Review: Four Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru

After visiting Cheval Blanc Maldives Randheli and Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, we determined to take a look at one final property whereas within the Maldives — 4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru. 4 Seasons has fairly the presence within the Maldives, between the 2 foremost resorts (Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa), the non-public island (Non-public Island at Voavah), and the yacht (4 Seasons Explorer).

4 Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is a superb property. The resort has a non-public seaplane, villas have been lately renovated (and are beautiful), the meals & beverage shops have been glorious (particularly the seashore membership), and the service was pleasant. For those who’re a 4 Seasons loyalist, you’ll little doubt love this resort.

That being mentioned, the Maldives is a hyper-competitive luxurious resort market, and the competitors is absolutely sturdy. Independently that is an superior resort, however it’s not fairly to the extent of Cheval Blanc, for instance.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru fundamentals

The 4 Seasons Landaa Giraavaru has 103 lodging, together with each overwater and seashore villas. The resort is positioned within the the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, so it’s common with snorkelers and divers.

The 4 Seasons initially opened in 2006, however was largely renovated in 2015. Some renovations are nonetheless ongoing — all of the water villas have been renovated, whereas this 12 months renovations are being completed up for the seashore villas. The 4 Seasons has 4 eating places, two shared swimming pools, a spa, a health club, and a tennis courtroom.

For context, beneath is a map that offers you a way of the structure of the resort.

The right way to ebook the 4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru

For our dates in April, the nightly fee for a base room on the 4 Seasons Landaa Giraavaru began at ~$2,500. Clearly the pandemic has drastically impacted pricing at luxurious resorts, so charges are everywhere. Within the off season this resort is cheaper, and there are additionally some promotions that may doubtlessly decrease the speed. The pricing is in step with what different prime properties within the Maldives are charging.

One of the simplest ways to ebook any 4 Seasons resort is thru a journey advisor affiliated with the 4 Seasons Most popular Associate program. When reserving by way of Most popular Associate you pay the identical fee you’ll discover immediately on 4 Seasons’ web site, however you’ll obtain further perks, together with the next:

• A room improve, topic to availability
• Complimentary day by day breakfast
• A resort credit score to make use of throughout your keep

4 Seasons Most popular Associate is usually combinable with promotions being supplied immediately by way of 4 Seasons, together with advance buy charges, free evening provides, and extra. Be aware that reserving 4 Seasons properties by way of Most popular Associate is healthier than reserving by way of applications like Amex Wonderful Motels & Resorts. Why?

• With Most popular Associate you could have the choice of room service breakfast instead of restaurant breakfast
• Upgrades are prioritized for Most popular Associate bookings, provided that it’s 4 Seasons’ personal proprietary program (and the worth of an improve will be important)
• You’ll be able to mix Most popular Associate perks with just about any fee on 4 Seasons’ web site (different applications don’t will let you stack promotions in the identical approach)

You’ll be able to’t beat getting all of those further perks only for reserving by way of an eligible journey advisor. Ford is pleased to assist anybody ebook 4 Seasons properties by way of Most popular Associate, and will be reached at [email protected] He and his workforce don’t cost any reserving charges for 4 Seasons properties.

Full disclosure — Ford received a journey agent fee for our keep. As all the time, all opinions expressed are my very own.

The right way to get to 4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru is positioned within the Baa Atoll, roughly a 30 minute seaplane trip north of Velana Worldwide Airport (MLE) and the capital metropolis of Male.

You will have a alternative of seaplanes, as you possibly can both fly with Trans Maldivian on a “commonplace” shared 15-seat Twin Otter, which could cease at different resorts. Alternatively, 4 Seasons has its personal specifically branded Twin Otter, which continues to be operated by Trans Maldivian Airways. This has solely eight seats, so it’s considerably extra comfy.

Right here’s the present seaplane pricing, which is after all topic to vary:

• Flying the 4 Seasons seaplane prices $710-960++ per particular person one-way, relying on the season
• Flying the “common” Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane prices $360-410++ per particular person one-way, relying on the season

The premium for flying the 4 Seasons aircraft is smart when you think about that the aircraft carries solely a bit greater than half as many individuals. Additionally word that many charges on the 4 Seasons embody transfers, and in lots of instances that’s a considerably higher worth. In order that’s one thing to be looking out for, and it’s additionally one thing your journey advisor may assist crunch the numbers on.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru airport lounge

We arrived at Male Airport after taking the yacht switch from the Waldorf Astoria. We have been greeted by employees from the 4 Seasons, who first escorted us to the 4 Seasons’ foremost terminal lounge. 4 Seasons has two lounges on the airport — one is for boat transfers (for the reason that different 4 Seasons property will be accessed by boat), whereas the opposite is for seaplane transfers.

