“You have to save your money for years to travel to the Maldives… The Maldives are just a destination for people with a big wallet…“
These are the things which come to the mind of most people when they think about a vacation in the Maldives. But what if I told you that you can find affordable resorts in the Maldives too?! And that they offer the same paradise beaches, a luxurious holiday and overwater villas with amazing views – similar to the high end luxury resorts which usually cost a couple of thousand Euros per night…
One of these affordable hotels which we absolutely loved staying at is the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo. In this post I will tell you more about our stay in this lovely 4 star resort and what we loved the most about it.
disclaimer 2022: The Mercure Maldives Kooddoo got recently newly structured and is now an Adults Only All Inclusive Resorts which results in higher prices per night than before.
LOCATION & TRANSFER
The Mercure Maldivesis located in the southern part of the Maldives in the untouched Gaafu Alifu Atoll. Arriving at the international airport you will take another domestic flight to the island Kooddoo. It has a tiny airport – just for smaller planes. The staff of the Mercure picked us up with a buggy after landing to drive us to the resort area. Even though the hotel is located super close to the hotel it’s quiet anyway cause as I said only smaller planes land on the island and just once a day.
The Concept of the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo
The resort is relatively small compared to other resorts in the Maldives with just 70 Villas which means that it feels very cozy and intimate. On land you find the main restaurant Alita, the huge pool, the garden & spa and of course the soft sandy beach with the beach villas. Most of the Villas are located over water same like the sunset bar & restaurant Vistas.
The Pool & Beach
The main pool is the ideal place to relax during the day and sipping some refreshing drinks. The pool bar has an happy hour with the most delicious fresh cocktails – ask for the passion fruit mojito! I promise you won’t regret it 😉
Just next to the pool you will find the soft sandy beach which looks just like out of a travel magazine! White sand, green palm trees which are swinging in the wind and turquoise water!
The Suvadiva Spa
The Spa of the Mercure has a charming jungle vibe. The treatment rooms are located in little huts surrounded by a lush greenery. You can even enjoy a massage in one of the outside treatment areas and listen to the sounds of nature while relaxing to the fullest. My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful couple massage at the Suvadiva Spa for an affordable price!
The Garden
Even though the Mercure is one of the smaller resorts it has a big garden with many fresh fruits, veggies and herbs. All of them are used in the restaurant. During our first afternoon we joined a Maldivian cooking session with the chef and picked up many ingredients from the garden before!
The Villa
We stayed in one of the overwater villas with pool. Even tough it’s the second highest room category at the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo the prices already start at 340,- EUR per night including breakfast. Beach Villas can already booked starting at 230,- EUR and are available with or without private pool.
Overwater Villa with Pool
The interior of our overwater villa is modern but with many traditional Maldivian elements. The main part is the cozy bedroom with a glass bottom under the relaxing area. A sliding door leads outside to the surprisingly spacious terrace with two sun beds, relaxing chairs and of course the private plunge pool. It offers the best view to watch the sunset in the later afternoon.
A door leads to the outdoor shower of your villa which is connected to the bathroom. Inside you will find another shower and even a bathtub to enjoy a bubble bath.
Breakfast & Restaurant
Floating Breakfast
Breakfast will be served as a buffet in the main restaurant Alita. But we only stayed two nights at the Mercure while we already had to leave 5.30 am at the second morning. So we only had the chance to enjoy one breakfast at the resort and decided to try a floating breakfast instead of the buffet which can be booked one day in advance for your preferred time in the morning.
Many resorts only have a very limited menu for the floating breakfast but not the Mercure. You can enjoy anything you want: no matter if fresh waffles, omelet or some sparkling wine 😉
I’m a big fan of floating breakfasts cause it lets you start the day in the perfect holiday mood!
Alita
The main restaurant is perfect to enjoy a lunch snack at the pool – or a huge lobster Burger for two or more people like we did it! It’s the newest creation of the chef and definitely the biggest and most unique burger we ever had!
Dinner will always be à la carte too and changes daily with different cuisines from all around the world. My favorite has been the Mediterranean night with middle eastern classics like hummus, couscous and different meat choices. If the daily menu won’t fit your taste you can always order you’re preferred food too – like delicious pasta or Maldivian dishes (the fresh fish curry is amazing!).
Private Beach Dinner
If you’re planning a special surprise for your other half than I can highly recommend the romantic private beach dinner. The staff of the Mercure will create a wonderful setting under palm trees illuminated by nothing but small lights and the sunset afterglow. Maybe even to ask your love a special question? 😉
Vistas Bar
Another bar is located at the very end of the resort over the water. The Vistas creates amazing cocktails to watch the sunset and to try some delicious food bites. It’s the ideal place to spend your evening, chat with other hotel guests or even playing games like billiard upstairs.
RÉSUMÉ
Our stay at the Mercure positively surprised us and it made me so happy that we had the chance to test a more affordable resort in the Maldives which still offers the ultimate Maldives vibes, the most friendly service, cozy villas and great food choices! Make sure to check out the Mercure Maldives if you need an escape to paradise and don’t want to spend a fortune on it. We will definitely return to the resort very soon to spend a relaxing time with our family 🙂
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We had a sponsored stay at the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo.