The Maldives is a choose-your-own journey type of paradise. Thrill-seekers can plunge into the depths with reef sharks, children can whereas away sun-soaked afternoons crafting castles from sugar-white sands whereas honeymooners can lose themselves within the romance of overwater villas perched above crystal-clear lagoons.
For these craving an escape that blends a little bit of the whole lot — journey, rest and a cautious concentrate on wellness — there’s The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. Located within the nation’s solely UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this fish-shaped island is a sanctuary of restoration set towards a blinding marine backdrop, with swish manta rays and mild whale sharks steadily noticed gliding via the encircling waters.
Sleep, train and wholesome consuming are three of the resort’s core tenets — rooms include cloud-like Heavenly Beds and bedside snoozing guides, whereas menus brim with choices designed to nourish with out scrimping on flavour or portion dimension. Fitness lovers can in the meantime break a sweat within the resort’s cutting-edge fitness center — an ethereal, sunlit area with arguably the Maldives’ most spectacular lineup of substances.
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Opened in 2018 and a part of the Marriott portfolio (which means you possibly can money in these Bonvoy factors for a room), The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort feels splendidly intimate, with overwater villas stretching gracefully into the lagoon and beachside retreats – beginning at $400 per night time in off-season – cocooned in lush greenery for optimum privateness.
Days slip by at your personal tempo. Start early with dawn yoga on the sand, drift between infinity pool dips and quiet nooks excellent for studying, or snorkel among the many Baa Atoll’s kaleidoscopic reefs. For a pinch of journey, the resort’s crew can whisk you away to Brother Island, a postcard-perfect strip of untouched sand simply 5 minutes by boat.
Focusing on wellbeing with out sacrificing indulgence, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo is the place you come to reset, recharge and fall into step with the rhythm of the ocean. If stability at a really cheap worth level is what you’re after, this would possibly simply be the Maldives at its greatest.
Middle East Traveller checked right into a Family Beach Pool Villa at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.
The Arrival
After touching down at Velana International Airport on the Maldives’ important island of Malé, we’re greeted by the cheery Westin crew, who usher us to the check-in desk for our fast 30-minute Trans Maldivian Airways flight hop to the resort.
Formalities are a breeze – the crew handles the whole lot whereas we wait in air-conditioned consolation – and shortly we’re on our solution to the seaplane terminal, zipping throughout the tarmac in a modern shuttle van.
After a leisurely hour spent grazing on croissants and watching planes skip throughout the lagoon from the Westin’s non-public lounge, we’re known as to board. Two barefoot pilots steer us into the skies, the place sands and sandbanks shimmer under, fringed by iridescent coral reefs and each shade of blue conceivable.
After a fast pit cease at a neighbouring resort, we’re off once more, this time heading straight for the Westin. We’re welcomed with waves and grins from a small military of workers gathered on the jetty.
After a second to sink into cushioned sofas and scribble our particulars on a few kinds, we’re whisked away by buggy to our villa. Waiting inside, a calming bottle of champagne.
For friends preferring a distinct route, the Westin may also organise a home flight to a close-by airport adopted by a speedboat switch to the resort.
The Room
Tucked between jungle-thick greenery and the shimmer of the lagoon, the lodge’s 69 villas are perched on stilts above the water, their decks dipping into the turquoise shallows, or hidden amongst lush foliage only a barefoot stroll from the sand.
For households or teams, the sprawling Heavenly Beach Residence is roomy sufficient for 4 adults, two children and even the nanny, with everybody having fun with their very own area to unwind.
Our Family Beach Pool Villa looks like a non-public oasis, tailored for many who worth a little bit seclusion. A sun-drenched plunge pool requires refreshing dips, whereas the shaded terrace invitations lazy afternoons with a great guide in a single hand and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice within the different — a perk made even higher by the daily-stocked juice station ready within the pantry.
The open-plan villa’s breezy, clean-lined interiors function clean stone flooring, plush linen-soft sofas and sweeping, curved cover roofs that pay refined homage to the island’s turtle heritage.
Slide open the double doorways to disclose a toilet with a freestanding tub completely positioned for indulgent soaks with leafy backyard views, whereas the outside rain bathe invitations you to rinse off beneath a pure cover of swaying palm fronds.
The Service
From the second we step into the Westin’s seaplane lounge, the place native Maldivian workers greet us with heat smiles and funky towels, to the heartfelt farewell on the jetty, every interplay looks like a delicate nudge additional into paradise.
It’s the smaller gestures, although, that stick with you, just like the goodbye banner unfurled on the jetty because the crew waves us off, or the best way they orchestrate unforgettable moments.
For instance, an intimate celebration dinner may be arrange in a quiet nook of the island with golden lanterns casting their glow towards inky skies and glittering water.
The Activities
The Westin could have wellness at its core and a comparatively compact island footprint, however make no mistake — it’s brimming with actions for all ages and pursuits.
Each day kicks off with a busy schedule of complimentary lessons, from dawn yoga at 7.15am to Zumba, aqua aerobics, CrossFit, water volleyball, pétanque, and tennis on the resort’s courtroom, all rotating all through the week.
Snorkelling gear is free to borrow from the aquatics centre, and the shallow home reef — teeming with greater than 250 species of marine life — is only a quick swim from the shore. For deeper explorations, guided excursions begin at $80 for an hour, providing the possibility to find even richer underwater worlds.
Adventure seekers can head to Hanifaru Bay, the jewel of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the place manta rays spiral feast on plankton collectively in spectacular cyclone formations between June and November.