We have been first briefly escorted to the previous lounge, whereas our check-in course of was taken care of. The lounge is on the small facet, however is comfy, and has air con, drinks, and snacks.

Inside a couple of minutes we have been pushed to the seaplane lounge, forward of our departure to the resort. The 4 Seasons’ seaplane lounge is rather more spacious, with a lot of pure mild. The lounge had a collection of drinks and snacks, in addition to bogs and a bathe.

We solely had about 10 minutes within the lounge earlier than our flight to the resort was departing.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru seaplane switch

4 Seasons has a fairly epic Maldives seaplane, which is even nicer than the Cheval Blanc one. For one, what’s to not love concerning the livery of this aircraft?! 4 Seasons calls this the “flying triggerfish.”

The aircraft can also be comfy, because it has simply eight seats, unfold throughout 4 rows in a 1-1 configuration. It’s wonderful how rather more comfy that is than your typical Trans Maldivian seaplane.

The aircraft even had up to date cockpit shows, past what I’ve in any other case seen on any Trans Maldivian seaplanes.

Our flight to the resort took simply half-hour, and in the course of the flight we have been supplied chilly towels and bottled water by the worker within the cabin (who’s accountable for baggage and serving to with the arrivals and departure course of).

Beneath you possibly can see 4 Seasons Landaa Giraavaru — there are dozens of overwater villas on a zig-zag dock, after which the remainder of the resort is on one foremost island.

At most resorts, seaplanes simply “dock” immediately on the resort, however that’s not the case right here, presumably because of the shallow water across the resort. As a substitute the 4 Seasons has a separate dock a number of hundred meters from land, so the aircraft arrives there, and you then take a ship to the resort.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru arrival

As soon as on the island, we have been greeted by fairly a couple of employees, and escorted to the open-air foyer through a protracted path.

The arrivals expertise was completely different than on the different resorts we stayed at within the Maldives, the place we have been appointed a single butler or concierge for the whole lot of our keep, and so they processed check-in at our villa.

On the 4 Seasons there’s no private butler or concierge (although 4 Seasons does have a superb app for speaking with the entrance desk), and check-in was processed within the foyer quite than within the room.

The foyer had a proper reception desk, however we have been simply invited to have a seat within the comfy open-air area, and have been additionally supplied contemporary coconut water and chilly towels.

The foyer additionally has bottled water, iced tea, espresso, and sizzling tea.

The second ground of the foyer has a sport space, with pool tables and loads of seating.

Inside about 10 minutes we have been pushed to our villa.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru dawn water villa with pool

We have been assigned a dawn water villa with pool, which is the entry degree overwater villa (the sundown water villa with pool is extra premium, after which there are each dawn and sundown household villas, that are bigger). To entry the overwater villas, you first take the primary path winding by way of the resort, and you then get onto the lengthy jetty, which has 40 villas.

We have been assigned villa 313, roughly midway down the jetty.

Ready outdoors the villa have been two bicycles. Along with having the room quantity on the again, in addition they had our initials on the entrance.

Customary villas on the 4 Seasons Landaa Giraavaru have 969 sq. toes of inside area, in order that they’re a great measurement. That being mentioned, they’re undoubtedly extra junior suites than full suites, within the sense that there’s no door separating the lounge from the bed room.

The lounge had a sofa and a chair, in addition to a eating desk with two chairs. There was a TV close to the middle of the room, and a minibar alongside the far wall.

The minibar was nicely stocked, and had complimentary espresso and tea, plus quite a lot of drinks and snacks for buy.

There was additionally a welcome amenity consisting of a fruit plate, some candy and savory snacks, and a bottle of Duval Leroy Brut.

The bed room featured your typical 4 Seasons king mattress (which is so comfy), plus a few chairs on the foot of the mattress.

There was yet one more TV alongside by the middle of the room.

Subsequent to the mattress have been three units of doorways that may very well be opened to entry the closet and loo.

There was a big closet space, after which past that was the lavatory.

The toilet was additionally massive, and had double sinks, an arrogance, a walk-in bathe, a soaking tub, and a rest room and bidet.

I like how the bathroom space had a glass ground, partially, to be able to see the ocean from there.

There was additionally an outside bathe on the facet of the villa closest to the jetty.

Wi-Fi within the room was quick and free, and I additionally appreciated that the air con labored rather well.

The out of doors area of the villa was much more spectacular than the indoor area. There was an enormous infinity-edge pool that prolonged out over the ocean, which was tremendous cool visually.

A lot of the seating was coated, which is nice, because it means you possibly can get pleasure from this area in the course of the day. The out of doors area had a swinging sofa and a chair, and a eating desk with two chairs and a bench.

On the prime of the spiral staircase was a loft space, which may very well be a enjoyable place to hang around with a view of all the out of doors area.

