Mirihi Island Resort is an exceptional property in the Maldives, situated on an idyllic palm-fringed island surrounded by a stunning house reef. This is one of our favourite islands, but with very few rooms and such an excellent reputation for gourmet cuisine and superb snorkelling, you will need to book very early to avoid disappointment! Mirihi Island Resort is just perfect for a quiet, intimate holiday or honeymoon.
Mirihi has just 38 thatched villas, 7 of which are set on the beach with 31 over the water. Beach Villas are extremely spacious surrounded by lush tropical foliage, whilst water villas are built on stilts over the lagoon, offering stunning ocean views from large sliding glass doors. The resort is known as being a 'no news, no shoes' island and as such there has been a conscious decision not to supply televisions in the rooms - however for those who cannot live without the cricket score, there is a satellite TV in the lobby!
Mirihi Island Resort has a superb reputation for its cuisine and offers a range of dining venues. There is a sand-floored buffet restaurant serving international specialities and local seafood, as well as a romantic, over-water restaurant offering a la carte dining. There are also two bars, one of which is a wine lounge showcasing around 300 wines from around the world, and the other serving delicious cocktails and light snacks by the beach, as well as boasting the largest collection of fine rum in the Indian Ocean.
Guests at Mirihi can take part in a good range of water sports, while a highly regarded dive school caters for scuba divers of all abilities. The house reef that surrounds the island is known for its vibrant marine life, and the island’s location in South Ari Atoll makes this a popular choice for those keen to experience whale sharks and mantas. Back on dry land, facilities include a yoga pavilion, a beach cinema and one of the biggest stargazing telescopes in the Maldives. Varied excursions allow guests to visit nearby reefs, explore local islands and enjoy sunrise fishing trips, while other experiences include beach barbeques, Maldivian cooking classes and Champagne tasting.
Mirihi is a hidden gem - a resort which combines simplicity with understated luxury. I spent one evening dining at Muraka, their fine dining a la carte restaurant, but was equally delighted with the food on offer at Dhonveli, the traditional sand-floored restaurant.
The 38 villas are located on the beach and on stilts over the water and all feature designer furnishings and polished wooden floors. All villas have king size or twin beds, air conditioning and ceiling fan, Bose music system with Bluetooth connectivity, fully stocked minibar, Wi-Fi, and a Nespresso machine.
Location: Mirihi is located in South Ari Atoll, reached by a 35 minute seaplane transfer
Children: Children are welcome all year round, but there are no children's facilities on the island
Facilities: Spa, yoga pavilion, fitness centre, watersports including Hobie Cat sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkelling, PADI dive centre, excursions including sunset cruises, sunrise fishing and snorkelling trips, boutique, library, each cinema, stargazing telescope
Dining: Stays at Mirihi are on a bed and breakfast, half board, full board or full board plus (which is inclusive of drinks) basis. Dhonveli is a traditional sand floored restaurant serving a local and international buffet menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Muraka is open in the evening for cocktails as well as romantic dinners of seafood and delicious meats complimented by fine wines and champagne. Anba Bar serves cocktails and light snacks from morning until late, with live music often featuring in the evening. Ruhgandu Wine Lounge offers exclusive dining experience for up to 6 guests
