An Endless Summer

The brand new Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa puts a refreshing European spin on the luxuries of the gorgeous archipelago.

LOCATED ON Thilamaafushi island, in Lhaviyani atoll, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa marks the entry of a Parisborn hospitality icon in the archipelago. A 35-minute seaplane flight from Malé, the resort flaunts design inspired by the mid-century aesthetic and harks back to the era of glamorous travel.

Spread over 22 acres of the island surrounded by a shimmering lagoon, the resort offers accommodation in 141 picturesque villas and a host of experiences that let you soak up the Maldives’ rich nature, art, and culture. Weekly culinary events include idyllic golden hour experiences; think rosé cocktails, handcrafted gelato and sorbet at Le Scoop by Le Méridien, and European small plates with live music on the beach. Romantic dinners with a side of memorable sunsets are a daily affair at Tabemasu, the Japanese restaurant that offers an omakase menu and al fresco seating. If you’re hands-on with your food, you can forage the resort’s greenhouse for ingredients, take a cooking class, and whip up an organic meal.

Families can bond over activities like coral restoration, fishing, dolphin watching, private island explorations, etc. At the Le Méridien Family Kids’ Hub, the young and young-at-heart get to learn about the rich flora and fauna of the archipelago, while guided nature walks demonstrate the island’s commitment to nature conservation.

The resort’s house reef offers four diving and snorkelling sites, and a thila (sea mountain) where you can spot green and hawksbill turtles, various stingrays, shoals of colourful fish, and other marine life. The diving programmes offered by the resort range from children’s courses and beginners’ dives to night dives for certified divers. For more exclusivity, there’s Bodu Finolhu, a private island where you can choose from a variety of experiences, including a beachside picnic, sunset by the sea, and stargazing—and even enjoy the services of a professional photographer, who can capture your precious holiday moments. Starts from `71,953 per night (for three nights or more) in a Sunrise Overwater Villa—inclusive of daily meals served beachside at Turquoise or poolside at Velaa Bar + Grill and return transfers for two guests; lemeridien-maldives.com

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WITH TWO EXTRAVAGANT resorts perched in the turquoise waters of the Maldives, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, THE OZEN COLLECTION promises a relaxing getaway. For a holistic experience, it has introduced wellness experiences under a new spa brand called ELE|NA (acronym for Elements of Nature). True to its name, the brand draws inspiration from the energies of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

ELE|NA offers immersive spa rituals, therapies, and wellness journeys. The therapies are a fusion of local traditions and healing practices from around the world, and every treatment uses natural products. A team of passionate, highly skilled, and multinational therapists helps you attain inner balance and peace that lasts beyond the spa experiences. From naturopathic consultations and treatment plans to daily yoga and wellness workshops, wellness journeys at THE OZEN COLLECTION are truly bespoke. While the director of spa, Elise Rimbaud, guides you throughout your stay, a range of resident practitioners as well as visiting wellness experts address your health concerns. Moreover, a plant-based cuisine makes sure you’re well nourished. theozencollection.com

From top: The two-bedroom overwater villas at Le Méridien Resort & Spa; Riviera offers the best of seafood with a view; all guests arrive and depart from Le Méridien Hub.

ELE|NA draws from the natural elements of wind, water, fire, earth, and wood. Left: The spa features six over-water treatment rooms with glass floors.