Barefoot calm in the Baa Atoll: A family review of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo is a family-friendly resort located on a coral island within the Baa Atoll. It boasts a vibrant house reef and is situated within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, emphasizing sustainability and biodiversity protection. The resort's unique architectural style combines minimalist design with subtle Japanese influences, featuring water features and a distinctive Japanese-style tree at its center.

The stay offers a calm and well-paced island experience suitable for a family with a toddler, away from the overly polished properties found in the Maldives. Guests can arrive by seaplane or domestic flight to nearby Dharavandhoo Airport, followed by a 20-minute speedboat transfer to the resort. The arrival is warm and welcoming, with resort staff cheering and waving as seaplanes taxi to the jetty.

The open-air lobby, located near the ocean, offers a chilled welcome drink and unhurried check-in, allowing guests to appreciate the picturesque surroundings.

The Beach Villa, which we stayed in, overlooks the beach and features a terrace with steps leading to the sand and a narrow path through lush greenery leading directly to the beach. The spacious bathroom includes an open-air shower, offering a luxurious rinse-off experience under warm water with palm leaves blowing in the breeze.

The Westin Heavenly Bed ensures a comfortable night's sleep, and the Kids Sleep Manual, developed in collaboration with pediatric sleep specialists, provides dream-promoting activities such as beachside bedtime stories and stargazing walks. Each of the 70 accommodation units features a private pool, although at the room category we stayed in, the pool water was noticeably cold, preventing a proper swim.

The resort's dining options include four venues, with The Pearl being the standout Japanese restaurant offering exceptional sushi and sashimi. Island Kitchen provides all-day dining with healthy international dishes, overlooking the pool and sea. Hawker offers a lively open-air setting with a seafood barbecue, while Sunset Bar is the ideal spot for golden hour and sundowners, featuring squishy beanbags to relax in.

The breakfast buffet at Island Kitchen is a highlight, with a well-balanced spread that caters to various tastes, including local options like mas huni, a fresh tuna and coconut dish, alongside an Asian selection and made-to-order fruit platters.

The resort's facilities are extensive for a small island, including tennis courts, running tracks, a fitness studio, and a comprehensive daily fitness class program. The watersports center provides various activities, such as scuba diving, snorkeling trips, and dolphin-spotting cruises. We enjoyed the latter, observing shoals of spinner dolphins cruising alongside the boat.

Additionally, guests can explore the wider Baa Atoll Biosphere, including the famous Hanifaru Bay, known for hosting the world's largest gathering of manta rays. The Heavenly Spa offers an overwater villa-style treatment area, where guests can enjoy massages while gazing into the ocean below, with colorful marine life drifting past.