{"id":243764,"date":"2022-12-17T02:30:14","date_gmt":"2022-12-17T07:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/?p=243764"},"modified":"2024-08-31T04:36:46","modified_gmt":"2024-08-31T08:36:46","slug":"le-meridien-maldives-resort-spa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/en\/reviews\/hotels\/le-meridien-maldives-resort-spa\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong> is found on Thilamaafushi Island (which is about 1\u00a0km long) and has white sandy beaches everywhere with shallow turquoise waters filled with wildlife.<\/p>\n

It was my bucket list dream to stay in an Overwater Villa and it did not disappoint; the view from our villa was spectacular and it was the first time I enjoyed our room that much.<\/p>\n

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Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong><\/a> was the hype when it opened; for the first time, an overwater villa in the Maldives would be accessible on points. At the time of booking, Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong> was a category\u00a05 hotel which meant that you could book a night for as low as 24,000 points<\/a> for a Beach Villa during the down period.<\/p>\n

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Therefore, I scrambled to find some availability just before Marriott Bonvoy\u2019s changes in March 2022<\/a>, and I managed to secure a 5 nights stay in a Sunrise Overwater Villa (which is an upgrade from the basic Beach Villa) for 140,000 points just before the beginning of the high season in the Maldives. I wanted to make sure I would have the room I wished for and not rely on complementary upgrades to get it.<\/p>\n

In addition, we had to pay $840 US for the seaplane transfer (two adults as children under 2 travel for free) while the $60 US estimated taxes was not billed upon checkout; instead, we paid $30 US of \u201cGreen Tax\u2019.<\/p>\n

We benefited from the 5th<\/sup> night free, which means you earn a 20% discount when using points.<\/p>\n

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At the time of booking, the cash rate for the same overwater villa at Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong> <\/a>was averaging $484 US. Once all the taxes and service charges were factored in, the stay would have been $3041 US + the same $840 US seaplane transfer.<\/p>\n

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If we calculate our points\u2019 valuation<\/a> with the current exchange rate<\/a> ($3041 US = $4095; this excludes the seaplane transfer fees), we come up with this:<\/p>\n

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$4095 \u00f7 140,000 points x\u00a0100 = 2.93 \u00a2<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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We did not consider the seaplane fee in our calculations since it had to be paid whether you go with cash or points. Therefore, utilizing points at this hotel is well above Milesopedia\u2019s estimation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While those rates are no longer available, it is still possible to exploit your points +\u00a0annual free night\u2019s award<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0top it up<\/a>\u00a0to stay at Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa,<\/strong> as villas are bookable for under 50,000 points per night. You can redeem your certificate for a room costing 35,000 points, but you can top off an additional 15,000 points<\/a> if the property you\u2019d like to secure is above 35,000 points.<\/p>\n

You will get fantastic value since those certificates are given to Marriott Bonvoy®<\/sup><\/sup>\u00a0American Express®<\/sup><\/sup>* Card<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Marriott Bonvoy®<\/sup><\/sup>\u00a0Business American Express®<\/sup><\/sup>* Card<\/a>\u00a0holders as you renew your cards.<\/p>\n

Respectively, the cards\u2019 fees cost $120 and $150, so for a family or a couple, each adult could subscribe for both cards and you\u2019d rack up four annual free night\u2019s awards you can use at Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong>. If you do the math, a 4 nights\u2019 stay will come to $570 + 56,000 points instead of $2,700 ($2,000 US).<\/p>\n

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BOOK WITH MILESOPEDIA!<\/h6>\n

Did you know? You can support milesopedia by using our Marriott Bonvoy affiliated link<\/a> to book your hotel nights! You won\u2019t pay any extra, and you\u2019ll get all the benefits of your status and contribute to the future of the site and its community!<\/p>\n

Check our partners\u2019 pages regularly!<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/vc_message][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points” el_id=”earning_marriott_bonvoy_points”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at more than 7,000 hotels around the world is with the Marriott Bonvoy®<\/sup><\/sup> American Express®<\/sup><\/sup>* Card<\/a> (and the Marriott Bonvoy®<\/sup><\/sup> Business American Express®<\/sup><\/sup>* Card<\/a>).<\/p>\n

In addition to the great welcome bonus on both cards, you\u2019ll earn 2 points per dollar<\/strong> on all purchases and 5 points per dollar<\/strong> at Marriott locations. And each year, you\u2019ll earn a certificate for one free hotel stay (35,000 point value) and 15 Elite nights toward your Marriott Bonvoy status<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Also, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points with any card from the American Express Membership Rewards Program<\/a>, including the American Express Cobalt Card<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The American Express Cobalt Card<\/a> allows you to collect 5 Membership Rewards per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants; this incorporates everything sold at supermarkets, including a handful of other gift cards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Therefore, you can quickly get enough points to cover a stay at the Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong>, especially if you combine it with the annual free night\u2019s awards.<\/p>\n

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We were travelling independently in the Maldives<\/a>, so as soon as we arrived at Velana International Airport, we were instructed to meet up with a Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong> representative. He took us to the Trans Maldivian counter to check and weigh our luggage; while we always go carry-on only<\/a>, we had to check them in because there were no overhead bins on the seaplane.<\/p>\n

Then, the representative directed us to a lounge while we waited for our transfer to Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong>. The lounge seemed new as there were no signs or anything; it was a large area with cozy chairs and a small buffet.<\/p>\n

We had the choice between a couple of cold sandwiches, pastries and the usual drinks (coffee, juice and water). Wi-Fi was available and very fast, which we loved since we had to wait about 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

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When our departure was nearing, we were transferred to another room next to the seaplane pier. Then, the Trans Maldivian employee took us to board the seaplane. Note that there are no assigned seats in the seaplane and the crew will let you know where to sit in order to balance the plane. In our case, we asked kindly to be positioned in the first row as we are AvGeek and it wasn\u2019t a problem since the plane was full.<\/p>\n

The flight time to Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong><\/a> was about 30 minutes and we flew direct. We really enjoyed the magnificent views of the atolls as we made our way to the resort.<\/p>\n

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Upon arrival, we were greeted by the whole reception squad and staff from the Kid\u2019s Club as we were travelling with a child. Our son was given a turtle plush and a colouring book.<\/p>\n

A personal representative was assigned to you for this process; we were escorted to the reception called the \u201cHub,\u201d where welcome drinks were offered. The check-in process was smooth as we could chill in our sofas while our representative took care of the formalities.<\/p>\n

This was also when I tried my luck in asking nicely if a Sunset Overwater Villa was available; I did not expect it because of my Marriott Bonvoy Silver Status<\/a>, but I was happily surprised that they were able to upgrade us.<\/p>\n

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After everything was done, she drove us around Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong> for a tour on a buggy before bringing us to our room. She gave us hers and the Reception\u2019s WhatsApp details as they use it extensively to communicate on the island; the Wi-Fi is open and covers everywhere, so it was handy to have.<\/p>\n

This is also where they brief you about meal plans and activities (more on that later).<\/p>\n

You can make your reservation here if you are interested in a complimentary photo session at Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong><\/a>. Bookings are required, so you should get to it as soon as possible, especially if you stay during the high season. The on-site photographer, Jana, was very talented and gave us wonderful candid pictures of our family.<\/p>\n

Also, twice a week, a Twilight Cinema evening is held at the Hub where you can enjoy a movie; the hotel provides popcorn! Finally, there is a giant chessboard next to the reception.<\/p>\n

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There are a total of 141 rooms at the Le M\u00e9ridien Maldives Resort & Spa<\/strong> and I was given the opportunity to take a closer look at all of them during my stay:<\/p>\n