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If someone told me I was going to eat some of my most memorable meals – ever – in an all-inclusive resort (whether on a luxury Maldives island or not), I'm not sure I would ever have believed them… until a few months ago.
Let me be clear: I have nothing against all-inclusive hotels, or their food offerings. I've spent some of my most treasured holidays in package resorts – my husband and I love to explore, yes, but we also love buffets, private beaches and swim-up bars. Who doesn't?
But after visiting the Maldives for the first time in December 2024, and spending three magical days at the stunning Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort in the Baa Atoll, I can confirm that this tropical island paradise hits different. Allow me to reminisce…
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, at a glance
- Found on the Unesco Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll, a half-hour seaplane ride from Velana International airport
- Luxury rooms range from beachside to overwater villas
- A small, exclusive resort with three restaurants to dine at
- Choose from half board, full board or fully all-inclusive
- Wellness-focused resort with gym and personal trainers available, plus spa and treatment rooms overlooking the ocean
- Full programme of excursions and activities including water sports, diving and snorkelling
We combined our once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Westin with a stay at sister Marriott hotel the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa – meaning we spent six leisurely nights in the Maldives in total (an ideal amount of time, if you ask me). During our three nights spent at the Westin, we fell in love with the turquoise ocean views, our roomy overwater villa and the quiet, peaceful vibe of the resort itself – and that aforementioned food offering, of course.
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Rooms at the Westin Maldives
Miriandhoo itself is a relatively small, lush island – so the Westin has capitalised on that secluded luxury feel by offering solely spacious villas as accommodation, whether on the water itself or on the beach overlooking the ocean.
We stayed in one of the resort's one-bedroom overwater villas – a true pinch-ourselves moment – and to say we were spoiled with space is an understatement. With wall-to-wall windows offering unspoiled views of the Indian Ocean ahead of us, our room was made up of one sprawling space which could be divided up using sliding doors. The centrepiece, of course, was the huge super-king bed with a roomy walk-in wardrobe behind it (heaven), closely followed by the apartment-like bathroom – with a standalone tub, his-and-hers sinks and an enormous shower.
Out on the terrace, our very own private pool called me for a cooling dip each morning, where I could peer over the infinity edge and watch the marine life zip by. I could also witness, in awe, the underwater world via the clear glass floor panel in our living room area – where I often lay reading while colourful shoals swam by beneath me.
With sleek lines and natural wood tones, there's a very clear Japanese influence throughout the Westin, which also counts wellbeing as a focus for its guests. The hotel is based around six wellness ‘pillars’ – one of which, naturally, is sleep – so you'll find extra touches like lavender balm on the bedside table to help you drift off, too.
Restaurants at the Westin Maldives
Okay, okay… back to the food. There are three restaurants to dine at on the island (as I said, the resort is pretty small and secluded) – and since I found myself wanting to repeat order at every single one of them, the only problem this presented was how we should divide our time between each.
Traditionally, the hotel buffet is perhaps seen as the most basic (but undoubtedly yum) option in most resort set-ups, right? The Island Kitchen, found at the central hub of the Westin, is anything but that. In fact, it's a buffet at breakfast time – but what a buffet it is. Small but mighty, choose from fluffy eggs cooked to order, fresh yoghurt, fruit and pastries or freshly-made pancakes and waffles… and in line with the hotel's wellness ethos, a plentiful choice of green juices and smoothies.
At lunch and dinnertime, the Island Kitchen moves over to an à la carte menu, which undoubtedly offered some of our favourite dishes of the whole trip. A fusion between Asian, Indian and local flavours, highlights were the sticky glazed pork belly and roasted octopus with black rice, as well as the most moreish calamari I've ever had (one of my regular re-orders during our stay, FYI). I'm not a big drinker, so I was extra impressed with the choice of fresh juices, smoothies and mocktails. A beloved Maldivian local dish, the fragrant tuna curry, is a must-try, too.
Impressively, the Westin is also home to an even more elevated food offering – Japanese restaurant The Pearl – which offers a five-course tasting menu, overlooking the ocean from an atmospheric decked area. Only open for dinner, I had to pinch myself (again) as I watched the sun go down from our alfresco table – by dessert, we were stargazing. Here, we enjoyed ultra-fresh sashimi, crispy tempura and tender meat skewers, rounding out the meal with smooth matcha ice cream. Although it was a memorable experience, my only criticism here would be whether I felt the refinement of the food matched the expectation of a ‘tasting’ menu – which was sold as a more luxe dining option out of all the restaurants.
Our favourite dining experience at the Westin actually took us completely by surprise. One lunchtime, during a tropical downpour – they do happen in the Maldives, of course, although our experience was brief – we strolled with our umbrellas to Hawker, the hotel's casual beach restaurant.
Here, the kitchen is open and the vibe is chill, so I suppose I thought the food might be a little more low-key too. I was right, sort of. Undoubtedly, the menu is perhaps a little more rustic – think hot soups and stir fries, again with Asian influence – but the flavours are big. My husband's Tom Yum soup was the best he's had outside of Thailand, hot and sour with extra chilli and lemongrass, while my nasi goreng was ultra flavourful, too. A shoutout to my ‘Maldivian Lassi’ too, a local take on the Indian yoghurt drink with added coriander, coconut water, lime and honey. I still think about it now.
What to do at the Westin Maldives
Despite its secluded location, there's plenty to keep you busy on Miriandhoo, if you so wish. I was super impressed by the wellness activities on offer – from the hotel's luxe gym to the regularly scheduled yoga classes.
Like many Maldives resorts, the Westin also has its own PADI diving centre from which you can try snorkelling, parasailing, kayaking and scuba-diving – plus there's plenty of opportunity for trips further afield to experience some of the Baa Atoll's incredible marine life. Those visiting from mid-May until November could be lucky enough to witness the feeding manta rays at nearby Hanifaru Bay, while the hotel's weekly sea turtle excursions are a must-do.
Of course, the ultra-clear waters surrounding the resort are a haven for wildlife, too – on our last day, we grabbed our free snorkelling equipment from the dive centre and explored the reefs in front of our villa, spotting reef sharks, clownfish and triggerfish amongst the rainbow shoals.
But a more relaxing way to enjoy the local marine life would be to book yourself into the hotel's over-ocean spa, which also has incredible sea views. Since each treatment room features floor-to-ceiling windows and glass panels beneath the massage beds, you can watch the underwater world swim by as you enjoy a soothing massage – something we also took advantage of during our stay.
The Westin Maldives: my verdict
The Westin is a small-but-mighty resort which lends itself perfectly to island hopping in the Maldives. Our three nights here felt like the perfect amount of time to embrace that remote island feeling while enjoying everything the hotel has to offer – in particular, in case I haven’t waxed lyrical enough, the food.
If you’re a wellness lover looking for a quiet, secluded escape, the Westin Maldives might just might be your match. If I had to sum it up, I’d call it big brand Marriott hospitality with a boutique feel – the best of both worlds, if you will.
Since it's a small resort, those that prefer bigger hotels with a myriad of restaurants and pools might prefer some of the Maldives' other more sprawling properties. But I experienced the true meaning of ‘escape’ at the Westin Maldives, and I wouldn't change a thing.
After more Maldives content? Discover the best family resorts in The Maldives and the best affordable hotels in the Maldives, and read Fiona's Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa review.
