The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo review: Sunrise yoga, enchanting sea-life and no shoes required

I knew I was in trouble of being permanently swayed to island life the moment I slipped off my sandals and didn’t bother putting them back on. By the second day at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, my shoes were redundant, my inbox forgotten and - most astonishing of all - I was voluntarily awake for the sunrise.

Set in the reef-rich waters of Baa Atoll, this intimate island resort has a way of gently dismantling your usual routines. My go-to beach holiday itinerary tends to involve late dinners, even later mornings and a healthy avoidance of anything with fins. Yet somewhere between a barefoot stroll along powder-soft sand, a dawn yoga session overlooking the Indian Ocean and an unexpectedly mesmerising encounter with reef sharks beneath a sushi restaurant on stilts, something shifted.

This isn’t a flashy, see-and-be-seen Maldives address. Instead, it’s serene, polished and quietly confident - a place where wellness feels natural rather than prescribed, and where the marine life isn’t a novelty but a daily companion. Over the course of just a few days, I ditched my shoes, became a morning person and even began to conquer a lifelong fear of sharks. Here’s what happened when I let this small, sand-fringed island set the pace.

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo review

About The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

The Westin sits on the Maldives’ Miriandhoo island, a relatively small piece of land that’s found in the Indian Ocean’s Baa Atoll. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa Atoll’s protected status means the reefs are exceptionally vibrant, shaping everything from the house-reef snorkelling (where reef sharks and turtles are a regular thrill rather than a rarity) to guided excursions to Hanifaru Bay to see the manta rays - all experiences offered by the hotel, by the way.

A small island, where everything is pretty close together and you can walk from one end of the island to the other in the space of 10 minutes, you get quickly accustomed to life without shoes. By the end of the trip, I think the only time I actually wore my brand new H&M sandals was when I went for breakfast and the evening I thought best to give into societal protocols at the chic sushi dinner. Other than the eating areas (and thankfully, the air-conditioned indoor gym), the entire island is grounded by soft, smooth, clean sand that is so much easier to glide through barefoot than clomp around in flip-flops.

If you’re one who prefers to avoid walking altogether, there are golf buggies to drive you around - simply ask a staff member or make a call from your room. Due to the size of the island, it’s not one of those that comes with bicycles, but honestly, they’re really not needed. With 70 villas and suites, 41 on the island and 29 overwater, it’s an intimate but lowly-buzzing resort, offering both atmosphere and privacy when you need it.

Getting to The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

In all honesty, any journey that’s not a straight flight and jump in a car transfer makes me slightly nervous, so the whispers of seaplanes had me slightly jittery as we went straight from Male’s Velana International Airport’s arrivals to their seaplane luggage drop-off.

After that, a short drive to the Maldivian Seaplane Terminal made me feel somewhat more at one with the earth, and a smooth process through the terminal did a lot to calm my nerves.

Stepping out onto the jetty however, got the job done. I was so gloriously captivated by the dozens of seaplaces, all neatly lined-up on the port, just floating away on the water, that any feelings of nerves were completely overshadowed by the sheer excitement and curiosity of what was to come.

Once inside, the seaplanes are slightly snug, so definitely take some sort of compact bodybag if you want to keep anything with you for the journey, as you won’t have room for much else by your seat, but any form of personal entertainment is far from necessary given the most breathtaking and, truly what feels like at the time, once-in-a-lifetime views that accompany the journey.

The seaplane journey time to the Miriandhoo island is around 45 mins-1 hour, depending on whether you’re the first stop in the journey or not. One of the best things about arriving there, is that the island has its own Seaplane port, so no need to disembark beforehand and then boat over (like some other hotels we saw along our route), you can be dropped straight at the hotel, where a picturesque arrival reminiscent of some of Hollywood’s best movies (Couples Retreat anyone?) awaits you.

Rooms at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

Surely it’s not just me whose favourite part of a holiday is arriving at your hotel room to explore what there is to offer? Either way, I think this was the most thrilling experience I’ve ever had of that moment.

