The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

I had the best graduation trip with my spouse at the westin! This location is gorgeous, wonderful staff, food, and rooms. While everyone was great, I need to give a SPECIAL THANK YOU TO WAHEED. Not only is he a valuable staff member he is also an artist. Check out this beautiful art he created for me when I arrived. Everyday he checked on us, treated us with respect and a smile. He is THE best and provided one of a kind guest experience. I'd also like to thank the photographer, AHMED, everyone gets 1 complimentary photo or you can buy your photos for purchase. We purchased all of our photos his work was too beautiful not to! Read less

Even prior to arriving at the Westin, we were completely blown away by the level of service we received from this incredible team. Our flight from Turkey was delayed by four hours and the hotel quickly helped us make alterations to our travel plans which included a seaplane and speed boat ride to safely arrive at our destination. Once we arrived, we were courted by staff members playing the drums! We were then swiftly driven to our villa where we got a restful night of sleep atop an incredibly comfortable and luxurious bed. The next morning, we received a tour of the island by friendly staff and noticed the stunning surroundings and the attention to detail. It quickly became clear that our experience at this gorgeous Maldives resort would be truly unforgettable, and that the entire team is dedicated to making every guest feel like royalty. The resort itself is breathtaking – crystal-clear waters, powdery white sand, and spacious overwater villas that offer an unparalleled sense of luxury. We were regulars at the gym where fruit-infused water and oil-infused chilled towels were readily available to support our workouts. During our stay, we pampered ourselves with a couples massage where we were greeted with delicious tea and a focus on our well-being. We also enjoyed the range of activities offered, including snorkeling in the vibrant coral reefs just offshore, a relaxing couple's spa treatment, happy hours and mixers. There were several other events and opportunities available that we didn’t take full advantage of because we enjoyed deep relaxation in our amazing accommodations. The buffet breakfast was a highlight every morning, with a variety of options that catered to every taste. The chefs quickly learned our orders and prepared them for us as we arrived each day. My fiance and I thoroughly enjoyed sampling the Maldivian dishes which were featured each morning. The beachside bar served the most refreshing cocktails, perfect for lounging at the pool or catching a sunset. A special shout-out to the entire team for their exceptional hospitality. From the front desk to the restaurant staff, the concierge, and the housekeeping team, everyone was so friendly, professional, and attentive. Whether it was arranging a private cooking class, organizing a memorable excursion, providing medical care, or simply checking in with us to ensure we were comfortable, it was clear that customer satisfaction is their top priority. We want to specifically name the following staff members: Amila, Saud, Prem, Min, Hoodh, and Nafil. Overall, our stay at Westin was nothing short of magical. The impeccable service, combined with the natural beauty of the Maldives, created an experience we’ll never forget. If you’re looking for a luxurious, relaxing, and truly special getaway, this is the place to be. We can’t wait to return! Thank you, Westin Staff, for making our trip so memorable. Read less

