Meeru Island Resort and Spa — Attraction in Malé Atoll

I nearly drowned here - beware! Positives: Meeru resort facilities are superb. Food, drink, rooms, cabins, water villas are all very nice. The staff are  exceptionally friendly and amiable. The resort is green and well maintained. Quraysh, Waheed, Amir and the serving ladies at the Hot Rock and Farivalhu restaurants are just a few of the very nice staff that we met.

However, we want to warn everyone visiting Meeru that safety is not the resort's top priority, judging by what actually happened when we were there .

There are no flags around the resort beaches to warn tourists about dangerous areas at particular times as they do in other countries.

There are also no areas sectioned off by bouys as safe areas for swimming. There is a line of bouys in the North of the island, but it is not obvious as to why it is there. It took us some time to understand that they are there to stop swimmers drifting out into the Indian Ocean!

I have snorkelled in many countries. Unfortunately, when I tried to do the same on Meeru island, I nearly drowned. There were no big waves, but once I went into the water in the North West of the island, currents took me out, and I couldn't get back in. I called out for help. My wife ran to get the lifeguard. The lifeguard, who was a very slight man,  did not deploy any equipment, or swim out to help me. I would not  wish blame him.  So far as I am aware, he was doing what he was told to do. He seemed like a very nice person.

Fortunately, three very kind and brave tourists came to my rescue after my wife alerted them in desperation.  As all this happened, hotel staff stood and watched.

If you go to Meeru, please be extremely careful. The currents are invisible and deadly. In January 2019, following many drownings, the Maldives minister for tourism said there would be "revolutionary" improvements at resorts including the introduction of safe areas. This clearly did not happen at Meeru.

The Resort could have sent out their jet-ski to save my life but they didn't. They did not use the lightweight rescue boat, or rings, or plastic floats. The resort staff stood and watched me struggle.

There are signs around the resort saying there are strong currents but without flags which change colour and position according to weather conditions during each day, it's impossible to know when and where one should bathe safely. For example, on the attached map, there are areas where wave symbols indicate areas with dangerous currents. But right next to them you will see snorkeling symbols or stairs coming down from water villas for swimming! It's all down to visitors to work out what's safe, when, and what is potentially deadly.

Incidentally, my accident happened a couple of days after the full moon when there are (as I now know) tidal currents. Ordinary tourists will not know any of this. The Resort needs to alert people because they do  know when a particular part of the beach is dangerous at a particular time on a particular day.

A couple of managers did come and talk to me to assure themselves that I was ok after I was saved by fellow tourists. This was too little, too late..

Finally, there is a related issue, which I find quite shocking. When visitors  first check in, many after a long journey, alongside normal forms, they are asked to sign a declaration to the effect that they will have no right to sue the resort for any accidents during water activities and excursions, irrespective of who might be responsible for such accidents. Although we were prompted several times to sign this, we declined. We have never come across a declaration with such draconian terms before.

Photos:

Official map showing currents next to snorkeling areas and water villas with stairs to the sea.

Rescue boat near lifeguard. Not used during the emergency

Emergency ring holder: no ring

Notice about dangerous currents but no no-swimming notice. A red flag needed on dangerous days.

*Torn red flag - no visitor knew what purpose this was supposed to serve

This is a Resort where a terrible accident is...

Meeru Island resort and spa - awesome, amazing and fantastic..... It was my shortest trip. I just had 2 days. I booked an early morning arrival flight so that I could check in early and make use of the amenities. I had requested for early check in and late check out but of course I knew that it is not guaranteed.

Flight reached at 7.30hrs and we were out after the immigration by 8.15hrs. Immigration procedure was very quick and easy. Meeru resort is a part of  Crown and champ resorts. When we arrive, it was advised to approach booth # 59 for the speed boat transfer. There are many booths for the resorts of Maldives but they are all numbered. So, It was very easy to find the booth.

Booth was under the name of crown and champ resorts. There were 2 staffs stationed to receive the passengers. They had a list with the names of the passengers arriving for the day. The first transfer to meeru was at 9am. They noted our names and requested us to wait at the waiting area. It's a shared transfer. So, they were expecting more passengers. By 8.45hrs, everybody arrived and the boat was ready and we left by 9am. We were given life jackets to wear. The speed boat can accommodate 50 people including the staff. We were only few (may be 10 of us). It took exactly 55 minutes to reach the resort.

On arrival we were guided by a lady staff to the reception for check in. We were welcomed by a group of smiling staff playing the drum. Check in was very quick and I got the early check in as the villa was available . They served welcome drink and staff briefed us about the hotel ie; the restaurant where we can eat and the extra activities that are available at the resort.

I had booked the beach villa all inclusive plus package which included all meals ie, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks, also few trips like snorkeling tour, sunset cruise and the water sports.

