Raffles
Maldives Meradhoo

Raffles Maldives vs. Other Resorts

Where this resort sits across the dimensions that matter most when choosing a Maldives property.

Choose Your Villa

All 38 villas have a private pool. 22 beachfront on the main island (including the 1,250 sqm Halcyon Grand Estate, formerly the Raffles Royal Residence); 16 overwater on a separate island reached by a 2-minute boat hop. The 'Residence' tier from the Raffles era was renamed 'Retreat' under Halcyon; the Royal Residence is now the Grand Estate.

Prices shown are indicative low-season per night. See the season guide in the sidebar for how rates vary by time of year. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates.

3 Restaurants & 3 Bars

Three restaurants — Thari beachfront all-day, Yuzu Nikkei overwater, The Firepit beach BBQ — plus the Bell Bar named for the British archaeologist who mapped the Maldives' historic sites, Yapa sunset bar at Yuzu, and The Wine Room cellar with sommelier-led pairings.

Thari

International

All-day beachfront on the main island. Breakfast is the standout — pastry station, eggs benedict, made-to-order. Lunch and dinner serve a globally-inflected menu indoors or at open beachfront tables.

SettingBeachfront · Main island

Our tipSkip the buffet at breakfast and order the eggs benedict from the kitchen

All plansView menu

Yuzu

Nikkei

Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) fine dining over the lagoon on the Overwater Island, helmed by Peruvian Chef Anibal Torres. Sustainable seafood, raw bar, hot dishes and a sake pairing programme — the resort's signature dining experience.

SettingOverwater Island · Fine dining

Our tipBook first night and request the omakase with sake pairing

SupplementView menu

The Firepit

Open-Fire BBQ

Beachside BBQ on the main island — open-fire grill specialising in lobster, beef tenderloin and fresh-caught seafood. Tables carved into the sand. Operates select evenings (typically twice weekly, weather-dependent).

SettingBeachside · Sand tables

Our tipConfirm the night with your butler — Firepit doesn't run nightly

SupplementView menu

Bell Bar

Cocktails

Named for H.C.P. Bell, the British archaeologist who mapped the Maldives' Buddhist-era ruins and coral-stone mosques across three expeditions between 1879 and 1922. Shelves of rare spirits, signature cocktails themed around exploration. Occupies the same beachfront pavilion that was the Raffles-era Long Bar.

SettingBeachfront · Retro-glamour lounge

Our tipAsk the bartender for the explorer-themed signature — the program rotates seasonally

AI Drinks

Yapa

Cocktails

Pool bar on the Overwater Island next to Yuzu — sunset-facing, with a cocktail programme drawing on Japanese and South American spirits (sake, pisco, mezcal, tequila). Mixologist-led.

SettingOverwater Island · Sunset-facing

Our tipPisco sour before Yuzu — it's the natural opener for a Nikkei night

AI Drinks

The Wine Room

Wine Cellar

Private wine cellar carried over from the Raffles era under a tweaked name. Sommelier-led tasting flights and pairing dinners; 400+ labels including rare vintages. Head Sommelier Manuel Llamas (Spanish) continues to curate.

SettingMain island · Private tasting

Our tipBook a tasting on a rest day — it's a multi-hour commitment

Supplement

Dining Inclusions

Four standard plans through to a premium All-Inclusive that unlocks Yuzu's tasting menu, the Long Bar's full cocktail range, and Champagne by the glass. Children (2–11) are charged at 50% of the adult supplement on all plans.

All-Inclusive covers Champagne by the glass and the full Long Bar cocktail menu. Floating breakfast in the villa pool is complimentary once per stay in Overwater and Sunset Overwater Villas.

Your Days on the Island

Two-island geography opens unusual options — a private dhoni shuttles between the islands all day. Dedicated Marine Butlers (every guest) lead complimentary house-reef snorkels; the PADI centre runs channel dives to Gaafu Alifu's famously healthy southern reef system.

Family-Friendly Features

The Faru Kids Club runs marine-biology workshops, sand art, coconut painting and treasure hunts for ages 3–12. Children's Butler service handles in-villa needs alongside babysitting on request. Two-bedroom Beach Residence and Overwater Residence accommodate four; the Royal Residence sleeps six. Conde Nast 2023 ranked it among the Indian Ocean's top family resorts, and the resident turtle population on the house reef tends to be the trip highlight for kids.

House Reef & Underwater

Two house reefs (one off each island), part of the Huvadhoo Atoll system — among the healthiest reef systems in the country and one of the best-recovered from the 2016 bleaching event. Below-equator location means less tourist pressure, better coral condition than central atolls. ~25 hawksbill and green turtles call the reefs home; seasonal manta sightings Aug–Nov.

PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.

Transfer from Malé

Gaafu Alifu is ~400 km south of Malé — the standard route combines a Maldivian Airlines domestic flight to Kaadedhdhoo with a 15-minute speedboat. Trans Maldivian Airways added a direct seaplane in November 2023 for guests wanting a single transfer.

Resort island map — Raffles Maldives Meradhoo

Who This Resort is For

The artist formerly known as Raffles Meradhoo is the same physical resort with new branding — twin-island geometry, 38 villas, Yuzu's Nikkei tasting menu, the resident turtle population on two house reefs. The transition has been smooth: bookings honoured, staff retained, service tier intact. The trade-off is the loyalty switch (Accor → Marriott Bonvoy at ~112K points/night entry) and a thinner brand-recognition story while 'Halcyon' builds awareness — though the property is materially the same Raffles you might remember.

Raffles Maldives Meradhoo — FAQ