Castaway in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll sits a dreamy island, where perfect white coral sands are bordered by the ultra-clear waters of the Indian Ocean to one side and the lushest of foliage to the other. Kissing the Earth’s equator, this idyllic isle offers a true sense of isolation, where noise and light pollution are a distant memory and your neighbours include hawksbill turtles and nurse sharks that glide along with the ocean’s waves.
A 50-minute domestic flight from Malé’s Velana International Airport to the local Kaadedhdhoo Airport, followed by a 10-minute speedboat transfer, the island is also home to the opulent Raffles Maldives Meradhoo. Boasting 38 beachfront and overwater villas and residences, the property oozes exclusivity, blending Raffles signature colonial-era designs with tropical luxury—think soft sky blue and duck-egg tones for the resort’s beach villas and rooms bathed in natural light in the overwater villas, where glass-panelled floors and walls offer you a glimpse of life beneath the surface. Each villa also enjoys the legendary Raffles’ Butler Service, which is available for your every whim and want.
For gastronomes, take your pick from three restaurants and two bars that showcase the best of the ocean’s delights and more. At Thari, the culinary worlds of the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia converge at the beach’s edge, with The Firepit inviting you and your dining companion to savour exquisite Asian and Mediterranean bites to the soundtrack of the sea and the crackling of fire. For a journey through Nikkei cuisine, make a reservation at Yuzu, where piquant ceviche dishes are served alongside incredible ocean views. For drinks, take your pick between Yapa Sunset Bar, where authentic Japanese sake and Peruvian-inspired cocktails take centre stage or Long Bar, a tribute to the original Raffles Long Bar at Raffles Singapore that invites you to sip on beverages and watch the Maldivian sunset.
Blessed with a stunning selection of marine life, the property’s surrounding waters are a diver’s paradise. There’s a super-sized coral reef teeming with life, more than 20 dive sites and complimentary tours with a marine biologist. If you prefer to stay dry, why not try your hand at fishing, where your catch will then be prepared for dinner by the resort’s chefs? You can also showcase your culinary and cocktail-making skills with an array of classes under the auspices of the property’s chefs and mixologists. Or you can nurture your wellbeing with a relaxing treatment at blissful Raffles Spa.
Book the Island Escape package at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo for a minimum of four nights and you will be rewarded with roundtrip domestic flights and speedboat transfers for two. There’s also daily à la carte breakfast at Thari as well as complimentary use of snorkelling equipment and access to non-motorised sports.