There was additionally a cool web you possibly can loosen up in, with a lot of pillows.

The out of doors area additionally had a few solar beds, in addition to cushions within the shade.

There have been additionally stairs going immediately into the ocean — the water across the villa was shallow and clear, and there was a seawall that additionally made it very calm.

Despite the fact that we have been staying on the “dawn” facet, the sundown views have been nonetheless fairly epic.

The room was refreshed twice per day, and as is typical at 4 Seasons, the housekeeping consideration to element was unbelievable. 4 Seasons properties fairly persistently put cleansing cloths subsequent to pc screens and sun shades, although this resort has the cutest ones I’ve ever seen.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru facilities & services

Within the Maldives you’re roughly “caught” on the non-public island resort you select to ebook, so what are the facilities like? Whereas visitors have a tendency to spend so much of time in their very own villas (provided that they’re usually over the water, and often have wonderful out of doors areas), the resort nonetheless has loads else to supply.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru swimming pools

The 4 Seasons Maldives has three shared swimming pools. The primary pool is close to reception, and it’s 50 meters (or round 164 sq. toes), and was allegedly the primary Olympic-sized pool within the Maldives. The pool has loads of seating and even a swim-up bar, although I don’t suppose I ever noticed anybody use it (which is commonplace within the Maldives).

Instantly subsequent to the primary pool is a 20 meter (66 foot) saltwater pool.

The resort additionally has Blu Seaside Membership (which I’ll speak extra about beneath, after I talk about eating), and this has yet one more pool that’s proper on the seashore.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru seashore

4 Seasons Landaa Giraavaru has a legitimately massive seashore, which many properties within the Maldives lack. The water was calm and clear, the sand was powdery mushy, and it was simply usually nice to have the ability to do some seashore strolling.

The water is so shallow that in low tide there’s a sandbar you possibly can stroll to (previous the signal you see beneath) with out going greater than knee-deep into the water.

The resort additionally has all types of water sports activities, together with each non-motorized and motorized choices.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru health club & tennis courtroom

The 4 Seasons has a 24/7 health club positioned close to reception. It has a great number of gear, and we loved utilizing this across the center of the day when it was in any other case hottest.

The resort additionally has a grass tennis courtroom, which will be reserved. We have been going to play the final morning, however sadly that received rained out.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru spa

The 4 Seasons has the AyruMa Spa, open day by day from 10AM till 9PM. You could find the remedy menu right here. We didn’t find yourself getting any therapies (as we have been solely on the resort for 3 nights), however it’s a powerful spa advanced, because it consists of three acres.

Remedies transcend your typical therapeutic massage and facial choices, because the spa additionally does every little thing from acupuncture, to alignment rituals, to yoga remedy. The spa additionally has each therapies on land and over water.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru eating places & bars

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru has 4 foremost meals & beverage shops. Some have bars hooked up to them, and I’ll speak about these with every particular person venue.

Let me briefly summarize the eating choices, after which beneath I’ll cowl every outlet in additional element:

• Blu Seaside Membership is an all-day restaurant and seashore membership, serving Italian delicacies for lunch and dinner
• Cafe Landaa can also be an all-day restaurant, and it serves Asian meals for lunch and dinner
• Al Barakat is a dinner restaurant, and it serves Center Japanese meals
• Fuego Grill is a dinner restaurant, serving seafood specialties

For what it’s value, there’s a ten% service cost added to all on-property purchases, after which there’s no additional choice to tip. So I respect that there’s not a service cost after which an extra request for a tip.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru Blu Seaside Membership

Blu Seaside Membership was no doubt my favourite venue on the 4 Seasons, and I feel this was my single favourite eating “idea” at any of the properties we stayed at within the Maldives. That is primarily a enjoyable Seaside Membership the place you possibly can have meals or drinks all day.

The seashore membership has a foremost open-air eating room the place you possibly can get pleasure from meals or drinks any hour of the day.

Past that, there are all types of different seating choices, from cabanas, to a seating space with sand.

Visitors can both have an a la carte breakfast at Blu Seaside Membership, or they will get pleasure from a buffet at Cafe Landaa. Beneath you’ll find the breakfast menu at Blu Seaside Membership.

There have been quite a lot of drinks, starting from freshly squeezed juices to iced lattes.

We have been introduced a bread basket with some pastries, muffins, and croissants.

We ate right here two mornings, and we tried a number of choices, together with the fruit plate, the do-it-yourself granola with berries and yogurt, the avocado coast, the Maldivian breakfast, and the raspberry french toast. The meals right here was unbelievably good.

We additionally had lunch right here one afternoon. You’ll be able to order both off the extra conventional Italian menu, or you possibly can order off extra of a seashore menu, relying on what you’re within the temper for.

