Review: Four Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru (Private Island Paradise)

Great review Ben.

Personally I'll just stick to Veligandu Island Resort & Spa (North Ari Atoll..all-inclusive package), as I'd go broke drinking and eating at these other places.

It's a shame you stayed here last because it surely looks like a great property, but after a week (or so in the Maldives) I'd imagine luxury fatigue sets in.

I appreciate these reviews, but feel like not having a section on snorkeling for each resort is a pretty big miss, as that is one of the main attractions in being there.

Yeah thought the same thing the entire time reading this blog, this four seasons seems like a better play than the waldorf. The Waldorf just seemed way too pricey where you might as well do the Cheval.

How does moving between hotels work if all they usually offer is transportation to / from the airport? Do you need to go via the airport when changing hotels?

Or are they willing to ferry you to another hotel island, or, say, Malé, if that's what you want? And at what cost?

@ Daniel from Finland -- Generally speaking you have to go through Male Airport, at least if you have a budget. Private transfers can always be arranged, but you'll be paying for a plane on your own, and that'll be pricey.

The exception is that if you book both of the Four Seasons properties, you can take a seaplane directly between them, and there are even some packages that include transfers.

@ Kirk -- I totally hear you, so my fear of the ocean really doesn't help there, eh? 😉 For what it's worth, I heard that snorkeling here is especially good, so that is one major draw to the hotel.

@ Jerry -- Hah, definitely some truth to that. I think it's hard to start at Cheval Blanc and go anywhere else from there, to be honest.

@ Steve -- And to be honest if I were to pay the full cash rate for either property, I'd choose the Four Seasons over the Waldorf Astoria. The big draw of the latter is that points can be redeemed there.

It sure looked empty!

Luxury fatigue might be my favorite new phrase.

Ben - can you expand more on the lack of butler service at the FS? Did it have a noticeable impact on your stay?

I found that the FS service and chat service in the app always super-efficient, so I never minded the lack of butler service. Although I get that some
People prefer just having one point of contact.

Some hotels unfortunately use the “butler service” just as gimmick (looking at you St. Regis).

Lucky, Anywhere else…including Soneva Jani or Fushi?

I have to say that this hotel, especially the room, pales in comparison with the two others. I'm surprised they charge similar prices. It's a very nice hotel, yes, absolutely. But far from Cheval and Waldorf.

Lebron just stayed here

Hi Ben,

How do these resorts compare to the St Regis Maldives?

Maybe you could do a post ranking Maldive resorts and the best way to book them like you do with first class products?

Hey Ben
Have you tried any of the more local resorts that are not part of the international hotel chains?
I would say most people try and find resorts that have a full board or all inclusive plan. From your last reviews you seem to have to pay for all you meals and alcohol. Did you feel it was very expensive?

Again - does anyone have an idea of which Maldives resort is the liveliest? It's sad seeing these beautiful beach clubs, pools, etc with no customers. I enjoy chatting with other guests at luxury resorts.

Agreed. It doesn't look like it's even remotely in the same class as the others.

Seems like a bad idea for them to feeding wildlife like that. Or is it essentially a tank where they’re confined?

The atmospheric resorts are the cheaper all-inclusive resorts.

Interesting that they are only 4 restaurants. With an average stay of about 5 days, I could see that getting boring imo.

Ben, what's been your experience with noise from nearby villas when staying in an over-water villa? These appear to be subject to a lot of noise from your neighbors?

Cant speak for Ben, but of the ones I've been to: PH>W.A>or=Conrad>St. Regis. These opinions are subjective and based on personal experience.

Going to depend on who's there at the time and how social you are to begin with. We had breakfast with a couple at St. Regis, met a few couples and a family (and had dinner with one of the couples) at the W.A, and had decent conversation with people at the Conrad, whilst looking at Mantas from the jetty. Of course, if it were just me I might not end up conversing with anyone, but my wife is pretty social (just the other day I walked back to the Emirates bar on the A380 to find her at a table chatting with another passenger).

The only resort we didn't really meet anyone was the Park Hyatt, but that property is quite intimate to begin with relative to the others.

What!? I'll be damned if between my TSP, Pension, IRA, and SSA (and of course my wife's pension, 401K, IRA, and SSA) I won't be able to try Cheval Maldives, and Time & Tide Madagascar and Laucala Island.

