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 stay at the Loama Resort because, golly, those beaches look beacheriffic!
My favorite item on auction is the Villa Campo Verde – looks like paradise, and near Rome, which I’d love to visit again!
I’d love to stay at the Loama because it would force me to unplug and relax.
Would love to stay at the Loma for my first visit to the Maldives.
I’d go to Loama Resort to accompany my wife to the beach, which is her favorite place to go!
Would love to visit Laoma so I can unplug as well and enjoy the beautiful horizon.
My fiance and I are heading to the Maldives next July for our Honeymoon, hoping to scrape together enough SPG points for the St. Regis, this sure would be an awesome extension/backup plan!
Loama is paradise. Period.
My favorite auction item is 2 Nights At Casa De Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort, Argentina.
I would also love to go anywhere in South Africa!
Loama Resort is beautiful.
The hotel Eugene in Paris would be incredible an incredible stay…or the Rhino Ridge in South Africa, can’t decide!
Grand Hyatt in Melbourne – great deal for a great city!
Thanks for hosting this contest! I’d choose to stay at Loama because of the ability to unplug, like you said and also the amazing looking private outdoor bathtub and shower!
I would stay at the Loama Resort because it looks like the Maldives is supposed to!
2 Nights At Luxury Roch Castle In Pembrokeshire Wales, I would like to stay in a castle.
I would love to visit Casa De Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort in Argentina.
I am fascinated by the Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat in Cambodia and would enjoy giving that a try!
I would choose to stay at Loama to get away and just enjoy my wife’s company.
Favorite auction= 3 nights at Hotel Ciasa Salares in the Dolomites, Italy
3 Nights At The Stunning Athina Luxury Suites In Santorini as part of a larger tour of Greece.
Reason to stay at Loama Resort – who would say no to a stay at a new hotel in Maldives?
The Grand Hyatt in Melbourne. We’re heading back there next year. Combined with a 2 extra nights paid with points, it will be a perfect weekend stay in Melbourne before heading to Perth.
Honestly, as a “foodie” who visited Maldives for my honeymoon 10 years ago and got tired of eating at the same restaurant for 3 meals a day for a week, I would really enjoy trying Loama Resort for the fact that it has 6 on-site restaurants… as well as room service!
The Loama Resort looks spectacular and a trip to the Maldives has been on my bucket list for awhile. What a great way to mark that one off.
Would like to stay in Melbourne Australia at the 5 star Hyatt that is up for auction.
Favorite auction = 4 Nights For 16 At Villa Campo Verde Near Rome, Italy
Just went to Rome earlier this summer and would love to go back.
Never been to the Maldives…would love scuba and romantic dinner at Loama! Thanks for the chance to win!
I would want to stay at the Loama Resort because it looks beautiful, peaceful, and romantic.
Never been to the Maldives? The Loama looks like the experience of a lifetime!
The VIP foodie tour in Santa Monica looks fantastic!
Two Night 5-Star Stay At Leeds Castle In Kent, looks cool. Close enough to do a short stay and still enjoy myself
I’d love to stay at Laoma Resort for some much needed R&R!
Seriously! 4 Nights In A Pool Villa At The 5* Milaidhoo Island Maldives looks awesome!
It would be tremendous getting away from the hustle of every day life to relax in a tranquil setting.
Having stayed twice at the Park Hyatt Maldives, the Loama Resort would be a pleasant change, so I’d love to stay there. You’re right Gary, nothing beats the Maldives for relaxation.
The Maldives is on the bucket list. Absolutely remote, completely unplugged with amazing surroundings. Loama looks like it hits all the right notes.
My favorite auction listing is 4 Nights At Capella Marigot Bay Resort And Marina St Lucia. Always been in love with the Caribbean.
Would stay at the loama resort because of the awesome views from the room.
I would love to stay at Loama Resort and enjoy the Maldives for the first time!
Favorite item up for auction is 3 nights at the Fort Bazaar in Sri Lanka!
Favorite auction definitely has to be that 8-night camping/hotel Botswana safari. I’ve done a couple of safari’s and each one has been a different, yet awesome experience.
For the auction, I’d want the trip to Italy!!
I would stay at the Loama Resort so my fiancee and I could afford to take our first trip to the Maldives!
I’ve been to Fiji, Thailand, Hawaii etc. But I’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives.
I would stay in Loama Resort because you have recommended it and that’s good enough for me.
I would stay at the Loama Maldives because it looks amazing and the TA certificate is all the evidence I need.
I would also stay at Loama Resort because I have never been to Maldives and it would absolutely blow my wife away!
Would love to stay at Gal Oya lodge in Sri Lanka. Thanks to boardingarea.com, I’m heading there in February.
I would love to stay at the Makakatana Bay Lodge In South Africa…doing a safari is one of my dreams!