Honest review
If you want a brand-new island on all-inclusive, Meyyafushi in Lhaviyani Atoll should be one of the first you look at: 95 villas with pools, Premium All-Inclusive with round-the-clock dining, and a 35-minute seaplane flight from Velana airport.
A few tips from our visit. Choose the Two Bedroom Water Villa with Slide with its position in mind: the slides sit over different depths, and not every villa has enough water beneath it — we will help you pick. The terrace there is enormous: a pool, two pavilions, and the glass floors in the bathroom keep children watching fish for hours. The minibar is not part of the package even on all-inclusive — only tea, coffee and water are complimentary.
The house reef is far from shore — snorkelling is by boat, twice a day at 10:00 and 14:00. There is plenty to do instead: a padel court on the water, the only one in the Maldives, a tennis court lit until midnight, a 24-hour gym with ocean panoramas, a bowling lane at 80 dollars a game for two — book ahead. The kids’ club is free for ages 4 to 12; under-fours are minded for an extra charge.
The resort opened recently: the greenery along the perimeter has not taken root yet, the paths are still loose, and the bicycles stand idle for now. We have seen how quickly new islands grow over — in a year or two the picture will change, and meanwhile you get the freshest rooms and fine beaches on a beautiful lagoon. Suited to families and active couples who value newness over jungle.
First-hand experience of the Maldives Expert team — we have been here ourselves
Video review
