I can hardly believe I’m writing this from the Maldives! I never imagined I’d make it here, but when my friend spontaneously suggested booking a flight (who knew it’s only a 4.5-hour trip from Bangkok?), I couldn’t resist. Of course, if you’re going to experience the Maldives, you have to do it right. So here I am, with my friend, soaking in the beauty of the incredible Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort on our luxury trip to paradise.
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How did we get here?
A trip from Thailand to the Maldives seemed quick and easy, and I was beyond excited. With over 1100 coral islands, spread over 871 km and approx. 180 luxury hotels, my friend and I explored countless resorts and locations, before agreeing that, if you’re going to do the Maldives, you have to do it right. That led us to Raffles Maldives, a stunning retreat nestled far from the mainland and Malé airport. But was our luxury trip destination worth all the hassle? Because what started as a short journey originally, turned into a nearly 16-hour trip, beginning at 3:30 AM when I left my home in Phuket.
With unexpected delays in Malé and long wait times to reach the resort, as we had to take an additional one-hour flight and a 20 minute speedboat ride, we couldn’t help but wonder: was this dream trip really worth it? After all, it’s just another beach, isn’t it? And Phuket has plenty of those.
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Well, let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it. The moment we arrived at Raffles Maldives, we forgot all about the travel hassles. By the next day, when we finally saw where we had landed in daylight, we were completely in awe. Wow!
There is a quicker way to reach the resort, however a private seaplane wasn’t in our budget this time. Maybe next time?
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo
As for the stay in Raffles Maldives Resort? Words can’t describe the amazement and beauty of this island and the stunning luxury resort. Our luxury trip was a full success and from sunrise to sunset, we couldn’t stop taking photos.
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Activities at Raffles Maldives
From snorkelling and stand-up paddling to fishing and kayaking, there’s no shortage of activities at Raffles Maldives Resort. And while we skipped the pricey boat excursions, we did embark on a spontaneous fishing trip to catch our own dinner (which was absolutely delicious). We enjoyed stand-up paddling, and spent countless hours snorkelling. And trust me, that alone was more than enough to keep us happy.
I’ve never seen such an incredible underwater world. In the Raffles house reef, there is vibrant and colourful fish everywhere, making every swim feel like an adventure. How did these fish manage to be so bright and beautiful? There are so many colours, prints and patterns amongst them.
But it wasn’t just the small and colourful marine life that amazed me. In just three days, while snorkelling, I encountered turtles, massive stingrays, baby sharks, and even a grey reef shark. I freaked out when it came super close to me. I haven’t seen anything like this before. Egypt was quite similar but still not the same. Although I hadn’t been this mesmerised by marine life since then. The house reef at the Raffles Maldives is certainly another level. Incredible. And the fact that we could enjoy it from our villa, added to this already amazing experience.
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The rest of our stay here? Well, I’ll let the photos do the talking. There is a lot of them. Our short escape was certainly pure luxury. Sure, you can do the Maldives on a budget, but why not do it right? Life’s too short!
When it was time to leave, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. This trip to Raffles Maldives was a true pinch-me experience, filled with unforgettable moments. Adding to it wasn’t only the fact that I could experience it with my friend, but also the entire Raffles team. They were warm, welcoming and there to keep us happy. It made our stay even more special. And one thing is certain. I’ll be back! It is truly a beautiful part of the world. x
(post 211)
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