Maria Holloway checked into Milaidhoo Maldives to discover an oasis of calm during the property's annual wellness month.
As the seaplane glides over the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, layers of rich turquoise blue catch the eye. Before long, a small tropical island fringed with powdery white sand and studded with palm trees comes into view. We’ve arrived at Milaidhoo.
Located 130 km northwest of the Maldivian capital, Malé, and just moments from Hanifaru Bay, Milaidhoo is a family-owned boutique resort that prides itself on warm hospitality. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into what feels like a home away from home. Introductions are made with your dedicated host, and refreshing Acqua di Parma-infused flannels are distributed. From the get-go, it was clear that my Maldivian escape was destined to be an invigorating, restorative experience.
Nature at Every Turn
The surrounding blue lagoons and soft sands inform the resort’s chic interiors, resulting in a space that feels beautifully serene and reflective of the natural landscape. With just 47 villas and three residences on the island, Milaidhoo feels intimate and homely.
As I entered my secluded Water Pool Villa, a hideaway perched above the Indian Ocean, I found a luxurious cocoon bathed in natural light. Bi-fold doors open to a generous sundeck with a 42 sqm freshwater infinity pool, a swing coach and shaded daybeds. With steps descending directly into the crystalline waters, the Indian Ocean almost feels built into the living space. In the bathrooms, the luxurious touches are akin to a private spa, with oversized bathtubs, rain showers and Acqua di Parma products.
Wellbeing Reimagined
At Milaidhoo, guests are invited to pause and reconnect. Fatigued after a long-haul flight, I surrendered to a massage in one of the Serenity Spa’s overwater treatment suites. The blend of botanicals, nourishing oils and sweeping motions across pressure points instantly dissolved the shoulder tension. Traditional treatments aside, the resort offers the LYMA Laser, the first and only property in the Maldives to do so. I experienced the LYMA Laser Facial, a 90-minute ritual using Elemis, ila and TheraNaka products. Designed to restore radiance and lift the skin, the treatment uses a 500mW near-infrared laser at a cellular level to stimulate natural repair and regeneration. By the end, my skin was supremely hydrated and luminous.
The wellness programmes at Milaidhoo never feel prescriptive. Whether you’re hankering after a morning swim, gym time or a quiet moment to gaze at the stars, each day can be tailored to your own rhythm. For something that feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment, opt for the sunrise yoga session.
Just a short speedboat ride away on a private sandbank, we immersed ourselves in a grounding practice accompanied by the sound of lapping waves and pastel skies. Optional therapies include breathwork, meditation, reiki and chakra balancing. The reiki healing sessions with visiting practitioner Emilie Chanon are especially restorative, nurturing the soul as much as the body.
Indian Ocean Bliss
Given that the Maldives consist almost entirely of water, the hotel’s roster of oceanic activities is unrivalled. Guests can don snorkelling gear for an immersive swim straight from the island’s beach to the house reef, which is an ecosystem buzzing with vibrant marine life. Beyond this lies the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve spanning 75 islands.
Notably, it’s home to Hanifaru Bay which is one of the world’s most extraordinary underwater wonders, and a must-do on any Maldivian itinerary. Guided by a resident marine biologist, divers can explore a kaleidoscopic marine world, home to 1,200 species of fish and majestic manta rays. If you’d rather stay on the water’s surface, don’t miss the serene evening cruise for the chance to watch pods of dolphins dancing across the horizon.
Nourishing Plates
Milaidhoo offers a plethora of indulgent dining options that are surprisingly healthy. Mornings start with fresh juices and acai bowls at Ocean, lighter bites dominate at Compass Pool Bar, while Azure offers a toes-in-the-sand lunch bursting with honest island flavours.
Evenings invite an altogether different aura. At Shoreline Grill Chef’s Table, the ocean-to-table ethos reigns supreme. Expect grilled lobster, succulent scallops, king prawns and wagyu beef, prepared teppanyaki-style before your eyes for a touch of culinary theatre. Rare vintage wines from the chilled wine room can be paired with each dish for an elevated, elegant evening.
For a truly unique experience, head to Ba’theli, the only Maldivian fine dining restaurant set on a traditional boat with glass floors stretching over the lagoon. Here, the soulful flavours of the Spice Route ring loud and clear. Guests can feast on Maldivian curries, spice-laced classics honouring island heritage, as well as dishes shaped by Sri Lankan, Australian and Argentinian influences.
Milaidhoo Maldives is more than just a destination, it’s a unique sanctuary where wellness, luxury and escapism seamlessly converge. The magic lingers with you long after you depart, ensuring that a return to the island’s sandy shores is purely a matter of time.
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