Milaidhoo Island Maldives, Baa Atoll, Maldives
Bucking the trend of all-singing, all-dancing high-gloss glamour, Milaidhoo (set in the heart of Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) serves up a more classic, relaxed Maldivian vibe on a diminutive island of soft, white sands.
Traditional architecture and design, spacious outdoor living and reinvented luxuries from the Maldivian past are fragments of its boutique barefoot concept. A heavenly haven for honeymooners and starry-eyed couples, the vibrant coral reef means it also counts dolphins, whale sharks and manta rays amongst its visitors, so it's little wonder the emphasis is on Milaidhoo Moments – a collection of exclusive activities (more on those later) and seriously good food.
Choose from spacious overwater or beach villas (standing on stilts over the lagoon or hidden amongst the tropical greenery). All open up 180-degrees to allow the surrounding natural beauty to become part of your room, and boast large private freshwater pools, a hanging Maldivian swing and an island host to attend to every whim. We love the in-villa wine fridge too – stocked with all your favourite labels.
As well as all the usual
diversions (spa, day- and night-time snorkelling and diving, watersports, local
excursions et al), the house reef is brilliant, and the spirit-igniting
Milaidhoo Moments even more so, whether you choose to head out to Hanifaru Bay
on a manta or whale shark excursion accompanied by the resort’s marine
biologist, diving through caves, take a sunrise yoga class or indulge in one or
more of the overwater spa treatments, co-create a new dish with the chef, or
join a tasting class to concoct something tasty enough to make its way onto the
drinks menu.