I’m a sucker for a great pizza, and Blu Seaside Membership has a correct pizza oven right here, so I ordered a pizza margherita. It was glorious.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru Cafe Landaa

Cafe Landaa is the opposite all-day eating restaurant, so we had breakfast there one morning. This restaurant is positioned close to reception, and is absolutely coated however open air.

Breakfast right here consists of an limitless buffet, with every little thing from customized ready contemporary fruit, to pastries, to yogurt and cereal, to chilly cuts and cheese, to varied Asian and Western dishes. I’ll let the photographs converse largely for themselves.

The breakfast was nice, although personally I nonetheless most popular Blu Seaside Home for the ambiance, views, and meals usually.

Cafe Landaa serves all types of Asian dishes all through the day, after which within the evenings there are typically themed nights. We occurred to eat there on an evening the place that they had an Indian buffet. Ford and I like Indian meals, in order that certain labored for us. This whole area transforms superbly at evening, particularly with the variety of torches used to mild out up the outside.

The dinner buffet was merely unreal.

There was even some stay leisure, which added to the enjoyable.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru Al Barakat

Al Barakat is the resort’s Center Japanese restaurant, with flavors from Lebanon, Morocco, and Armenia. The restaurant is positioned over water close to the arrivals jetty.

The restaurant has a bar space close to the doorway, the place you possibly can get pleasure from a pre-dinner drink.

Then there’s loads of indoor and out of doors seating within the restaurant, relying in your choice.

We began our meal with a few cocktails within the bar space, which have been tasty, and have been served with some snacks.

We finally headed as much as our desk, the place we have been offered with a delicious-sounding set menu. We’re simply not enormous followers of lamb chops, in order that they have been pleased to substitute prawns for that.

The meal began with some carrots and cucumbers with a dip.

Subsequent we have been supplied quite a lot of chilly mezze, together with moutabel, hummus soujouk, muhammara, quinoa itch, tabbouleh, and labneh.

Subsequent we have been supplied a collection of sizzling mezze, together with sambousek and jawanih.

Subsequent up have been the mains, which included shish tawouk, kofta, grilled halloumi, and prawns.

Lastly we have been supplied a wild cherry yogurt gelato with halva crumble, together with some tea.

What a tremendous meal!

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru Fuego Grill & Seabar

Fuego Grill is the resort’s beachfront restaurant, which has at most a dozen or so tables.

The restaurant is all about contemporary seafood, in order you arrive you’re proven the day by day choice.

Beneath you’ll find the Fuego Grill dinner menu.

Initially of the meal we have been supplied quite a lot of bread with beetroot dip in addition to olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

To begin, I ordered the tuna crudo sampler, whereas Ford ordered the kale and feta cheese salad.

Then for the primary, I had the Fuego Grill plate, whereas Ford had the reef fish filet.

Along with the restaurant, there’s additionally Seabar, which is the bar positioned proper subsequent to Fuego Grill. This could be a excellent place to catch the sundown.

The most effective half? Each night at 10PM there’s a shark feeding, so it’s cool to have the ability to see all of the reef sharks up shut.

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru service

How was service on the 4 Seasons Landaa Giraavaru?

• Individually I discovered workers to be pleasant and personable; they have been all keen to assist and care for visitors
• I did discover it a bit unusual how the resort doesn’t appoint a concierge or butler to particular person visitors, not like many of the different luxurious properties within the Maldives, because it actually is sweet to have one level of contact
• Moreover, I’m undecided if the managers have been simply touring, however there was no apparent supervisor checking on visitors throughout our keep; distinction that to each Cheval Blanc and Waldorf Astoria, the place a supervisor made an look at nearly each meal

So service on the 4 Seasons was good, however it didn’t really feel fairly as cohesive or nicely organized as at Cheval Blanc, for instance.

Backside line

4 Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru is an all-around glorious resort. It has an extremely comfy non-public seaplane, nice villas that have been lately renovated, good meals & beverage shops (particularly Blu Seaside Bar), and improbable snorkeling (primarily based on what I’ve heard), and the service you’d anticipate from a 4 Seasons.

I can’t think about going to 4 Seasons Landaa Giraavaru and being dissatisfied. On the similar time, the Maldives has change into some of the aggressive resort markets on the earth, and 4 Seasons has loads of competitors.

How does this evaluate to the opposite two properties I stayed at? If cash is not any object, I undoubtedly suppose Cheval Blanc is a step up from each 4 Seasons and Waldorf Astoria, primarily based on design, the final intimacy of the property, the attentiveness of service, and so on. Between the 4 Seasons and Waldorf Astoria, I’d select the previous if paying money, however after all the advantage of the latter is that it will also be booked with factors.

For those who’ve stayed at a 4 Seasons property within the Maldives, what was your expertise like?