Regular readers know that I love the Maldives. I’ve been 5 years in a row. It’s the only place I’ve found where I can really unplug. The distance is a feature not a bug, by the time I get there I’m really ready to relax and the time difference helps me to do it — I can answer work emails in the morning, and everyone is gone from the office the rest of the day so I can just enjoy myself.
I’ve gone to the same place each time, because I could use points, but there are some fantastic properties that I’d love to try some day. One that’s really worth checking out is Loama Resort.
A new property, a 45 minute sea plane from the airport in the capital, this was a Buddhist refuge dating back centuries. Artifacts from the Ching dynasty were unearthed during the construction of the hotel. The property was listed in Conde Nast Traveler Middle East as one of the Best New Hotels in the World.
A beach villa here runs ~ $840 plus taxes. And I’m giving away 3 nights there with breakfast.
The resort looks fantastic, and gets a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor.
Whether you want to dive, snorkle, spa or just relax this is going to be tough to beat. Combine it with a points stay somewhere else in the country, or drop in on nearby Sri Lanka (flights from Male are cheap and it’s less than 500 miles) and make a bigger holiday of it.
This is a very special giveaway, thanks to my good friends at Luxury Travel Diary. Regular readers know them as a high-end travel blog with great reviews. They’re based in the UK and run travel auctions with real bargains.
As I’ve said before, folks who already know about these auctions don’t like this added attention, because there don’t seem to be enough bidders for many of their best offerings relative to the value available. Some of their items go way too cheap.
- Here are their auctions. The auctions in Asia are super deals.
- Here are their auctions in North America for those who prefer to stay on this continent.
- And here are the auctions ending soon which are probably the best to check out right now – to get an idea of just how good a deal you’re likely to get.
Seriously, these deals about to end are insane
This prize is being given away by the hotel and Luxury Travel Diary, I’m just helping to highlight it and randomly select the winner.
To enter: leave a comment on this post with your favorite item up for auction at Luxury Travel Diary, or why you would choose to stay at Loama Resort. You may enter two times if you wish and answer those two questions one time each in separate comments.
Contest deadline and drawing winner: Entries close Sunday, September 4 at Noon eastern. I will draw winner with the assistance of random.org.
The fine print: Advance booking is required and it’s subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Winner will have one week to respond to email notifying of the prize, otherwise the prize will be forfeit and made available to another reader.
For avoidance of doubt, I have no affiliation with Luxury Travel Diary or Loama Resort. I am not getting anything in exchange for running this giveaway other than an opportunity to share the place with readers.
The hotel is solely responsible for providing prize to winner. All decisions made in the course of running this giveaway are final and unappealable and your entry signifies your acceptance. The goal here is to make readers aware of a pretty cool auction opportunity, and to give away a stay. So please don’t make it hard on me for doing so!
Would love to stay at Loama for my anniversary.
My favorite auction item is the stay at the pool villa in Milaidoo, Maldives. That property looks beautiful!
I’ve never then to the Maldives and the Loama Resort looks incredible!
favorite auction item 2 nights at Kata Rocks resort
Loama for the beautiful blue waters
My favorite item up for auction is 4 nights at the Milaidhoo Island Maldives
When I first saw it, I was tempted by 2 NIGHTS AT THE CHIC AND STYLISH HOTEL DA VINCI, PARIS because I like the neighborhood. My Luxury Travel bids are usually knocked out by British tourists who are looking for a quick week-end getaway. Their flights/train are cheaper than mine. With the Maldives, we are playing closer to even!!
I’d love to stay at Loama because I’m planning to return to PH HADAHAA next year (after a blissfully relaxing stay there this past July) and would love to augment my trip by trying another Maldivian island!
I would love to go to the resort to get away and relax without having to worry about the “real world” getting in the way of my relaxation
I would choose Loama Resort because my wife has just seen the pictures and insists I take her!
I would choose Loama Resort for the overwater bungalows.