Arriving at my personal beach villa via golf buggy, on approach to my front door, it was pointed at me that that walking straight through would take me to my own personal pool and - what was getting me even more excited than that - the sliver of ocean I could see through the hedge.

Somehow, that was actually swiftly forgotten once the door was opened to a vast, mahogany-cladded sleek, modern and sophisticated room bathed in light.

On exploring, I was increasingly impressed and excited by what I found, from sprawling but hidden wardrobe space, a deep freestanding bath, spacious luxury shower - and even a rainforest-esque shower outside - to a spacious sofa area, an orange juice press (complete with a basket of fresh oranges) and my own personal wine fridge. And that was all before I opened the doors to my private pool area complete with a sofa, sun loungers, and my own access to the beach.

Personally, I’m not really one for overwater villas, as it’s just that little bit too close to the ocean for me, but a peek into these dreamy rooms showed me that they were just as good, complete with the same luxuries, a gorgeous widespread view of the ocean, and even a little window in the floor so you can see the water underneath you.

If you’re travelling in a bigger group, the hotel also offers large multi-bedroom villas with a private pool, so you can enjoy a trip in the privacy of your own space.

Food & dining at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

Dining at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo felt intimate - in the best way. There wasn’t 20 different restaurants packed with people and a chaos around trying to secure a table.

Everything was laidback but atmospheric, a soft buzz from the hotel’s fellow clientele, but a focus on you, your table and your needs. The hotel boats three different restaurants, all of which face the ocean - with one actually sitting above the water.

The main Island Kitchen at the heart of the hotel offers food all day, with one of the fullest breakfast buffets I’ve come across in my years of travelling, complete with a bucket of Champagne bottles.

With everything from the go-to British fry-up and continental favourites, to Maldivian and Indian breakfast staples, an omelette station and freshly-made pancakes and waffles, you are left wanting for nothing.

For a more upscale evening experience, The Pearl is the resort’s signature restaurant. Perched over the lagoon, its refined menu leans toward Japanese-inspired cuisine with a strong focus on seafood.

An evening at The Pearl means a slow, sensory dinner accompanied by the sound of waves lapping the stilts beneath your table and delicious, melt-in-your-mouth seafood. We even had a visit from a family of reef sharks, who you could watch from the terrace or see swimming past underneath your dinner table. A questionable experience for my first night on the island given my lifelong shark phobia. While I skipped out on the terrace audience, I couldn’t help but sneak a peek as they swam past below our table - and seeing them in the wild like that really was the thaw that began to chip away at my fear during the trip.

Hawker brings a more relaxed yet lively vibe, with Asian-inspired “street food” classics - think noodles, soups and small plates - served with character and flair.

For something lighter or more social, the Sunset Bar is just the place for cocktails at golden hour or late-night tropical tipples with new friends. They offer everything from crisp beer and chilled wine to Spicy Margaritas and creamy but punchy Piña Coladas.

Activities and facilities at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

In this peaceful corner of the ocean, it’s almost easy to miss the island’s activities, the thoughtful facilities pocketed into unassuming areas ready and waiting for whatever and whenever you need. There’s an impressive gym - plus an outdoor workout area - for anyone who wants to keep up with fitness while away, and tennis, table tennis and beach volleyball facilities for taking some time out with friends. Families will also find plenty to keep everyone happy, as, as well as the above, there’s a Westin Family Kids Club that offers activities and play for younger guests.

It’s no surprise that maybe my favourite part of the trip was the spa. A beautiful building across a small bridge that makes it feel like its own little area in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the hotel’s wellness area provides top-of-the-range treatments in private rooms all with a view of the ocean. There are even windows in the floor underneath the irresistibly-comfortable massage tables that I truly had to drag myself out of after my treatment. However, my favourite part of this unique luxury wellness experience, was definitely the sun-soaked relaxation room, where you could relax after the treatment with a tamarind tea and some fruit, taking some solo down time or having a chat with friends. We even saw some dolphins jumping out of the water as they swam past - a truly unforgettable experience.