--- a fellow ATCer

My tops

Velaa
Soneva Jani
Cheval
four seasons Landau

No need to go outside these 4

Ben, I know that you are smitten with the Maldives, even before the glowing record-breaking long review here, but does this really speak to the majority of your readership?
I don't think so, and maybe it's time to rein in all things Maldives.

Hi Daniel,

If traveling between two resorts that are within speed boat distance of each other you can usually inquire with the resort you're traveling to to pick you up at the old resort. We did this a couple of times at different resorts and especially if you're far away from Male you can save considerably. Once it was a sixth of the cost as opposed to transferring through Male.

Best,
Jens

It really depends on you in terms of meeting people. We met a couple at Cheval Blanc whom later on we met up again at Lake Como for lunch. I think a big percentage of people who go to Maldives are on honeymoons so understandably that they want to be alone. I find small resorts such as Deplar Farm in Iceland forces you to meet other travelers during dinner time (one large communal table) which is helpful in terms of meeting new people and sharing travel experiences. Other resorts such as Explora in South America group several travelers into groups for various tours is also a good way to meet people. We have met people we still keep in touch from Explora Rapa Nui.

Well the Maldives are an aspirational goal for many I guess. But agree that some more "out there"/exotic/less travelled places would be cool next, after we've now had Maldives, Dubai, Paris, Italy etc

Was deciding between Cheval Blanc and this Four Seasons few years ago. So happy that we went to Cheval Blanc. This Four Seasons, while nice, really pale in comparison to CB (not unlike the Four Seasons Paris vs CB Paris). The finishes here look so pedestrian. Given both resorts charge similar price range, why anyone would choose this Four Seasons over Cheval Blanc Randheli is beyond me. Thanks for the review so I can take this Four Seasons off my to go list!

Another 5 star sponsored review for the Four Seasons, they are surely getting their marketing money's worth!

Wasn't this 4.5 stars initially when published? Or maybe I mix it up with something else.

You make no mention of snorkeling and diving, one of the major reasons I went, as well as many others.

All the hotels close to Male have crap diving. So that’s a huge negative against the Waldorf, but you painted it as a positive.

Even if you don’t do those activities, the reef quality is extremely important to mention.

I am in the opposite camp. I chose the Maldives, and a villa with its own pool so that I didn't have to interact with other guests. Other than the boat cruises and snorkeling excursions, I don't think I said one word to another guest. I'd imagine most of the other guests at our resort felt the same way. Saw very little cross guess interactions.

It's great to see how the other half might live and vacation, but how about a thread for the rest of us that might be something like 'The Maldives on a Budget'? Sorry, but I can't justify $20K+ for a vacation for the wife and I.

Hi Ben. Long time devoted reader here. Just wanted to say thank you for your reviews recently. As a boy growing up, I remember spending hours perusing holiday brochures and dreaming of one day going to a place like the Maldives with turquoise seas and private huts. Now as a thirty-something, who is never going to afford a trip even close to the Maldives anyway, I must say that while I can see the attraction for some, it just doesn't appeal at all and I can't imagine travelling half way round the globe only to be 'stuck' on an island where you can't take a stroll through a town, or pop to a local shop for basic supplies, or try to interact with the locals, learn a bit of the local language etc. And seeing those eye-watering prices merely makes me think about so much one could do elsewhere for the price of one dinner in the Maldives.
BUT, crucially, the amazing quality of your write-ups and the ability to escape to another world through your travels for a while each day amongst the bustle of life is priceless. Your reviews always evoke in me that wanderlust I had as a child, which I've been unable to satisfy for a couple of years now, so thank you. 🙂

You don't have to eat the same item each visit...
Add in the theme nights and room service and four is plenty unless you're there for a month.

@JetSetGo
As its beyond you I'll help you out.
People might pick the FS for many reasons, but most commonly, as its less pretentious than Cheval.
Not everyone wants a formal 9 course tasting menu every evening whilst on vacation.

You're right, and you have to question the value of travelling from the US to the Maldives to not touch the ocean, pay through the nose for fancy food and sit by a pool. The ocean and associated activities must be the main reason 99% of people go to the Maldives, even if only to enjoy and swim in it.

great comment!