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!
I would love to stay at the Loama resort, simply to experience the Maldives. And actually, to simply experience a tropical island beach resort for the first time.
I would love to return to Kruger National Park in South Africa!
I’d choose Loama for the amazing beaches!
Big fan of the 1 NIGHT FOR UP TO 6 AT CRINGLETIE CASTLE HOTEL NR EDINBURGH auction!
I would totally use the giveaway for the Maldives!
Would love to stay at Loama!
intercontinental DUBAI looks interesting!
Seriously 59 pounds for 3 nights in Sleeping Giant rainforest Belize! I would do that!
Loama FTW (for the water!)
Scuba at Loama is a DREAM!
Loama!!! look at that water and the reefs. That is reason enough for me.
The two night stay at Leeds Castle would be a great gift for my Anglophile in laws
I would choose the Hotel Sahrai in Fez, as that would be an amazing opportunity to explore a fascinating city.
Phuket Kata Rocks auction sure looks awesome!
Favorite auction is the 4 Nights & All Inc. Spa Treatments At Fusion Maia Da Nang. Love spa treatments.
I would stay at the Loama Resort because I have always wanted to stay in an overwater hut!
I would love to make a return visit to the Maldives and this place looks absolutely lovely! I like that they’re only 45 mins via seaplane away
Favorite auction is 2 Nights At Rhino River Lodge, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Would love to do S.A. sometime!
Looks like heaven on earth. One of the truly exceptional destinations one can aspire to. This goes on the bucket list!!
I’d love to stay at the Loama resort to enjoy some Maldivian hospitality at a lesser-known resort!
4 Nights & All Inc. Spa Treatments At Fusion Maia Da Nang
Loama Resort looks amazing. After several visits to Europe over the last few years, I’ve been looking for an opportunity to go to Asia…. the Maldives look like a great place to start.
I’d want to win the auction for 3 Nights At The Stunning Athina Luxury Suites In Santorini. We went to Santorini a few years ago on a cruise, and have been dying to go back for longer!
I’d like to stay at the Loama Resort because that beach looks just incredible! Would love to return to the Maldives!
Auction. Item I would choose is Hotel Da Vinci, in Paris. Love Paris.
Above comment is why I would choose Loama as my ultimate choice.
Got to have a talk with husband about next anniversary trip ( wink)
Longberry farm glamping is what most interestsuccessful me! I’ve always wanted to go glamping!
I’d like to stay at the Loama because I’d like to finally go to the Maldives!
Favourite item is the stay in Paris. 😉
loama looks amazing
I would choose to stay there for there beautiful scenery and the history of the island is a nice plus.
The Loama resort looks like pure heaven in the most remote area of the world. Yes please!
Maldives is my wife’s dream. Would love to take her there someday.
I have dreamed about staying at an over the water resort for some time. If I had a free stay, I would consider doing the long trip and would have the money to pay to the plane hopper.
Luxury on Lake Malawi sounds…irresistible
I’ve never stayed in a overwater bungalow and that would be just cool . Plus i really enjoyed my last trip to the Maldives.
My favourite auction is 2 Nights In A Superior Deluxe Studio In Florence, Italy
I want to go to Italy ! Villa campo
I would choose to stay at Loama Resort because of its stunning waterfront location.
3 NIGHTS FOR 4PPL AT BARTHOLOMEUS KLIP, SOUTH AFRICA looks nice
6 Nights At Crown Lanta Resort & Spa In Koh Lanta, Thailand, this sounds nice.
I would never be able to stay at the Loama Resort if not for cheap auctions.
Loama looks beautiful and a great opportunity to visit the Maldives.
Favorite auction item: 2 nights at the Sahrai in Fez, Morocco.
I’d stay at Loama for the scuba diving and clear water. Just look at that vis!
I always want to go to Maldives ! The loama resort looks awesome and beautiful! That water villa is amazing!
2 NIGHTS AT KATA ROCKS ULTRA-LUXURY RESORT, PHUKET, THAILAND
I’m looking for a romantic once-in-a-lifetime trip. Loama would be amazing!
The idea of staying in an overwater bungalow at the Loama resort is just other worldly.
Loama is a dream!
Kruger auction great opportunity to see zebras!