The Maldives has to be on everyone's bucket list and for good reason, as you won’t find a better place in the world for sensational sunsets, crystal-clear turquoise seas, amazing friendly people and some of the most incredible luxurious resorts in the world. We were fortunate enough to visit the Maldives and stay at the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo resort during the quieter part of the year, August, which meant we could travel during school holidays. As it was the low season, getting there was relatively cheap compared to European destinations and the weather was still good enough to enjoy every single day of our holiday on the beautiful white sandy beaches as well as swimming and snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters that surround the many islands that make up the Maldives. We travelled via Dubai with Emirates, around seven hours, as this also proved the cheaper option, plus it allowed the kids to take a break from the plane for a couple of hours and stretch their legs. Economy can be tiresome on long haul flights. The connection was super easy, and we were back in the air for a final four hour flight to Male, capital of the Maldives, after just a couple of hours on the ground. Note to the wise, when making a reservation at any Maldavian resort, you must factor in the cost of transfers from Male's Velana International Airport (MLE) to your resort, whether by speedboat, seaplane or a combination of both. The Westin Maldives is a 35-minute seaplane flight from Male, located in the Baa Atoll, and is within a UNESCO-protected biosphere. We were greeted by one of the Westin representatives at Male airport who assisted us with our transfer to the seaplane terminal. Theres a smart lounge where you wait, with complimentary drinks and snacks if you are peckish. The seaplane flight is spectacular, especially the landing. On arrival we were greeted by the wonderful Hesham and Hanny to the sound of beating drums, very tropical! We were handed the resort's signature welcome drink which was simply delicious. The Westin is an all-villa property, with each one a standalone unit. A standard Beach Villa, consists of a good sized room with modern décor, an indoor as well as outdoor shower, a deck with seating area and two beach chairs plus a small plunge pool. Direct beach access is available from the the villa just off the deck. The beach villas and suites are all very private thanks to the various surrounding plants and trees, though they still offer a glimpse of the ocean from the deck. Overwater villas have the same floor plan, with the ones on the sunset side of the island featuring a plunge pool. In the rooms, as you would expect, there’s a minibar with a decent selection of beer, water, juices, sodas and snacks. There’s also a small wine fridge and a hand juice press, with oranges for the press provided daily. The minibar area also includes a Nespresso machine with complimentary coffee pods, which are replenished daily plus there are reusable glass water bottles refilled as often as required. As there were four of us, instead of booking two beach villas, we decided to go for the top island offering, the Heavenly Beach Residence, a large two bedroomed two bathroomed beach villa with its own swimming pool. Theres a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen and each of the bedrooms has the addition of an outside shower. You get direct access to the beach with the utmost privacy guaranteed. Having been dropped off by golf buggy, our check-in was completed inside the villa, which was a welcome alternative to standing at reception after a full day of travel. Anjay from room services gave us a full tour of the villa and its features before leaving us to get changed and enjoy some beach time. For the healthy conscious amongst you, the Westin has a large gym with some serious state-of-the art training tech, plus the views from the gym are stunning and there is a personal trainer on site if you need guidance. The resort also has a spa, aptly named Heavenly Spa, just adjacent to the gym. It has several treatment rooms and is built over the water which provides exceptional views of the ocean whilst having your treatment. There’s a dive centre at the Westin that provides a wide range of snorkelling and dive excursions, as well as additional activities such as a sunset dolphin cruise, local island tour, deep-sea fishing and Jet Ski rentals. Theres complimentary use of snorkelling gear, so you don’t need to pack or buy your own, plus there are glass-bottom kayaks available for an hourly fee as well as stand-up paddleboards, also for a small fee. My personal advice would be to book a dolphin spotting cruise, which will also allow you to enjoy a Maldivian sunset whilst out at sea. The resort also has a kids club and there was a free to use multipurpose sports court. When it comes to food, there is plenty of choice. The Island Kitchen is the main restaurant on site, with Laurent the ever helpful restaurant manager always there to guide you through the all-day dining or the extensive buffet breakfast. For any allergies or food intolerance’s just speak to Head Chef Min or any one of the fabulous waiting staff, ours was the lovely Celine, who will advise you. Gluten free is available and staff are fully trained in cross food contamination. Theres an open kitchen called Hawker on the beach, with the most laid-back vibe with tables all set in the sand, its a super cool barefoot dining experience. There are a number of beanbag chairs and low tables along the beach, providing a really comfortable spot to relax and take in the views while sipping one of the many delicious cocktails on offer from barman Lasita. The Pearl is the resort's fine-dining venue, offering fine Japanese cusine as well as different set menus in addition to a la carte menus. Built over the water, this restaurant has the most stunning views of the sunset. Overall, the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is a superb place to visit either as a couple, with freinds or with children. Checkout was like check-in, completed in the comfort of our villa. Our seaplane was set to arrive after lunch, so we remained around the villa until we saw the plane landing, at which point we were picked up and driven to the jetty to say our goodbyes. It was lovely to see staff were there not only to greet the arriving guests, but to see off the departing ones too. The flight to Male from the Westin was one of the most scenic I have experienced, flying over several resorts and some beautiful uninhabited islands and when we landed at Male, there were Westin staff waiting to escort us to our next flight, as well as assisting us with our baggage. The Westin is a fantastic property for a wonderful and relaxing holiday, they have a great variety of food and drinks and, most importantly, the most friendly and attentive staff. I wouldn't hesitate to return in a heartbeat. www.marriott.com Read less