So, you’re looking at Meeru Island Resort Spa. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than five minutes on TripAdvisor or Instagram looking at the Maldives, you’ve seen the photos. Those impossibly blue lagoons. The overwater villas that look like they’re floating on glass. But here’s the thing about Meeru: it’s massive. In a country where many resorts occupy tiny specks of sand you can walk across in four minutes, Meeru occupies the entire island of Meerufenfushi. It’s about 1,200 meters long. That changes the vibe completely.
You aren't just stuck on a sandbar.
Most people heading to the Maldives for the first time are terrified of two things: being bored and being broke. Meeru targets both of those fears directly. It’s one of the older, more established resorts in the North Male Atoll, and because it’s been around since the late 70s, they’ve figured out the logistics that newer, flashier resorts sometimes stumble over. It isn't the place for celebrities hiding from paparazzi, but it’s definitely the place for people who want a reliable, high-quality "no shoes, no news" experience without needing a second mortgage.
The Reality of the Speedboat Transfer
Let’s talk about getting there. Meeru Island Resort Spa is roughly 45 kilometers from Velana International Airport. You aren't taking a seaplane. While seaplanes are iconic, they’re also expensive—often adding $500 or more per person to your bill—and they don’t fly at night. Meeru uses speedboats.
It takes about 55 minutes.
If the Indian Ocean is feeling moody, that hour can be a bit of a kidney-shaker. If it’s calm, it’s a beautiful introductory cruise. The upside is huge, though. Since they run their own boats, you aren’t waiting hours for a flight schedule. You land, you find the Meeru counter, and you’re usually on the water pretty fast. It’s efficient. It's practical. It’s very "Meeru."
Why the Island Size Actually Matters
On a small island, you see the same twelve people every day at the buffet. At Meeru, the scale allows for a weirdly successful "split personality" design. The northern end of the island is basically the adults-only zone. The southern end is where the families gravitate.
This isn't just a suggestion; it’s baked into the infrastructure. There are two separate buffet restaurants—Farivalhu for those in the middle/south and Maalan for the adults in the north. This prevents that "spring break" feeling from ruining a honeymoon, while also ensuring parents don’t feel like they have to whisper during dinner.
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The island is lush. Because it’s an older resort, the vegetation has had decades to fill in. You’re walking through actual tropical forest, not just some newly planted palms struggling in the salt air. You can rent a bike. You should rent a bike. Pedaling through the interior of the island under a canopy of green is one of those small joys that people forget to mention when they're busy talking about the beach.
The Room Situation: Water Villa vs. Beach Villa
Everyone wants the overwater villa. I get it. At Meeru Island Resort Spa, the Jacuzzi Water Villas are the top tier. They sit on stilts over the lagoon, and you have your own private staircase into the water. It’s the dream.
But here is a pro tip: don’t sleep on the Jacuzzi Beach Villas.
Many frequent guests actually prefer them. Why? Because you get your own private strip of sand and a walled-in outdoor bathroom with a hot tub. There is something incredibly grounding about stepping off your porch directly onto the sand rather than wood planks. Plus, the Beach Villas are often tucked under the trees, providing natural shade that the exposed water villas just don't have.
The "Garden Rooms" are the entry-level option. They’re perfectly fine—clean, air-conditioned, and comfortable—but they are located inland. You’ll save money, sure, but you lose that "I’m living on the ocean" feeling. If you’re on a budget, use the Garden Room and spend the savings on excursions. Otherwise, spring for the beach.
The All-Inclusive "Plus" Plan: Is it a Scam?
In the Maldives, food and drink prices can be predatory. A "cheap" burger at a luxury resort can easily hit $40 after you add the 10% service charge and 16% GST (Green Tax). This is why Meeru’s All-Inclusive Plus (AIP) plan is basically the default choice for 90% of guests.
It isn't just about three meals a day.
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The AIP at Meeru includes:
- Unlimited "all you can drink" alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (from a specific list, but it’s a long list).
- The minibar is refilled daily.
- A sunset cruise (the one where you usually see dolphins).
- Snorkeling lessons and windsurfing lessons.
- Use of the fitness center, tennis courts, and kayaks.
