Maldives resort review: Toploader’s DAN HIPGRAVE is wowed by Milaidhoo Island

It’s 13 years since my spouse and I loved an ideal honeymoon within the Maldives. We had at all times wished to return, however tips on how to recreate these particular recollections? We succeeded by selecting ultra-swish Milaidhoo Island to rejoice our wedding ceremony anniversary this yr, elevating the bar to unimaginable ranges.

Let’s get this straight, Milaidhoo is off the charts – a world-class boutique resort set over 13 acres atop the Baa Atoll’s lovely Unesco Biosphere Reserve that whispers class with a laser-sharp eye for element.

After a 35-minute seaplane switch from Male we have been warmly greeted by our private ‘Island Host’ Oksana, who instantly positioned a glass of fizz in our fingers whereas urging us to ‘de-shoe’. ’There’s no want for these right here,’ she chirped, and she or he was proper.

Milaidhoo Island, pictured, is a ‘world-class’ boutique resort set over 13 acres atop the Baa Atoll’s lovely Unesco Biosphere Reserve

Dan and his spouse stayed in an Over Water Villa (pictured), full with a personal sundeck and an infinity pool 

We discovered the barefoot ethos completely liberating. Whereas golf buggies can be found, they are not wanted. A stroll from one finish to the opposite takes lower than 10 minutes both by means of the center alongside a sandy path lined by lush jungle or around the powder-soft seashore with the nice and cozy Indian Ocean lapping at your toes.

We performed it cool, ready for Oksana to complete her guided tour of our huge Over Water Villa earlier than letting rip with pleasure on the absurd lavishness. ‘Is that this place for actual?’ we cried. 

The fashion is tropical seashore home with splashes of brilliant fuchsia, extravagant high-beamed ceilings, a big mattress and good touches akin to Aqua de Palma rest room merchandise and a tv neatly hidden behind a panel of native art work.

Equal focus is paid to the skin residing house. Foldable glass door panels result in a powerful non-public sundeck with plush swing chair, super-comfy solar loungers and an outrageously massive freshwater infinity swimming pool that twinkles like the celebrities at evening when lit. Merely wow.

The bed room in one of many resort’s Over Water Villas. In response to Dan, the resort ‘whispers class with a laser-sharp eye for element’

‘Let’s get this straight, Milaidhoo is off the charts,’ writes Dan. Above is the view from one of many resort’s Over Water Villas 

A stroll from one finish of Milaidhoo to the opposite takes lower than 10 minutes both by means of the center alongside a sandy path lined by lush jungle or across the powder-soft seashore

There’s a uncommon glitch within the Milaidhoo matrix once we famous that seashore loungers are completely obtainable to the visitors staying within the higher-category Seashore Villas. 

These big, thatched-roof pool villas look straight out onto the crystal clear ocean that’s house to the magical home reef.

Water sports activities host Zaeem boasted that the reef was ‘the very best within the Maldives’. 

Above is among the Seashore Residences on the resort, every of which appears to be like straight out onto the crystal clear ocean that’s house to the ‘magical home reef’

A bathtub within the resort’s Serenity Spa. Dan’s spouse, Lynsey, loved the day by day yoga periods at this ‘dreamy overwater spa’ 

On our first snorkel journey I choked on seawater when confronted by a reef shark (it was big, sincere), and we watched in awe as colleges of hyper-coloured fish, Eagle Rays and Hawksbill turtles swam majestically amongst us. Every snorkel was a real privilege.

Every morning earlier than breakfast I made use of the well-equipped health club whereas Lynsey loved the day by day yoga periods on the dreamy overwater spa. 

The constantly high-end eating expertise begins with flashy al la carte breakfast choices akin to lobster and raclette omelette served with chilled pink champagne al fresco at Ocean Restaurant. Belief me, it truly is the one solution to begin the day!

Company can take pleasure in ‘flashy al la carte breakfast choices’ akin to lobster and raclette omelette served with chilled pink champagne al fresco on the Ocean Restaurant (pictured)

In response to Dan, tucking into breakfast on the resort’s Ocean Restaurant, pictured, is a perfect solution to begin the day

The Shoreline Grill, pictured, serves up native reef fish, New Zealand lamb and Japanese Wagyu

Dan watched pink sunsets whereas sipping cocktails that have been designed by gifted mixologist Saji on the resort’s Compass Pool Bar (pictured)

Dan’s dinner on the ‘oh-so-romantic’ Ba’theli, pictured, was a contender for the very best meal of his life

Dan and his spouse feasted on ‘sublimely spiced lobster curry poached in coconut milk’ at Ba’theli (pictured)

Our evenings started with watching pink sunsets whereas sipping vibrant cocktails designed by gifted mixologist Saji at Compass Pool Bar, earlier than unforgettable dinners at one of many three eating places.

Shoreline Grill serves native reef fish, New Zealand lamb and Japanese Wagyu by candlelight together with your toes within the sand and has a formidable wine room expensively stocked with greater than 350 labels.

Our greatest meal (probably ever) was on the oh-so-romantic Ba’theli, the resort’s scene-stealer set on two interlinked conventional dhoni boats. We gazed at reef sharks circling the glistening shallows whereas chef Ahmed Siwath served sublimely spiced lobster curry poached in coconut milk.

It’s troublesome leaving a spot like Milaidhoo, however we signed off in fashion with a once-in-a-lifetime sandbank eating expertise. We have been whisked 10 minutes by boat to a tiny uninhabited strip of sand that I measured at 145 by 18 steps the place we ate sushi and contemporary fruit underneath an enormous parasol with simply one another for firm.

Milaidhoo’s intimate Maldivian setting and immense pure magnificence makes it excellent for a particular vacation. It was an anniversary we definitely received’t overlook in a rush.

For info on Toploader go to toploaderofficial.com. 

‘Every morning earlier than breakfast I made use of the well-equipped health club (pictured),’ says Dan