Why Go?
The remote Baa Atoll in the Maldives is recognised as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve – frequented by dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks and turtles – and home to Milaidhoo, a boutique resort with heart that offers one-of-a-kind experiences in the way of nature and romance.
Honeymoon Style
After a day (or two) of sleeping in – and if you can bear to tear yourself away from your villa – Milaidhoo has heaps of romantic attractions and activities for newlyweds.
Whether you visit Ocean Stories, the island’s dive centre, to snorkel the island’s house reef, name a star in the constellation of the month you got married, spend the night sleeping beneath the stars on a private sandbank like castaways or step aboard a traditional Maldivian dhoni for a romantic sunset cruise, a honeymoon at Milaidhoo will raise your standards forever more.
Set The Scene
Milaidhoo isn’t kidding when it says ‘no shoes required’. Despite packing a holdall’s worth of footwear, I found myself wearing the provided, Milaidhoo-branded flip flops for the entirety of our stay and didn’t err from this, even during mealtimes. It’s a reflection of the speed at which I was able to rid myself of the anxieties of London life from the moment the boat arrived, when we were also handed Milaidhoo’s signature welcome cocktail.
This is a pristine island where service, design and dining are five star but with a barefoot, fuss-free informality that puts you at ease instantly. As such, Milaidhoo attracts couples both young and old who appreciate peace, privacy and excellent food and drink to boot.
Rooms
At Milaidhoo, we stayed in a Beach Villa with a Private Pool and, dare I say, we preferred it to staying overwater. Why? It benefited from direct access to the island’s house reef, where we snorkelled each day both independently and with Milaidhoo’s ‘Ocean Stories’ team, and it offered unparalleled privacy thanks to the palm trees and tropical vegetation flanking the villa.
Inside, interiors are contemporary with a nod to Maldivian heritage and culture. Think neutral, wooden furniture paired with turquoise soft furnishings that reflect the brilliant hue of the surrounding ocean. Our favourite feature? The outdoor, tiled shower that is accessed via stepping stones from the ensuite, circular bathroom and surrounded by lush vegetation for maximum privacy.
Open the L-shaped, bi-fold doors to reveal an expansive outdoor deck featuring a swing chair, day-bed and sun loungers overlooking your private infinity pool. On our last morning at Milaidhoo, before a very early return seaplane, we enjoyed an in-room breakfast spread on the deck as the sun rose before us. A real highlight and worth the early wake-up call.
During our stay at Milaidhoo, we were surprised by our dedicated host with rose petals, bubble baths, bottle after bottle of Ruinart, celebration cakes and even a personalised, framed photo. While it’s not uncommon to meet other newlyweds celebrating their honeymoon in the Maldives, each touch at Milaidhoo felt personal just to us.
For honeymooners, request Beach Villa 205 for the same, intimate experience.
Food & Drink
While the Maldives begs of you to lose track of time and rip up any notion of a traditional itinerary, it is worth asking your House Butler to devise a loose itinerary that ensures you tick off each of the spectacular dining experiences that Milaidhoo offers. Begin the day at Ocean Restaurant where an unbeatable breakfast buffet and extensive à la carte menu could reasonably keep you entertained for hours. A personal highlight? The wholemeal French toast with wild honey and cinnamon sugar.
Then there’s the Chef’s Table at The Shoreline Grill. We opted for a tasting menu that combined a medley of seafood with Australian angus steak which Chef Aaron whipped before our eyes – with an impressive element of showmanship – on the teppanyaki grill. Our best advice? Arrive hungry.
The Shoreline Grill is also home to the island’s all-important Wine Room where Miyuru, Milaidhoo’s resident sommelier, takes guests through a wine-tasting experience. At the end of the tasting, we were able to enjoy our favourite bottle with dinner and, at every mealtime thereafter, Miyuru hand-delivered a bottle to suit our tastes to our table. The true definition of hospitality with heart.
Ba’theli is the jewel in the crown of Milaidhoo. Set aboard a boat in the lagoon, we sipped on cocktails on the ‘deck’ under the starry sky before enjoying a gourmet, Maldivian dinner. Fear not if a storm rolls in, inside the restaurant, the floor is entirely glass and provides a glimpse at the resident blacktip sharks below.
Meanwhile, Milaidhoo’s Compass Pool Bar came into its own during the ‘Sunset Soiree’ hour during which we met members of the Milaidhoo Family who kept us topped up with Ruinart and plate after plate of nibbles as we watched the sunset from across the infinity pool. During a rainy spell one afternoon, we also huddled in Compass Pool Bar to play each other at traditional, wooden board games and enjoy a Maldivian take on Afternoon Tea.
Ironically, the most unforgettable dining experience at Milaidhoo does not take place on the island itself: enquire about ‘Destination Dining’ and consider eating under the stars on a nearby sandbank all to yourselves. Whether you opt for the beach BBQ or three-course meal, this is a true one-of-a-kind experience.
Family-Friendly
Children over the age of eight are welcome at Milaidhoo. You won’t find a traditional kids’ club on the island, however, with personalised activities arranged for youngsters via Milaidhoo’s junior islanders programme instead.
Spa
Milaidhoo’s Serenity Spa prizes the healing power of plants, local herbs and natural therapies and uses only organic, natural products. The spa itself features four over-water treatment suites that offer awe-inspiring views of the ocean. To fully appreciate the tranquility, we recommend booking a romantic couple’s treatment that incorporates an open-air bubble bath.
For the stargazers among us, Milaidhoo also offers a ‘Serenity Under The Stars’ experience, which sees guests enjoy a treatment under the starry skies with nothing but the sound of the sea alongside.
In addition to an extensive menu of body and facial treatments, guests can also enjoy a variety of chakra-balancing treatments – perfect for newlyweds that feel a little off-kilter, post-nuptials.
Eco-Friendly
As you’d expect from a resort that inhabits a UNESCO world biosphere reserve, conservation of the environment is one of Milaidhoo’s guiding philosophies.
An initiative that really impressed us was the island’s coral regeneration programme, which guests are able to support by ‘adopting’ a reef of their own and planting themselves on a so-called ‘coral frame’. An excellent excuse to revisit Milaidhoo in the future to witness how it has thrived.
Milaidhoo also runs a Turtle ID programme, for identification and protection of the five species that can be found on the island. It is actively involved with the UK-based Olive Ridley Project and works with the Manta Trust to increase protection for majestic manta rays and their habitat in the Maldives.
Location
Milaidhoo is just a 35-minute flight via seaplane from Velana International Airport.
To book: A seven-night stay at Milaidhoo starts from £7,488 p/person for two adults, with return flights from London Heathrow with a seaplane transfer, staying in a Water Villa with a Private Pool on a half board basis.
READ NEXT: Where To Honeymoon In The Maldives