When it comes to activities, it may sound dramatic but, to me, they were nothing short of life-altering. While beach holidays usually see me enjoying late wine-soaked dinners with friends and family into the wee hours and waking just in time to catch the breakfast buffet, a sunrise yoga session of the trip’s opening morning had me truly converted to the ocean’s early mornings.

Easy movements, serene surroundings and just the sound of the waves - no crackling speaker needed - made the experience one I was desperate to repeat. And it’s not the only activity that left me with a changed perspective on my return home.

Granted, my aforementioned phobia of sharks left me hesitant to join for the hotel’s boat trip to go snorkelling with manta rays, but being out on the sparkling, endless water quickly changed my mind. Surrounded by gorgeous views, the one-hour trip to the reef was unforgettable - we even saw some turtles swimming by.

On arrival to the manta ray reef, the buzz was palpable, as we’d arrived just in time for the area to be full of magnificent animals. And while the shark fear didn’t quite allow me to join the group in the water, the experience was safe and reassuring, with us having been provided and explained all the correct gear before heading into the water, and a group of guides leading the group to the exact area to experience the manta rays. Me? I got to relax on the deck of the boat, soaking up the sun for half an hour, taking photos of my group in the ocean and watching the elegant rays swimming around from above.

When to visit The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

The Maldives is a warm, tropical destination year-round, but subtle seasonal changes can influence your experience. The peak season - roughly December to April - brings reliably sunny days, calm seas and the classic picture-perfect weather many travellers envision for a Maldives escape. It’s also the busiest and most sought-after time to travel, so booking well ahead is key.

The shoulder months (April to June, September to November) offer a wonderful compromise: often fewer crowds, excellent snorkelling conditions and significant savings on accommodation and transfers, without sacrificing much in comfort. Rainfall tends to come in short bursts and usually followed by sunshine, making it a fine choice for travellers who are flexible and weather-savvy. We visited in September and were treated to glorious sunshine everyday, with a couple of very short showers - most at night.

Visiting outside the peak window can also increase your chances of seeing marine life - particularly manta rays and whale sharks at Hanifaru Bay when conditions align. For many visitors seeking a blend of value and great experiences, these shoulder periods are often the sweet spot.

Prices at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

Let’s be clear from the outset: a stay at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo is a considered investment rather than an impulse booking. This is luxury in one of the world’s most remote and ecologically protected settings, and prices reflect that.

In peak season (roughly December to April), beachfront pool villas typically start from around £1,100-£1,500 per night for two adults on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with overwater villas often commanding £1,400-£1,900+ per night, depending on size and position. Festive periods can rise significantly beyond this. In shoulder season (May, June, September and October), rates can dip closer to £900-£1,200 per night, offering meaningful savings for those willing to trade guaranteed sunshine for the occasional tropical shower.

The seaplane cost is also a significant addition to take into consideration. An unavoidable cost in the Maldives, return seaplane transfers usually sit at around £450–£550 per adult, while the domestic flight and speedboat option is often in a similar range. For couples, that’s an extra four-figure sum to factor in before you’ve even unpacked.

Dining is another area where budgeting matters. While breakfast is often included, half-board supplements can add approximately £120-£180 per person per night, and full-board or all-inclusive packages more still. Given that à la carte dining in remote island resorts can easily see dinner for two exceed £200 with wine, many guests find meal plans offer greater predictability and value. Although if you’re someone who doesn’t eat too much in the day and are happy to pay a supplement for a small snack at lunchtime, the half-board option could be a great money-saving option.

For a couple travelling in high season, a seven-night stay in an overwater villa with transfers and half-board can realistically total £12,000-£18,000, depending on room category and travel dates. It’s undeniably a splurge, but for many, the combination of privacy, pristine marine life, thoughtful service and restorative calm justifies the outlay.

The key is planning: book early, travel in shoulder season if possible, and consider packages through reputable tour operators who can bundle flights, transfers and meals for better overall value. In a destination as extraordinary as Baa Atoll, peace of mind - and a little financial clarity - goes a long way.

Book directly on the Marriott website here