A remote five-star island in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, near the equator, with 36 large pool villas and retreats, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant over the lagoon and marine butlers.
The Halcyon Private Isles is on Meradhoo in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, close to the equator, about 90 minutes from Malé by seaplane; it was previously Raffles Maldives Meradhoo. It's a small, remote resort of large pool villas, with a marine biologist and marine butlers, a dive centre and water sports, dolphin cruises and trips to cross the equator, a sports complex with padel and tennis, the Faru Kids' Club, babysitting and a doctor on call. Meal plans run from breakfast to premium all inclusive.
Beach Pool Villas (220 m²) come on the oceanfront, the standard beach or the sunset side, and the two-bedroom Family Beach Pool Villas (260 m²) take a family of six. Over the water, the Overwater Pool Villas (230 m²) face the lagoon or the sunset, and the two-bedroom Overwater Retreats (300 m²) face the horizon or the sunset. The Halcyon Grand Estate (1,250 m²) has three bedrooms, a long pool, a kitchen and a big outdoor dining deck.
Thari, named after the Dhivehi word for star, is the all-day restaurant, serving Asian and Mediterranean dishes with a Maldivian touch. The Firepit cooks over flame under the stars, and Yuzu serves Peruvian-Japanese food over the lagoon, from ceviche to sashimi. Yapa, next door, is the overwater sunset bar for saké, pisco and mezcal cocktails with tapas, and the Bell Bar, named after the explorer H. C. P. Bell, pours rare vintages on the beachfront. The Halcyon Spa sits over the lagoon, with massage, body and facial treatments, sunrise yoga and sunset meditation.
This profile comes from travel agencies, because the resort's own website couldn't be checked. It's remote, 90 minutes by seaplane; the star rating comes from one agency's badge, and the price is only Adore Maldives' 'price from' figure, so treat it as a rough guide.
One of 11 beach villas on the oceanfront, the standard beach or the sunset side, with a private pool, an oversized bathtub, indoor and outdoor showers, a personal bar and a Halcyon Butler. Two adults and two children, or three adults.
One of eight two-bedroom beach villas, some on the oceanfront, each bedroom with its own bathroom, a private pool, a big sun deck and an oversized bathtub in the main bathroom. Four adults and two children, or two adults and four children.
One of 14 overwater villas facing the lagoon or the sunset, with an infinity pool, an overwater hammock, direct lagoon access for snorkelling and Halcyon and Marine Butlers. Two adults and two children, or three adults.
One of two two-bedroom overwater retreats, facing the horizon or the sunset, with en-suite bedrooms, an infinity pool, an overwater hammock and direct lagoon access. Four adults and two children, or two adults and four children.
The largest villa, a modern manor by the sea with three bedrooms, a playroom that can become a fourth, a rooftop terrace, a 40-metre infinity pool, a ten-seat dining table and a butler's kitchen. Six adults and two children, or four adults and four children.
The same resort and the same villa, booked through people who live here.
Request a free quoteAll-day Asian and Mediterranean dishes with a Maldivian touch; breakfast 7–11am, lunch 12.30–3pm, dinner 7–10.30pm
Asian and Mediterranean dishes cooked over fire; dinner 7–10.30pm
Peruvian-Japanese: ceviches, sashimi and Nikkei dishes; breakfast and dinner
Saké, pisco and mezcal cocktails with tapas; 6.30–10.30pm
Rare vintages and cocktails inspired by the explorer H. C. P. Bell, with a light menu; 10am until late
Sandbank breakfasts and lunches and sunken dinners on the beach
Massage, body and facial treatments, couples relaxation, sunrise yoga and sunset meditation, plus a fitness studio
The kids' club, with babysitting
A dive centre, a marine biologist and marine butlers, water sports, dolphin cruises and a journey to the equator
The shape comes from OpenStreetMap, simplified: a guide to the layout, not a survey. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
About 90 minutes from Malé by seaplane.
Dates, budget, who is coming. We will come back with three resorts that fit, and why.
All-inclusive
