Milaidhoo Island Maldives Celebrates Official Opening

The boutique resort promises its guests a new chapter of barefoot luxury on its intimate island set in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll region of the Maldives. It differentiates itself from the herd with its ‘Milaidhoo Moments', a collection of exclusive activities for the luxury traveler seeking meaningful and memorable experiences.

Shunning the current trend for high-gloss hotel glitz, barefoot informality is at the very heart of the Milaidhoo's ethos. Perfectly located to offer the absolute best of the Maldives to its discerning guests, Milaidhoo offers a return to a classic, relaxed Maldivian holiday style on a tiny island with deep soft white sand beaches and a vibrant coral reef where dolphins, whale sharks and manta rays are visitors – a benefit of being in a protected marine area.

This private, luxury island is reached by a scenic 30-minute seaplane flight from the international airport. Standing on stilts over the lagoon are 30 spacious over-water villas (800 square feet) and hidden amongst the tropical greenery are 20 serene villas on the beach (950 square feet). All villas have large private freshwater swimming pools and an island host to attend to the guests' every whim.

Designed by local architect Mohamed Shafeeq, the resort's 50 villas have been made using materials and fittings custom-made for Milaidhoo in a way that epitomizes the true contemporary Maldives style. Spacious outdoor living is the key phrase: the villas open up 180-degrees to allow the natural beauty of the Maldives to become part of the room.

Milaidhoo shows a commitment to offering authentic and meaningful experiences. First up is snorkeling with Santa for the holidays, followed by coffee tastings, latte art, a seminar about coffee, and lessons on how to make the perfect cup from former world champion barista Fritz Storm in January. In March, two Michelin-starred chef Tanja Grandits will host intimate dinners, cooking classes and more from the 4th to the 11th. Renowned for dishes that celebrate color, texture and spices, the internationally-renowned chef will also be available to book as a private chef in one's villa.

Milaidhoo will offer its guests access to Hanifaru Bay, a marine protected area, which attracts the largest seasonal groupings of manta rays in the world and is also one of the best places to go whale shark spotting in the Maldives. Perfect beaches, snorkeling on coral reefs, diving, water sports, fishing and cultural excursions to nearby islands and sandbanks also create stories that guests will want to tell forever.

Gourmets will feel at home at Milaidhoo with three restaurants and two bars. Shaped like a traditional wooden sailing boat used in the Maldives to travel the maritime spice routes, its signature restaurant, Ba'theli, sits on stilts over the lagoon and offers a modern interpretation of ‘island influenced' cuisine. Cocktails are fresh, creative and on point while the wine list has been designed to pique the interest of wine lovers with a choice of much loved classics alongside a selection of wines from lesser-known boutique wine makers. All villas have their own wine fridge where guests can keep their personal favorites.

The island's Serenity Spa consists of four treatment suites set on stilts over the lagoon where guests can also enjoy daily complimentary yoga and meditation classes on the custom-built pavilion. A range of treatments use only natural, organic and safe products, including British-based Elemis and TheraNaka from Africa.

Milaidhoo is the only resort in the atoll that has been created specifically with couples in mind, although children aged nine and above are welcomed.

Nightly rates start at $1,575 per night for two people in an over-water villa on half-board basis. For more information or reservations, visit www.milaidhoo.com.