Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is an ultra-luxury five-star resort located in Gaafu Alifu Atoll in the south of the Maldives. This resort is built across two private islands. One island is used for accommodation purposes, and the other is reserved exclusively for overwater accommodations. This Raffles resort offers 38 luxurious villas and residences. This is one of the most exclusive and secluded resorts in the Maldives.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo resort is located about 55 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport in Male. This resort is managed by Raffles Hotels & Resorts. This resort is ideal for couples and honeymooners.
• Location: Meradhoo Island, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Southern Maldives
• Transfer: ~55-minute seaplane from Velana International Airport (MLE)
• Total Villas: 38 across two private islands
• Island Layout: Main Island (22 villas) + Overwater Island (16 villas)
• Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, Full Board options available
• Restaurants: 3 restaurants + 2 bars
• Spa: Raffles Spa (overwater)
• Butler Service: Included for all villa categories
• Best For: Couples, honeymooners, adults seeking exclusivity
• Check-in / Check-out: 2:00 PM / 12:00 PM
One of the defining characteristics of Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is its dual-island layout. Guests are accommodated across two separate islands — the main island and the overwater island — connected by boat transfers. This structure allows for greater privacy, a smaller overall villa count, and a more exclusive atmosphere compared to single-island resorts.
The main island is home to 22 villas, including Beach Villas, Deluxe Beach Villas, and Raffles Residences. It also houses the resort's primary facilities: the main swimming pool, the Raffles Spa (overwater), The Thari restaurant, The Firepit restaurant, and the Long Bar. The island features a natural white sand beach and dense tropical vegetation.
The overwater island consists of 16 overwater villas, oriented to capture either sunrise (east-facing) or sunset (west-facing) views. It is also home to Yuzu, the resort's Nikkei-themed restaurant, and Yapa Bar. The overwater island is accessible exclusively by boat transfer from the main island, adding an additional layer of seclusion for guests staying on this island.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo offers 38 villas and residences across five categories. All villas include dedicated butler service, a private outdoor space or deck, air conditioning, premium bathroom amenities, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The resort positions itself firmly in the ultra-luxury segment, and villa sizes and amenities reflect this positioning.
Entry-level beachfront villas on the main island with direct access to the private beach. Each villa features a furnished outdoor terrace, rain shower, bathtub, and all Raffles standard amenities. Butler service included.
Larger beachfront villas with expanded living areas and a private plunge pool. Positioned on the beach with unobstructed lagoon views and upgraded interior appointments.
The resort's largest and most exclusive beach accommodation. The Raffles Residences offer multi-room layouts with private pool, dedicated garden, and enhanced butler service — suitable for guests seeking maximum privacy and space on the beach.
16 overwater villas positioned on the overwater island, available in sunrise (east-facing) and sunset (west-facing) orientations. Each villa features a private deck with direct lagoon access, glass floor panel, outdoor bathtub, and direct steps into the Indian Ocean.
Premium overwater villas with a private infinity pool on the deck, in addition to direct lagoon access. The most sought-after accommodation option at the resort for couples and honeymooners.
The resort operates three restaurants and two bars, each with a distinct concept. The Nikkei-themed Yuzu restaurant is the property's signature dining venue and one of the most distinctive restaurant concepts among Maldives resorts.
Yuzu is Raffles Maldives Meradhoo's signature restaurant and its most distinctive dining offering. It serves Nikkei cuisine — a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions — with views over the Indian Ocean from the overwater island. The menu includes sushi, ceviche, tiraditos, and Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes. Yuzu operates for dinner and is accessible to both overwater island guests and main island guests by boat transfer.
Thari is the resort's main all-day dining restaurant, located on the main island. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a broad international menu. Breakfast at Thari includes both buffet and a la carte options. The restaurant also hosts themed dinner evenings throughout the week.
The Firepit is an open-air beachside grill restaurant operating in the evenings. It specialises in grilled meats and seafood cooked over open fire and charcoal. The beachfront setting with fire torches makes it a popular choice for atmospheric evening dining.
A Raffles signature venue, the Long Bar is a reference to the original Long Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore. At Raffles Maldives, it is a relaxed cocktail bar offering the resort's own interpretation of the Singapore Sling alongside other classic and signature cocktails. Open for evening drinks and sundowner service.
Yapa is the overwater island's bar, adjacent to the Yuzu restaurant. It serves cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages with panoramic lagoon views. Primarily used as a pre-dinner drinks venue for guests dining at Yuzu.
The Raffles Spa is an overwater facility on the main island offering treatment rooms with direct views of the lagoon and Indian Ocean. Treatment options include Raffles signature massages, Ayurvedic therapies, body scrubs, facial treatments, and couples' packages. The spa also includes a relaxation lounge, sauna, and steam room. Spa treatments are available as add-ons regardless of the meal plan selected.
The resort's location in Gaafu Alifu Atoll provides access to some of the Maldives' more remote and less-visited marine environments. The house reef off Meradhoo Island is known for strong coral health and consistent marine life sightings.
Complimentary activities:
• Snorkelling on the house reef
• Non-motorised water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding)
• Daily yoga sessions
• Fitness centre access
• Guided island walks
• Sunset cruises (selected)
Available at additional cost:
• Scuba diving (PADI certified dive centre on site)
• Manta ray and whale shark excursions
• Deep-sea fishing
• Dolphin watching cruises
• Private island picnics
• Cooking classes
• Motorised water sports
Note on diving: Gaafu Alifu Atoll is one of the Maldives' premier diving destinations, with reliable sightings of manta rays, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, and reef sharks. The resort's remoteness means dive sites are typically less crowded than those in the more popular North and South Male Atolls.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is one of the more remote luxury resorts in the Maldives. Transfer is by seaplane from Velana International Airport (MLE) in Male, with a flight time of approximately 55 minutes. Seaplanes operate during daylight hours only; guests arriving on late-night flights will need to stay overnight in Male before proceeding to the resort the following morning.
The resort arranges seaplane transfers for all guests. The nearest international air connections to Male are via Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Colombo (SriLankan Airlines), and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines).
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is positioned in the ultra-luxury segment and is best suited to:
• Couples & Honeymooners – The dual-island layout, overwater pool villas, butler service, and intimate scale (38 villas total) make this one of the Maldives' most romantic resort options
• Divers – Gaafu Alifu Atoll offers outstanding diving with remote, less-trafficked sites and reliable large marine life encounters
• Guests seeking seclusion – With only 38 villas and a location in the southern Maldives away from the more crowded central atolls, Meradhoo offers genuine exclusivity
• Culinary travellers – Yuzu's Nikkei cuisine is among the most distinctive restaurant concepts in the Maldives, appealing to guests interested in food as part of the travel experience
• Repeat Maldives visitors – The remote southern atoll location and dual-island concept offer something meaningfully different from the more conventional North Male Atoll resort experience
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is one of the Maldives' most exclusive resorts, combining a secluded southern atoll location, a distinctive dual-island layout, 38 villas with butler service throughout, and a strong dining programme anchored by the Nikkei-fusion Yuzu restaurant. It is best suited to couples, honeymooners, and experienced Maldives travellers seeking privacy, exceptional diving, and a resort experience that differs from the more mainstream options in the central atolls.
Recommended for: Couples, honeymooners, divers, and travellers seeking a secluded ultra-luxury experience in the southern Maldives.
Key differentiator: Dual private island layout, only 38 villas, Nikkei restaurant (Yuzu), butler service for all guests, and access to the remote Gaafu Alifu Atoll dive sites.
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