Milaidhoo Island

milaidhoo | Maldives

NEIGHBORHOOd | maldives

hotel features:                                     ROOM FEATURES:

• Pool

• Beachfront

• Water Villas

• Four Restaurants

• Room Service

• Restaurant

• Bar/Lounge

• Spa

• Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)

• Breakfast included

• Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room

• Air Conditioning

LUXWT Review

By @voyagerguru

When I reflect on our stay at Milaidhoo, the only thing that pops into my mind is the word: perfection. I cannot recall the last time I stayed at a hotel and literally everything went right. From the service, to the room quality, to the sunsets, every moment and every experience (no matter how insignificant) was absolute perfection. Milaidhoo’s entire ethos is built on the idea of barefoot luxury and giving guests the privacy and freedom to do exactly what they want and when. This is even to the point of having no closing time for the bar or other outlets. When asked, the staff told me “the bar closes when the last guest leaves”. I am not sure luxury and guest experience can get any more guest-centric than that. While the price tag can seem daunting from room rates to incidentals, the experience does not disappoint. Read on to find out what we loved.

Location: 5/5

To be honest, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hotel that’s not in a stellar location in the Maldives. This beautiful, tiny island is nestled within Baa Atoll, northwest of Male and is surrounded by an incredible, blue lagoon. It’s situated on a well-known dive site that is famous for its fish, turtles, and beautiful reef walls.

The property is a 30-minute seaplane ride from Male and the property will arrange the transfers for you according to flight times. They use Transmaldivian air, which connects the majority of the hotels in the Maldives. Starting early next year, the property will be running their own seaplane transfers, granting them greater flexibility and a better guest experience all around. We’re very excited about this new development, as it represents even more control of the guest experience from beginning to end.

Lobby & Check in experience: 5/5

We were picked up after landing at Male airport from our international flight by a friendly Milaidhoo representative. She took us to get checked into our seaplane flight and we were promptly escorted to the Milaidhoo private seaplane lounge. It was amazing to have someone manage the entire process for us, from getting our luggage, to moving us in a private, delicious-smelling, car to their seaplane lounge.

The lounge had snacks, coffee, juices, water and comfortable furniture while we waited for our seaplane. While we were in the lounge, our representative checked us into the hotel and took care of all arrival arrangements. Our seaplane had arrived early so we only waited about 35 minutes in the lounge. Our representative took us to the plane and told us to expect a 35 minute ride to the property. We were told we were stopping by Soneva Fushi on the way and to get off on the second stop. The whole process was very easy and clearly explained to us (which we really didn’t appreciate nearly enough, until later when we had a much less positive experience with a different hotel).

Upon arrival at the dock near Milaidhoo, we were greeted by a large yacht and transferred the short 5-minute boat ride to the property. As with many hotels in the Maldives, Milaidhoo’s seaplane dock is situated away from the hotel so as not to disturb the guests on property – a thoughtful and amazing touch.

Rooms: 5/5

To say our Water Pool Villa was spectacular would be an understatement. The room was absolutely mind-blowing, with its 54 sq meter (581 sq ft) bedroom, 20 sq meter (215 sq ft) bathroom and 42 sq meter (450 sq ft) pool. I had never even fathomed the immense size of this beautiful villa on stilts over the Indian Ocean. Even though it was such a large room, it felt overwhelmingly cozy and personal. Every piece of furniture was custom built by traditional Maldivian carpenters on the island and the linens felt so soft that you couldn’t imagine ever getting out of bed, even to take a dip in your private pool on the 129 sq meter (1400 sq ft) terrace.

Every detail of the room was so well-considered. The beautiful bed facing the spectacular sunrise was only the beginning. Every wall in the villa opened up to the outside, molding the massive terrace and bedroom/bathroom into each other. This was truly ‘outdoor’ living at its finest.

Facilities: 5/5

Whatever you want from your peaceful island vacation, Milaidhoo has it. From a stunning overwater spa to endless dining options with views of the Indian Ocean, there is so much to experience here.

Each guest is assigned an Island Host (aka Butler) that assists you with anything from dining recommendations, activities, seaplane transfers, etc.

While we did not try the spa this time, it looked stunning and I have no doubt they have excellent services.

There is also a full gym that includes a “playroom” style living room that has a pool table.

HOTEL

Opened in November 2016, Milaidhoo Island Maldives is a boutique luxury resort in the Baa Atoll UNESCO biosphere reserve, close to Hanifaru Bay, 126km north west of Male. It's perfect for nature lovers as its own coral reef, which completely circles the island, is a protected area and noted as an outstanding snorkelling and diving site in its own right. The tiny beautiful island, abundant with tropical greenery, measures just 300 mby 180m and is fringed by white soft deep sand beaches. Designed for couples and honeymooners, Milaidhoo welcomes guests aged nine and above. Offering barefoot informality, each of the 50 spacious air-conditioned villas has its own private freshwater pool on the sundeck and opens up 180 degrees to allow the natural beauty of the island into the villa.

Clever design ensures all villas have ocean views. The custom-made furnishings and thoughtful designs are Maldivian inspired, from natural wooden floor to the thatched roof all made by master craftsmen specifically for Milaidhoo. An island host is on hand to ensure every detail of the stay is perfect, from arranging spa appointments and excursions to ensuring the private wine fridge in the villa is stocked with the guest's personal favourites. The room rate includes breakfast as well as wi-fi, laundry, kayaking, use of snorkelling equipment and in-villa treats such as a bottle of champagne and tropical fruit basket on arrival as well as a daily evening turn-down with a gourmet gift from chef. The three restaurants and two bars are designed to appeal to the senses, offering outstanding dining in wonderfully informal settings. No shoes are required. Ever.

Food lovers will enjoy the Milaidhoo Gourmet Plan, which is a dine-around meal plan offering daily breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as international and premium brands of spirits, beers and cocktails from a selection as well as fresh juices, soft drinks, mineral water, teas, coffees, milkshakes and smoothies and a premium selection of wines, hand-picked by the sommelier all day long. The over-water spa has four treatment suites and complimentary yoga and meditation classes take place in the open air over-water pavillion.

For romantics, Milaidhoo is the perfect choice: from candlelit dinners to scented baths, from flower petal bedecked beds to the perfect place to say "I do'. Sports activities include sailing, catamarans, kayaks, a 24-hour gym, yacht trips, dolphin cruises, whale shark spotting, manta ray watching, conservation activities with the resident marine biologist, fishing, diving, snorkelling, and an open-air infinity pool. Milaidhoo is reached by a scenic 35-minute seaplane ride from Male International Airport. Airport transfers are provided by the hotel at an extra charge. The transfer process is smooth and easy with the resort's representative meeting each guest at the airport and guiding them to the private lounge where they can rest and recharge to await their transfer.

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