everything outside of the water.
There's an elite member cocktail hour tomorrow with the GM. I'd be happy to ask any questions anyone has and report back.
Nov 30, 2022, 2:53 pm
#1518
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: SPG Plat 100
Posts: 48
I understand that they will have their own Arrival Lounge at Male airport to wait for sea plane departure. It would be great if you could ask when do they plan to have it open. We are coming back in February and it would be nice to be able to check it out.
Nov 30, 2022, 4:04 pm
#1519
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: LGA RIC PHF ORF
Posts: 96
We waited in the lounge for about an hour and a half, then they took us down to another room where they played a saftey video. After that they walked us out onto the dock to our plane. It's an impressive operation, there must have been 30-40 seaplanes at the docks. Trans Maldivian Airways says their the world's largest seaplane operator and I believe it.
TLDR: there already is a lounge used by LM but it is at the seaplane terminal. I don't see any need for an arrivals lounge in the MLE airport, we were only there for a few minutes before taking the bus over to the seaplane terminal. I'm not aware of them getting a new or different lounge space, but I can ask.
Nov 30, 2022, 6:15 pm
#1520
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 234
So when you arrive at MLE, you go through customs and a secondary luggage screening. Once you do that you look for a LM rep (it's can be a little overwhelming if you aren't used to traveling to resort airports. Cancun comes to mind but MLE is much smaller) The LM rep will walk you over to the seaplane check in desk which is still within the MLE airport. They will check passports, weigh luggage and tag everything except backpacks. After that, you take a bus over to a different seaplane terminal building (very nice new building, party still under construction). The seaplane terminal is where the lounge is. It is a very basic room with water, coffee some snacks. The seaplane terminal has three(?) floors with lots of resorts having their own space. The St. Regis has a room on the same floor, down the hall.
We waited in the lounge for about an hour and a half, then they took us down to another room where they played a saftey video. After that they walked us out onto the dock to our plane. It's an impressive operation, there must have been 30-40 seaplanes at the docks. Trans Maldivian Airways says their the world's largest seaplane operator and I believe it.
TLDR: there already is a lounge used by LM but it is at the seaplane terminal. I don't see any need for an arrivals lounge in the MLE airport, we were only there for a few minutes before taking the bus over to the seaplane terminal. I'm not aware of them getting a new or different lounge space, but I can ask.
We waited in the lounge for about an hour and a half, then they took us down to another room where they played a saftey video. After that they walked us out onto the dock to our plane. It's an impressive operation, there must have been 30-40 seaplanes at the docks. Trans Maldivian Airways says their the world's largest seaplane operator and I believe it.
TLDR: there already is a lounge used by LM but it is at the seaplane terminal. I don't see any need for an arrivals lounge in the MLE airport, we were only there for a few minutes before taking the bus over to the seaplane terminal. I'm not aware of them getting a new or different lounge space, but I can ask.
The new lounges are at the new sea plane terminal.
Nov 30, 2022, 9:43 pm
#1521
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 68
They have a lounge which is close to being ready. I’ve seen the pictures of it and it’s looks really nice. There are other lounges, for other resorts ie St Regis, that are also close to being done. The lounge they take you to is a simple one and temporary.
The new lounges are at the new sea plane terminal.
The new lounges are at the new sea plane terminal.
Nov 30, 2022, 10:03 pm
#1522
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34680515-post1410.html
What I did see on the house reef that I’ve never seen in all my years of diving/snorkeling was a unicorn fish! And I only saw one, so guess they’re as rare as … uh… a unicorn.
Dec 1, 2022, 7:00 am
#1524
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: LGA RIC PHF ORF
Posts: 96
Arrival lounge at the seaplane terminal is targeted to open Dec 15th - 20th
I don't follow any Maldives property news so this may be old news, but there are 3 new Marriott properties set to open in the next few years, another JW Marriott, Ritz Carlton Reserve and a Bulgari.
I'd expect points redemptions at LM to jump in price substantially when Bonvoy goes full dynamic uncapped. Probably not breaking news there...
Another thing I wasn't aware of is you can use points to pay for meal plans. Don't yet know what the conversion rate is but my guess is it's not very good.
I'll walk back my comments about the sea life on the new pier a bit. We've seen multiple eagle rays, sting rays, lion fish and some other bigger fish. While it still isn't the house reef on the north side, it's better than I originally thought.
Answering one of my own previous questions: there was a 3 course lobster dinner offered last night at Velaa for $135++ a la carte. We were offered a $50 credit towards the package as we were on the all inclusive package. An option for decent value here was to just get the main lobster dish ($85++) and subtract $50 from that. We passed on this.