I got a very beautiful beach villa with a fence of plants and coconut trees. Villa was facing the beach. They had a fruit plate at the entrance. Very comfortable room with all facilities. The bathroom is half open on top. One dedicated staff was allocated for each villa for room service.

They have 3 large restaurants and 3 bars. 2 restaurants are buffet restaurants one each on the opposite corners of the island and 1 Ala carte restaurant - Asia wok restaurant with the Asian theme. I was advised to have food at farivalhu restaurant which was close to my villa and I had a dedicated table and waiter service assigned at the restaurant until I check out. They wrote my villa number on a piece of paper and kept on the table so that nobody else will sit on that particular table. They have a big buffet with salads, sauces, live grill, live pasta section, noodles, egg of your choice for breakfast, main course, also Indian vegetarian food, Indian parathas, chapathis, juices and dessert. For dinner they have 2 choices of ice cream as well. If you miss to have your food, you can have snack from the bar like sandwiches, crispy fries etc which is all included in the all inclusive package.

They have 2 big swimming pools. 1 is adult only and the other for families.

They have 2 spa located on 2 sections. 1 is on the water and the other on the land. The prices for both spas are the same. You need to take prior appointment before going. Spa on the land is facing the garden. Spa on water is facing the ocean and you see water underneath because of the glass floor.

They have sports activities like golf, tennis court, cricket ground, football ground, chess, table tennis and billiards .

In the evening they had a party in the bar close to reception area which lasted until late night. It was called as Meeru glow party. Every body was given a fluorescent glowing plastic accessories to wear. Some were wearing glowing goggles, some chains and some crown. All the guests were at the party and had really good fun.

Overall it was a fantastic trip for me. Thanks to all the staff of meeru for their excellent service. Keep up...

Meeru Resort, Maldives. October 2017

Consisting of 26 Atolls, researching and deciding on somewhere to stay in the Maldives is not for the faint-hearted. However, with guidance and recommendations made by Fiona Moonan of Half Moon Travel, we were in good hands and the result was we couldn’t have been happier with our final choice of the Meeru Resort.

A launch boat transfer from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport is a 55 minute ride and as transfers go, it’s really enjoyable.

We were staying in one of the Jacuzzi Water Villas available at the resort, beach based villas are also available. Seeing pictures of a Water Villa is one thing but experiencing one is something else. The villas stretch way out into the lagoon from the beach, each villa itself jutting out from a wooden walkway. Our villa was beautifully decorated and furnished with a really well balanced fusion of rustic authenticity with modern comfort. The bathroom was open to a private screened deck, featuring a Jacuzzi tub. This meant you could shower or bathe in the evening looking up at the moon and the stars which was a really lovely experience. From the large very comfortable bed in the main room, you faced glass doors which opened onto another decked area with a couple of sun-loungers, a table with chairs and your own steps down to the lagoon. The views from this deck were fantastic, both for the distance but also for looking straight down into the water to watch the various fish swimming about. This included large Manta rays, Puffer fish and occasionally very small sharks, which were nothing to be concerned about. Storage for clothing was ample and Wifi is provided for each villa. We really couldn’t have need anything more providing.

As an All-inclusive resort, there are A-la Carte dining options but most people eat in the main self-serve buffet restaurant. Here again, you couldn’t ask for more choice. There was always a good balance of menu variety each day with some things always available. When we arrived to the restaurant for the first time we were shown to a table which was ours for the duration of the stay. We were also introduced to our own waiter who worked very hard to ensure we wanted for nothing, ensuring we had plenty of water but also replenishing our wine or beer glasses. Our waiter, Shifag, was very quick to remember each of our preferences and meal times were something we really looked forward to as much for the chats with Shifag as much as the dining itself.

Although we were on an Island, there was plenty to do. Equally, it was very easy to do absolutely nothing and enjoy completely letting go of the world we’d left behind. Various swimming pools, entertainment, beach bars, walks, snorkeling water or sport activities, it was there if you wanted it. Although Meeru Resort is an absolutely beautiful location, what put the whole experience way above our expectations was the staff. The staff living and social areas were not hidden away. As you walk through the resort and the Island you can see staff relaxing when not on duty. We considered this as a very positive feature. It was evident how well staff are provided for and valued. We were also so pleased to hear from Shifag the way staff are supported in terms of covering travel costs for those working away from family as well as covering the cost of further education opportunities. At every point you were met with greetings and sincere smiles. At the time of our trip there were approximately 600 people staying at the Meeru Resort with 700 staff. That’s an impressive ratio!

Apart from our waiter Shifag, another outstanding member of staff was Nella, who worked at the Pavilion Bar located on the beach by our villa. She was charming, sweet, funny and made wonderful cocktails! Spending time at the Pavilion Bar in the company of Nella was like spending time with a cherished neighbour and always the perfect end...