Loama Resorts the place you relax? I’m all over that! Count me in. R E L A X
Contest: I would choose 1 Night At The 5-Star Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Australia because Melbourne is next on my “places to visit in Australia” list.
The Loama resort looks wonderful! I’d love to relax on the beach and explore the waters!
I would love to stay at Loama for the beautiful snorkeling
I would choose the 7 Night Couples Retreat At Mangosteen Resort & Spa, Phuket (https://www.luxurytraveldiary.com/auction/?ult_auc_id=24133)
Look at that view! A stay at Loama Resort would be a once-in-a-lifetime place to relax.
Have been wanting to go to Maldives for years. The Loama Resort looks awesome and the three free nights would give me the added incentive to go there.
My favorite auction right now is the other one in the Maldives at the new Milaidhoo resort
Would love to soak up the sun and get some scuba diving in!
Two Nights At The Chic And Stylish Hotel Da Vinci looks perfect.
Would love to partake in the Maldives experience after years of only reading about it on Gary’s great blog!
I really like the 4 nights all inclusive stay at Fusion Maia in Danang.
I’d love to win the 3 Nights At The Stunning Athina Luxury Suites In Santorini because I’ve never been to Greece and santorini looks gorgeous.
I’d want to stay at the Loama resort because I really want to go back to the Maldives and I really need to get away and unplug ASAP.
I’d stay there because
a-the pictures look amazing
b-you say it’s the place to try
South Africa safari auction seems nice
Maldives offer a great break from the chaotic world
I would love to stay at Loama Resort to unplug in a luxurious setting. What’s better than that?
I’d love to visit the Cringletie Castle in Scotland via Luxury Travel Diary auction because it looks like a beautiful, scenic part of the countryside to enjoy with 5 friends for a night.
Would love the opportunity to experience the white sand beach and palm trees at the Loama Resort
So need a vacation at Loama before the 2nd kid comes along.
I would just want to relax and get lose in the blue ocean at the Loama Resort.
I have never been to the Maldives and this would be a fantastic first experience for my wife and I!
My favourite auction item is ”
4 NIGHTS FOR 16 AT VILLA CAMPO VERDE NEAR ROME, ITALY”
My favorite auction item is the Paresa Resort in Phuket.
Want to explore the nature of Maldives
Loama would be perfect for my upcoming and still undecided honeymoon trip.
My favorite item up for auction is the safari in Kenya.
Luxury Travel Diary’s “2 NIGHTS AT ARNALAYA BEACH HOUSE IN CANGGU, BALI” auction item is a spectacular deal for many reasons, but mostly due to the level of luxury included in an insanely low price. The home sleeps ten people and comes with a staff! Count me in!
Hmm. My favorite item up for auction is probably the 6 nights in the Crown Lanta Resort and Spa since I will be in that area of Thailand in the future. Might be worth a bid!
The Loama resort seems like a perfectly tranquil escape.
stay at loama and enjoy sunshine&beach
South African safari looks good
There are a lot of really nice things at Loama, but the cooking classes look especially cool.
Well, the reason I’d love to stay at Loama Resort is the reason you say you love the Maldives, Gary. I’d love to go somewhere I can unplug and truly just relax. Plus, hey, I’ve never been to the Maldives!
Loama Resort seems like a strong contender for a stay in the Maldives because of its exclusivity. It’s relatively far from Male, and due to the small size of the island, the property is also small – making for an experience that might make you feel like you have your own private island!
3 Nights For 4 Ppl In A Luxury Villa In Koh Samui, Thailand looks like an awesome auction currently at 23 euro!
My favorite item up for auction this time around I think is the 2 night stay at Leed’s Castle in Kent, UK. I mean, who wouldn’t want to stay in a castle? (also considered the Roch Castle in Wales)
2 Nights At Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, Maasai Mara, Kenya looks amazing!
“why you would choose to stay at Loama Resort?” – better question would be why would I not, looks fantastic!