Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, and Singaporean developer Chiu Teng Enterprises opened Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa this week.

The 141-villa resort, located on Thilamaafushi island at the southern tip of the Lhaviyani Atoll, is a 35-minute seaplane transfer from Velana (MLE) International Airport Malé.

Spanning nine hectares, Thilamaafushi is defined as an “island surrounded by vast lagoon” in Dhivehi, the local parlance of the Maldives. The natural island is an eco-conscious haven abundant with indigenous flora and fauna, enveloped by a shimmering lagoon and coral reefs bursting with vibrant marine life, including pods of Manta Rays and turtles.

The opening of Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa marks the second Marriott International property that opened in the Maldives this summer and the seventh brand entry in the destination.

The resort presents 141 villas, a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units. In addition, it offers six restaurants and bars with the signature restaurant Tabemasu featuring a lively teppanyaki counter and a private open-air pavilion where guests can enjoy an expertly prepared Omakase tasting menu. The resort’s adults-only bar, Riviera, is framed by an oceanfront infinity pool and private beach.

The Marine Hub at the resort offers a range of conservation programmes, including mangrove and seagrass protection and turtle identification and snorkelling with the marine biologist, with the opportunity for guests to name a turtle for themselves. Curious guests can discover an aquatic playground at the resort’s house reef that features four dive sites and a ‘thila’ (sea mountain), all brimming with green and hawksbills turtles, various stingrays and shoals of colourful fish.

Unique to Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa is Thilamaafushi Marine Master’s, a specially designed programme that inspires young adventurers to connect with the environment around them in the hope of future preservation. The immersive programme is available in bite-size modules or a full curriculum that is scalable from young children to teens. Led by the resort’s marine biologist, topics include atoll topography, coral identification and health monitoring, turtle identification and young adult’s ray and shark protection.

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa named Nilesh Singh as the general manager.