Male’s Leeli Lounge: An Unexpected Mediocrity in the Maldives
The Maldives, with its exquisite and pristine beauty, stands as a beacon of luxury and serenity in the realm of travel destinations. Picture-perfect islands adorned with luxurious resorts, surrounded by turquoise waters teeming with vibrant marine life, beckon travelers seeking an unparalleled indulgence. It is amidst this awe-inspiring backdrop that one would expect nothing short of perfection in every aspect of the Maldivian experience. Yet, nestled within the bustling confines of Male Airport, Leeli Lounge presents an unexpected contrast—a retreat that falls remarkably short of the heightened expectations that accompany this tropical paradise.
Table of Contents
Leeli Lounge Access
Leeli Lounge is not a part of Priority Pass network. They also do not sell day passes.
To access the lounge you either need to be flying business or first class or be an elite member. We were able to access the lounge thanks to our bucket list item – a First Class flight on Emirates airline.
The lounge opens at 6.30am and stays open till the last departure of the day.
Lounge Location
Leeli Lounge is located at the International Departure Terminal 1st Floor around Duty Free Area.
Velana airport is very small, and locating the lounge should not be a problem.
Lounge Seating & Amenities
The Leeli Lounge is basically a large room facing the runway.
Unfortunately, the lounge’s seating options are underwhelming, consisting mainly of rows of armchairs arranged in pairs.
The only other alternative to these armchairs are three bar-type seats, and, apparently, there is also a small room with loungers, but we did not find it (not that we were on a mission to do so).
For me, the most glaring issue is the unsightly condition of the carpet, a far cry from the luxurious atmosphere one would expect.
There are no showers in the lounge. There are, however, small, but clean bathrooms.
Food & Drinks
We visited the Leeli Lounge during breakfast hours. The food options were rather ordinary.
They were:
- Cereal
- Toast
- Fruit salad
- Yogurt
- Boiled eggs
- French toast
- Hash browns
- Tuna and cheese & tomato sandwiches
- Plus a selection of sweets: donuts, cookies, various cakes, mousse, brownies, marshmallows, and muffins
There is also Cup-O-Noodle station.
None of it seemed to very appealing, which was fine by me, since there was a 5-star meal waiting for me onboard of Emirates flight. My teen, on other hand, a girl of simple pleasures, enjoyed the food selection.
There are no alcohol beverages in the lounge. There is, however, a selection of Holsten non-alcoholic beverages available (Black Grape, Mojito, and beer).
Other drink options are:
- Coffee & tea
- Milk (including almond milk)
- Juices
- Soda (Coke & Fanta)
- Schweppes
- Water
Final Thoughts
Don’t me wrong – the Leeli Lounge at Male Airport is a perfectly fine place to wait for your flight, however, it falls short of the grandeur associated with the Maldives.
One might think the lounge would be as spectacular as the dreamy island resorts the Maldives is famous for (like the one we stayed at – Pullman Maldives), but the lounge is underwhelming. While it may serve its purpose for basic needs, adjust your expectations accordingly. I would not arrive at the airport to spend extra time at the lounge.
