A Castaway Escape at Meradhoo
Set in the southern Maldives’ Gaafu Alifu Atoll, this little island offered everything we hoped to find in a Maldivian escape: soft sand, a beautiful lagoon and days that needed very little planning.
We visited when the resort operated as Raffles Maldives Meradhoo. Today, it is known as The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection. This article recalls our stay under its former name and what we experienced back then.
Getting There
The journey began with a domestic flight from Malé to Kaadedhdhoo, followed by a speedboat transfer to Meradhoo.
It was also where the hospitality began. Our butler met us at the airport, and while our luggage was taken care of, we were offered fresh coconut, tropical juices and a neck and shoulder massage. Even before reaching the island, we felt thoroughly looked after.
Around 15 minutes later, we arrived at the resort’s jetty to a traditional Maldivian welcome. Our butler, Lemon, offered to unpack our luggage on arrival. It was a lovely touch after travelling, and an early example of the thoughtful service we experienced throughout our stay.
The Setting
The island itself was the reason Meradhoo became one of our favourite stays in the Maldives.
We could walk around the main island in roughly 12 minutes. There were no roads to cross, just sandy paths and the sea never far away. Just a few metres from our villa was the beach. We rarely felt the need to go anywhere else. Having such a beautiful stretch of beach on our doorstep was enough.
We spent a lot of our time enjoying the tranquility of the lagoon. The water was calm during our stay, with those extraordinary shades of turquoise that make the Maldives so recognisable, yet still catch you by surprise when you see them for yourself. There were suspended nets stretched above the water that offered an inviting place to settle and watch the lagoon below.
The Accommodation
We stayed in what was then called a Deluxe Beach Villa, with approximately 260 square metres of indoor and outdoor space.
There was a generous bedroom, a separate living room, a large bathroom and an outdoor dining area beside our private pool. The beach was only a few steps away.
It was one of the most spacious villas we had stayed in, but what we appreciated most was how comfortable it felt. The layout gave us room to spread out, the outdoor spaces felt private, and moving between the bedroom, pool and beach quickly became our daily routine.
The Experiences
There was plenty to do when we wanted to venture beyond our villa.
One morning, Siobhan joined Lemon for a guided snorkelling excursion, returning with stories of reef sharks, coral and fish beneath the surface. Having someone familiar with the reef alongside her made it a particularly memorable experience.
Another highlight was taking a glass-bottomed kayak out onto the lagoon. We paddled slowly, watching the marine life beneath us through the clear panel. It was a simple way to spend part of an afternoon, and one of the activities we enjoyed most.
The Dining
It goes without saying that ‘eating’ was one of the highlights of our stay. We looked forward to our meals as much as our time on the beach.
Thari, the resort’s main restaurant, was a favourite throughout our stay. The team took time to understand our preferences, and that personal attention made dining feel relaxed and welcoming. We ate very well, but it was the care surrounding each meal that left the strongest impression.
During the Raffles era, the Long Bar also brought the brand’s signature Singapore Sling to this remote corner of the Maldives.
What Stayed With Us
We loved the spacious villa, the thoughtful service and the ease of having the beach so close. But when I think back to our stay, it's the feeling of being on a tropical island removed from everywhere else. Leaving behind footprints on white sand, being able to step into the lagoon for a refreshing swim, or caught lost in thought gazing by the Maldivian blue.
While the resort has a new name now, this small island wouldn't have changed and gave us exactly the castaway escape we had hoped for.
Our three-night stay was hosted by Raffles Maldives Meradhoo. This article has been refreshed to reflect the resort’s current name; the personal experiences described relate to that original visit.