I don't follow any Maldives property news so this may be old news, but there are 3 new Marriott properties set to open in the next few years, another JW Marriott, Ritz Carlton Reserve and a Bulgari.
I'd expect points redemptions at LM to jump in price substantially when Bonvoy goes full dynamic uncapped. Probably not breaking news there...
Another thing I wasn't aware of is you can use points to pay for meal plans. Don't yet know what the conversion rate is but my guess is it's not very good.
I'll walk back my comments about the sea life on the new pier a bit. We've seen multiple eagle rays, sting rays, lion fish and some other bigger fish. While it still isn't the house reef on the north side, it's better than I originally thought.
Answering one of my own previous questions: there was a 3 course lobster dinner offered last night at Velaa for $135++ a la carte. We were offered a $50 credit towards the package as we were on the all inclusive package. An option for decent value here was to just get the main lobster dish ($85++) and subtract $50 from that. We passed on this.
Dec 2, 2022, 9:14 am
#1525
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,727
... the track to the currently main snorkeling reef from there would be basically to cross the whole island by foot (or ask and wait for a buggy).
That's why: the north pier is closer to the house reef (by a lot, sounds like).
Dec 2, 2022, 11:47 am
#1526
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, Amex AeroPlat
Posts: 977
Just booked five nights for OW Villa, 276K points and 1328 USD for two adults and one child.
In addition, the hotel is charging us $75 USD a night extra just for bed and breakfast for the child. But the reservation itself covers 3 pax (2 adults and 1 child), and the breakfast option for child is actually $15 or something like that per day. Why is it we have to pay $75 usd per day when we don’t require extra bedding nor rollaway bed?
In addition, the hotel is charging us $75 USD a night extra just for bed and breakfast for the child. But the reservation itself covers 3 pax (2 adults and 1 child), and the breakfast option for child is actually $15 or something like that per day. Why is it we have to pay $75 usd per day when we don’t require extra bedding nor rollaway bed?
Last edited by theOtherHolmes; Dec 2, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Dec 3, 2022, 8:50 am
#1527
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 542
Just booked five nights for OW Villa, 276K points and 1328 USD for two adults and one child.
In addition, the hotel is charging us $75 USD a night extra just for bed and breakfast for the child. But the reservation itself covers 3 pax (2 adults and 1 child), and the breakfast option for child is actually $15 or something like that per day. Why is it we have to pay $75 usd per day when we don’t require extra bedding nor rollaway bed?
In addition, the hotel is charging us $75 USD a night extra just for bed and breakfast for the child. But the reservation itself covers 3 pax (2 adults and 1 child), and the breakfast option for child is actually $15 or something like that per day. Why is it we have to pay $75 usd per day when we don’t require extra bedding nor rollaway bed?
Dec 3, 2022, 12:28 pm
#1528
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, SPG LTP
Posts: 1,526
In March, we were charged $75 per night for our 10 year old. It included breakfast. We declined the rollaway and she slept on the sofa.
Dec 3, 2022, 3:18 pm
#1529
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,516
Looking for some advice on which F&B package to choose on our upcoming 6-night stay (starting in less than 2 weeks!)
Here's what I know:
Four people in 2 rooms, each room booked under Titanium membership so apparently free breakfast for all 6 nights, and also the F&B packages are discounted $35 pp per night. None of us are big drinkers of alcohol; none of us drink at home more than once every couple weeks. So, not crucial-- but for sure, for 3 of us if you put a cocktail in front of us, we'd drink it.
So, getting just the half board breakfast and dinner (Half Board?) package might be enough if we eat a late breakfast and early dinner.
Absolutely OK with upping it to the Full Board if it seems logical, of course.
Is there anyone who could point me to a post (or just write a few sentences) about thought process for choosing the F&B package for a group of 4?
Thanks so much!
Here's what I know:
Four people in 2 rooms, each room booked under Titanium membership so apparently free breakfast for all 6 nights, and also the F&B packages are discounted $35 pp per night. None of us are big drinkers of alcohol; none of us drink at home more than once every couple weeks. So, not crucial-- but for sure, for 3 of us if you put a cocktail in front of us, we'd drink it.
So, getting just the half board breakfast and dinner (Half Board?) package might be enough if we eat a late breakfast and early dinner.
Absolutely OK with upping it to the Full Board if it seems logical, of course.
Is there anyone who could point me to a post (or just write a few sentences) about thought process for choosing the F&B package for a group of 4?
Thanks so much!
Last edited by kyushuman; Dec 3, 2022 at 3:48 pm