Is the food good? It’s a buffet. Buffets can be hit or miss, but Meeru’s is consistently rated as one of the best in its price bracket. They do themed nights—Maldivian night is usually the standout—and there’s a massive variety of live cooking stations. If you’re a foodie who needs Michelin-star plating, you might find it repetitive after day five. In that case, you head to the à la carte spots like Asian Wok or Hot Rock. Hot Rock is fun—they bring out stones heated to 300 degrees and you sear your own seafood or steak right at the table. Just watch your fingers.
What People Get Wrong About the Snorkeling
This is important. Meeru has a massive, beautiful turquoise lagoon. It is perfect for swimming. It is perfect for kayaking. It is not a "house reef" island.
Some Maldivian islands have a reef just ten feet from the shore. At Meeru, the reef is further out. You can’t just walk in and see a sea turtle immediately. However, the resort solves this by offering free snorkeling boat trips to the nearby house reef twice a day. You just sign up and hop on the boat.
If you want to see the "big stuff," you have to go a bit further. The resort organizes excursions for manta rays and whale sharks depending on the season. If you’re there between May and November, your chances of seeing mantas are much higher. Honestly, even if you just stay in the lagoon, you’ll see baby reef sharks patrolling the shoreline and rays gliding by. They’re harmless. They’re basically the pigeons of the Maldives, just way more majestic.
The Vibe and the People
The staff at Meeru often stay for years, which is rare in the high-turnover world of hospitality. There’s a sense of pride there. It’s not "stiff" luxury. Nobody is going to judge you if you walk to the bar barefoot—in fact, that’s the point. Most of the resort has sand floors. The reception? Sand. The bars? Sand.
It’s an environment that forces you to decompress.
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One thing that surprises people is the social aspect. Because the island is large and has multiple bars (like the Dhoni Bar or the Kakuni Bar), there is actually a bit of a nightlife. Not "Vegas" nightlife, but live bands, DJ nights, and crab racing. Yes, crab racing is a legitimate sport here, and people get surprisingly competitive about it.
Practical Realities and Nuance
Let’s be real for a second. Meeru is a 4-star-plus resort. It is not Soneva Jani. It is not the Ritz-Carlton. You won’t have a 24-hour dedicated butler who anticipates your every whim before you even think of it.
You will, however, have a room boy who does incredible towel art and a waiter who remembers your drink order by the second day. The luxury here is found in the space, the greenery, and the fact that you aren't being nickeled and dimed for every bottle of water if you're on the AIP plan.
The Wi-Fi works. It’s surprisingly decent for the middle of the ocean, but don’t expect to stream 4K video during a tropical rainstorm. Also, the Maldives is a Muslim country. While resorts have different rules regarding alcohol and swimwear, you should be respectful when passing through the airport or visiting local islands. Don't bring your own booze—it’ll be confiscated at customs (they’ll give it back when you leave).
Actionable Steps for Your Meeru Trip
If you're actually planning to pull the trigger on a booking, here is how to do it right:
- Time your booking for the shoulder season. Late April or October/November often sees a massive drop in price but still offers great weather, despite being the transition periods for the monsoons.
- Request a room on the sunset side. If you’re booking a Beach Villa, specify that you’d prefer the sunset side of the island. The views are objectively better, and the breeze is often more pleasant.
- Pack your own snorkeling gear. While you can rent it, having your own mask that actually fits your face makes those boat trips a lot more enjoyable.
- Download the Meeru App. They actually have a functional app where you can book spa treatments (Duniye Spa is excellent, by the way) and excursions before you even arrive.
- Don't overpack shoes. You genuinely won't wear them. Bring a pair of flip-flops for the jetty (it gets hot!) and that’s it.
The biggest mistake people make at Meeru Island Resort Spa is trying to do too much. The island is designed for a slow pace. Spend a morning at the golf range (yes, they have a small pitch and putt), an afternoon at the spa, and an evening watching the sunset at the overwater bar. That’s the "Meeru way." It’s predictable in the best way possible. In a world of travel uncertainty, there’s a huge value in a place that consistently delivers exactly what it says on the tin. No more, no less. Just a massive, green island surrounded by some of the best water on the planet.