Complimentary ocean kayaks can be found for as much as two hours, whereas different excursions vary from jet snowboarding and parasailing to sundown dolphin cruises, fishing journeys, and castaway picnics on close by Brother Island.
On Thursdays, be part of the resident marine biologist for hands-on coral planting, body upkeep and underwater images classes — or cease by a complimentary night presentation each Tuesday to uncover the secrets and techniques of the fascinating creatures that decision these waters house.
At the spa, tucked on the quieter finish of the resort, remedies happen in 5 tranquil rooms, every with glass panels within the flooring that allow you to watch tropical fish glide beneath as you sink right into a therapeutic massage.
The menu attracts on influences from Swedish, Balinese and native methods, with the signature Maldivian Bliss Ritual bringing collectively the best hits from throughout the checklist. It begins with a coconut-infused exfoliation that leaves your pores and skin silky clean, adopted by a soothing steam session, therapeutic massage, and magnesium-rich bathtub soak.
For one thing easier, restorative facials are excellent for reviving dry pores and skin and tackling indicators of ageing, leaving you with a wholesome, dewy glow. If you’re quick on time, the 30-minute head and scalp therapeutic massage is a fast pick-me-up that works wonders.
Next to the spa sits the 24/7 Westin Workout Fitness Studio, kitted out with full-sized energy racks, battle ropes, TRX suspension ropes, plus all the standard dumbbells, kettlebells, treadmills, bikes and cross-trainers.
The children’ membership close by as youthful friends coated with a packed each day schedule of video games and academic actions, giving dad and mom the proper excuse to sneak off for some well-earned downtime.
The Restaurants and Bars
Three eating places (all serving drinks) – plus an open-air rooftop bar with outsized wicker chairs, completely satisfied hour cocktails and views that stretch endlessly over the water – are clustered across the Westin’s important pool space. The high possibility is The Pearl, a modern Japanese spot perched dramatically on a pier that hovers above the ocean.
While you possibly can go à la carte, the all-inclusive meal plan is the place the actual worth lies. It covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with a complement for The Pearl) and comes full of perks: a 30-minute {couples}’ therapeutic massage, a dolphin cruise, a non-alcoholic minibar restocked each day and limitless drinks from a curated menu of tropical cocktails and chilled wines.
For one thing extra laid-back, Hawker brings the excitement of Singapore’s avenue meals scene to the Maldivian coast. Its open kitchen dishes out pan-Asian favourites all day – from steaming bowls of Vietnamese pho and aromatic Malaysian laksa to smoky Indonesian satays and wok-fried Thai classics. Add a desk shaded by swaying palms, and also you’ve bought a recipe for blissed-out eating with toes within the sand.
At the center of the resort is Island Kitchen, a breezy 70-seat hub that dishes up breakfast, lunch, and dinner in easy type. Mornings kick off with sprawling buffet spreads (don’t miss the bottomless mimosas), whereas later meals allow you to select between à la carte favourites and a rotating lineup of regional specials.
Bold flavours shine right here — creamy mattar paneer, tangy Goan sea prawn curry, and completely charred tandoori hen that hits all the suitable notes. For youthful friends, the considerate ‘Eat Well’ menu steers little ones towards more healthy picks with out shedding the enjoyable.
For these lacking the comforts of house, the worldwide dishes ship in spades — particularly the pizzas. The Classic is a standout, with its herby tomato sauce and crisp crust, whereas the Arabic hummus is unexpectedly top-notch.
During our keep, we’re handled to a themed Maldivian night that includes freshly grilled reef fish infused with fragrant spices, velvety coconut broths, and kulhi boakibaa fishcakes — all coming paired with heat, flaky roshi bread.
Breakfast is simply as indulgent, with one thing to fulfill each craving. For the health-conscious, there are vibrant smoothie bowls piled excessive with contemporary fruits and crunchy nuts, whereas egg lovers can dive right into a lineup of dishes cooked to order. International touches nod to the resort’s international enchantment, with aromatic Indian curries and traditional Chinese dishes including a splash of journey to the morning unfold.
Perched on the finish of its personal pier, The Pearl takes full benefit of the encircling waters, delivering daring, ingenious dishes which can be as indulgent because the setting.
Kick issues off with the namagaki no oroshi — plump, briny oysters topped with a tangy daikon salsa — or the superbly caramelised, miso-glazed black cod that melts on the slightest contact.
Sushi aficionados will wish to zero in on the matsu platter, a pristine choice of sashimi and nigiri, whereas teppanyaki ups the ante with scorching theatrics and smoky aromas.
While eating at The Pearl comes with an additional cost past the all-inclusive plan, it’s price each penny. There’s a sure magic to the expertise — eating above the water, surrounded by the gentle lap of waves and the glimmer of moonlight mirrored on the ocean.
Why Stay?
For a great night time’s sleep and a deeper sense of wellbeing, all set towards the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives’ solely UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Days right here stream effortlessly, from nourishing menus that highlight contemporary, native components to spa remedies impressed by the island’s pure magnificence.
Glide alongside light whale sharks, marvel at manta rays as they sweep gracefully via the water, or whereas away the hours merely soaking within the infinite turquoise horizons.
The Essentials
- Rates: Villas begin at USD400 per night time throughout off-season, and USD600 per night time throughout excessive season, each excluding taxes however together with breakfast.
- Phone quantity: +960 660 4444
- Website: marriott.com/en-us/accommodations/mlewi-the-westin-maldives-miriandhoo-resort/
- Address: Miriandhoo Island, Baa Atoll, Maldives, 6060